DirtyPaw

Your probably right, and your point is well taken. I just assumed that an informed consumer would question the Pfaff dealer they were going to do business with and do their due diligence in the area of research prior to buying any machine.

I own a Pfaff 262 in addition to other machines and it is hard to find parts for but in defense of Pfaff it was built in 1968 and still runs like new. All I intended to do by posting the info was to attempt to inform a potential consumer there could be a problem. I never assumed I had any power to hurt any company and of course that was not my intention. I just spent 7500 bucks on a machine and I know if I found out after my purchase Bernina was going under I would really be upset. We all work really hard for our money and I thought it was the right thing to throw out this info.

However, to anyone that was offended by my post re Pfaff I do apologize.

Many blessings...

Shelley

Absolutely true!! Not all LAers have facilities that are available for viewing, but mine is. I've had a few people come take a'test drive'. Each person's needs are different, and you need to find what feels good to you. LA quilting, well - any quilting!, is a physical activity. A well-fitting system, fit to YOU, will not be as hard on your body.

Just as you wouldn't go to a Ford dealer to get a price on a Chevy, the same goes for the longarms and the computerized systems (Statler, Intelliquilter, Compuquilter). There's a lot of hype and misinformation out there, so do your own research.

SandyQuilter

The HandiQuilter Avante can be lowered to sitting height. Use a rolling seat and it works great. This way you have a regular longarm. I've tried it.

Sandy

annrook

I have been using a HQ Sixteen for about 6 years. I have quilted about 400 quilts with it. I do not have a stitch regulator-my dealer said he does not use one so I decided I could do without and I do. Very few problems with this machine-sometimes some tension issues but I am able to work them out.

butterflywing

with regard to the Tin Lizzie:
did you try contacting the company before taking it in? i just spoke to the owner yesterday and he walked me through a problem and i didn't have take the machine off the sled at all.
i was using it and went to the bathroom, as usual. when i returned, it wouldn't work. it made that sound that we all recognize as something jammed. i took the chase/race apart and cleaned it thoroughly, and did the same to the bobbin case itself. then i took the whole mechanism out and cleaned the parts separately. uh-uh! the black wheel at the back wouldn't budge and the sound was there. the motor was running and the belt wasn't moving. i gave in and called tech support, who transferred me to ernie, the owner. he said he was with a customer (it was sunday - show day) and he would call me when the show ended. right. i thought okay, i'll have to take it in. at 7 pm he called. he had me force that back wheel to the left a little and to the right a little until it felt loose. it still didn't
work. he had me unplug that heavy black wire that runs from the left hand control box on the handlebar to the back end and then replug very firmly and voila!!! the problem was a piece of something so microscopic that cleaning didn't get it out, but forcing the wheel dislodged it. (in forcing the wheel, i accidentally bumped the plug and disconnected it.) i wouldn't have forced that wheel without his say-so. the support is fantastic. so before you bring it anywhere, call first.

clinderdesign

I have had a Tin Lizzie on a frame and now have the Queen Quilter sit down model. I have to disagree with those you say that quilting on a long arm is much easier than maneuvering a quilt under the needle of a sit down model. If you already quilt on your home sewing machine it is basically the same with the sit down model. The only difference is you can't dial down the speed - you have to control it yourself. As for quilting on a frame there is a very steep learning curve. If you haven't done it before it is not as easy as it appears. Also, there are pros and cons to attaching a quilt to a frame also. If you don't get the quilt centered and on entirely straight you have problems. No so with a sit down model. I like my Tin Lizzie because of the way it sews, because it doesn't take up as much room as the one on a frame and it is also a good value. I hope you find this helpful.

aborning

When I was looking for a longarm machine, I tried teh HQ Sit Down at the local dealer. I loved it. Since then, I have purchases a longarm Tin Lizzie, because I do have the room for it. If I did not have room for the big frame set up, I would buy a HQ Sit down in a heartbeat. And I thought the price was very reasonable. I had been doing fmq on my Bernina int he past and when I tried the HQ Sit Down, it was HEAVEN to have the room to move the quilt. HQ also seems to be a very good machine--I have heard very few comments about anyone having any troubles with their HQ machine. Which means it might not be so important that your Dealer is a little distance from you. Definitely try one.

butterflywing

how much space do you have? i don't think you mentioned that.

Jacqueline m l

A little hint, Purchase you machine, what ever you deside, during a quilt show if possible. you will get a better price then just going and purchasing it without the Show Specials. could save you hundreds.

catntat143

I am having to sell my BabyLock Jewel Quilting Machine, QuiltMotion, QuiltCAD, and Grace Majestic Quilting Frame. All are near new and still under warranty. Less than 24hrs of quilting time has been used on this. It works great and in great shape! I bought the Jewel the end of last year and Quiltmotion is only 2 months old. I am only asking $9,000.00 OBO!
If interested email me at [email protected]

All that is included:

1. BabyLock Jewel Quilting Machine
2. Carriage with encoders for Grace Pinnacle Frame
3. Electronic bobbin winder with variable speed
4. Laser light and clamp for following pantographs
5. “M” size metal bobbins
6. Needles size 16 and 18
7. Thread mast and washers
8. Oiling Kit
9. Needle Removal wrench
10. Alan Wrenches
11. Front and back handles both with LCD monitor screens and controls
12. ¼” hopping foot
13. QuiltMotion Software
14. LCD display on swivel mount
15. 15’ USB cable
16. housing/carriage plate
17. 300 Built in Patterns
18. QuiltCAD software
19. QuiltMotion Quick Reference Guide book
20. QuiltMotion Installation Guide book
21. Grace Majestic Quilting Frame (King, queen, & Crib size)
22. 4 king size leader polls or 8 crib size
23. Cloth Leaders
24. Velcro Leader Attachments
25. Plastic Tube Leader Attachments
26. Blue plastic leader attachment roller
27. 1 Large pink spool of thread
28. 1 king size Frame table or 2 crib size
29. Jewel Track System
30. And many many more extras!