WOW quilter machine
 

Does anybody on this forum use a WOW quilter machine? I have an opportunity for a used one(head only) for $300. It looks to be the WOW I version(about 14-16" and when Rick was first stretching machines). The wowquilts.com is no longer, so I'm assuming they have gone out of business making stretched quilt machines or have moved on to other pursuits.

I have read people who were fairly happy some years ago, but not lately. This machine is an old side loading machine, so I know it won't be fast, has a smaller bobbin so more changes, etc.

I have a Gracie frame and had planned on putting my juki 98q on it to see if I even like frame quilting as opposed to sit down, and didn't want to spend a lot of money on finding out one way or another. I already am aware of some of the issues with a shortarm machine and frame quilting a large quilt with it in particular.

Anybody still use a WOW quilter and if so, any pointers? Or, should I save my money to buy a REAL longarm? THE WOW yahoo group is also defunct as it contains nothing but porno ads.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

I had a machine from Wow quilts after I had been quilting a few years and I liked it. I was only able to do overall quilting though and it took practice to get my stitches fairly even without a stitch regulator. Too bad they are no longer as Rick was very helpful. I have upgraded to a small Gammill and love it. I can do SID and custom work as well as the overall and pantographs. I think for $300 it would be well worth it for the experience. Then if you like frame quilting, you can eventually upgrade.

I would be concerned about ongoing support for the machine, especially as they appear to be out of business. Have you looked a Bailey or Homesteader as an option?

Cheers, K

I have looked at the Bailey/Homesteader-however trying to find something local if possible. I probably should go to the local quilt shops and see if they have anyone they know who rents out their long arm. Maybe that would give me a better idea. I know I would have to pay for classes to know how to use the machine, but it might be well worth it.

When you say overall, do you mean pantographs as well as meandering type quilting?

I hadn't realized that Wow had gone out of business. I wonder if it's because there are getting to be so many different makes, models, and sizes of mid and longarms that it's not really profitable anymore.

I have a Wow machine, a Singer 201 that was stretched to 18".

Since the machines aren't specialized, I think that any reputable repair technician would be able to maintain and repair your machine. I take mine to a repair tech here in town, he works on all types of machines.

I did not do pantographs on my WOW just free motion overall. I probably could have done the pantos but I wasn't brave enough at the time.