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10 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Quilt Machine
1. Is the machine a solid cast or a
stretch machine?
Stretched machines are cut and inserts are added. Glues and bonds used
to secure
the inserts tend to crack and fatigue. Commercial grade
machines are solid cast and
are not extended or stretched.
2. Is the motor inside the machine?
Motors mounted inside the machine are safer and quieter than outside
mounts.
3. Are belts or other dangerous moving
parts mounted on the outside of the machine?
Machines with exposed belts can be a significant safety hazard.
4. Does the machine run smoothly at both
high and low speeds?
Too much vibration can cause excessive noise and poor stitch quality.
5. How much does the machine weigh?
A machine that is too heavy will cause stress on back, neck, and arms.
Test any machine for 2 minutes or more to get a sense of what several
hours of quilting might feel like. A comfortable weight is usually 40-60
pounds.
6. Does the machine have a
"quilters" hopping foot?
A quilting hopping foot "hops," eliminating dragging and
unwanted folds in the fabric.
This foot should also be round with
1/4" equal distance between the needle and
the outside of the foot.
The hopping foot should be thick enough to accommodate
1/4" thick
acrylic templates and rulers. Rulers help quilters perform very precise
quilting, including stitching in the ditch or echo quilting around
pieced seams.
Also, a hopping foot is important to be able to
"hop" over a quilt's seams.
7. Does the machine have an available
laser light for pantographs and patterns?
Lasers provided a convenient way to trace pantographs and patterns. Make
sure that the laser works from the front and back of machine.
8. How much quilting space is available?
The throat space and quilting space are not equal. Be sure to ask about
available quilting space. When considering a quilting machine, remember
bigger is not always better.
The best quilting space is always a
comfortable distance for both sight and reach. The recommended distance
is between a 12"-14" "stretch" for comfortably
controlled quilting.
9. Is the bobbin large enough?
M Class bobbins are the largest in the commercial quilting industry.
Large bobbins
save time while maintaining superior stitch quality.
10. Does the machine company provide
a trusted warranty, customer service, and training?
A trusted warranty for mechanical, electrical, and the outer casting
provides you a
guarantee of quality craftsmanship when investing in a
quilting machine. Reputable
companies will provide and stand behind
their written warranty and will provide you convenient customer support
services. Hands-on training should also be included by
dealers or sales
representatives when you purchase.
The following classes are offered to Handi-Quilter owners and will be presented twice a year.
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How to use pantographs and groovy boards (will be repeated early fall)
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Tensions and threads
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Handi-Tools for the handiquilter
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Handi-Tools for the handiquilter
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A weekend getaway of hands-on handiquilting, games, door prizes, classes
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