Replies

1. 
   meg | Jan 05, 2007 02:10pm | #1

   (I do not own one.)  I went to a machine quilting seminar in November, and a vendor showed one.  I think it's a spendy machine assessory item - $1300 - and is compatible with certain models of Viking machines.  It does move nicely!  And would be good if you do machine quilting but do not have space for some of the larger pieces of equipment which are sold to the home quilter.

2. 
   NovaSkills | Jan 06, 2007 11:15am | #2

   I have tried it several times, and even demo'd it at a seminar here. It does work, assuming you set it up correctly. My conclusion, and that of several Viking educators I know, is...

   It's great for those with arthritis or other back, shoulder, neck problems that are aggravated by the motions needed for traditional freemotion quilting. It requires no more pressure than you'd use to insert a CD into its slot and trigger the mechanism. Users can keep their arms closer to their body.

   It's great for those with minimal experience, who want to be able to learn quickly and aren't doing huge projects. It makes people less scared of trying freemotion. It also suits people who just can't do the fine motor control of their hand/wrist/lower arm --some just are "all thumbs" even with practice, or have tremor disorders, etc.

   It is good for tighter, smaller area quilting, rather than large, loose designs. Too much readjusting of fabric on the gliding table, otherwise. Works well for thread painting over small to medium areas.

   That said, I elected not to buy it. I do as good a job stippling by myself, and the setup is easier; no device, no blocked view of past and future stitching areas. I also do such a wide variety and lots of free flowing designs. I found I had to stop and readjust too often on the device. Also, I visualize the "upside down" nature of freemotion well.

   Although it allows you to slide the fabric tray as you scroll the window on your computer, it is also one more surface/corner to catch a large quilt on when sewing.

   I basically concluded I wasn't the customer they intended for this product.