Watson

Is there a model of long arm that is made to be able to either sit or stand to operate?

I've waded through a number of sites, but can't find that bit of info.

Thanks!

Watson

RavenBlack

Long arms come in different sizes. HQ sweet sixteen, Baby Lock Tiara, etc. are sit down long arms. Some people call them mid arms. But as Leah Day says, if they don't have feed dogs, she considers them to be long arms. Some people with the large machines like Innova use a stool to sit and quilt.
I don't own any machines without feed dogs. So can't help much but thought I'd start your thread going.

Iceblossom

Some people, including my friend in Arizona sit in a roller chair while quilting, she chose a frame that had the height options. She says you quickly get used to scooting around with your feet and don't notice it after awhile.

I've found that I would much rather stand/dance (and I could learn to scoot) along with the machine head than sit and guide the fabric with my upper body. Takes all kinds... we just have to find what works for us.

Tartan

Lorena of Lorena’s quilting talked about having her machine with the ability to adjust the height. You could look for one for adjustable height so you could work sitting or standing. I know they have high chairs for sitting at long arm machines also.

Watson

Thanks, Raven Black.

I mean long arms as in, the machine head moves over the fabric. I already have a mid arm, where you sit and the whole machine is just way bigger than a domestic, just to clarify for anyone else what I mean.

I have a very bad back and can only sit or stand, alternatively for 15 minutes at a time without changing position.

Watson

Iceblossom

So you want to be able to adjust it? That's a little harder but not impossible. When I took in my Bernina for servicing I was ooohing and aahing over an automatic/hydraulic adjustable height table.

Here's one option for a quilt frame:
https://handiquilter.com/product/hq-...e-lift-system/

I believe in tools and that we deserve good tools. With my vision issues I believe in doing what I can to keep on quilting for as long as I can. While not anything I could really just go out and buy myself, I don't think it's excessive if it's what you want and what you need -- even if you have to get a frame to fit. There must be other options, maybe even a local person who does hydraulics and stuff.

RavenBlack

That does help clarify things. You could ask long arm users which machines seem to require less effort to move. I just watched a Leah Day YouTube video about this topic. She said it's much harder on your body to quilt using a domestic machine or one where you move the quilt.

toverly

Martelli's makes an awesome table that adjusts from standing to sitting. I'm not sure about their long arms but it might be worth checking it out. They probably have the same mechanism for their longarms.

Cam's gram

Iceblossom, now you've got me drooling! I haven't spent much time at sewing machine shop where I bought my Handi Quilter.

Watson

Iceblossom...isn't that funny...I just contacted Handiquilter directly and they assured me they didn't have anything like that and then I come back and read your post.

Watson