Small Footprint Quilting Machines
 

I have been considering a small footprint quilting machine, but am hesitant about it. I wish the bars would telescope to 60 inches, as I make lap quilts.

I see manufactures are starting to augment their original designs with kits to make the frames more user friendly. Eg. HQ Simply 16 Little Foot has a ratcheting roll bar to to help make advancing the quilt more convenient.

I'm guessing in a few years the kit will become a standard built-in.


What do you think of the smaller frame quilting machines?

For those who have one......What size quilts do you quilt on it? Are you happy with it or have buyer's regrets?

Thanks so much.

The LQS kept saying small footprint for one of there sit down quilting machines. One lady spoke up and said just say doesn't take up much space. That sounds more realistic. LOL

A small footprint frame is great if you do not have the space for a larger frame. You have access to a longarm quilting machine without having to dedicate the square footage for a full frame. The only downside is having to baste & work on small areas of your quilt at a time. On the plus side, you will probably have beautiful custom quilts because you cannot do edge to edge designs as easily as you could on a 12' frame.

This is what I thought when I saw one demonstrated. Now that there is a roller add-on, I thought it might be better. I'm thinking in the future that add on might become standard.

I did see examples where smaller pieces were created for insets into other projects.

When l purchased a used frame that was set up to only 60", l found that quilts as small as 54" didn't leave room at end for machine. Happily, the lady had given me the parts for " the rest" of the frame, but that was too large for my space. So l had hubby cut the parts and now happily have an 84" frame that fits in my room andl can quilt a 6 ft. wide quilt. I don't see the point of those frames where you must " unhoop" and remount every time you advance.You'd have to baste it.

I recently was able to purchase a midarm quilting machine, it came on a 10 foot Grace frame. I did my research prior to the purchase and knew I could turn it into a 5 foot frame due to my space limitations. I too only make lap size quilts and knew a five foot frame would be big enough for what I wanted to use it for. I kept the rest (the other half) of the frame for either future resale purposes or if I ever am able to (space wise) turn it back into a 10 foot frame. I have never regretted it, I love the machine and frame (5 foot size) and am having a blast learning to use it and getting acquainted with it.

I have a BabyLock Coronet on the small frame (equivalent to HQ Simply Sixteen on Little Foot). I have done wallhanging to large throw-sized quilts. Yes, it's a pain to baste and move the quilt sandwich, but I keep it in context. I don't have space for a larger frame and I much prefer moving the machine to moving the quilt (for a throw size or larger quilt, especially). So I find it works well. I took a look at the HQ roll bars to which you provided the link. My concern is that then I'd really be limited to a quilt that is less wide than the frame. I'd rather have the flexibility to work on something larger. I do not have any regrets about my purchase.