World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of January 28, 2002:
Our question this week comes from timloo
I have been hearing a lot about the handi-quilter - this looks like a =
decent alternative to a long-arm machine for me. Have you used one =
and what did you think?
johnnoypopper :
I have tried one at a quilt shop near me. It was wonderful and wouuld be great for quilts that aare lapped sized and under. as I understand the queen sized quilts don't fit.
Elaine keepsewing@hotmail.com :
I am a long arm quilter and I like having the extra quilting room that the bigger machine gives you. I tried the handi quilter last year at the International Machine Quilters Showcase in Springfield IL (a great place to take classes, see lot's of quilts, and to test drive all the different quilting machines). With the handi-quilter (and the other brands that are out there)you are very limited with what you can do. However if you like to do pantographs, very simple meandering or borders the handi-quilter will work for you. If you use a larger sewing machine such as the Brother quilting machine you will get a little more quilting area than a standard sewing machine. Check around, there are a few other small quilting systems out there. Pennywinkle Valley Ranch offers one with 1" poles to help prevent bowing. I have also seen some used ones as people move up to the bigger long arms machines.
Terry :
I have seen the handi-quilter demonstrated at a quilt shop recently and I felt that it was too restricting. Great for borders, but you are very limited to even doing a 12" block pattern. I would wait until I could get the long-arm.
ruthvillanedajames@msn.com :
I have had my long-arm machine for three years and will take it any day over the handi-quilter. I charge $25.00 for each quilt - they supply their own batting. I know this takes business from other professional quilters but I love my work.
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