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There are very few quilts that will not
require you to do some freemotion
quilting in the backgrounds behind
motifs, or maybe stitch in the ditch
when the seams are not perfect.
Computerised systems, however,
do excel at all-over (edge-to-edge)
designs and can be good for a
pantograph business set-up.
“How is my health?” Standing up at
a machine can be taxing on your body.
Some come with hydraulic height controls
so that you can make adjustments for a
more ergonomic working position. Others
come with high saddle stools so that you
can sit down to work.
“Do I have the money to make the
purchase?” Do you need to borrow
money to make the purchase? Factor
interest and repayments into your
sums. Are you lucky enough to have
the cash to buy the machine outright?
That is great, but you still need to be
sure you are going to use it. They do
take up a lot of space in your home.
With so many choices out there, it is
useful to look at them by type, rather
than brand or model. So what are the
choices?
Full industrial longarm quilting
machines with large throats, usually
more than 20in.
Good solid options for a ‘work
horse’ that will be with you for a
long time. Not always as pretty as
some consumer machines, but the
advantage is that you can get to the
parts that need servicing easily.
Consumer machines, aimed at the
domestic market, in sizes varying from
15in upwards.
Often look great and come in various
sizes to suit the space available. It is
not usually possible to service these
machines yourself, so access to a
dealer network is important.
Industrial longarm
quilting machinesHandi Quilter- Amara 20in with the studio 2 frame (12ft)
- Avante 18in with the Studio 2 frame (12ft)
Constantine Quilts- A1 Quilting Machines 23in, 31in on 12ft tables
Know How Sewing Centre- Q’nique 15R, 15Pro, 21
- Nolting Fun Quilter 17in, 20in
Consumer machines aimed
at the domestic marketJanome- QMP18 and quilting frame
(available as a unit)
Janome- Continental M7
Professional 13½in
workspace