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Moderated by Sharon1952
Posted on: 5/27/17 9:46 PM ET
I am considering purchasing a mid arm quilting frame. I mostly sew lap quilts and don't want to take up a lot of space with a long arm or spend the money. I was considering the Bother fabric frame because it looked very easy to set the quilt up, but read many negative reviews and it's quite pricey. Can you recommend a quilt frame that will work on a domestic machine that is simple to set up? I will also be purchasing a sewing machine to work with the frame and I would also like a stitch regulator.
Re: I'm using a Janome QCP and no frame with good results (posted on 6/10/17 9:34 AM ET)
My machine is a slightly older QCP model.
Therere is an updated one shown on the Janome website. It has plenty of horsepower AND the longer arm, both making the quilting much easier.
It came with plenty of feet and the larger bed. I bought a table to hold the machine, which gives me plenty of flat space. A side benefit is that it has many decorative stitches - wonderful for crazy quilting.
Most of the quilts I make are twin or queen size. There have been a few times when the queen ones seemed bulky, but the twin size haven't been any trouble.
Now, if you are doing truly sophisticated detailed quilting, you probably do want a frame. However, I wouldn't purchase one just small enough for a lap quilt - too limiting.
Therere is an updated one shown on the Janome website. It has plenty of horsepower AND the longer arm, both making the quilting much easier.
It came with plenty of feet and the larger bed. I bought a table to hold the machine, which gives me plenty of flat space. A side benefit is that it has many decorative stitches - wonderful for crazy quilting.
Most of the quilts I make are twin or queen size. There have been a few times when the queen ones seemed bulky, but the twin size haven't been any trouble.
Now, if you are doing truly sophisticated detailed quilting, you probably do want a frame. However, I wouldn't purchase one just small enough for a lap quilt - too limiting.
Posted on: 12/2/17 4:18 PM ET
I am looking for a quilting frame for limited space but have read bad reviews about the dream frame for Brother. The working area on the quilt is a concern because it says that there is only about 6-9 inches to work.I want to quilt full or queen size quilts and need a small frame. Any suggestions?
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SmithinBama
Posted on: 12/2/17 9:22 PM ET
I have a Bernina long arm machine on a 12' frame. However, I did a lot of research before buying my machine. I originally thought I was going to buy a HandiQuilter Simply Sixteen on Little Foot (5' frame). I rented time on this machine and completed two kids' quilts. By the end of 3 hours, I was ready to rip my hair out. I know some folks think adjusting the quilt on that type of frame is no biggie, it was not for me. The biggest problem with using a domestic machine on a traditional stand up frame, is you run out of space REALLY fast. It may be great at the beginning, but once you start rolling, your 9" throat becomes 2" pretty quick. Just MHO.
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Bernina 770QE, 530 Swiss Red, 1120
Bernina Q24 Long Arm
Babylock Ovation
Cricut Maker
Cricut Joy
Bernina Q24 Long Arm
Babylock Ovation
Cricut Maker
Cricut Joy
Posted on: 12/3/17 2:37 PM ET
In reply to Butters2013
I think you are putting the cart before the horse. Generally quilting machines with stitch regulators are sold with a matching frame.
What is your budget? Are you willing to look for a used machine? How do you feel about basting?
I bought a second hand HQ 16 on an adjustable frame 18 months ago. I am perfectly happy with Diana, she has a stitch regulator and I have added the Glide foot, laser for Pantos and ruler base.
You can join the HQ Facebook page or the pages for other machines, people sometimes post machines for sale. With HQ just releasing the Amara, I expect that there will be quite a few used machines on the market, both HQ 16 and Avante.
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What is your budget? Are you willing to look for a used machine? How do you feel about basting?
I bought a second hand HQ 16 on an adjustable frame 18 months ago. I am perfectly happy with Diana, she has a stitch regulator and I have added the Glide foot, laser for Pantos and ruler base.
You can join the HQ Facebook page or the pages for other machines, people sometimes post machines for sale. With HQ just releasing the Amara, I expect that there will be quite a few used machines on the market, both HQ 16 and Avante.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Posted on: 12/3/17 3:23 PM ET
I have the little foot frame and HQ simply 16. If space is your guiding factor then its great solution. I’ve had mine for over a year and I still love it. You are teaming a long arm machine with what is a like a giant hoop frame. You get stitch regulator and all the functions of a long arm but on a frame that fits in a small space. The learning curve is IMO is not very hard the biggest thing is learning how to get the best out of the frame and how to plan the quilt.
If space was no object then I would get a bigger frame. I would stick with HQ though my experience with both my sit down and my Simply 16 have been completely trouble free
If space was no object then I would get a bigger frame. I would stick with HQ though my experience with both my sit down and my Simply 16 have been completely trouble free
Posted on: 12/15/17 6:46 PM ET
I previously had a large (12') frame & now have a Simply 16 with a Little Foot frame.
My old frame was a domestic 12' frame, I was able to use any domestic machine on it, though some machines gave better results. The harp size of the sewing machine can severely limit your quilting size, especially on large quilts when the amount of quilt on the take up rail gets larger. I bought a sewing machine with a larger harp (throat) to use on the frame, to do larger pantographs.
I actually prefer the Little Foot frame, it is more versatile. I can position a quilt in any orientation even diagonally, it is so quick & easy to load & unload quilts, I can easily take off a half finished quilt to work on another. It suits me best.
After purchasing my Simply16, I had planned to keep my 12' frame for basting, but have now sold it it as I wasn't using it at all. Please note I'm comparing a Simply16 Little frame & domestic frame. I love the Little frame & wouldn't swap to a large frame, OK, I would swap for a Bernina Q24, HQ Infinity or Innova.But they are way outside my budget.
Pros for a long (12') frame are,
no basting, pantographs are easier & don't have to keep repositioning the quilt.
Cons, if your long frame is less than 12', you can't do quilts wider than the frame size. (Another con for me was loading the quilt etc onto the frame. Once it was on I didn't want to remove it until I'd finished the quilt)
Pros for a clamp style frame are,
putting the quilt on & off the frame is quicker & easier. Quilt can be placed in any orientation you want eg diagonally for corners or sideways for borders etc. Takes up less space. Can quilt any size quilts.
Cons, repositioning large quilts,
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My old frame was a domestic 12' frame, I was able to use any domestic machine on it, though some machines gave better results. The harp size of the sewing machine can severely limit your quilting size, especially on large quilts when the amount of quilt on the take up rail gets larger. I bought a sewing machine with a larger harp (throat) to use on the frame, to do larger pantographs.
I actually prefer the Little Foot frame, it is more versatile. I can position a quilt in any orientation even diagonally, it is so quick & easy to load & unload quilts, I can easily take off a half finished quilt to work on another. It suits me best.
After purchasing my Simply16, I had planned to keep my 12' frame for basting, but have now sold it it as I wasn't using it at all. Please note I'm comparing a Simply16 Little frame & domestic frame. I love the Little frame & wouldn't swap to a large frame, OK, I would swap for a Bernina Q24, HQ Infinity or Innova.But they are way outside my budget.
Pros for a long (12') frame are,
no basting, pantographs are easier & don't have to keep repositioning the quilt.
Cons, if your long frame is less than 12', you can't do quilts wider than the frame size. (Another con for me was loading the quilt etc onto the frame. Once it was on I didn't want to remove it until I'd finished the quilt)
Pros for a clamp style frame are,
putting the quilt on & off the frame is quicker & easier. Quilt can be placed in any orientation you want eg diagonally for corners or sideways for borders etc. Takes up less space. Can quilt any size quilts.
Cons, repositioning large quilts,
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Bernina 720E, Pfaff Passport 2.0, HQ Simply16
Janome 500e, Brother PQ1500s,
Janome 500e, Brother PQ1500s,
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