Will you talk (long arm ... mid arm) quilting with me?
06-25-2014, 04:00 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Posts: 1,795
Originally Posted by quiltedsunshine
Hi Jackie,
That Block Rockit is a pretty sweet little machine! And more affordable than most. It's only available through Lynn and Kathy of KathyQuilts. They're really good with customer care, and make lots of videos to help you -- loading the quilt onto the frame to cross-hatching a quilt. Here's their website... http://www.kathyquilts.com Of course, you'd have to get a frame, too. Most Block Rockits go on a Grace Frame.
That Block Rockit is a pretty sweet little machine! And more affordable than most. It's only available through Lynn and Kathy of KathyQuilts. They're really good with customer care, and make lots of videos to help you -- loading the quilt onto the frame to cross-hatching a quilt. Here's their website... http://www.kathyquilts.com Of course, you'd have to get a frame, too. Most Block Rockits go on a Grace Frame.
06-25-2014, 04:26 PM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North Central, NC
Posts: 2,741
I have not read through all the posts to your thread so forgive me if someone has already mentioned this. Did you know that you can use a "saddle stool" or "doctor's stool" to sit and quilt on some mid-arms or long-arms? They are the stools with wheels on them that are seen in doctor's offices that the doctors often use when they are in the exam room with a patient. I have a Pfaff Hobbyquilter 1200 that only has a 9" quilt area which is somewhat inhibiting but I got it with the Inspira frame for such a great price .... you know, it was local and therefore couldn't pass it up. Anyway, I intend to get one of those stools because then I can not only sit down and move along the frame as needed but I am in a better position to see where and what I am sewing.
Just something else for you to think about. Yea, I know, sorry about that!
Just something else for you to think about. Yea, I know, sorry about that!
06-25-2014, 04:46 PM
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 101
I am in the same predicament as wanting a longarm but short on funds. I already have a Juki 98 and a Grace frame. It was suggested to me by a longarmer that I use the system I have now for awhile getting used to frame quilting. It was how she started out and she kept upgrading until she has the system she has today (a 26").
I have decided that since I already have this shortarm system, this is a wise decision for me. As she said, she has seen many women think they will use a frame quilter, get in over their heads or decide they really don't like it as much as they thought they would, didn't like the mechanical side of it, the learning curve, and end up selling the system.
I know about the limitations of the 9" throat, but for small quilts, i.e. baby, it should be fine and it will get my feet wet and give me an idea of whether I want to pursue a longer arm machine and frame.
I have looked into the BlockRockit, and indeed, it looks to be an interesting and wonderful machine, however, right now, they are going through some "birthing pains"but I have no doubt, that once those get worked out, it will be a fine machine.
If once I have played with my current system and I still want to upgrade, I will keep the Juki to piece.
You might look at overthekitchencounter.com--she uses a small 9" inch Janome on a frame, uses rulers, and has some videos on youtube. I think she posts here as well.
Good luck in your search.
I have decided that since I already have this shortarm system, this is a wise decision for me. As she said, she has seen many women think they will use a frame quilter, get in over their heads or decide they really don't like it as much as they thought they would, didn't like the mechanical side of it, the learning curve, and end up selling the system.
I know about the limitations of the 9" throat, but for small quilts, i.e. baby, it should be fine and it will get my feet wet and give me an idea of whether I want to pursue a longer arm machine and frame.
I have looked into the BlockRockit, and indeed, it looks to be an interesting and wonderful machine, however, right now, they are going through some "birthing pains"but I have no doubt, that once those get worked out, it will be a fine machine.
If once I have played with my current system and I still want to upgrade, I will keep the Juki to piece.
You might look at overthekitchencounter.com--she uses a small 9" inch Janome on a frame, uses rulers, and has some videos on youtube. I think she posts here as well.
Good luck in your search.
06-25-2014, 05:46 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,374
Originally Posted by Geri B
if you have the room for the frame, I think the smallest is 10ft
06-25-2014, 11:18 PM
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: bourgogne france
Posts: 224
Do you have any experience with the BlockRockit? I saw one at the Paducah Quiltshow. I live in France and they are not ready yet to ship to Europe. I was thrilled about the machine but as it is brand new there might be some difficulties. I think it's very much worth the price!
Originally Posted by quiltedsunshine
Hi Jackie,
That Block Rockit is a pretty sweet little machine! And more affordable than most. It's only available through Lynn and Kathy of KathyQuilts. They're really good with customer care, and make lots of videos to help you -- loading the quilt onto the frame to cross-hatching a quilt. Here's their website... http://www.kathyquilts.com Of course, you'd have to get a frame, too. Most Block Rockits go on a Grace Frame.
That Block Rockit is a pretty sweet little machine! And more affordable than most. It's only available through Lynn and Kathy of KathyQuilts. They're really good with customer care, and make lots of videos to help you -- loading the quilt onto the frame to cross-hatching a quilt. Here's their website... http://www.kathyquilts.com Of course, you'd have to get a frame, too. Most Block Rockits go on a Grace Frame.
06-26-2014, 03:15 AM
#26
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Trenton NJ
Posts: 88
Hi Jackie, let me bite the bullet and reply. I use to have a Bernina 820 on a Bernina frame using Quilt Motion. It was great for about two baby quilts. Throat size got to me very quickly. I just purchased a Artistic18-8dx. Worked with it last night for the 1st time. I'm loving the space. You could get machine and frame for around 6,000. The machine sews great. They have made changes to all problems (so I'm told). I'll find out very soon. Good luck with your searches.
06-26-2014, 03:32 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by pocoellie
Why don't you check out the Bailey(http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/test.html)? It's very reasonably priced, has a good reputation, good customer service and you can either get it with a frame or a sit down model. Quite often they even offer free shipping to the lower 48 states.
06-26-2014, 03:34 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 582
One comment, you said if you got a quilter you would have to move your sewing room to the basement. I don't use my sweet 16 every time I sew, I have often thought it would be happy in a room other than my sewing room. It's heavy though and we haven't attempted to move it. You might get by putting your quilter in the basement and leaving your sewing room as is.
06-26-2014, 04:18 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Blacksburg, SC
Posts: 731
OK, here's my 2 cents worth (and we all know that won't buy ANYTHING anymore)...
if the MegaQuilter you're talking about is the "domestic machine on a frame", I'd say "forget it". You will get very frustrated very quickly with the small throat space. However, with that said, if it's the 18x8 (same as a TinLizzie), I'd say "go for it". That's the machine I have, and I love, love, LOVE it!!! Once in awhile, I have a design that really needs a little larger throat space, but I make do. Perhaps one day, I'll be able to get a 26" machine. But for now, I'm happy with mine.
One thought here... I bought mine from SewingMachinesPlus.com - he let me do lay-away - and they usually have some type of special on longarms. As far as needing service - well, I don't know, I've had my machine for nearly 6 years now, and have never needed to call anyone. As I said, I absolutely love it!! Get as much throat space as you can afford... some of the other brands mentioned only have 15" of throat space - and while 3" doesn't seem like much, trust me, you will wish you had spent just that little bit more to get the bigger machine.
if the MegaQuilter you're talking about is the "domestic machine on a frame", I'd say "forget it". You will get very frustrated very quickly with the small throat space. However, with that said, if it's the 18x8 (same as a TinLizzie), I'd say "go for it". That's the machine I have, and I love, love, LOVE it!!! Once in awhile, I have a design that really needs a little larger throat space, but I make do. Perhaps one day, I'll be able to get a 26" machine. But for now, I'm happy with mine.
One thought here... I bought mine from SewingMachinesPlus.com - he let me do lay-away - and they usually have some type of special on longarms. As far as needing service - well, I don't know, I've had my machine for nearly 6 years now, and have never needed to call anyone. As I said, I absolutely love it!! Get as much throat space as you can afford... some of the other brands mentioned only have 15" of throat space - and while 3" doesn't seem like much, trust me, you will wish you had spent just that little bit more to get the bigger machine.
06-26-2014, 04:55 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 910
I have a Handiquilter Avante and my quilty friend has a Sweet 16. We both love our machines. They have been so much fun. My quilting room is in my finished basement and I love it. It's a quiet space that I can go and create. I've even seen unfinished basement sewing rooms that have had the concrete walls painted and an area rug or indoor/outdoor carpeting on the floor and you didn't even realize it was 'finished'.
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