The Mid-Arm
Deciding to buy a mid-arm machine was a challenge. Many people warned me that I would not like it and that I would not be able to do very much with it. I passed up many machines listed on KSL classified because I was willing to listen to the critics!
I finally decided that I just needed to purchase one and try it out to see if I could do it and would like it. My supportive husband agreed with me and I purchased my mid-arm, on the condition that if it wasn't what I thought it would be then I would sell it and be done.
The machine I purchased was a Brother Nouvelle 1500. It is a straight stitch machine, nothing fancy, on wooden Grace Quilting frames. Once it was put together and I took hold of the handles and felt the machine glide across the frames I knew I was in love! I quickly loaded fabric and my obsession began! I was hooked!
Although I loved the Brother, it was not without trials. One of the first large quilts I was quilting for a friend quickly turned into a nightmare as I tried something way above my new quilting abilities! I spent many hours unpicking it because I felt it was ruined. She is a very forgiving friend and has trusted me with many quilts since!
The advantages to a mid-arm are many, the first being cost. A mid-arm machine is the most cost effective machine for a home quilter. It works great for small projects and is still able to hold those large quilts too. It was easy to use, although there was obviously a learning curve associated with it. The size it perfect for small spaces.
There are a few draw backs to a mid-arm machine. With only a 9" harp space, a large quilt quickly fills that space leaving little room to quilt by the time you are close to the end. Doing a design in a 12" block is possible, but takes ALOT of rolling back and forth and positioning just right. Most mid-arms do not have stitch regulators built in so there is added cost if you want that option. Note: I did not use a stitch regulator and it definitely took me a long time to get a rhythm down so that my stitches were somewhat even.
Buying this machine was definitely the right decision for me. I was able to learn quickly, build a great business and finish all my stacked up projects. I also fell in love with the process of machine quilting, helping me know that I wanted to continue to grow my business. Which brought me to the bitter-sweet day that I listed my mid-arm for sale and looked toward my new love: a long-arm!
I hope this chat has helped you in your journey to the right machine for you. Stop by the Front Porch tomorrow and we'll chat about my long-arm!
Nancy
I finally decided that I just needed to purchase one and try it out to see if I could do it and would like it. My supportive husband agreed with me and I purchased my mid-arm, on the condition that if it wasn't what I thought it would be then I would sell it and be done.
The machine I purchased was a Brother Nouvelle 1500. It is a straight stitch machine, nothing fancy, on wooden Grace Quilting frames. Once it was put together and I took hold of the handles and felt the machine glide across the frames I knew I was in love! I quickly loaded fabric and my obsession began! I was hooked!
Although I loved the Brother, it was not without trials. One of the first large quilts I was quilting for a friend quickly turned into a nightmare as I tried something way above my new quilting abilities! I spent many hours unpicking it because I felt it was ruined. She is a very forgiving friend and has trusted me with many quilts since!
The advantages to a mid-arm are many, the first being cost. A mid-arm machine is the most cost effective machine for a home quilter. It works great for small projects and is still able to hold those large quilts too. It was easy to use, although there was obviously a learning curve associated with it. The size it perfect for small spaces.
There are a few draw backs to a mid-arm machine. With only a 9" harp space, a large quilt quickly fills that space leaving little room to quilt by the time you are close to the end. Doing a design in a 12" block is possible, but takes ALOT of rolling back and forth and positioning just right. Most mid-arms do not have stitch regulators built in so there is added cost if you want that option. Note: I did not use a stitch regulator and it definitely took me a long time to get a rhythm down so that my stitches were somewhat even.
Buying this machine was definitely the right decision for me. I was able to learn quickly, build a great business and finish all my stacked up projects. I also fell in love with the process of machine quilting, helping me know that I wanted to continue to grow my business. Which brought me to the bitter-sweet day that I listed my mid-arm for sale and looked toward my new love: a long-arm!
I hope this chat has helped you in your journey to the right machine for you. Stop by the Front Porch tomorrow and we'll chat about my long-arm!
Nancy