so who has a long arm?
08-18-2010, 09:24 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,073
I don't have a long arm-couldn't afford one, but have a short arm and love it! I have a New Joy frame (wallhanging to king sz) with a Brother 1500.....kindergarten things to a lot of ppl on here, but it does the job for me!The main downfall is 5" quilting space.... :(
I do a lot of piecing with the machine as well, it is an awesome machine!
I do a lot of piecing with the machine as well, it is an awesome machine!
08-18-2010, 10:53 PM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Grant Park, IL
Posts: 1,151
I've had my Gammill since 1998 and have never, ever regretted the purchase. I can do anysize project. I also like the fact that the Gammill Company is great to deal with, even this long after the original purchase.
08-19-2010, 05:07 AM
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
if i were you i would really look around...i have a viking sewing machine that actually cost about $500 more than my long arm...so you may find, if you are saving for that bernina, that same money may get you your long arm. as far as 'is it worth it?" well, that depends...do you pay someone else to quilt your quilts now? that was the decider for me, when my daughter's wedding quilt cost me $385 to have quilted i decided i could never make another quilt if i didn't figure out how to do the quilting myself; then i took a couple local classes and wrestled a couple twin quilts through my regular machine; hated that...so i saved for my big machine. we did build our own table for it, saved a few hundred...but i figure i had it paid for in just over a year and have definitly got my money's worth out of it.
08-19-2010, 05:19 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 2,201
Originally Posted by Jingleberry
I just sit and piece quilt after quilt and quilt them all on my JukiTL98QE regular sewing machine with 9-1/2" throat, mostly always make double size or queen size quilts. Works great for me. I don't waste any money having someone else quilt them, I wouldn't be able to say I made them.
08-19-2010, 07:04 AM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
I'm small beans here. I have a Juki (nine inch throat) on a Grace frame. I quilted with the Juki alone (no frame) for a few years and it worked fine but when I put it on the frame it was a whole new wonderful world. So much easier on my hands and arms. I love my set up.
08-19-2010, 08:09 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,644
I have an HQ Avante - I am still new to LA quilting but I am so happy to have it - The closest Long Arm is 55 miles away and usually takes months to get work done - Now I can do my own at my own pace. The only problem is the space it takes - Mine has a studio table and it can be setup for 12' but I only have room for 8' right now.
08-19-2010, 09:39 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 430
Originally Posted by paintmejudy
I have a Bernina 430 and almost the only difference between your lusted-after 440 and my 430 was I had to buy my BSR and wlaking foot. However, there is no comparing a 440 and a long arm, as you could never do with the long arm what you can do with a sewing machine, and also a long arm is many times more $$$ than the 440. (I think right now the 440 w/embroidery unit is a little less than $5,000.) I manage to quilt just fine with my 430. Yes, I would love a long arm, but the kind I want is $20,000 and I think for that kind of money, I can get an awful lot of q1uilts quilted by a professional.
08-19-2010, 02:16 PM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 10,704
I love my Nolting LAM. If your a hobby quilter look into a mid arm size. 17-18 inch throat and a 8 to 10' table and also manufacturers sell used machines. Contact several and discuss what you are looking for. They are very helpful. Start small and trade up if you find you really love a LAM. You can also rent time on some machines so try that out too.
08-19-2010, 02:25 PM
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 10,704
TammyM> Aren't they great machines? Simple and not a lot of bells and whistles. I have a Bernina for my piecing and I haven't used a quarter of the stuff on it. KISS works for me every time. I have a Pro 24. I don't know what I was thinking as my first LAM adventure. I am so gald I did! Fortune smiled on me that day!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mjpEncinitas
Links and Resources
26
11-28-2019 06:48 AM
thseabreze
Main
14
06-27-2017 05:23 AM
Annaquilts
Main
11
07-05-2010 09:42 PM
