Just purchased a Long arm Gracie (king) quilt frame with a mid (9") arm..... oh dear!
 

We have to wait until Monday to bring it home because my dealer just got it as a trade in and had the table at his home because it wouldn't fit in his store and wanted to service the machine before it came home with us. I'm not even sure what model the machine is! I know it's a Janome (1600P I think but not sure at all!).

Table and Machine after tax $851. Called my DH and he said I'd be in trouble if I didn't jump on that offer! :thumbup: Best DH EVER!!!!

I know it might seem impulsive to purchase it without looking close at the machine and not even having seen the table but I know my sewing guy and he is the most honest person I've ever met that owns a business. I got my Elna 5200 from him and since I bought it new from him he services it free anytime no exclusions as often as needed. He also guarantees that every part is in working order and accounted for, heck he said to call after we get it home and set up and will come to my house (free) and teach me how everything works! His business has been here forever and if any of his customers (actually you don't even have to be a customer) has a question or needs troubleshooting just call him up. He knows exactly what I am looking for and need in a machine, in short I really trust him! :)

I did ask a few questions though, the table will accomodate a long-arm machine up to 18" throat, the machine coming with it is compatable with a stitch regulator but does not come with one. He can get one for me and install it for about 6-7 hundred, I found one on e-bay for 5 but I don't know about installing it myself or if either of these is a decent deal......

I am a bit nervous because I just did some measuring and found out the only wall in our house long enough to accomodate it is the living room! :o oops.... well I guess the house will have to be rearranged because I don't think a deal like this well show up again!

Soooo...... I would love to know what you know about learning to use a mid-arm machine that a complete newbie would need to know. Thread preference, batting preference, how many tops should I have ready to learn on? Anything I should beware of? What is a good thing to begin practicing on? You know all the beginner questions I'm sure you've answered a million times on here :p just explain it a million and one please!!! lol

Congratulations! I only own a domestic machine so I will be of no help, I only wanted to say congrats on your new toy. Enjoy it!

This is just too coincidental! Mon, DIL and I got the same machine and frame...found it on Craig's List. It had been used for 1 1/2 baby quilts when the owner fell sick and died unexpectedly. I did have to pay $1300 for it, but the seller threw in 7garbage bagsful of QSQ fabric and over $1500 (retail) in quilting books. I have fabric stacked clear down the hallway and am still planning how to rearrange the sewing rm to accommodate the frame.
It sounds like this was a lucky wk for both of us! We'll have to compare notes once we get up and going!!!

Congratulations and good luck. You are lucky to get such a great find.

congrats on you purchase. any machine on a free motion frame is tecnically considered a long arm. when i got my machine i practices pantos on strip quilts, throw size. for stenciling and free motion, just sandwich muslin and practice away. if i can help answer any questions, let me know! have fun!

Yeah for YOU!!!!

I had exactly the same setup but upgraded to a Tin Lizzie 18LS. You will enjoy the Gracie and the Janome. You can leave it set up as a smaller frame if you want, then add on the rest when you quilt a bigger quilt. Good luck and enjoy it.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments :)
Joyce- I'd love to compare notes! I'll PM you in a min. so it will be easier to message you later :thumbup:
Pungogal- You might be hearing from me before long! I'll need all the help I can get. I'm far from mastering fmq on my domestic let alone on a mid-arm!
Quilter1- how did you like the set-up before you upgraded?

Congrats on your purchase. I believe the 1600P, the Viking Megaquilter, and the Pfaff Grandquilter 1200 are all the same machine. If you ever have questions about your machine be sure to search on all the machines because the answers are interchangeable.

My wife and I have the Pfaff. When we first started using it we had a lot of trouble, and I have posted several times about some of the problems we had and how we resolved them. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, or you can search my posts about the quilter. We are able to use Maxi Lock polyester serger thread and Connecting Threads essential cotton. I have done all the quilting so far, and I have only used three patterns: a meander, a botanical-type pattern that "nests" into two rows, and a group of musical symbols that we drew ourselves. The purchased patterns that we have used came out of a book from Golden Threads http://www.goldenthreads.com/shop/category/pantographs/ .

I hope you enjoy your new toy.

Darren