Quiltingboard Forums - What's the largest harp/throat space out there?

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I'm not sure what long arm you have - I apologize if I missed it in your posts! What about a sit down George APQS machine or a tabled Sweet 16 by Handi Quilter? They offer the throat and harp space of a long arm but you can sit to sew like a domestic machine. Maybe what you don't love is the entire frame set up? Or do you not like the maintenance/upkeep aspect of a long arm? Either way - you should do what you LOVE. :) I know a number of very well known award winning artists who have discovered that long arming is just not their thing. Nothing at all wrong with that! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunster (Post 7389543)

It sounds like you just don't enjoy the quilting part of quilting, and that's perfectly okay. Many people enjoy making tops. Have you considered sending your tops out to be quilted? You could get a lot of tops quilted for what you'll get for your longarm.

My other thought is that perhaps your longarm isn't the right one for you. What about it don't you like?

Dunster gives great advice. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkinpatchquilter (Post 7393753)

Nilla has clarified that she isn't interested/doesn't like FMQ where you have to move the fabric yourself; she is looking for something large enough to do straight-line/SITD that has feed dogs to help move the quilt. The sit-down mid-arms like the George and HQ S16 don't have feed dogs so they won't work for what she wants to do.

Michelle

The largest harp on machines with feed dogs is 12 inches. The Bernina 8 series, the Janome 7700, 8200, 8900, 12000, and 15000 have 12" harps. There are many Pfaffs, Brothers, Baby Locks, Vikings with 10"+. Consider height also. Many people find the Juki 2010Q and other similar straight-stitch only machines very comfortable for sit-down quilting, even with "just" a 9" harp, because of the height.

We are all different in our abilities and preferences, best of luck finding a set-up that works for you.

I'm sorry...I didn't understand that you were looking only for a big throated machine to do regular stitching. I have a Janome 8900--had a 7700--there is a lot of room there, but at times, I do wish for even more. I make a lot of large size quilts.