What made you decide to go from quilting on DSM to mid/long arm?
#21
For me the straw that broke the camels back was basting. I baste by hand and I LOATHE it. That said, I hated everything about basting by spray, glue, and pins. Basting just sucked the love out of quilting no matter how it was done.
I also had issues with quilting on my domestic. Sore shoulders and neck ... I would have to visit the chiropractor for several weeks after finishing each quilt. So I started looking at the sit down long arms and test drove them and LOVED them and I was >< this close to buying the Sweet 16 and then I remembered ... basting.
So I bought a long arm and moved it in to my husbands shop.
The down-side is that it's not at home so I really don't use it as often as I should. The up-side is that I don't have to baste. I really hate basting.
I also had issues with quilting on my domestic. Sore shoulders and neck ... I would have to visit the chiropractor for several weeks after finishing each quilt. So I started looking at the sit down long arms and test drove them and LOVED them and I was >< this close to buying the Sweet 16 and then I remembered ... basting.
So I bought a long arm and moved it in to my husbands shop.
The down-side is that it's not at home so I really don't use it as often as I should. The up-side is that I don't have to baste. I really hate basting.
#23
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
I am going to retire in 2 years and my husband decided I needed my retirement gift now! I got a HQ Avante. It will be here next week. I don't have room either - but who needs a big dining room when all the
kids have moved away
kids have moved away
Last edited by wednesdayquilter; 03-26-2014 at 12:54 PM.
#24
I'm trying to decide between a Sweet Sixteen and an Avante, so I'll be interested to hear about your experiences. I'm torn between the two of them!
#25
For me, it was a quilt I fought with. It was lap size size, not really that large, but a million pieces (Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay, to be exact). And HEAVY. I fought that thing through my machine - figured I'd take the "easy" route and stitch diagonal lines on it. Hah! Half-way through I said to myself "never again", and went out and bought a long arm (Handi Quilter Avante) the next week. Had it in my hands within a month and haven't used my domestic for quilting since. Yes, I did finish Orca Bay on the domestic machine before the longarm arrived.
Of course, I have since realized that diagonal cross hatch on the long arm isn't that much easier So I've adjusted my quilting patterns to fit the machine.
Of course, I have since realized that diagonal cross hatch on the long arm isn't that much easier So I've adjusted my quilting patterns to fit the machine.
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Tried one out at my dealer's and was hooked. She called me when they got one in from a trade, so I got a used machine from a dealer with a warranty. having said that I really wish I had done more research, I think I may have gone with a different machine.
#27
I got the Sweet 16 while I was quilting my sister's super king, I knew I would never get it under my Janome 6600. I also did not have the room for a longarm, so opted for the sit down. I have to admit though, at times I'm with Lori S, and do occasionally opt for using a professional. It would definitely be cost effective, I just struggle with the concept of not completing every step of the process myself.
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
I have a fair amount of room on my big Elna, about 9 1/2" but it's not nearly big enough. I have no choice though to keep on quilting with it, since I don't have the room for either a frame or a sit down quilting machine, but when we eventually put/build a larger home, a Bailey is what I'll be getting.
#30
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stitchnripper
Main
5
10-17-2018 09:01 AM
Annaquilts
Main
11
07-05-2010 09:42 PM