Sandra Darlington Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 If you were going to purchase a new longarm, would you buy a Freddie or a Lucy? I am considering a new machine for the new year and I'm doing a bit of research. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 How are you primarily going to use the machine? I see from your signature line that you have a Liberty. Are you going to keep the Liberty? If you are keeping it, and plan to computerize the new machine, I would strongly consider a Lucy. However, if you are replacing it, that might make a difference. How important are the thread break sensor and bobbin level indicator to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted November 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Thanks for the response. I would LOVE to keep my Liberty and also get a new machine, but unfortunately, I barely have the space for one longarm. I do not plan to add a computerized system, and the only "extras" that I want are the fabric advance (which I have on my Liberty), the deluxe frame and the Bliss rail system. I don't need the other bells & whistles, such as thread break sensor, the bobbin level indicator, or the vertical channel locks (on a Millie); no thread cutter wanted, either. I plan to continue my quilting business, along with doing the QOV quilts, Quilts For Kids, Family Promise quilts, Quilts Beyond Borders, and quite a few additional "comfort" quilt groups that I donate to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Sandra; Why not purchase a used Millie with the most bells and whistles you can get for the same price of a new Liberty? There seem to be a number of lightly used Millies out there for sale. Plus, with what Dawn shared concerning the durability of the APQS machines, buying used does not seem like that bad of a deal. Even if you had to buy a circuit board or two or some other part, you would probably be money ahead in the long run. Best of luck to you with your shopping. Cagey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkazee Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 If you want the deluxe frame and bliss rails then you need to consider the cost of upgrading Lucy's standard frame versus the cost of Freddie that comes with those options and the automatic advance. I believe Freddie also comes with the glide feature that is useful in some free motion quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingpup Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Hi, I have a Lucy.....I only quilt for myself......she is fine for what I do...If I had to do it over again....I probably would either get a Freddie or at least get the better frame.....Just that it seems easier to be able to control stuff better from the front head of the machine......a lot of Lucey controls are on the side....I really am still happy I got Lucey.....and I don't at this point in time, think I could justify the cost of getting a Freddie......I did get the bliss rails and I love those......the cost really was the biggest factor for me....Lin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Sandra: I'm with Cagey on this. A used Millie is what I'd look for. You mention channel lock being of little interest to you. Until you use electronic channel locks, you don't know how handy they are. Manuals are a pain, but electronics.... I love mine. Wouldn't be without them. Unfortunately they only come on the Millie. Give it some thought. As far as the table goes, I would not be happy with the cheap one. Too little possibility for adjustment to suit me. The Millie solves that too. Regards. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 I like my Lucey but having the deluxe table would be good for adding options on later even if you don't get them now. As for the channel locks, the electronic would be great. right now I need to walk around to the back to put on the horizontal lock when I load a quilt and then walk around again to take it off. So if the finances allow it, go for the most you can get. Can you get one with the better bells and whistles without the thread cutter? If so, I would. No sense in spending money on things that won't be used and it will change the weight of the machine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Jim, what all do you use your channel locks for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Call me maybe........http://forum.apqs.com/topic/41925-2008-millennium-for-sale-price-just-lowered/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I don't know what Jim uses his channel locks for but I use mine with every quilt. They are great for sewing straight lines. I float my quilts, so I run a straight basting line across the batting and line the top up on it to ensuring my top is straight. I also can use the vertical ones to check the sides to keep my top square. I have a computer on my machine so those that do manual quilting can give you more examples of their many uses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterkp Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I had a Millie years ago, then sold it, as you know. When I purchased another machine, I bought the Freedom aka Freddie. If I had it to do over, I would go with the Millie. Everyone told me that the channel locks were no big deal, but I used my channel locks a lot. I do miss them. I would just go for the all the gusto if it is in your budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Oh, and I used my channel locks to do piano keys along with loading the quilt top. And I am sure a billion other times. I can't think right now. They are just so handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I use my channel locks all the time. I use the horizontal to baste down the top when mounting the quilt. I SID with them both if the piecing is really square. Sometimes I will cross hatch with them. I use the vertical down the side of the top to keep the quilt square. I also use the vertical to maintain the machine position as I roll the quilt, and I use both for piano keys. Like Connie, if I have a vertical or horizontal line I want straight, I use one of the locks. I really wouldn't be without them. As some of you already know, they were important enough that I went to the trouble of fabricating a set for Zelda, my Ult 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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