Farm Quilter

Barb,

I have an Innova (made right there in Texas!). I can go in any direction with no problem. I have never heard of a quilting machine that could only go in one direction. That would make me crazy!!! Definitely check out the Innova by ABM International at the International Quilt Show in Houston - you won't be disappointed at all. One thing to do while you are checking out all the cool quilting machines is listen to the sound of the machine...some of them are awfully loud and others purr (youtube.com has lots of quilting machines to see and listen to as well before you hit the Houston Quilt Show, just put in the names of the different machines on the main page).

Check out Renae Haddadin's website, http://www.renaequilts.com/
In the search area put in "choosing a longarm article"...you have to "buy" the article (it's free) to get the download, but she really gives you many things to think about when you are looking to purchase a longarm. She also has an Innova, but the article is NOT brand-specific, just load of information and questions to ask.

April Parker

Can you explain alittle more about floating the top to me? I'm not sure I fully understand. Do you pin the quilt together like you were going to do it by hand but then roll the whole thing up on the rod that the back is suppose to go on?

cathyvv

I guess the only way to find out is to test it. Only thing I can think of is that the directionality (just made that up) of the stitches might be obvious with some patterns.

Sadiemae

That isn't the way I do it...
When I float my top it means I put the back on just like normal. Pin it to the take up roller and pin it to the belly bar. Then roll it up on the belly bar until smooth but not overstretched.
I do not roll my top or my batting onto the rollers. I could load the bat onto my bar, but my poodle thinks it is for her and she will try to roll on it. It is just too close to the floor.
So I lay the batting on top of the back close to the top edge. (I put these under the bar that the top normally would be pinned to--so I can keep it flat.)
Then I lay the top on top of the batting close to the top edge. I then sew at very top all the way across the width of the quilt from the middle out to secure it.
Then I attach my clamps and I am ready to begin. The top isn't rolled on the bar, so it is considered to float.

Does this make sense????

Barb in Louisiana

I love the tip about listening to the machine. I find that as I "mature" my ears are getting more sensitive to loud noises. I would have been very frustrated if the machine was so loud that I couldn't stand to use it. Also, I never thought to check out Youtube for info. Others have spoken well of the Innova products. They are high on my list for checking out.