This week I have longarm quilting - and specifically the needs of new quilters - on my mind. What do I want from
a new longarm? When is it time to make the switch from a stationary home machine to a frame?
I've been thinking about this a lot because The Grace Company is currently making a big change - discontinuing the Qnique 15 line and replacing them with the new Qnique 16X longarms.
Updating our site so you can easily compare features with this new line of longarms has given me time to reflect on what I consider to be the most important elements in a new
machine.
When Is It Time to Switch?
Personally, what guided me to switch over was frustration and back pain. When I first began quilting, stitching on a home machine was what I could afford and what I could fit in our tiny apartment.
After moving to our
home, my quilting setup expanded continually and eventually my stationary (table mounted) home machine setup took up just as much space as a small longarm frame.
Even with a massive table and a quilt hanging system to support the weight of the quilt, I still felt frustrated. My back hurt from long periods of quilting and I didn't finish more than 1-2 quilts a year.
So my goal when switching to a longarm on a frame was increased speed and physical relief, and that's exactly what I got!
Moving the machine on the frame is faster and easier. I'm able to quilt easily on a very large scale - which means my quilts are finished faster and have a much softer feel.
Standing to quilt and focusing on good posture has made a big difference for my back as well and I've carried this over to my
office as I now have a standing desk for my computers. Basically - I'm done with hours upon hours of sitting and the back pain it created!
What Is the #1 Most Important Feature in a Longarm?
It's easy to get carried away with features and bells and whistles, but ultimately the most important feature in a longarm is how big it is.
This is why I didn't opt for a new Qnique 16. Don't get me wrong - they are great longarms, but I know I'll be happier in the long run with more space.
The reason is simple - the most limiting feature of a longarm is the size. This determines the amount of quilting space you will have on every quilt for as long as you have that machine.
I love being creative, and having lots of space gives me
maximum creativity and the ability to quilt across my blocks in one pass. On a smaller machine, I'll have to break the design down into pieces and advance the quilt to finish the block.
More space means less advances too. Every time I have to stop stitching to advance the quilt through my frame is time away from quilting.
These days I invest in machines and tools that will last and satisfy me for years to come. That's why I picked the larger longarms because I know I'll be happier long term and won't have to change my quilting setup for quite some time.
The Second Most Important Feature
There are lots of features, tools, and gadgets these days, but I consider the Stitches Per Minute or SPM the second most important feature.
The machine speed determines how fast you can move your longarm on the frame and maintain pretty stitches using the stitch regulator.
With a lower SPM, if you move too fast and the regulator can't keep up, your stitches will get longer and appear inconsistent. This is another benefit of moving from a home machine to a longarm - not having to spend years mastering the skill of a consistent stitch length.
But if the machine isn't made to stitch fast enough, you may still have the same struggles. If you have memorized a fun design and find it easy and fast to quilt, the last thing you'll want to do is have to slow down to stitch it.
The main reason I
switched from the original Qnique 21 to the 21X Elite was for increased speed. I didn't gain an inch of quiltable space, but the upgraded motor and increased speed was absolutely worth it!
So that is what I want from a new longarm - speed, size, and longevity. I want a system that can
grow with me and will keep me satisfied for years down the road.
Is longarming for everyone? No. It took me years before I was ready to make this investment into my craft, and even more years before I was willing to give longarm quilting a solid try.
The wonderful thing about quilting is the fact our hobby isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. This craft is so multifaceted and diverse that we can explore all angles and never run out of ideas to try.
