Vonda's Brand Quilt Frames
02-07-2017, 03:21 PM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
It's not a well-known brand. For those not familiar with it, I Googled and came up with these websites:
http://www.quiltframes.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbaDcnKnvKA
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...NTION-DID.html
This reminds me of a setup I made (with the help of my dh) using 2x4's and C-clamps. I added cloth leaders to the 2x4's and marked them so I could clamp them together in a square. The leaders allowed me to pin the layers to the frame. I propped this up on 4 chairs and dis-assembled it when done. It was inexpensive to make and allowed me to baste quilts.
Vonda's frame is definitely much better made than mine was, and is well thought-out. Here's my caution. You need to like to quilt on this type of frame. Notice that there is no way to tilt it (unless, perhaps, if you prop up the rear legs with some books). I have back problems and found that quilting on a floor frame like this made my back problems much worse. Also be aware that floor frames require you to learn how to quilt in multiple directions for certain designs. Some people can do this, but I am better at quilting in a certain direction. For these two reasons, I found that I prefer using a lap hoop (such as those made by the Grace frame company). The hoop raises the level of the quilt so that I do not have to bend over, and it allows me to re-position the quilt while still in the hoop so that I can quilt in the direction that is most comfortable for me.
If you already know that you like using this type of floor frame, then I think Vonda's is a good value. It appears to be very well thought-out and made of very good materials. However, for the price, it is definitely a risk if you end up not liking this type of frame. It would be rather difficult to re-sell because so few people will know what it is. A less risky option would be one of the Grace company frames. A Grace frame similar in price is this one:
http://www.graceframe.com/site/handframes/ez3
Advantages of the Grace would be that it takes up less space, is foldable with the quilt in it so you can move it out of the way if you need space, and the surface is tilted. Disadvantage is that it does not handle a king size quilt. However, there are other ways you could handle a king size quilt (by quilting in sections). Also consider whether or not you have the space to leave a king size quilt on the Vonda frame for the weeks or months it might take you to hand quilt enough of a section to be able to reduce the size.
These are my thoughts.......
Edit: I should add that if you need to sell a floor frame (whether Grace or Vonda), you will find it difficult to recoup even half of the investment as few quilters use them these days.
http://www.quiltframes.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbaDcnKnvKA
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...NTION-DID.html
This reminds me of a setup I made (with the help of my dh) using 2x4's and C-clamps. I added cloth leaders to the 2x4's and marked them so I could clamp them together in a square. The leaders allowed me to pin the layers to the frame. I propped this up on 4 chairs and dis-assembled it when done. It was inexpensive to make and allowed me to baste quilts.
Vonda's frame is definitely much better made than mine was, and is well thought-out. Here's my caution. You need to like to quilt on this type of frame. Notice that there is no way to tilt it (unless, perhaps, if you prop up the rear legs with some books). I have back problems and found that quilting on a floor frame like this made my back problems much worse. Also be aware that floor frames require you to learn how to quilt in multiple directions for certain designs. Some people can do this, but I am better at quilting in a certain direction. For these two reasons, I found that I prefer using a lap hoop (such as those made by the Grace frame company). The hoop raises the level of the quilt so that I do not have to bend over, and it allows me to re-position the quilt while still in the hoop so that I can quilt in the direction that is most comfortable for me.
If you already know that you like using this type of floor frame, then I think Vonda's is a good value. It appears to be very well thought-out and made of very good materials. However, for the price, it is definitely a risk if you end up not liking this type of frame. It would be rather difficult to re-sell because so few people will know what it is. A less risky option would be one of the Grace company frames. A Grace frame similar in price is this one:
http://www.graceframe.com/site/handframes/ez3
Advantages of the Grace would be that it takes up less space, is foldable with the quilt in it so you can move it out of the way if you need space, and the surface is tilted. Disadvantage is that it does not handle a king size quilt. However, there are other ways you could handle a king size quilt (by quilting in sections). Also consider whether or not you have the space to leave a king size quilt on the Vonda frame for the weeks or months it might take you to hand quilt enough of a section to be able to reduce the size.
These are my thoughts.......
Edit: I should add that if you need to sell a floor frame (whether Grace or Vonda), you will find it difficult to recoup even half of the investment as few quilters use them these days.
Last edited by Prism99; 02-07-2017 at 03:24 PM.
02-07-2017, 05:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 390
I have quilted on this type of frame (not a Vonda) with a quilting group who got together once a week for many years. I loved to quilt on this type of frame. I did not buy this kind of frame for home use because I didn't have the space to keep it up for long periods of time until the quilt was finished. Also it takes at least two people to put a quilt on the frame and at home I work alone. I have a friend who uses a Vonda frame to baste quilts for machine quilting. Her daughter lives near and helps her put the quilt on the frame. They do this quite quickly so the frame is only up for half a day or less. I purchased a Grace Z44 frame because it takes much less space and I often have a quilt on for long periods of time. I can also put a quilt on the Grace frame myself. I purchased my frame used in great condition. The Vonda frame is a well built frame, well designed, and would be a good purchase if it meets your needs.
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