Are you a Short Arm quilter? If so let's talk!
07-31-2012, 07:26 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Van. Island, BC
Posts: 1,420
I have a Baby Lock Jane on a frame and it is mostly just sitting there taking up too much room.
The space to quilt on is so small that even a lap quilt is too big.
My table is an Imperial with very large rods that take up way to much room on my 9 inch throat.
The strait stitch machine has a complicated threading and a under the machine bobbin so have to move the machine to the far end of the table to change the bobbin and to rethread.
I do have a stitch regulator which costs $500 but it is wonderful.
Tried to do pantos but needle kept getting caught on edge of quilt since you cannot see the edge from behind the machine.
From the front of the machine quilting is much better but need to do free motion or marking a quilt pattern.
The space to quilt on is so small that even a lap quilt is too big.
My table is an Imperial with very large rods that take up way to much room on my 9 inch throat.
The strait stitch machine has a complicated threading and a under the machine bobbin so have to move the machine to the far end of the table to change the bobbin and to rethread.
I do have a stitch regulator which costs $500 but it is wonderful.
Tried to do pantos but needle kept getting caught on edge of quilt since you cannot see the edge from behind the machine.
From the front of the machine quilting is much better but need to do free motion or marking a quilt pattern.
07-31-2012, 09:20 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Augusta, Maine
Posts: 363
I have a Handiquilter frame that I used with a Juki 98 straight stitch machine and I just sold the machine and kept the frame now I use my Janome 6600 on the rollers and it works great. I do have the handles but the hookups won't fit into my Janome ports. does anyone know if there is a conversion kit I could get?? right now I just hold onto the top of the machine itself and it works and I use my stop start button and auto cut buttons. I couldn't believe when I opened up this thread this morning as I just sold my machine and tried my Janome on the frame.
07-31-2012, 09:24 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 886
I have a Pfaff Grandquilter (9" throat) on an Inova 10' frame. I have had it for about 2 years. Got it used from a lady in our Guild for $1500.00. I ONLY use pantos because I just don't have time to learn FMQ. I quilt from the front so I can see to start the stitching on the left side just at the edge. Then I run off the right side a little. I do not have a stitch regulator, but don't think I am missing anything with such a small quilting area. I pin the top, batting and backing to the leaders at the top of the quilt, then use Red Snappers on the bottom. I like the Red Snappers, but you have to remove them when you get to the bottom as they take up so much room. I think that basting a piece of scrap material to the bottom of the quilt top, then putting on the Red Snappers would work really well, but I always forget to do this until I get to that point, then it is too late. If I had the money I would definitely upgrade to a mid-arm machine, but right now I am more or less happy with what I have.
07-31-2012, 11:51 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Saugus, CA
Posts: 1,310
07-31-2012, 12:11 PM
#46
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 29
I have the same machine, and a New Joy quilting frame. I bought it used so have had to learn it by myself, without taking lessons from a dealer. I like it-just wish I had more time to use it. I have only done 3 quilts on it, and I have 3 more ready to go when I get time to load one. I have not tried any pantos yet-just meandering. I would love to get a stitch regulator, but at nearly $500, it is out of my price range for now. I have signed up to take a "Long Arm 101" class at an upcoming quilt show later this fall, so I am hoping to learn some better technique, even though it is not a Long Arm system. I definitly like it better than laying on my floor pinning my quilts together! I too have to make sure I don't go too fast, but I agree, there is a "zone" a person can get into that makes it work so nice!
07-31-2012, 12:25 PM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,135
I have the Viking Mega quilter on a homemade frame and I love it. I have quilted 6 lap quilts in the last two days. Of course I don't do real fancy designs, just pantos. It doesn't take me very long to load a quilt on it. The only thing I don't like now is the small amount of quilting area. I am saving for a long arm, but for now this works for me.
07-31-2012, 01:48 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Granbury Tx
Posts: 949
I have the Brother 1500 and a Handy Quilter frame. I can't seem to get the hang of it. I can't keep the stitches even. I just finished a quilt today but did FMQ without the frame. I was told it was impossible to do but that was by a lady trying to sell me a $10,000 machine. I want to do feathers but can't do them without eyelashes. Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
07-31-2012, 02:21 PM
#49
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 25
Ihave the same machine that I started quilting on. Mine came with the original HQ frame and HQ handles. They have a speed control on the handle which would help you. I even bought another set of handles to quilt from the front too. You can purchase a frame (cage?) that mounts on the moving platform and you mount the HQ handles to them. Happy Quilting!
07-31-2012, 02:23 PM
#50
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 25
I have the same machine that I started quilting on. Mine came with the original HQ frame and HQ handles. They have a speed control on the handle which would help you. I even bought another set of handles to quilt from the front too. You can purchase a frame (cage?) that mounts on the moving platform and you mount the HQ handles to them. Happy Quilting!
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