How, What & Why of Purchasing a Longarm
Hey Quilters!
The most visited post on my Blog is the Machine Comparison post, which is a few years old now! The most common email I get (besides quilting service requests) is about what type, size and brand of Longarm people should buy!
As my friend, Angela Walters says, “I am only the expert of my opinion!” but here are a few of the most common questions/concerns to ask/consider when purchasing a longarm (in my opinion):
1) Preference/Type of desired quilting, etc. (Longarm, mid arm/sit down, etc.) - What kind of quilting will you be doing? Large quilts, wall hangings? Are you wanting to do only free motion quilting or do you want to run automation with your machine? Do you have any health restraints as far as ability to stand or sit for long periods of time?
Answering these questions is going to help you narrow down what type of machine to look for. For example, if you are wanting to do larger quilts a frame model machine is going to make your quilting easier and more manageable to handle those larger projects. With a frame you can load the individual layers and then quilt as you advance onto your frame. A frame model also allows you to run automated quilting with your machine - allowing for faster edge to edge quilting.
If you cannot stand for long periods of time or just prefer to quilt like you would on your domestic machine, a mid-arm/sit-down machine is going to be your bet. There are so many options in this range - with folding height adjustable tables and even hydraulic lift tables you have a lot of choices here. With a hydraulic table you can sit at it for awhile and then adjust it to stand. You are still moving your quilt under your needle, but the ability to sit or stand is great if your body needs to move around a bit.
Don't have the space for a large machine and frame? A table model might be a good option. BUT - there are frame models available out there too that can be set up on 5 or 7 foot frames, giving you the ease of a longarm without taking up as much space as a full frame model, which can be up to 13-14 feet long.
2) Dealer/Dealer Location - This is a BIG factor for me (again my opinion) - a longarm is a completely different beast than your domestic sewing machine. And if you’re using your machine to run a business, you WILL need to have access to support. Choosing a machine/dealer that is close to you or can get to you in a reasonable time is so important. More than that though - you’ll be developing a relationship with them for the long term. Make sure you get the right vibe from them and that they really listen to your needs when it comes to purchasing your machine. If you go in wanting a machine to just start with Free Motion and they sell you a fully automated machine you may end up way over your head and feel frustrated/guilty because you’re not using all of the features of your machine.
3) Other local/accessible support - Other accessible support is also something to consider. Is there a local group you can join of other folks that have the same machine? Or even other longarmers? These days Facebook groups have popped up for almost everything and the longarm groups there are fantastic. Check out social media to see if you can find resources/groups for the machine you want or already have. The information found there is invaluable.
Side note: if you are also looking to start a business, look for groups that have established folks that may be willing to help you get started. There is so much quilting business out there - plenty to go around for everyone!
4) Brand Delivered Education - This might be my second most important factor - how much education can you get from the brand company? Do they supply any education to you directly, through a dealer or virtually? When you are new to a longarm there can be a large learning curve - just trying to understand threading, needles and tension can be a hurdle. Longarm machines are quite different from our domestic machines (plus I think they have personalities) so you’ll want to have access to information on how to get started with your new machine.
5) Price - As much as we wish price wasn’t a factor, it is. So if you’re shopping in a price range, do some research to figure out how much machine you can get with your budget. Longarm/Midarm machines can range anywhere from $10k to $40k so do some looking to see what fits your needs/budget. The nice thing is that you can find some flexibility with putting a smaller machine head on a frame or starting out with a table model machine that can later be converted to a frame.
Side note: if you are looking to start a business with your set up, be sure that you think through the time/effort that will cost you when deciding between a table and frame model. A table model will still require you to sandwich your layers before quilting, where a longarm will allow you to load your layers and start without having to go through the sandwiching process all up front.
WHEW! I feel like that was a quick and dirty run though! I plan to do a video on this as well, but would love to hear your questions, comments or other suggestions for purchasing a longarm machine! Leave me a comment or send me an email and I’ll compile a list before I do the video! In the meantime…
Happy Quilting,
Enjoli :)
P.S: If you have been on my blog or any social media you know that I own a Bernina Q24 on a 13’ frame with Qmatic (Bernina’s automation) so I will of course encourage you to check out the Bernina Longarm line up. Bernina has so many options for sit-down and framed models that there really are options for everyone. AND, if you are in the market for a machine right now, Bernina has some AMAZING promotions going on with their Freedom Sale - https://shop.berninausa.com/longarm-quilting now through the end of August. If you have specific questions about any of the Bernina Longarm models, please reach out to me - I’m happy to answer questions and help you find your closest local dealer! :)
P.P.S: If Bernina isn’t your jam, that is ok too! I think if we’re lucky enough to have a longarm we should be happy - I am excited for anyone going into the longarm journey, no matter what brand they end up with!