Quilting Methods

Changing Heads and Arm Lengths of Your Quilting Machine

Crowning the list of options quilters look for when thinking about buying home quilting machines is the ability to change heads and arm lengths. Being able to sew lengths from six inches to 17 inches can be of great value when making quilts of various sizes. Along with this option, the ease of changing heads and how fluidly they move over the fabric is equally important.

Most free standing quilting frames are designed so the cloth remains stationary while the sewing head is maneuvered by the quilter. This enables tracing around intricate designs easier to accomplish. It also allows professional results from the quilting machine, even with novice quilters. As with many type of home quilting machines the more often you can use it, the more proficient you will become at using it.

Your Quilting Machine Should Be Portable For Storage

Being able to take the machine down to a smaller size for storage is also a big plus. Many quilters do not have the room to leave home quilting machines set up all the time. Unlike table-top home quilting machines that usually stand up in a corner, many of the free standing units break down with the exception being the length of the fabric rollers. Many machines, however, will have you remove the leg and leave the rollers attached to the top to make reassembly quicker.

How much quilting you do, and what your overall goals are, will help you decide if home quilting machines are for you. For the occasional use, a traditional sewing machine designed for quilting is usually enough. But for the heavy user, many home quilting machines are capable of producing two or three quilts per week. If you planning on starting a quilting business, you would probably want home quilting machines that can put out five or six quilts per week.

It Depends on How Much You Quilt and Your Quilting Goals

Considering today's cost of materials and notions, it is estimated that a quilting business would need to sell about 125 to 130 quilts per month to break even. With most endeavors if you are not making money doing it, then it is a hobby and this is also something to consider. While home quilting machines may save time and effort, if you are not using your quilting machine on a regular basis, you may not need it.