kerileann Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 How much do you love the newer options? Looking to get a machine and start a business doing free hand machine quilting (or maybe free motion on George). I want to avoid carpel tunnel and fatigue as much as possible. Is it worth the $$$ for the fancier frame and wheels on the longarms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Hi--the George is a sit-down machine. It doesn't have wheels--the fabric is manipulated under the needle. If you are wanting to start a business, look at the Lenni, Freedom, Milli, etc. Those are the workhorses you will want for business quilting, especially if you are concerned about repetitive-motion problems. If you are asking about wheels--much has been discussed and it seems most are thrilled with the smooth quilting using the M&M wheels. The Bliss is a new rail system. It uses M&Ms on the carriage--horizontally--and the carriage has a ball-bearing system that sits vertically on a steel rod. All have their fans so you will want to try as many out as you can manage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Should probably stick with a frame machine for business. Thanks for the feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 My 2 cents, get the biggest and best machine that you can afford. This is pretty much a once in a lifetime investment, so be sure you get what you want. As dad and grandpa said, "There's no such thing as a good, cheap tool." I'm sure all of us would recommend trying out as many different types of machines as you can, different models as well as brands. You're need to find that one that fits you best. Linda always gives the best advice, and she's right about how you'll want to look at the other machines that are on frames. Good luck in your research, and keep us posted on what you decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHuffman Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 If you will be quilting for others, I'd stick with one of the machines that can be put on the top of the line table simply because you can have a motorized fabric advance added to those tables. If you are worried about body fatigue and carpal tunnel, you won't want a table where you have to manually advance the quilt sandwich (ie- Lenni or Lucey). I would take a serious look at the Freedom or Millennium since you are concerned about wrist/hand movements and would be quilting as a business. If you were just doing your own stuff it wouldn't be a huge issue as you won't be quilting so many hours a week. Between the Freedom and the Millennium there is very little difference. There are only 2 features that can be found on the Millennium that aren't on the Freedom. Those two are: bobbin thread cutter and electronic channel locks. For me, I use the electronic channel locks every single time I advance a quilt. So, those are a big deal for me. The Freedom has a manual channel lock on the left to right movement only. Millennium it is a button and you can lock out the wheels going either left to right or front to back. I use the channel locks to keep my quilt square to the table. Every time I advance the quilt, I turn on my channel lock with my hopping foot up against a horizontal sashing seam. then I walk the machine down the quilt adjusting as I go to keep it square to the table. HTH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Originally posted by AHuffman If you will be quilting for others, I'd stick with one of the machines that can be put on the top of the line table simply because you can have a motorized fabric advance added to those tables. If you are worried about body fatigue and carpal tunnel, you won't want a table where you have to manually advance the quilt sandwich (ie- Lenni or Lucey). I would take a serious look at the Freedom or Millennium since you are concerned about wrist/hand movements and would be quilting as a business. If you were just doing your own stuff it wouldn't be a huge issue as you won't be quilting so many hours a week. Between the Freedom and the Millennium there is very little difference. There are only 2 features that can be found on the Millennium that aren't on the Freedom. Those two are: bobbin thread cutter and electronic channel locks. For me, I use the electronic channel locks every single time I advance a quilt. So, those are a big deal for me. The Freedom has a manual channel lock on the left to right movement only. Millennium it is a button and you can lock out the wheels going either left to right or front to back. I use the channel locks to keep my quilt square to the table. Every time I advance the quilt, I turn on my channel lock with my hopping foot up against a horizontal sashing seam. then I walk the machine down the quilt adjusting as I go to keep it square to the table. HTH! It is so helpful to hear how you use your channel locks. I was trying to figure out how I would keep the quilt square. Thanks for sharing! -Keri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Originally posted by AHuffman If you will be quilting for others, I'd stick with one of the machines that can be put on the top of the line table simply because you can have a motorized fabric advance added to those tables. If you are worried about body fatigue and carpal tunnel, you won't want a table where you have to manually advance the quilt sandwich (ie- Lenni or Lucey). I would take a serious look at the Freedom or Millennium since you are concerned about wrist/hand movements and would be quilting as a business. If you were just doing your own stuff it wouldn't be a huge issue as you won't be quilting so many hours a week. Between the Freedom and the Millennium there is very little difference. There are only 2 features that can be found on the Millennium that aren't on the Freedom. Those two are: bobbin thread cutter and electronic channel locks. For me, I use the electronic channel locks every single time I advance a quilt. So, those are a big deal for me. The Freedom has a manual channel lock on the left to right movement only. Millennium it is a button and you can lock out the wheels going either left to right or front to back. I use the channel locks to keep my quilt square to the table. Every time I advance the quilt, I turn on my channel lock with my hopping foot up against a horizontal sashing seam. then I walk the machine down the quilt adjusting as I go to keep it square to the table. HTH! It is so helpful to hear how you use your channel locks. I was trying to figure out how I would keep the quilt square. Thanks for sharing! -Keri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Keri, I chose the Millenium because of the channel locks. I use them to keep everything square, too. But I never thought to do it as I advanced the quilt. Love this forum. We both have long arms and I love the bigger space of the the Freedom and Millenium. When I'm quilting a 2 inch border up or down the side of the quilt, I use the entire space so I don't have to advance as much. Being tall does have its advantages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisquilter Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 LOL I started out being 5'3" and apparently now I am 5'2 1/2". I have a Millenium and have never encountered a problem with reaching all the quilting surfaces. Truthfully, I never gave that a thought when I bought my machine. Maybe I have long arms too! After 11 years, my machine still hums along like a champ. I did upgrade to the M & M wheels and love them. I probably will never upgrade to the Bliss system, and unfortunately, my old machine does not have the correct electronics to add the quilt glide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I bought the Millie with quilt glide, after about 6 months added edge rider wheels, then another year later added Bliss. If I were buying new today I'd start with Millie with Bliss. It is by far the easiest to move and gives me the best results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerileann Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. It is so helpful as I research to find the right machine for me. LOVE THIS FORUM!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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