Quilting Methods

The Way This Quilting Machine Performs

When I say the way a long arm quilting machine 'performs', I don't mean that this type of quilting machine is going to do everything for you.. When you are actually using one of these machines you will see how wonderfully they respond to the slightest touch of your hand and how smoothly your quilting proceeds.

The Way These Quilting Machines Handle

No, I'm not talking about a top of the line sports car, I'm talking about your new long arm quilting machine. You have to think of your machine as an extension to your own arms and hands. It moves around your quilting area like its gliding on glass. This makes it so much easier to change your sewing direction, quilt easier, and increase your productivity in ways you hadn't imagined.

Long arm quilting machines are built with a synchronous sewing system which helps eliminate slipping and loss of speed so you can work faster at higher speeds. There is no odd traction or friction, and no slipping so you can count on your quilt coming out grand.

Advantages of a Long Arm Quilting Machine

If you're thinking of buying a quilting machine, you may wish to consider the advantages of a long arm quilting machine. This machine enables you to work on various areas of the quilt without playing "musical chairs" or shifting positions to sew each part of your quilt.

In the pioneer days and past centuries, it was common for many women to gather at a quilter's home and have a 'quilting bee' to work on a quilting project simultaneously. Just imagine this scene: a bed-sized quilt stretched tightly on a quilting frame with quilters seated around the quilt project. As they sew, the women talk, giggle, laugh, exchange recipes, instruct the young women on household arts, and share their secrets. Making a quilt was a pleasant social occasion and the company and talk made it even more so.

Today women don't often have the luxury of sewing a quilt with several friends and neighbors. Working mothers, single mothers, and "corporate" women have little time to do household chores, much less 'hand-sew' a quilt. Long arm quilting machines can help a busy seamstress and quilter not only create a lovely quilt, but can also act as one of those friends or neighbors who work on the sides of the quilt at a quilting bee. To the dismay of die-hard, hand quilters, many 'beginners books' on quilting cite as one of the necessary quilting tools being a quilting machine, preferably a "long arm quilting machine."

Long Arm Quilting Machines vs Regular Sewing Machines

Regular sewing and quilting machines have an arm only about seven inches long at maximum. This allows the quilter to concentrate on one particular area at a time. You will need to shift your own position in respect to the quilt often, and also shift the position of the quilt under and within the machine. The quilt has to be re-adjusted within your quilting frame often. A long arm quilting machine covers a lot more quilting space and holds the quilt tightly in place while you work. You can see much more of your work to make sure everything matches, is stitched right and is evenly spaced.

One big advantage of a long arm quilting machine is that your sewing is more continuous. This means that you will not be stopping, cutting your thread line, re-adjusting the quilt, and then starting a new thread line. Continuous sewing means that there will be less thread ends and the chance of the piece coming apart with wear is less. This makes your quilt more durable.

Using a long arm quilting machine, you will need to change your own position and the quilt's position much less often. This is not only more comfortable for you, it's also a lot more efficient; enabling you to finish your quilt much faster.

How Easy it is to Setup

Most long arm quilting machines are manufactured using parts made of high grade aluminum. This makes them lightweight and durable and eases the setup procedure.

Most long arm quilting systems come with the sewing machine, the table, quilting patterns, thread, bobbins, bobbin winder, needles, and easy to follow and understand instructions for setup and usage. It is recommended that before assembling your machine that you read all the instructions that comes with your new machine.

Total assembling of your long arm quilting machine will only take a few short hours. You can be up, running and ready for business within no time. But be sure to take some extra time and get to know your new machine and see how it handles in your hands. Remember it's the feel and the flow of how it moves that is one of the biggest advantages to owning one of these machines.

Can I Afford a Long Arm Quilting Machine?

Naturally, this depends on how much money you have to spend, how much quilting you are planning to do, and what you plan to do with your quilts. If you have a quilting business or plan to sell your quilts, it might be worth while to invest in a machine that helps you work more swiftly and accurately. A long arm quilting machine can cost up to $4000 and up for the top-line models. However, a name-brand machine will usually cost far less. Consider buying the long arm quilting machine in a name you can trust, and that you can reasonable afford, because you can always upgrade in the future.