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ruck9085 04-01-2011 09:13 AM

I have a Singer Quilting machine, which really is just a sewing machine with a ton of stitches and such. So, I read on here about y'all doing free motion quilting and machine quilting on your machines. Here's my question... Am I the only person left who not only does not own a long arm machine, but will never be able to afford one?
Okay, enough whining. My biggest problem is I hand quilt all my projects because I only make bed quilts. I've tried a few times to machine quilt, but it just doesn't work for me. For one thing the throat on my machine is like eight inches and I can not figure out how to roll up a queen sized quilt and stuff it into that small space. How on earth do you all quilt on your sewing machines?

BETTY62 04-01-2011 09:17 AM

I am in the same situation that you are and I am looking forward to seeing the post from others. Thank you for asking this question.

dpparris 04-01-2011 09:18 AM


Originally Posted by BETTY62
I am in the same situation that you are and I am looking forward to seeing the post from others. Thank you for asking this question.

That makes 3 of us.

DebsShelties 04-01-2011 09:20 AM

I don't have a longarm either. Have read places where they quilt in quarters for large items. One quarter at a time, then attach them to each other.
Some machines have a longer throat space which makes doing large projects easier.

jean1941 04-01-2011 09:22 AM

4 here

pocoellie 04-01-2011 09:22 AM

No, you're not the only quilter who doesn't have a long arm, but we can still dream, can't we? There are affordable "long arms" out there, and in a few years we'll hopefully have the money and the room for me to get one.

I do have a fairly large throat on my machine(10") but it's still a bear to manhandle a king size quilt through it.

Lori S 04-01-2011 09:30 AM

I have seen some quilters add the batting as the progress in the quilting. This is different than a quilt as you go , inthat the top is completed in the traditional manner. So if you are working from left to right on the quilt , the rolled up part under "the arm" is thinner becauase the batting has not been added to the backing and top. I Have tried this on smaller projects just to see if I could mange the technique , and I have to say they are on to something. I found adding a few feet of batting as the quilting progesses to be much more favorable than trying to STUFF and manage that whole quilt.
I use warm and natural batting so adding the batting via a long zig zag stich is really easy. I cover the area previously quilted , and do use spray as I am adding to the batting.
It far from the capabilites of a long arm , but it gets me further than the "stuffing" , rolling , and frustration techiniques of working with the whole quilts top , batting and backing.
It is still my preference to send out a full or larger top,as they ( long arm pros) can get better stitch regulation , and do more curves ( easily) than I can manage with only about 6 inches from needle to machine. But for straight lines , stitch in the ditch, or just a gentle curve this is not a bad option.

mimisharon 04-01-2011 09:33 AM


Originally Posted by BETTY62
I am in the same situation that you are and I am looking forward to seeing the post from others. Thank you for asking this question.

me, too, I use my Elna 7300 for all my quilting. Long arm is not on my budget or horizon.

Maggiemay 04-01-2011 09:33 AM

I have done a big quilt on my regular machine. I used a single decorative stitch (like a diamond shape) to "tie" it or tack it in the center most places. When I got more to the outside where I could move the quilt easier I did some FMQ & some hearts in the borders. There are at least 2 different tutorials in the tutorial section of the board that show Quilt as you go- square by square. I was just looking at them yesterday & they are on my to do list.

sewobsessed1 04-01-2011 09:46 AM


Originally Posted by ruck9085
I have a Singer Quilting machine, which really is just a sewing machine with a ton of stitches and such. So, I read on here about y'all doing free motion quilting and machine quilting on your machines. Here's my question... Am I the only person left who not only does not own a long arm machine, but will never be able to afford one?
Okay, enough whining. My biggest problem is I hand quilt all my projects because I only make bed quilts. I've tried a few times to machine quilt, but it just doesn't work for me. For one thing the throat on my machine is like eight inches and I can not figure out how to roll up a queen sized quilt and stuff it into that small space. How on earth do you all quilt on your sewing machines?

Oh, heck no!!
I'll never, ever be able to afford one (although I do dream of winning the lottery), so I only hand quilt. lol, it's much less effort that pulling and tugging one through a machine :D
Take heart, lots of us in the same boat and paddling right along with you.


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