I've never heard of this brand, but I can give you feedback on the HQII if you want. You could probably find one for sale on Craigslist or some such place.

Donna

Donna, I would like to hear your opinion of HQII as well. Thanks. I had another friend who had used that and liked it.

I have the Quilt Easy 3 but it isn't made any more either. This picture shows it with a backing loaded on it. It has been a great frame since I bought it in 2004. Today I am loading quilt number 159.
LindaOH

I had my HQII set up at 10' long, and there was quite a bit of bounce in the poles. It came with segmented poles, though, so it would have been easy to reset it to a narrower width.

I liked it fine. It was a good frame for a 9" machine like my Juki. The clamps held it in place very well. When I got it I also got a set of Handi Handles with it (another company out of business). They mounted right on the carriage and it was easy to handle.

So...I didn't like the give in the poles, but a shorter length would have helped. I did really like having the handles mounted on the carriage! I'm short and that allowed me to keep my arms down when moving the machine. The handles I have now on my Hinterberg frame are on top of the machine like Linda's so I have to hold my hands up almost shoulder height.

Donna

Thanks for your info and opinions. I really hate pinning and would love to even just set up for quilting for a weekend and get a couple loaded and done. I have some UFOs that are ready!

Have you looked into the possibility of renting time on a longarm at a quilt shop? I've never done it but I know there are several shops in my area that rent time on their machines.

Donna

Yes, I have rented a long arm before and had a nice experience. I took the class and then went and did a few tops a few years ago. The shop I used to do it has closed (and it was almost an hour's drive). Two other shops have it but they are also an hour's drive, and it just doesn't work in to my schedule these days. It was fun to learn and each shop has different types of long arms, one has programed designs, others you do yourself. I work odd hours, so it would be nice to be able to just quilt on my schedule.

It seems the quilt shows have plenty of long arm classes and trying to sell a $5,000 - $10,000+ machine. But they really don't seem to tap into the home quilter who wants something more than just a machine with pinning the quilt. Or there will be systems like Handiquilter II that people buy and like and they stop making them, so maybe there's not much of a market!

I work full time so I understand about needing to quilt on your own schedule!

I currently have an original Hinterberg frame. I just checked on their website and they sell them for $650, so that's at least one option still available to home hobby quilters.

There's also a company called New Joy who sells a frame designed for a 9" machine.

I haven't heard of New Joy, I will look into it. Thanks, Donna for the info. I have a very small space, so something that can multi-task, not take up too much room, or break down fast is about the only way I can bring it in the house, not too much to ask, right LOL.

Does anyone know of quilting shops in Melbourne where you can rent time on their machine. I haven't been able to find one that advertises. I haven't the room to put a machine of my own, and it's so expensive to send out quilts when you have a few finished.