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With so many choices in longarm quilting machines, how do you know which one to buy?

The best way to make a good purchase is to make an informed one. Gather all the information you can about the various longarm machines on the market. Compare what each has to offer, then you can make a well informed decision.

If you think you might like to turn your quilting hobby into a business, look for a machine that is good for both professional and non-professional application.KenQuilt’s Princess Quilting Machine is one such longarm.

There are 22 inches between the needle and throat of the Princess and it creates 18 inches of actual quilting space. An added feature to the Princess is it’s built in bobbinwinder. You can actually wind a bobbin while the machine continues to quilt. The machine is versatile in that it allows the quilter to work from the front or the back of the machine. The casing is also rather lightweight, making it easy to set up.

The HQ Sixteen by Handi Quilter only offers a 13 inch quilting space, but it has the largest bobbin capacity in longarm quilting – an M-class bobbin. You can set stitch regulation to 4 to 15 per inch with the machine’s full and half stitch settings.

The HQ Sixteen offers quilters two very nice assets: fingertip controls built into the handlebars and self-lubricating bearings that cut back on maintenance.

The TinLizzie 18LS also offers the M-class bobbin and is billed as the “Affordable Long Arm Quilter” by its manufacturer.  Like the HQ Sixteen, the 18LS also offers handy fingertip controls on the handles. It’s patented “Lizzie Stitch” feature means that the needle automatically stops if the machine quits moving. It will restart when the machine begins moving again. Like the Princess, the 18LS also offers bobbin winding while you quilt.

One of the longarm machines from the Nolting Fun Quilter might be exactly what you need for your quilting. Check out their Fun Quilter 17 or 20, two of the company’s newest machines geared toward home use.

You can customize the Fun Quilter with various options, like the optional stitch regulator. Another handy standard feature is the fluorescent light above the needed on the Fun Quilter. The round hopping foot is standard, too. Use it when quilting with rulers and templates.

The Sharon Schamber Signature Quilter is made by Prodigy Machine QuiltingCorporation. One of the nice assets of this longarm is the training class you get with quilt artist ASharon Schamber. You can network this machine by using its Ethernet port – which comes in handy if you want trouble shooting help.

If you enjoy adding trapunto effects in your quilting, you need to check out the Innova by ABM International. This machine has a lifting roller that allows you to slip in battingfor trapunto. This machine also has a bobbin winder with automatic shut off and speed control. That means you get evenly wound bobbins every time.

If you envision yourself quilting with novelty threads, consider the A1 Elite longarm by A-1 Quilting Machines. This machine’s thread lubricator and forward thread introduction allow you to use threads that might normally be considered “difficult” by others. The company advertises this machine as the “Smoothest Machine on Earth.”

If you’ve heard of Gammil Quilting Systems, it’s no wonder. This company has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing longarm quilting machines. Gammil designed its Premier 18-8 for the hobby or professional quilter. The company prides itself on being “budget conscious.” Gammil’s  18-8 offers electronic needle positioning, onboard bobbin winding and dual capacity bobbin.

Now that you know a little about the top brands, consider what you want out of your longarm quilting machine. Are you a hobbyist or a pro? Do you hope to start quilting for fun then turn it into a business? Are your projects big or small? Do you plan to use any special techniques like trapunto or stippling?

After doing your quilting-soul searching, start comparing machines. Look for one that suits your needs. Attend a trade show if possible to see the machines in action. You can also visit  your local sewing machine dealer to ask for demonstrations.

Penny Halgren
Master Quilter