Bailey Quilting Machine

I've been snooping around..thinking about getting a quilting machine. I can't afford a top of the line machine/set up. I ran across a site that has a quilting system that really looks affordable. Has anyone heard of the Bailey?
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/homequilter.html

Never heard of it. I think before you buy something like this it would be a good idea to test it at a dealer. I would like one someday myself

Jenn

I did a lot of research before taking the plunge into the world of LA's. I looked at the Bailey, but at the time I only saw the 13" one...I think the 15" is new. The 13" one didn't have enough room to suit me.
Are you looking at a machine that fits in a cabinet or are you looking for one on a frame?
If you are interested in a frame, I will be putting my Hinterbers Stretch Frame up for sale soon. (You can see them www.hinterberg.com) If you want more info just drop me an email or PM me! :D

www.nolting.com Try this site....

I'm sort of just snooping around right now. There's a show coming up called the "2nd Annual Quilting with Machines"..a learning experience. It's Oct 23-25. It's in Columbiana Ohio. DH said we could go if I want to. I dunno? Do I want to get a long arm? I know there will be a whole new batch of "stuff" I'd have to get too. Threads, patterns, etc. and don't know if I can justify the spending for as much as I'd use it? AND there's that whole.. me and machinery don't get along very well thing! I thought if I could go to a place with several Vendors and weigh the pros and cons? AND..I have problems with my back and I'm not sure if I could use a LA?
I don't know if this link will work..but I'll try posting in case anybody will be in the area of the show and is interested.
www.quiltingwithmachines.com.

OK...the Bailey does sound like it won't have a whole lot of actual quilting area available. I hadn't considered that the rolled up quilt will use up some space. At this point..I don't know what questions I should be asking?

Oh finisher the last issue of one of my quilting mags listed all the things to consider, let me look to see which one and maybe I can post the article.

I have been thinking about this too Finisher. The Bailey does not have a stitch regulator which is a must for me (or it didn't the last time i looked at it). I have been looking at the Tin Lizzie. It is an 18" with frame and all.
Also like Qbee said--there is a dealer about an hour from me.

http://www.tinlizzie18.com/

There is a new LA out on the market now too. It is called a Chrystal Quilter and is made by New Joy. You can get a stitch regulator for it. The price wasn't bad, I didn't think..
http://www.newjoyquilting.com/CrystalQuilter.html

Also, here is a comparison chart from the same website:
http://www.newjoyquilting.com/machine_choice.html

Barb..I didn't see a price? When I looked up Dealers I found one that's not too far away!

Mary..I think Sharon Schambers(sp?) uses a Tin Lizzie. Have you seen her high speed videos on you tube? It looks SO easy!

finisher wrote:

Barb..I didn't see a price? When I looked up Dealers I found one that's not too far away!

When I asked at my LQS last week they said $4000 + another $600 for the stitch regulator.

LOL..that's more than my car is worth! ;)

finisher wrote:

Mary..I think Sharon Schambers(sp?) uses a Tin Lizzie. Have you seen her high speed videos on you tube? It looks SO easy!

Yeah, but somehow i don't think it will be that easy for me! LOL

I would love to own a LA, but can't afford it or the space for it. My guild bought a used, reconditioned LA from Nolting. It was WAY cheaper than a new machine. space is definitely an issue too.

A real big issue to consider is the space needed for a LA. The SA machines don't take up as much space as the larger models. I would recommend finding a shop that rents LA machine time and use the machine on a couple of projects. You will find out real fast if you like it or not and if your back will hold up. There are chairs made just for the LA stands where you can sit and sew...I think I would like that. You also will find out just what questions to ask dealers and what bells and whistles you would like on your machine. Some machines are good at detail stitching and others are better at an all over, panogram. I have done alot of research on these machines, LA and SA. My biggest issues are the frames/stands. I want one that is strong and will accommodate a king or larger quilt.
Going to the show will help you see and try out some of the machines on the market. But be prepared for sales people to 'flood' your brain with info on why their machine is the best!
These shows usually have 'show specials', but don't buy at the show unless you really want that machine....lock in the price with the salesperson for a limited time and then go home to make comparisons. Take notes and pictures, so you can compare things when you get home. Measure the area you want to place your LA....your sewing area might be smaller than you think!
I hope that this helps you in your decision

Thanks Mamu. I think if we go..I'll have a note pad with me so I can remember which questions to ask..and what the answers are. I guess it does make sense to be sure the frame is good and sturdy and not just focus on the machine? Trying the machines will tell me a lot..you're right about that too! I know my area is big enough. It's the finished basement and right now I have a banquet table with a card table next to it for basting quilts and there's plenty of space.

When you all figure this out, let me know. Next year, after we get settled in our new home, I want to start looking into quilting machines. I'm not sure what I want yet.

I have had a bailey machine for about a year now. it is a great machine and it was reasonably priced for the homw quilter. I have it on the pinnacle fraME and can finish a quilt with simple meandering in 2-3 hrs. great tension and so simple to operate.

I would love to have a LA. I may, if I ever get the money or nerve, start looking at them again on line. I've heard of the Baliey. I've seen the Tin Lizzy and the HQ16 machines. Both are really nice machines.

Teritami, is the Bailey easy to learn how to use? I don't care for fancy quilting like you see on some quilts. I just want to do my own designing or simple meandering.

memaw4

memaw4 wrote:

I would love to have a LA. I may, if I ever get the money or nerve, start looking at them again on line. I've heard of the Baliey. I've seen the Tin Lizzy and the HQ16 machines. Both are really nice machines.

Teritami, is the Bailey easy to learn how to use? I don't care for fancy quilting like you see on some quilts. I just want to do my own designing or simple meandering.

memaw4

The machine comes assembled and I had mine up and was using it within 1/2 hour. I had tried both the Janome 1600 and the Juki with the 9 inch arm and was very frustrated with breaking needles and thread(altho the Janome was by far the best of those two.) I do mostly meandering and this machine requires minimal maintenance, and I do start each quilt with a new needle, the book gives you great advice for the tension fixes and and each time I replace the bobbin with a new one I use one of the air in a can things to blow out the dust underneath the machine. very seldom do I break a thread or a needle. it has a built in speed control(not a stitch regulator) and I don't very often use the highest speed. I just love this machine. Easiest one I have ever had. To start all you do is push the button and go. My ten year old great niece just finished her first quilt with this machine. She spent about 2 hours practicing on muslin and then went ot town on it. While it wasn't perfect, (she had some speed issues) it was a very nice looking first effort from a ten year old.

I think I'll go online and look at them. I see them in magazines all the time and wish I could get one. Maybe someday. But for now I can still look!

memaw4

Another direction you might consider is used/reconditioned LA machines. I know Nolting has them available at way below the price of new. (but still higher than my budget, even if I had the space, which I don't.)

I reallly don't have the space either. Not until or less we move into a bigger place. We live in a mobile home and we have NO extra space! And it's a 16 x 80! I wish it was 32 x 80 with a basement!

But it's always nice to dream! And that doesn't cost anything.......

memaw4