Advantages of a Long Arm Quilting Machine
If, like many modern-day quilt artists, you use an electronic 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 shifting positions or playing “musical chairs” with yourself to cover each part of the quilt.
In centuries past, it was common for many women to gather at a quilter’s home to work on the project simultaneously. Imagine the scene: a bed-sized quilt stretched tightly on a quilting frame with women seated on the top, bottom, and each side. As they sew, the women talk, laugh, exchange recipes, instruct the young women on household arts, and share secrets. Making the quilt was pleasant, and the company even more so.
Today women don’t often have the luxury of sewing a quilt alone, or with several equally-busy friends. Working mothers, single mothers, and “corporate” women have little time to do basic chores, much less hand-sew a quilt. Long arm quilting machines can help a busy seamstress not only create a lovely quilt, but can also act as those surrogate friends who work on the sides of the quilt. To the dismay of hard-core hand quilters, many beginners’ books on quilting cite as one of the required tools “a quilting machine, preferable a long arm quilting machine.”
How Can a Long Arm Quilting Machine Help Me?
“Regular” quilting machines have an arm about seven inches; this allows the artist to concentrate on one particular area at a time. You will need to shift your own position often, and also shift the position of the quilt within the machine. A long arm quilting machine covers a lot more space, holding the quilt tightly in place while you work. You can see much more of your work to make sure everything matches and is evenly spaced. You’ll need to change your position and the quilt’s position much less often with a long arm quilting machine. This is not only more comfortable, it’s also a lot more efficient; all that time moving yourself and the quilt becomes quality work-time, enabling you to finish your quilt much faster.
Can I Afford a Long Arm Quilting Machine?
Naturally, this depends on how much money you have, and what you plan to do with your quilts. If you plan to sell your quilts, it might be worth your while to invest in a machine that helps you work more swiftly and accurately. A long arm quilting machine can cost up to $3000 for top-line European models. However, a similar name-brand machine will usually cost far less. Consider buying the long arm quilting machine that you trust, and that you can reasonable afford, because upgrades are always possible in the future.