Sit down long arm
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 817
Sit down long arm
I'm considering purchasing a long arm sit down machine due to lack of space in my home
Looking at Bernina or Gammill and welcome your advice
Thank you
Looking at Bernina or Gammill and welcome your advice
Thank you
Last edited by FabQuilter; 06-25-2016 at 11:13 PM.
#2
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/bhqjusppa.html
Bailey's long-arm machines are fantastic. You can't beat the customer service either. I have the Bailey Pro 15 that sits in a custom built table.
Mr. Bailey has his machines sitting in a table similar to an industrial machine set up.
Bailey's long-arm machines are fantastic. You can't beat the customer service either. I have the Bailey Pro 15 that sits in a custom built table.
Mr. Bailey has his machines sitting in a table similar to an industrial machine set up.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
How much research and hands on testing have you done? I find it interesting that you have it narrowed down to the two most expensive options currently on the market. Just because something costs the most doesn't necessarily mean it is the best. Because you are in Houston, you may wish to postpone your decision until Houston Quilt market in the fall. Every major manufacturer will be there with demos set up for you to try out. I have a stand up longarm because I am a "move the pencil" quilter (as opposed to move the paper which is what you are doing with a sit down). I also hated the sandwiching process with a white hot passion and that step is eliminated with frame quilting, but you need to have the available space, which you do not. I think you should evaluate every sit down brand available and the Houston show would be the best place to do it. Then you need to decide what features you want the most and what kind of customer support you will get. Make a list of all your pros and cons, what is really important and what you can live without. Many sitdown quilters don't need a stitch regulator. I couldn't quilt as well as I do without one.
Just as important, or even more important than a large throat, is having the needed support for the quilt. A very large table that the machine sits flush in is critical IMHO. In addition to a table, many sit down quilters have set up hanging systems from their ceilings to support the weight of the quilt while FMQ on a sit down mid arm or LA.
Just as important, or even more important than a large throat, is having the needed support for the quilt. A very large table that the machine sits flush in is critical IMHO. In addition to a table, many sit down quilters have set up hanging systems from their ceilings to support the weight of the quilt while FMQ on a sit down mid arm or LA.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Wis
Posts: 5,928
I have the Bernina sit down. It has 20 inches of throat space and a table that can extend to 80 inches. I've had it about a year and I love it! Perfect tension, easy to use, easy to wind the bobbin. For some reason the universal needles work better with it.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,029
I have the HQSweet16 sitdown and love it. My table is 3x3 and then my sewing table (old kitchen table at the same height that holds my domestic) is to the left of it with all sorts of stuff on it. I done everything up to a king-sized on it and LOVE it and have no issues with quilt size. Sometimes I just have a desk chair I put on the right side to hold some weight, but usually I can turn the quilt so the bulk is to the left.
That said, I tend to love to move the fabric anyway I want to go and was already using my domestic to FMQ so there was no learning curve. My mind can't wrap itself around only being able to work in a specific rectangle and then having to roll and quilt and roll again. Just not sure how I would be able to do some of the designs that I like to do! My friend also bought this same machine at the Houston IQF a few years before I got mine.
Not everyone loves long arms and frames and moving the machine. But it is my understanding at least with the HQ16 that you could later upgrade to use it on a frame if you wanted.
That said, I tend to love to move the fabric anyway I want to go and was already using my domestic to FMQ so there was no learning curve. My mind can't wrap itself around only being able to work in a specific rectangle and then having to roll and quilt and roll again. Just not sure how I would be able to do some of the designs that I like to do! My friend also bought this same machine at the Houston IQF a few years before I got mine.
Not everyone loves long arms and frames and moving the machine. But it is my understanding at least with the HQ16 that you could later upgrade to use it on a frame if you wanted.
#9
There are a lot of models. I agree about waiting for the houston quilt market to test available models. people like the sweet 16 a lot. I know the george has been quite popular as well. There is also innova, juki has a model I believe so you might want to try them out and see how they feel
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