Hi everyone,
I kind of have a two fold question. First, can you quilt a large full size quilt on a sit down quilter? Second, what kind of sit down quilter do you use? Opps, thought of another question....does anyone have a Bailey sit down quilter and if so do you like it or what don't you like about it! I have always hand quilted but I am seriously thinking about a long arm. Thanks for your help.

I've quilted a couple of large queen-sized quilts on a Viking 9" Megaquilter. It wasn't the easiest but you can do it. I'm lusting for an Innova 18" sitdown though.

Do you have a machine to use at the moment? Have to tried FMQ smaller projects? There are ways you can quilt large projects on a regular sewing machine, you can quilt in sections for instance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeelhIA3qAY Maybe see if you like FMQ first.
I would love a sit down quilter too one day, at the moment I just don't have the room.

I have a friend who quilts the most beautiful, fabulous, King sized quilts on her regular domestic machine. you do not need a special machine to create beautiful quilting- you just need the desire to learn and the will to practice.. there are a number of *quilting machines* on the market these days- sit down and stand up- if your frame is large enough to accommodate the size you want to quilt- then you can= when using your domestic machine you do not need to worry about having a big frame to deal with.

I have a HQ Sweet Sixteen and I love the room it gives me to quilt big projects and the orientation of the machine over trying to FMQ on my Janome 6600.

I have a Tin Lizzie sit down and comfortably quilted two king sizes already and will be doing my 3rd soon. I also have a Juki 2000 which is a 9" machine. I use that if I need to do anything with a walking foot right now since I have not practiced my ruler work yet on the Lizzie - but even that I only use for small projects. I could not imagine going a huge quilt on my Juki.

There are lots of machines available now - and Juki is coming out with a sit down by spring/early summer next year.
If you ask people which one to get, you'll have a range of replies - mostly for the HQ which I did try but opted to go with the Lizzie and am glad I did.

I have the Brother 1500. I make an L shape with tables, either 4 ft or 6 ft depending on the quilt size. I do better moving the quilt then moving a machine with handles. I've tested about every long arm at many shows to know I don't want one.

I have the Tiara, it works beautifully, very small learning curve.
I have fmq on my Pfaff, a queen size quilt.

I have a Janome 6600 and have done fmq on many king sized quilts. While I lust for a long arm, I know that right now it isn't the right financial time. I glue baste all my quilts, so no worrys about getting stuck with pins....and I puddle the excess quilt opposed to rolling. I bring the ironing board up to the left of the machine to hold the excess so it doesn't pull against me when doing fmq. It can be a bit tight at times, but only that small part in the very middle. So while those with a long arm can do beautiful quilting, I can do fairly good on my dsm....getting better all the time.

I have a Sunshine 16 sit down quilter which I purchased at the 2012 Houston International Quilt Festival. Information about their machines is at 222.Sunshine16.com. The company is located in Tennessee and their machines are 100% American made. The owner's name is Nancy. if you have any questions, you can contact her through the website.