Sit down long arm
 

I'm considering purchasing a long arm sit down machine due to lack of space in my home

Looking at Bernina or Gammill and welcome your advice

Thank you

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/bhqjusppa.html

Bailey's long-arm machines are fantastic. You can't beat the customer service either. I have the Bailey Pro 15 that sits in a custom built table.
Mr. Bailey has his machines sitting in a table similar to an industrial machine set up.

Is this a 15" throat

My friend bought one. Just keep in mind, all you can do is FMQ. From what I can see, the basic table is not big enough to support larger quilts. JMO.

I would check out Innova's sit down machine too.

How much research and hands on testing have you done? I find it interesting that you have it narrowed down to the two most expensive options currently on the market. Just because something costs the most doesn't necessarily mean it is the best. Because you are in Houston, you may wish to postpone your decision until Houston Quilt market in the fall. Every major manufacturer will be there with demos set up for you to try out. I have a stand up longarm because I am a "move the pencil" quilter (as opposed to move the paper which is what you are doing with a sit down). I also hated the sandwiching process with a white hot passion and that step is eliminated with frame quilting, but you need to have the available space, which you do not. I think you should evaluate every sit down brand available and the Houston show would be the best place to do it. Then you need to decide what features you want the most and what kind of customer support you will get. Make a list of all your pros and cons, what is really important and what you can live without. Many sitdown quilters don't need a stitch regulator. I couldn't quilt as well as I do without one.

Just as important, or even more important than a large throat, is having the needed support for the quilt. A very large table that the machine sits flush in is critical IMHO. In addition to a table, many sit down quilters have set up hanging systems from their ceilings to support the weight of the quilt while FMQ on a sit down mid arm or LA.

I have the Bernina sit down. It has 20 inches of throat space and a table that can extend to 80 inches. I've had it about a year and I love it! Perfect tension, easy to use, easy to wind the bobbin. For some reason the universal needles work better with it.

I have the HQSweet16 sitdown and love it. My table is 3x3 and then my sewing table (old kitchen table at the same height that holds my domestic) is to the left of it with all sorts of stuff on it. I done everything up to a king-sized on it and LOVE it and have no issues with quilt size. Sometimes I just have a desk chair I put on the right side to hold some weight, but usually I can turn the quilt so the bulk is to the left.

That said, I tend to love to move the fabric anyway I want to go and was already using my domestic to FMQ so there was no learning curve. My mind can't wrap itself around only being able to work in a specific rectangle and then having to roll and quilt and roll again. Just not sure how I would be able to do some of the designs that I like to do! My friend also bought this same machine at the Houston IQF a few years before I got mine.

Not everyone loves long arms and frames and moving the machine. But it is my understanding at least with the HQ16 that you could later upgrade to use it on a frame if you wanted.

There are a lot of models. I agree about waiting for the houston quilt market to test available models. people like the sweet 16 a lot. I know the george has been quite popular as well. There is also innova, juki has a model I believe so you might want to try them out and see how they feel

I bought the Simply Sixteen. I'm still learning to use it, but I love the setup! I converted a bedroom to a quilting room.

If you are limited in space they are a good option, but if you get one, check into a quilt suspension system, This helps hold the weight of the quilt so you don need a big table.

I just bought a Juki in March and I love it....

Might check out Innova's sitdown model too. They're in TX but will ship................of course.

I'm with Doggrama - I bought the Bernina Q20 and I absolutely love it! I chose the Bernina for several reasons - the 20" of throat space, width-adjustable Koala table, BSR built into the throat plate (makes it easy to do ruler/template work), local dealer for support/service, previous experience with Berninas, uses regular Bernina feet, and sewing machine needles.

I have a Tin Lizzi. It has a large throat area. There are no feet with it. It's taken me a long time to learn how to use it as they only do FMQ.

A couple of the ladies said all you can do is FMQ with a sit-down machine. Have you tried the Westalee Templates? I'm having a lot of fun with them, and get some beautiful results.

I vote for the HQ Sweet 16. But most quilters prefer quilting without the stitch regulator -- it isn't the best. It attaches to your quilt and regulates by how you pull it around on the table.

I have the Tiara II by Baby Lock sit-down and love it. I can do free motion and ruler work. I LOVE doing ruler work on it. It came with an oversized table that holds a large quilt.

Didn’t have the nerve to try free motion a first, but after using some of the rulers I am graduating to free motion. You don’t have to load your quilt onto any frames. You do have move the fabric instead of moving the machine. Here is a link to the manual. It shows a picture. http://babylock.com/quilting/tiara2/

I don't have the stitch regulator on mine - never even tested it, so I don't know how it would be different. I was already doing FMQ on my domesting with the feed dogs down so got used to not having any regulator I guess. I can't imagine attaching it to the quilt honestly -- that would be weird to me!

Thank you ladies for all the valuable advice
I have been going to Quilt fest for over 25 years and though I was not in the market for one, have tested and kept notes I took of the displayed sit down long arms for at least 5 years

I like several of them but the Gammil always stood out; expensive but that's not what I go by
It was quieter, and the stitching beautiful

It does not have a stitch regulator per say but does have a variable speed stitch, constant speed stitch, basting stitch, adjustable stitch speed for all modes
It has a mega sturdy table w ample space to work
I'm claustrophobic so this is important

It's been my dream to own one

Learned about the Bernina Q20 from online searches and tested one in Humble, TX Monday this week
Impressive!! Beautiful too

BabyLoch Jewel another contender, sat down and played w one yesterday AM

Tested the HViking and the Pffaf last Sunday and those include a stitch regulator that u drag around w the quilt -those do not work for me
I did like that their tables are adjustable, sit or stand up

Purchase has not been made as I am still researching and evaluating user reviews but I do want to own one soon. Love to FMQ ❤️👍

Thank you
:)

Tin Lizzie
 

Penny I have a TL Long arm too. I'm in need of help, if you're willing please PM me. Thanks a bunch!
Jeri