I'm with you. I've thought of the lesson/renting option also. I don't believe I would make enough really BIG quilts that would justify buying the long arm. Also, it would be better for me to have expert help available to load and quilt. And---I wouldn't be responsible to maintain the equipment! Betty D

The local APQS dealer here in Maryland gives lessons to anyone willing to pay, on the long arm, and after a lesson or two, will rent time on her Millenium. I haven't tried it, but am keeping this information in the back of my head for the future. Her comment was, that if someone was renting when she bought her's, she never would have bought. This solves the house space issue, too.

Hi, thanks for the reply. You saved me a lot of time letting me know about the 730. I have a class tommorow on my 440 and will inquire about an upgrade for the 820. I now feel that my decision on not getting the frame was a good one. Rather send it out as I will not make that many more king size quilts.

I had the 440 and upgraded to the 730. There's no more room. Would love to have a long arm but don't want to give up the floor space it needs. Also thought about the George, but then the 830 came out. I think it would be less costly for me to upgrade to the 820. I don't want to spend the $ on the 830 as I don't care for embroidery--so why pay the extra?

Hi
think you were wise, I got carried away and thought it would be great but really too much trouble. As for price, I am in UK so it is different, but here the 730 was around £3000 and the 830 (not available yet here!) but that will be around £6000 so, here it will be twice the price. BUT, if I am right, and I dont have a 730 but a 630, the throat on 730 is standard size, so will not be much different from your 440 size wise! Hope that helps!
PS. personally, would love a 830, as I JUST LOVE new kit!!!!! lol
PPS. exchange rate was roughly 2$ to £ so you could work out price!

Wayland wrote:

Hi lmcfood, Liked what you had to say. I did not think it would work out so I cancelled the lay away. What I want to do is up grade my 440 to one that will have a bigger plate to do my own top quilting. I already had a plan to send out any that I do in the future. Don't want the hassle of adjusting the frame.
Got my tax money back I don't know the differnce between the machines. The 730 and maybe the new 820...any advice from all

Hi, just thought I would add my couple of cents! I bought a frame, not the Bernina one, but something similar. I also bought a Pfaff with a 9in throat to use as my 630 only gave me about 4in strip to quilt. you have to take into consideration the roll of quilt on the rollers that go through the throat of the machine. Even with the Pfaff's larger throat, it was still not great, very limiting on designs. So, I sold both of them. Unless I could get a machine with a 15in throat min. its not worth the effort and money. Better to send your quilt to a long arm quilter if you cannot/do not want to quilt with your regular machine. Hope that helps!!!!

Darlene,
Thanks so much for the pictures. I just printed them out. I also have a great set up like you. I will send pictures later. (Just have to clean up my messes). You are soooo neat. Can't wait for a picture of the frame.Norina

Darlene, please keep us posted if you get a different machine to go on your frame. I haven't been able to convince my DH that I desperately need an 830, but maybe I could get an affordable quilting set up.

My DH got a Harley for Christmas this year....he has 300 miles on it, it's just too cold to ride! But, it will get him out of the house this spring so I can quilt!

I have the Bernina frame. It took DH and I 2 hours and 20 minutes to put it together. We timed it! I could have done it by myself, but it would have taken twice as long. The instructions are good, there are just a lot of screws.

I previously owned a Grace/Juki combo with a stitch regulator...it was OK, but just not much room to quilt and it just wasn't easy to control.

With the 830 on the frame, I am very happy with the amount of room I have. And this frame/carriage combo is SOOO smooth! I had tried the Handiquilter and actually had spent 3 hours with the Gammill dealer trying the Premier Plus and had planned to wire the money to buy the premier when the new 830 was announced in July. Needless to say, I changed my mind!

I think the carriage moves so smoothly because of the tilt on the wheels. I can quilt better with it after playing for 10 minutes than I could with the Gammill after 3 hours! And I'm talking swirls and open feathers.

I plan to call Grace to find out which large machines I can put on this carriage. I obviously don't want to run my 830 on the frame all the time, I just don't like the wear and tear...I want to know if I can put a Handiquilter machine or a Bailey 15" on this carriage. I definitely would not consider a regular home machine like a 153 for the frame...it would be way too small...the take up roller alone would use almost all the space in the arm! I may get desperate and put a Juki on mine temporarily...but that is as small as I would go.

I'll try to post some pictures of the frame set up in my sewing room so you can get an idea of the space it takes. I just happen to have the perfect location for mine, it's like the room was built for it.

HTH...Happy 200th Mr. Lincoln! Hope everyone is off work for President's day and will get to sew!
Darlene

LOLOL:lol:
Have you "Tinkled" today?
retiredgrandma5 wrote:

Well, if you did happen to ride a motorcycle and quilt it would probably keep you in "stitches"!

Mmmm... I ride a motorcycle, but I've yet to figure out a way to quilt while riding.
Have you "Tinkled" today?

dogquilter wrote: