How to Choose a Longarm Quilting Machine

Starting your journey into the world of longarm quilting is an exciting time. There are many longarm quilting machines for sale. Doing proper research and giving thought behind where you see yourself going with your longarm quilting journey is an important first step to ensure you have an idea what to look for when shopping around.

Print this Longarm Comparison Chart

Channel Lock

Channel locks can be either plastic clips that prevent wheels from moving or magnets controlled by electricity that prevent movement in a certain direction. Electronic magnetic channel locks are easier to use and last longer however do come at a cost. Plastic clips tend to break often and can be cumbersome to use if you need to walk around the machine to clip them on the wheels each time you need to move the machine head to a new location.

Laser

Laser Lights may be optional on different machine brands. You need one if you plan on doing pantographs. You may want to use it from the front of your machine too for different block designs. They are a necessary investment, include a laser light in your must have list up front or make sure it's standard equipment.

Laser Mounts

Laser mounts are on most machines. Often there is only one mount on the side for pantographs. Some machine have 2 mounts, one on the back side for pantographs and on the front for block patterns.

Rear Handles

Often times, machines do not include the rear handles with purchase and are considered an option. Some machines have the rear handles included. Some manufacturers also offer an upgraded set specifically for pantographs that sets your body to the side of machine instead of behind the machine. When deciding which machine is right for you, ask what might work best for your needs and what is included.

Programable Buttons

Less expensive machines have a simple single stitch and start/stop buttons. Higher end machines provide more options allowing you to grow as a quilter. Consider, when you make your choice of machines, what might work for you as you quilt. Programmable buttons are nice if you are left handed or like to switch quilting functions when you quilt. For example if you would like to switch from ruler work to free motion easily. Your quilting habits may change as you become more confident; consider the future on this option.

Front Handle Bar Light

Many machines offer lighting in some form. Some offer low light included with an upgrade available. Many times, the light can be upgraded for minimal charge as the cost of LED's continue to come down. Consider your quilting room, the natural light source available and what time of day you like to quilt when thinking of lighting.

Thread Break Sensor

Thread break sensors are included on most machines and are considered standard. If it's not standard equipment, be sure to research what the cost of a thread break sensor is and compare your choice with another machine that has it standard. They are not optional as far as a must have on your machine and your quilting journey.

On-Board Bobbin Winder

On-board bobbin winders are becoming less important as stand-alone bobbin winders become more common in quilting studios. Having an on-board bobbin winder as a standard feature gives you options and choices depending on how you work when quilting your quilts.

Usage Clock

Digital machines normally will have a usage clock, that allows the user to time how long the machine has been running for each of your projects. Most allow you to reset this for every quilt or leave it running over several projects..

Stitch Counter

A stitch counter is a convenient way of keeping track of the "age" of your machine. Many machines will track the lifetime stitch count and also the stitch count in each project. It is an impressive statistic to include the number of stitches in the quilt on your customers work order or to add the information to your projects quilt label.

Bobbin Thread Estimator

This bobbin thread estimator measures the amount of thread in the bobbin and keeps track of how much thread is remaining for use in your project. At times, it can be adjustable for various sizes of thread and should be considered an estimate not a guaranteed measurement.

Programable
Stitch Modes

Machines may have up to 4 different stitch modes:

1. Constant Mode is the original stitching mode and has been around since the inception of the longarm quilting machine. Constant or unregulated mode is when the motor moves the needle at a set speed determined by the user and the user controls the stitch length by how fast or slow they move the machine.

2. Regulated Mode is when the user sets the stitches-per-in (SPI) and the machine regulates the SPI regardless of the speed the machine head is being moved.

3. Coast or Coast Regulate is a combination of both constant and regulated. There are speed and SPI settings to adjust for each user. As you move the machine head around your quilting area the machine will either be in regulated or constant mode depending on how fast or slow you are moving.

4. Basting Mode comes with most machines. Ensure when looking at this option the machine has options on basting stitch length ranging from 1/4 inch to at least 4inches.

All four stitching modes have a purpose when quilting and you should be considering a machine that can manage your growth as a longarm quilter. Not all stitch modes are standard on all machines, be sure you ask what is an additional cost and what is included.

Head Sizes
&
Throat Space

Machine heads vary in size. Consider what you want to do with your machine, business or personal use; computerized or hand guided. Do you quilt a couple quilts per year? Are you operating a business? Will you only every do pantographs, or will you be a free motion? Your dealer can help you narrow down the right machine to fit your needs.

Depending on the manufacturer longarm head sizes range all the way up to 30".
Spend time thinking where you want quilting to go. Plan for growth as a quilter!

Tablet Controlled

There are many different ways to communicate between a mechanical machine and an electronic one. Does it have exposed wires, does it use bluetooth, or is it hard mounted with internal wiring. Are the rest of the electronics separate or mounted inside the quilt machine.? These are important for a number of reasons; servicing is the foremost. Will you be able to fix something small on your own, or need a service appointment.

Computerized Features

Computerized modes can be a block, a row, or a quilt. Many manufacturers use these functions as a basis for their programming. Some manufacturers have more options than this, but for entry level systems, this is very common. What does your have for modes? What support does yours have or need?

Multi-Directional Row Placement

The standard direction for most longarm machines to quilt out any pattern, row or quilt is from left to right. All entry level computerized longarm machines have the ability to quilt a horizontal row. Other machines are able to vertically placed and quilt out a vertically placed pattern. A well timed machine will even have the ability to go from right to left. Decide what is important to to you today and in the years to come.

Free Upgrades

Whether it's phones, computers or quilt machines, progress is inevitable. Does the system you are looking at come with free upgrades and updates? Will you always have free access the best possible software? Will it cost money to stay up to date? How long do the free upgrades last? Is the most current features important to you?

Pattern Transfer

Once you decide on a computerized machine pattern transfer is going to be important. How do you get a new digital pattern onto your machine to quilt out? Can you buy it from any designer of only from one place? This may seem like an easy question, but file transfers are important to being able to use your longarm efficiently. How easy does the software make this process?

Free Patterns

While some machines come with a complementary number of patterns, other machines make you pay for patterns before you can begin quilting. Look for a machine with patterns included. This will help get you started quilting the day your machine is delivered. What will you be doing with your machine and will you be needing different patterns? Is the price you're paying for the machine comparable if you have to buy more patterns just to get started?

Software

The software that runs your machine is a huge factor! Who makes the software? In high end machines the software is designed and manufactured by the same company. Are you able to download and play with the software before purchase? How easy is it to navigate through the various features? Is there additional help and training to improve your skill set as you grow and advance.

Computer and Monitor

How do your electronics communicate with you the mechanics of the longarm quilting machine? Do you have a tablet or a commercial grade computer? Is your monitor built in or a separate component? These are factors that can determine the speed of the machine as well as the number of available features.

Channel Locks

This is where channel locks get interesting! Some machines, even though they are computerized, still use the plastic wheel clamps. Others use the motors and wheels to lock in different directions. Most machines still have 2 way channel locks (X, Y axis). Higher end machines will have 360 degree channel locks. Ask your dealer what kind of channel locks are available.

Drive Method

The drive method on any computerized longarm is crucial to the longevity of the machine. Some use motors and wheels like a vehicle and some use belts like a motorcycle. The quality of the product and the ease of use are crucial to your happiness with your machine. Is it easy to disconnect your machine in order to freehand? Do you have to disconnect?

Pattern Management

How does your software manage the patterns you want to use? How easy is it to find the patterns? Do you have to load them from a file, or pick them from a picture, or a list? Think about how you want to look for patterns? This about how you are going to organize them.

Nodes View

Do you know how patterns are designed? Designer nodes and the ability to view and alter them are a helpful tool your software should have. Mose digital patterns are designed using a combination of lines and arcs. Does your software allow you to make your own patterns? Not all programs are created equal.. The ability to move nodes and alter patterns can be very useful for almost every quilt top!

Pattern to Boundary

How does software fit digital patterns into blocks or rows to quilt them out on the quilt. Automatically, manually, or both? Can you adjust the pattern after it is in place? Look for software that allows for manual alterations, and gives you complete control over the pattern placement. It makes a difference on custom quilts!

Features

What features does the software give you? Features include but are not limited to: echo, fill, draw pattern/arc/line/curve/freehand, mirror, circular array, convert to pattern/boundary/trim, and record. Basic features are edge-to-edge, repeat patterns, border corner. What's important to you and will you out grow the software as you grow as a quilter?

Directional
Set Up & Stitching

Each computerized brand typically lays out rows to stitch from left to right when setting up the quilt to quilt. . Look for brands that are able to set up digital patterns and stitch those patterns from right to left. Look for software that you can combine patterns and you can save time by combining rows and stitching both ways allowing you to save tons of time. Directional stitching is a huge benefit if you are running a business when time saved is money earned.

Back Up Patterns

What happens if you drop your table and it breaks? Computer crashes? Where are your patterns stored when they appear lost? Does your software allow you to keep back ups? Will data back up happen automatically? Questions to ask your dealer. Electronic issues can mean a lot of down time to fix and potentially extra cost to replace lost digital patterns.

Free Upgrades

Software changes and improves on a regular basis are a good thing. Features are added and improved upon. When are you allowed to upgrade? Are you limited in the amount of upgrades? Can you load your software anywhere else to practice and use the design features? How does it update? The industry standard for this is free lifetime updates & upgrades. Not all companies do this is that important to you?

Free Patterns

Once you get your machine, can you stitch something? Does the machine come with patterns already installed? The industry standard is 1000+ patterns. Ask for a list of patterns that come with the machine and be sure there is a variety of edge to edge, sashing and border patterns so you can get started quilting as soon as your machine is delivered.

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