DSM harp size
 

My DSM has a harp size of about 5.75 inches (Brother XL2600i) and I am toying with the idea of buying a new machine so I can have a bigger harp size. For people who have bought new machines with bigger harp sizes than their previous machine, how many more inches was the harp on your new machine and did it make a huge difference or was it not even noticeable? It seems like machines with large harp sizes are ridiculously expensive, I'm arguing with myself whether it's worth the money and how big of a harp I would want/need. Thanks!

Yes, a larger harp would be of help but I have been able to quilt award winning quilts on my Bernina 1530 (8" harp). What I found that works best for quilting on a DSM is to make sure you have adequate support on your left side and behind your machine so the weight of the quilt doesn't hamper your quilting. I have an square piece of pressedwood that I insert to sit on an open drawer (in my sewing desk) and the other end sits on a bookcase. When I learned to machine quilt, I was told to roll up the quilt and toss it on my left shoulder. THAT NEVER WORKED for me. Good Luck

I did notice a difference my Sapphire 870 when I got it, it has over 9" harp size now, however.... it still is the same height, only the width is wider. IF I were to purchase another machine I would also consider the height measurement. Someone at a retreat had one, it didn't do any fancy stitches but wow there was a huge opening for all that bundled up quilt to move in to.

My husband just bought me the Baby Lock Crescendo for my 50th wedding anniversary. The harp size is 11.5 inches - I'm n heaven!!!

I went from a standard 7"-ish harp to an 11" harp and I will never buy another machine that's smaller than that. It's a MASSIVE difference and makes quilting much easier.

Just thought I'd put a link into this thread as the Brother 1500 was the machine I saw at retreat that looked so great. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t243674-2.html

I purchased the Juki 2010 for about $1,000 and it has a 9 inch harp. It makes a huge difference. My DSM is about 6". I like it because I can piece on it and quilt on it. But then I don't make King sized quilts just throws and twins. If I had about 5,000 to spend I would have gone for the 16 inch throats. A friend has a Sweet 16 and it is awesome for the space. But, she only quilts on it. I don't know if that is her preference or if it is only a quilter.

There are no feed dogs on the Sweet 16, so it wouldn't work for piecing.

I went from Janome 7 inch harp to a Janome8900.... It makes a huge difference! I don't " quilt by check" anymore and it's paid for itself. I figure I only purchase 2 or 3 machines in a life time,so it's worth it.