june6995

Jannie, thanks for sharing the problem you have had with your frame and machine combo. While I do not know anything about this particular frame or machine, I do know that those who have tried to use a 9 inch sewing machine have encountered a similar experience.

You explained it very well. You start out with a 9 inch quilting space, but if you are going to make large quilts, the more fabrics/layers you have to roll on the take-up pole, the less your quilting space.

These frames are designed to roll the finished area so that they fill the space in the arm of the machine. The larger the roll, the more decreased is the quilting space on the quilt as you work your way toward the end of the quilt. If you plan to do only crib quilts or wall hangings, the 9 inch arm would work well. Some members have them and get along fine with them. There are some who have been disappointed.

Please be aware that there are some other options. There are some machines that have 13 and 15 inch arms. They are reasonable in price and give you more option for having more quilting space. I personally chose a 13 inch arm and have been satisfied with the way I am able to finish my quilts. Being reduced to 4 or 5 inches of quilting space could be very frustrating.

For anyone with questions, please send me a PM.

June

kd124

Like Jannie, I work on an inspira and have a Pfaff with a 9' throat. I have the same problem. We discovered that with larger quilts, it is easier to roll side to side instead of top to bottom. Recently, my Sis got a computer to put on the machine to do the fancy stitching. Now we need to be more careful about the width because like Jannie said it can get pretty narrow. If we had known then what we know now, we probably would have gotten a machine with a larger throat.

Jannie

After getting my Inspira frame & being frustrated, I started watching demos at quilt shows. No one ever says anything about the limited space you have after winding the quilt. My feeling is they make it sound like you are going to be able to get the same results as the long arm quilters -- not true. I would suggest looking around & asking lots of questions before settling on any one machine. Also if you can rent the machine for an hour or 2 to get the feel of it, it would be money well spent!

butterflywing

i started out with the new joy frame and the brother 1500s. the machine was great, but the throat was too small.

on the new joy frame the take-up roller and the roller right in front of you has so little space to start that when you begin you can only quilt a, say, 7-8' block comfortably.. beyond that, the nose of the machine bumps into the front roller. by the time the quilt is all rolled up the machine can't move forward enough to quilt anything greater than 5" if you really horse it around. that's because the bulk of the quilt under the throat is preventing the machine from sliding forward any further. because at this point the bulk is hitting the back of the throat to keep it from moving.

i sold it. i got the tin lizzie 18. 18 inches in the throat. the frame is the typical good-quality wood frame used by two other companies. the machine is not as smooth as the brother but i have plenty of room for a 12-14" block easily.

i'm sorry i didn't save up a little longer and get this one first. i wasted time and money the first time around. i don't know if i would ever spend for a top-quality quilter because this is for fun and not a career for me.

june6995

I am very glad we are having this dialogue. Hopefully many of the board members will read this information and file it away for future reference. You may not be planning to buy a quilting machine soon, but eventually you may think seriously about having one. This information should help others avoid the problems that have been mentioned here, thus saving some money and heartache by other members.

Thanks to those of you who have added your experience. Quilts are good people always willing to help others.

June

Mamagus

Does anyone else have anything to add to this thread? I am saving my loonies to buy a frame for Janome 6600 and while I am sure the smaller throat size will limit me I'd like to hear more opinions on this topic! :wink:

LoriJ

I have a Janome 6600 and bought a Grace frame used. I've had the same experience as the others, the space to quilt gets real small real quick! The bigger throat space of the 6600 helps, but not by much. I'm going to put the frame on craigs list and try to at least get what I paid out of it and then save up for a long arm.

Mamagus

But wouldn't you need the frame for the long arm too?

LoriJ

the grace frame that I have is built to hold a regular home machine. When I get a long arm, I'm going to get the frame that is built for it (whatever brand I decide on).

Mamagus

OHH! I thought that if I bought a frame and the Janome didn't work to my satisfaction I could use the frame if I bought a long arm machine.