All along, I have been saying that the HQ Sweet Sixteen was the one for me...but as the time to purchase draws closer, I'm beginning to have doubts. The dealer is 4.5 hours away and it seems like too much of an ordeal. I have been checking out other machines and thanks to someone's post, found out that Tin Lizzie has an Queen Quilter 18 sit-down model. This is a major investment for me and don't really want to make a mistake, so, I'm asking for opinions. I know that's like asking for Do you like for Ford or Dodge" and everyone has their own opinions, but, I really would like to see what my friends on the board have to say.
Do you have the sit-down longarm machine, if so what kind and of course the pros and cons of your machines.
We will be purchasing a longarm at the end of March, just not sure which one at this point. One on the frame isn't a viable option due to space and not being able to stand for long periods of time and lack of strength in my arms, that is the reason for the quest of a sit-down. I am looking forward to any comments and advise you have to offer.

The "George" is fantastic. comes with a wonderful table. About $8000. I think its from APQS. Check it out.

I have 2 friends who have the Pfaff Grand Quilters and they love them. One uses hers just sitting on a table where the other one has the full frame set up. I do believe these are considered mid-arm rather than longarm, but they might do what you need them to do for not a huge investment.

I don't think I would like sitting at a table and moving a large quilt as well as moving the machine on a carriage at that price. Can you try using both? Are there any similar systems that rent time in your area so you could see what you like?

APQS George is a good machine. Not sure there is a rep in your area, but customer service by phone is excellent. You might also consider a longarm, or midarm that has a hydraulic lift. You can adjust the height so you can either stand, or sit to quilt. You'll want to get a light weight but sturdy machine. IMO APQS is the company to go with. Machines are built of aircraft aluminum which makes them lighter weight than most long arms. Check out their website. www.apqs.com. Check the dealer listing for reps in your area. My favorite in Canada is Matt Sparrow in Alberta. If you contact him he is a wealth of information. Tell him Becky, the rep in Nebraska suggested you contact him!

I'm going to second the comment about checking on the hydraulic lift. Try all the machines, you are making a huge investment. IMO, you are going to use your arms more by moving a quilt around that moving a lightweight head over the quilt. MQS is coming up. It's well worth the trip and you can try all the machines.

Do you have this setup? We are now looking into the George as well...DH says the price difference isn't a issue. MORE comments PLEASE!!! I really need your opinions.

I'm also curious. I've been doing FMQ on my home machine and I'm doing OK. I was wondering how easy the transition would be from moving the fabric to moving the machine. To me it's a whole different motion.

I too have issues with standing or walking so have explored this at several quilt shows and shops. The George is a wonderful machine, however, note that the orientation is the same as a domestic machine. The HQ 16 sit down has the orientation the same as a long arm and I found I liked that much better. I didn't like the feel of the Tin Lizzie. There was another machine made by Pennywinkle Valley Ranch that I really liked and is much closer to my price range. They have a web site if you care to look at it. I think it was called Smooth Operator.

Since this is a substantial investment, take the time to try them out in person. Good luck and have fun!

I have a frame but have only used it for practice so I don't have anything to add but just wanted to toss out some questions/thoughts in case you haven't thought about them.

The frame I have is adjustable in length from crib to king size so I have it at queen but have the ability to add the extensions if I were to need them. Some frames are supposed to be collapsable so they can be stored when not in use.

Standing ... some people use a saddle stool to roll along as they quilt on a frame

With a sit down frame you would still have to baste the quilt (I can't crawl around on the floor ... bad knees)

With a frame your quilt orientation stays the same where with a sit down frame you can turn it every which way (a plus in my book because I'm not good enought to draw upside down)

hmm, that's all I can think of for now. Good luck in your search and I'd like to hear what you decide and what you think after you've tried it. The frame I have was given to me and I'm not entirely convinced that I wouldn't like a sit-down system as well.

Susan

I have to agree with Shelley that it is harder to manuver a whole quilt than it is to move the machine, most carriages are very smooth and the machine can be moved around with one hand. good luck in your search

I also suggest going with APQS and looking at a George. Do call/contact Matt Sparrow. He is great! He is on facebook or look him up on the internet by "Manquilter". He will answer all of your questions.

I don't have a sit down model but I do have the Tin Lizzie 18LS. I almost bought the Queen Quilter, the only difference is the 18LS has the Stitch Regulator. You will definately want to have that.

Make sure your dealer is local. I am having an issue today and even with the dealer being local, I have to take my machine in and wait 2 days for them to fix it. I couldn't imagine having to get it someplace far away on top of the frustration of having my machine down.

I've got a Sunshine 16. I had been looking at table mounted longarms for a number of years and saw this one at a local quilt show. It was love at first sight. It's very basic, absolutely no electronics to go haywire, and most of it's parts like motors, belts, feet, fuses are readily available locally if needed for repair. It can be mounted on a quilting frame but I wanted one that was table mounted because I prefer it that way. The best was the price. Under $2,000 including the table. If you want more information PM me and I'll find the manufacturer's information.

Diana-
If you don't mind, I'll pm you too.

I think Nolting has another sitdown model - The Queen Bee. I have a friend who has the older HQ sixteen sitdown and she loves it.
I'd love one, too. Partly because they don't take up tons of space.

I'm also interested in the Handi Quilter sit down. I tried it at the local quilt shop and it was great. It's my understanding that if you want that you can mount this machine on a frame, too. I am not financially in the place to buy one right now, but I'm interested in what everyone has to say about these machines. Will continue to follow this posting.

I've heard great things about the "George" also. It has been recommended by a Master Quilter.

Here in Canada I discovered TBLHQS, a company out of British Columbia. For under 2K you and purchase a sit down frame, either free standing or table top, full size. For 3k you can get the frame anda Juki machine. I upgrades to an 18 inch throat for another 5k. The frame will take many different machines.
MK

I'm taking all this info in as well. I don't know how long it will be before my purchase is made but soon I hope.

I have a HQ and love it. Have had mine for about 6 years. It does what I need and doesn't take up but a square yard of space. When using for a large quilt I put a card table on one side and my ironing board on the other to help support a large quilt. I'm talking queen/king size here. Anything smaller goes well without the extra supports.

I am a long arm quilter not in business but quilt only queen size quilts so needed my own long arm because it was to difficult to use my domestic sewing machine for quilting.I started out with a pennywinkle fram and a brother seiing machine but could only quilt about 5 inches.So bought an A1 12 foot table longarm.This A1 has a hydraulic lift so the table goes up and down.It came with a saddle backless hydraulis chair looks kinda like a bar stall but with a saddle.So I have the option of sitting when my back is hurting or standing.By being able to move my table up and down it helps my hurting back .You can work from the back on a panagraph and sit and slide your chair along or work from the front and do custon quilting I have two chairs one for front and back.These machines are easy to glide but still are heavy so go to a big quilt show and run them all before spending a lot of money you might regret.If you are going into business think of your back and legs .After standing or sitting fatique in all your extremity's will come into play so try many machines before buying.I love my A1 but there are many good ones out there now.I hope this helps you.,happy quilting.

Elaine from Pa. http://community.webshots.com/user/heellie

I have never used a long arm quilter but it seems to me that you could use a bar stool to sit at it. If it had wheels you could scoot back and forth. My DH has one from Costco in the garage that has a back and is height adjustable and has a place to rest your feet. Don't know if this would work but it's worth thinking about. I agree with other posts that you need to try out whatever you buy because it's a major investment. Maybe get to a quilt show to see and try them out first.

this is the one I'm looking at for my Grace frame..it will fit with no modifications so thats a plus...need a new crown on one of my teeth (ouch! so expensive) so have been waiting..

I have a friend who has a sit down Pennywinkle Valley Ranch and it is amazing! Still, it is limiting on what you can do. As in you better love free motion! BUT for space saving, it is the best!

I have a machine by Nolting. I am allergic to latex / natural rubber and couldn't go into stores to try out all the machines. I needed one without any rubber parts and Notling was AMAZING! They called me with each step to make sure not to use glues or rubber, and custom made my machine at no extra cost and shipped it via a tractor trailer to me. I got a video, they had printed instructions to assemble it and they were only ever a phone call away. I have had it for several years, haven't needed any repairs. If i call they answer every question. It is just the basic industrial long arm machine with stitch regulators and such and a king size table. I like it. I am not very good yet since time is always limited to work with it but I am very happy to have a latex free machine that is very low maintenance. I oil it with every use and hopefully it will last forever. Check them out, they are very helpful. If you are in Pennsylvania, you are welcome to come and try it out.

wow,,that is a great attribute to the company. Thanks for sharing that! I am glad you got something so well made and makes you "sew" happy!

I have an A 1 Elite longarm machine that comes with a padded stool on wheels. I chose this after testing most of the the machines for two years because it is so lightweight to handle, glides like a dream, the table adjusts to the height I want (has ergolift) and I can see the best out of all the machines when I sew. What I learned the most is you have to pick the machine that is best for YOU, because you will be the one using it.

Hi to a felow A1 quilter! I've had mine about 4 years. How bout you?

Try pennywinkleranch.com. They have a wonderful longarm

with avery nice cabinet to quilt while sitting.

I'm seeing lots of A1 owners on this thread! Hi girls!!

I would recommend going to a show where you could see and test drive all the machines. When I did this I found out that certain ones had terrible vibration, my hands constantly shook. With the sit down ones, you will be moving the entire quilt at times which would be more difficult than just moving an easily moved machine. Also consider the work of pinning the sandwich together/pinning it to a set of rollers. For me it's much easier to pin into the frame rather than using safely pins or basting it on a large table or the floor. I can only be sure of the Gammell but they have a rail with a chair that moves on it in front of the machine available, you said cost is of no concern. That would take care of the sit down issue. These are some things to think about, but I personally would actually see the machines in person before buying one. Also most of the machines are not complicated and most offer classes, CD's for maintainance/problems, as well as excellant over the phone advice so having a dealer next door isn't as necessary as with a DSM. Best wishes in you search and enjoy the new adventure. :)

Hi Shelley!! I should be using mine right now! Glad to meet you. We should form our own little group!

My suggestion is to try as many as you can or at least ask for brouchures. I did alot of research before I got on and have never regretted my decision but mine is a 24" with a 12' table and it sounds like thats more than you want. Regardless, just try as many and take your time. You won't be sorry. Good Luck

I don't have an A-1 but I love the idea of a longarm group. I have so much to learn and confidence is what I need. I think it would be very helpful to all longarmara's.

I love my Noltingl, I have never had any problems with it and it is a real work horse. I have a friend that lives near by and she has helped me so much. I still work full time so my time is limited but it is always there for me. Kinda like a BFF. LOL

Let's do it! But how? Form a buddy group?

Funny this topic should come up. I was on line this morning looking at Bailey home quilters. They have three sizes all close to, if not under, $2000. They have some on sale that are even cheaper. I'm trying to convince my husband that I really NEED a mid arm machine and these are pretty inexpensive as they go. Good luck and we'd really like to know which one you choose.

I agree, try everyone of the long arms that you are thinking of buying -

Just information; I heard from my Bernina dealer that Pfaff is going under. Can't really guarantee that is good info but he said he and a Pfaff dealer play golf together and that is what his friend said.

Just thought I would throw that out as it would be something to consider if you are in the market for a machine. It would be a deal buster for me.

Wow! Who would have thought it!