Used Long Arm Quilting Machines
is long arm quilting hard to learn?
is a Pfaff Grand Quilter with 5′ to 10′ Inspira Quilting frame worth $1500?
How does stippling work on this machine? easier than with a lower end machine like a singer confidence quilter? can a beginner learn to use it? (my mom is not a beginning sewer, but a beginning quilter.)
A long arm quilter is very easy to use.
However, the Pfaff Grand Quilter is not a long arm quilting machine. It is a sewing machine that is limited to straight stitching and free motion stitching.
This is a long arm quilting machine – http://www.gammill.com/
You can stipple on any sewing machine (darning/free motion foot, feed dogs down or covered, presser foot down and start doodling).
This lady is the #1 teacher of this method – http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt035.asp
Ideally you would want a sewing machine with as large a harp as you can find.
This is the area to the right of the needle.
The Pfaff GQ has the larger harp and comes with an extension table to help hold the quilt so the weight of it does not pull the quilt from the needle.
The larger harp will allow more exposed area for stitching until you have to stop, roll the quilt and start over.
I don’t have a long arm, but have tried a few at sewing expos.
I do have a sewing machine that can be used for quilting as it has a large harp and variable speed control. It suits my needs.
I also have a Grace quilt frame and found I prefer to do my quilting with out it.
Due to the size of the quilting frame, it will require a dedicated room.
If you can, buy just the machine for now (shop around for prices – dealers can lower their prices) and if the quilting bug bites, there are a lot of these frames for sale (used and new).
New to the craft, it is best to start with small projects.
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