Hi lovely quilters!
This post is all about sharing my experience using a long arm quilting machine. Do you know what it is? Let me explain.
What is a long arm quilting machine
A long arm is a large sewing machine with a really long throat (sometimes up to 30 inches / 76cm), that sits on a rail system that lets the machine swing back and forth. It has multiple bars that sit across it, made for rolling on your quilt top and quilt back.
There are multiple brands creating and selling these machines but some of the most popular ones are Handi Quilter, APQS, Bernina or Grace, among others.
It is not common (unless you have the space and money) to own a long arm machine (they are quite pricey) unless you are a business quilting quilts for others.
Sending a quilt to a long armer
My first contact with a long arm machine company was in the UK while living in London. I had just finished one of my first big quilts (a double) and the task of quilting it myself on my regular machine was too daunting. That's why I searched online and found a lovely business doing just that for me.
Usually, you send your finished quilt top, wadding / batting and backing (in separate layers) to the company and they quilt it for you using a long arm machine.
You can choose between different options, going for example for a custom design (usually done by the long armer manually) or for what's called an edge-to-edge design. The long arm machine comes with a computerised panel that allows you to upload and use many different quilting designs that then are stitched on your quilt by the machine itself.
Grace computerised long arm machine
Prices vary between businesses but you are looking at a minimum of 105 euros for an all over design (the mentioned edge-to-edge) and from 155 euros for custom quilting, in general.
I have only used a long armer when dealing with a very big quilt and knowing that they would do a much better work than me.
My experience using a long arm quilting machine
Apart from sending my quilts to a long armer, I really wanted to give it a go at using one myself. While living in the Netherlands the first time, I searched for the option to rent one or maybe doing a workshop. Luckily, I found Kennemer Quilthuis, south of Haarlem.
The lovely owner Clazien offers long arm quilting workshops for those wanting to then rent one of her amazing Handi Quilter machines or just to learn how to use them. I first booked a class with her where I learned how to use the long arm machine and then, on my birthday, I rented the machine for a day to quilt a quilt for my bed.
This is a moment from our practice doing meandering loops
Front practice view
Regarding the design, I went for something simple: horizontal lines as I was stitching them manually, but not following a specific distance between them to make it more free and creative.
The pattern is the Diana Quilt from Kitchen Table Quilting
I spent around 7 hours quilting the quilt and then attaching the bias binding. Here are some more moments of the day.
Sunlight bathing my quilt
Having the best time using the long arm machine!
Bias binding moment
Binding was attached and it was ready for me to take home
What I loved and what I found difficult
Now, after my experience, I can tell you what I liked the most and what I found challenging. Let's go for the pros:
- It is soooo much easier quilting a quilt this way. The machine slides on top of the three layers and you can choose both a custom design or use the computer for an all-over design.
- You can also add the bias binding using the machine. That was so cool! This part was done by my teacher as she had all the experience and I didn't want to mess it up.
- The quilting of the whole quilt was done in a day. If I was the one doing it at home, it would have taken me days and days and my back would have resented it for sure.
The cons:
- It is a pretty noisy machine. At least the model I used. At some point I had to put on my earplugs and a podcast so as not to focus too much on the noise.
- They are expensive. Maybe renting one or sending it to a long armer once in a while is ok but I wouldn't be able to afford it too often. Also, thinking about buying one (prices start from 5000 euros and go up to 20.000 or more) and / or having the space for it is out of the question.
- If you own one, I think that learning the use of the machine and how to roll the layers might take quite a while. I personally found the set up to connect the threads to start using it quite confussing but I imagine it is just practice.
To finish this post I want to share my finished quilt, long arm quilted by me!
Happy quilting,
Ana
xxx
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