IceLeopard

Oh, no! No room in the house for such a machine, and no room in the budget -- they run $15,000 - $20,000. The sit-down Sweet 16 is like a sewing machine with a big throat (about 9 inches high by 16 inches deep), except it has no feed dogs. The quilter moves the quilt sandwich and in the older models like mine, the speed you move the fabric determines your stitch length. It does have a few more bells and whistles, like the ability to pre-set sewing speed.

mindless

Yes drag, weight and bulk can be real issues when sit down quilting. Drag can bend or break needles, cause problems with tension, and just make it much harder and less fun.

You're probably already familiar with these:

Some people scrunch the quilt like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxmiWAhz6Us

Some people use the Quilt As You Go technique: https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...uilt+as+you+go

Some people quilt large quilts in sections, similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeWli_ugnQ8

Managing Large Amount of Fabric


But these ideas are interesting too:
There are lots of ideas and videos out there - both home made and commercial solutions - for suspending a quilt to take the weight and drag off of it when quilting on a sit down.
here are a few:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQEE077H5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fttZ8xxKeUM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULNe0jwLZgM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlDII7ApkMM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJGph8am6BE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnNwrsV7h-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q9Y2xdZ2NI

CaleyH

Mindless, Thanks so very much for taking the time to show me all of this. I never even thought about suspending the quilting edges to take the drag off of things.

I like the PVC pipe setup. But instead of using the one inch PVC pipe, which looks kind of flimsy, I probably will use larger PVC pipe. That will allow me to install eyelets so that I can attach bungee cords with clamps anywhere along the suspension pipes.

Also, based on what I saw in the videos, it looks like I need to add a leaf to my quilting surface on the rear side of my table. My table is only 23 inches wide, and that allows my quilts to slide off the back of the table. I have enough width, but as I mentioned, depth needs addressing.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to show and tell. It gets me thinking on different approaches to problems I would have never thought of.

Dolphyngyrl

To me I would save longer for a sit down quilter a 9 inch throat is really not going to give you that much more space. I have an 11 inch throat and having fmq a baby quilt on it would not quilt bigger on it. Would move to my long arm. I would get the mart Mitchell book machine quilting in sections and save longer. No matter what you decide you need to learn tension, you have to adjust this quite a bit with fmq no matter what machine you have for various thread thicknesses sandwich thicknesses its something you need to work on being comfortable with. Yes the sitdowns are way more pricey but seriously way less headache and pain readjusting the quilt 24/7

CaleyH

Dolphyngryl, Already ordered my machine, the Baby Lock Jazz 2, which has 12 inches to the right of the needle. Should be more than enough for what I plan, which is no larger than 75 inches.

Sharon5012

So excited for you! I got a 12 inch (another brand, as I needed embroidery too) and it has made a big difference in my comfort level with all methods of quilting (FM, rulers, walking foot, etc). I have been intrigued by the Jazz 2 for a long time...just cannot squeeze in another machine though. I think it is often undersold by the staff in favor of the pricey ones. I hope you tell us all about it soon.

CaleyH

Sharon5012 I'm excited about the machine. Just waiting for the vendor to get new stock in, which, according to them, probably will not make it before Christmas. Hopefully, sometime in early January I will get it. Will let everyone know what I think. Will need to learn how to use a non-computerized machine.

CaleyH

Since I received some guidance from member "mindless", I've been busy making a support setup to hold my quilts when quilting them. I used 1 1/4 PVC pipe to create the support over the table. I added four 1/4 inch eyebolts so that they could hold anything I throw at them. Also added those monster clips. I had those, and lots more out in the shed. I also repurposed the LED shop lights that never get used in the shop, but will get plenty of use at the quilting table.

I'm not sure just how much this support setup will accomplish with my current machine, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. But it should be more helpful for whenever I receive my Baby Lock Jazz 2 machine. I think this support setup would be more useful if the machine needle end is facing me. That way I can have most of the quilt rolled into the back of the machine, and just move things sideways one way or the other. The big clamps should hold even a rolled quilt.

I am using over long rope, so that I can adjust the height of clamps, which probably need to be higher at the ends of the table, with the two clamps in the middle probably being just above table height. I'll have to experiment to see just how to set this up so that the quilt can move smoothly..

I did test things, and it all moves very nicely, especially with the use of the Teflon sheeting I added to my table surface.

oksewglad

When you get your new machine you will be ready to roll! Great usage of the wait time!

mindless

Wow, Caley, that is one nice set up! You've taken it to a whole new level! PVC is great for so many things. And I especially like the addition of lights...

Yours, Watson's and Rebecca's are all pretty great ideas!

DIY Suspension System $60.00