What is a Long Arm Quilting Machine? (Informational Guide)

The quilting machine’s long arm is an intricate, yet an easy-to-use piece of equipment that quilters often use to help them with their craft.

Though it may seem complicated and perhaps even intimidating at first, once you learn what the different parts are and how they all work together, you’ll find that it’s not so bad.

Longarm quilting machines have gained popularity in recent years. While they’re not commonplace in most homes yet, they are used by professionals and home hobbyists alike to complete large-scale quilting projects.

If you’ve ever sewn or quilted before, you already know how much work goes into sewing; longarm machines help make these projects much easier.

Quilting machines have come a long way from their beginnings as just sewing machines with longer arms. A quilting machine with long arms can be used to quilt, sew clothing, and embroider, among other things.

Find out more about long arm quilting machines with this guide to what they are, how they work, and who might need one of these special sewing machines.

Types of Longarm Quilting Machines?

When we talk about quilting machines, there are two kinds of quilting machines available in the market, i.e., long arm quilting machines and regular machines or domestic machines.

In the field of home decor, the use of quilts has been increasing with time in the bedroom to make it cozier and more comfortable while sleeping.

This is why people have started paying attention to finding out different ways to get creative with their quilts and this has led to an increase in the use of long-arm quilting machines.

In fact, once you get your hands on one of these machines and start trying it out for yourself, you may never go back to regular sewing and old-fashioned quilt-making again.

Where Should You Buy a Longarm Quilting Machine?

When deciding what Longarm quilting machine is right for you, you’ll want to consider several factors. These include price, quality of materials and craftsmanship, brand reputation, and warranty.

Also, take into account how often you will use your machine and how much space you have available for storage.

The more frequently you plan to use your quilting machine, the more likely it is that something could go wrong with it over time.

If using your longarm quilting machine isn’t going to be a once-in-a-while event, it’s wise to buy from a manufacturer who provides a solid guarantee in case of any mechanical problems or malfunctions down line.

Advantages of Long Arm Quilting Machine

Longarm quilting machine has lots of advantages that make them better than traditional hand quilting or other kinds of quilting machines.

You will find both industrial and home long-arm quilting machines, but the demand for industrial long-arm quilting machines is more than the home ones because of the price and production.

Save Time

You will save a lot of time with a long-arm quilting machine. A hand-quilter would take at least five hours to quilt a large quilt, and it could be much longer than that depending on how intricate your pattern is.

With a long-arm quilter, you can finish most projects in one to two days. Some of them are even designed so you can walk away from your machine while it works.

Precision

If you are looking for precision quilting, then a long-arm machine is just right for you. These machines offer very little vibration because they produce stitch lines that are perfectly straight and uniform.

It’s easy to get your quilt just right with a long-arm machine, which is especially useful if you want to include intricate designs or letters in your quilt.

Perfect Results

It is common to cut through fabric with scissors during quilting projects. With long-arm quilting machines, you will get consistently perfect results each time you use them.

You do not have to worry about errors or mistakes that can ruin your fabrics and give you messy stitches. Furthermore, these machines are easier to use because of their size and comfort.

You can easily handle them and work on multiple projects at once without feeling stress and pressure on your hands, arms, shoulders, or back.

Comfort

Using a long-arm quilting machine can be incredibly comfortable because you’re no longer confined to an uncomfortable chair. Instead, you’ll be able to lay on your back or sit in your favorite chair, freeing up space for more creative endeavors.

There are also lots of places where you can set up your machine and start quilting. Comfort is certainly one advantage that you will receive from using a long-arm quilting machine.

How Much Does A Longarm Quilting Machine Cost?

Longarm quilting machines vary widely in price. Some entry-level models can be purchased for less than $2,000, while top-of-the-line machines can cost more than $30,000.

You should consider how often you plan to use your machine, what features you want it to have, and where you will take classes on using it before making your decision.

A new longarm quilting machine may cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 or more depending on its level of sophistication and whether it includes accessories like software and patterns.

It is important to remember that in order to get quality work out of a new machine, you will need extensive training and practice time with an experienced instructor.

How to Use a Longarm Quilting Machine?

Although it is entirely possible to learn how to use a longarm quilting machine without taking lessons, it does help to have someone there who knows what they’re doing.

This way, you can make sure that you’re not making any mistakes along the way. Because getting started on a new hobby or learning something new doesn’t happen overnight and there are certain details that are important to be aware of, even if it means investing in some lessons at first.

Plus, if you do decide that you want to start taking things further and learn more about quilting as an art form or even possibly make a career out of it one day, then learning how to operate a longarm quilting machine correctly will certainly help you in achieving those goals.

What to Look for When Buying a Longarm Quilting Machine?

There are a lot of different longarm quilting machines in today’s market. The question is, which machine will fit your needs and budget best? That depends on what you want to achieve with your longarm quilting machine.

A beginner may not need some of those fancy features and will be happy with basic functions. There are even models that have computerized features that might be overkill for a beginner.

The most important consideration to make when choosing a longarm quilter machine is deciding what kind of work you’ll be doing. Consider how many blocks you want to quilt in one session and how much time you want to spend on each project.

The faster your machine, generally, the more expensive it will be. Beyond that, there are features that can make your experience easier or more enjoyable (like having an app for your phone) or simply better (like having an electric needle lift).

You may not need any of these options right now, but it’s good to consider them when making your purchase decision.

Bottom Line

If you’re interested in quilting but you don’t have time to hand-sew it, look into purchasing a long-arm quilting machine. If you’re an experienced sewer who has tried their hand at traditional quilting and would like to experience something new, look into getting one.

It is essential to have a good working knowledge of your machine before you make it. You need to know what kind of stitching patterns it offers and how to adjust those patterns. Hope this guide will help you!