Milly Young Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I'm selling my Milli as we are downsizing. I'm interested in the George because of its smaller size and sitting would be a wonderful thing. But it does not come with a stich regulator and I have always relied on the stich regulator on the Milli. The Bernina 830 does everything and has a sitch regualator But has a much smaller throat. I still do king size quilts but am getting into the art type quilt more and more. Soooo...what do you gals think which way would you go? And since I've never been really much good with stich size consistency on my own just how important have you all found that to be on the George?? Help! Thanks, Longarm Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmillie2010 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 i have always used the SR on my Millie ... until recently, when I was encouraged to try stitching without SR ... so I practiced without the SR. It is amazing! I thought I couldn't do it, but it just takes a little practice time. And I only practice on a practice piece and not on my own or customer quilts. I feel ambidextrous now! Before you let your Milli go, put on a practice piece and just play without using the SR. I think you'll be amazed at how easy it is. And then you'll feel more comfortable with George. JMHO. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I have George and wouldn't go back to a smaller size throat area machine. Since I have never had a stitch regulator on any machine I can't comment on that. But I hasn't taken very long and I was able to get a feel for the speed and motion that fits my quilting and the stitches are pretty much uniform now. I think that having the Milly will help you with your learning curve on George go faster. Can you do a trial run on a George somewhere? Here is a sample of the last quilt I worked on with George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I don't have a George...do have a Millie...and I have quilted many quilts on my DSM machines. Now with that said, I would never again try a DSM if I had a George. Stitch lengths aren't hard to control on a DSM without a SR so I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to use a George.... My Brother straight stitch didn't and my currant Janome straight stitch doesn't either, and I get very good stitches with it. On the Bernina you will be limited to throat size and after fighting several king sized quilts though even a 9 inch opening, I don't think I would go back if I had the option of using a George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 If you are asking for a vote then it's for the George. You will quickly learn to control speed and motion and on the George. I would have one if I had the space, even with my long arm I still like to "sit and quilt" at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisae Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I agree...George! My hubby keeps talking about retiring and either RVing or spending a few months in our Arizona house in the winter...and I will buy a George to take with me! I love how George is portable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 i have not heard good things about the big bernina....and i am a bernina lover from way back. i LOVE the 2 berninas i have for piecing and bindings. but i vote for george. you will get the hang of non-SR in no time...i don't think one can ever get used to squeezing 10 gallons of quilt thru a 1 gallon hole. i think it takes the fun out of it. jmho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Trying to shove even a wallhanging under a domestic machine after having a longarm would drive me crazy. I vote for GEORGE! You'll have more control moving the quilt with your hands so SR should be a lot easier. Good luck with your decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Mullins Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I have a Millie, a George and a Bernina 730 (smaller throat but with the "stitch regulator"). I found out quickly that I cannot free motion quilt on my Bernina. I. Move too quickly for it and my stitches get wobbly if I slow down enough for it. With the adjustable max speed foot pedal on George I am able to only worry about the speed of my hands and am happy with the stitch quality. If I ever am without space for Millie. I would definitely have a George. It is nice to sit and quilt sometimes! George is my vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 http://www.apqs.com/quiltboard/viewthread.php?tid=29328 there is a used one for sale in florida....check it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Unless you don't already have a decent sewing machine, I'd go with the George. The Bernina 830 can do a lot of things that make it very useful, but still, the throat isn't all that large. I'm also a dyed-in-the-wool Bernina Girl, but I've not been very impressed with the reviews of the machine. The George would give you lots of room for quilting and, if you've already got a nice DSM, you'd be all set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think the much smaller throat space on the Bernina would bother you after having a Milli. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmilner Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Personally, I think you have a long ways to go to beat the QUALITY you will get with APQS. Simply put they make a great machine that is built to quilt thousands of quilts. They have great support, a great forum where you get a fast response by experienced quilters, an 8 yr warranty, and most problems can be solved over the phone or here so you don't have to take your machine in for servicing. I too would go with the larger throat space. I used to quilt on my Janome 1600P with 9" space and it is very difficult to push even a double sized quilt through there. I vote George! Donna APQS Liberty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmoore Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I have a Bernina 440, with the BSR. It's a very, very different experience compared with a longarm with a stitch regulator. There are lots of skipped stitches, and the "regulation" is really not all that consistent. Moreover, if you use fabric without printing, it's trickier (the thing HATED kona cotton when I used it.) It basically uses the same technology an optical mouse does to track the movement, except you're not moving the BSR, you're moving the material under it. The 830 does offer a LOT of space, but make sure you bring even a lap sized quilt - something with a fairly substantial surface area - to a dealer to try out the feature before you buy. The bells and whistles are nice. The automated, hooped quilting via the embroidery module was something that made me seriously consider it for a long time before ultimately buying a longarm. On the plus side, if you do decide you miss using a frame just that much, Bernina does offer a frame for the machine that is supposedly adjustable in length. That being said, more electronics just means more things to fail at the end of the day, and what pushed me to the APQS machines was how they were built - how much info was included on how to do things like re-time, etc, myself, rather than having to pay a repairperson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineseams Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 I've done a lot of quilting on a Bernina170 and Brother1500 - no SR. The small throat is a real pain for anything very big. I personally do not feel that the lack of a SR would be a big deal, and the small throat definitely IS a big deal, so I'd go with the George unless you don't have a good DSM. Can't comment on the 830 as a general purpose machine. I decided I wanted to try a longarm and bought a used Ult 1. I thought my experience with the Bernina and my Brother would help learn to deal with a frame machine with no SR. But there were many other things that I should have thought about. I recently traded in my Ult 1 for a new Millie. I haven't had much time to play with it as yet, but it is a big improvement in many dimensions from the Ult 1. However, when I have something special to quilt, I still go back to my Brother or Bernina, as I feel I have better control. At some point, if I don't get the hang of the Millie, I'll probably be looking at a George for the larger throat and the control that I am comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norma H Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 I echo ecmoore - I also have a Bernina 440 with the BSR, and I never use the BSR any longer even when I do occasionally quilt on it. I would go with George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Young Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Thank you, Everybody says the same. I'm going to look into George! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.A Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Milly, Please come back to the forum if you have any specific questions about George. I am the George rep in Arizona...I sew on Bernina DSMs. I make large traditional quilts and small art quilts. There is no comparison...you want a George. Nancy in Tucson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Young Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Nancy, Thank you for your interest. I'm convinced that George is the way to go. Everyone said the same as you. Do you have to pin the quilts or can you use spray? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Mullins Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 You can use either Milly. Both work wonderfully. Did you get my email? Can I ask where you are from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Young Posted August 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 I'm fromCushing Maine. Our house just went under contract yesterday. We have lots of time to make up our minds on a new place. We're looking at downsizing and moving to a funky condo in downtown Camden Maine, small, but great fun area. Or busting out and move to Sante Fe. Maybe then I could keep my longarm and Circle lord etc., and husband could keep wood shop. And we would both see a lot less snow. How do you like Florida? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.A Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Milly: Yes, quilts for George have to be basted. They can be pin basted. Personally, on important (show) quilts, I thread baste using Sharon Schamber's herringbone stitch & rolling on boards techniques. On bed quilts which will be washed, I pay my friend to baste them on her longarm with water soluable thread. Nancy in Tucson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Young Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Mrs. A Thank you. Dare I ask what Sharon Schamber's herringbone stich and rolling on boards techniques is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtinkle Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 i have the Bernina 830, and it is fantastic! But not for quilting... and definitely not for the BSR. I'd take the George anyday if I were to choose one specifically for quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyfox Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 hope these links help. I use her technique when hand quilting and the fabric does not move a muscle. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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