Monday, November 20, 2006
Stitch Regulator?
Does anyone know anything about the new fabric mover/stitch regulator attachments that are available for Vikings and Pfaffs? Bernina has had one for a while, but I think theirs is a bit different. I've looked at them, and think they MIGHT be wonderful, but I'm a bit sceptical. How well does that mover work with a large quilt? How hard is it to take off and on? (On the Viking, I bet it's a pain, since everything else is.) And don't you have to relearn how to do free motion stitching since the movement runs the stitching in a different way than ordinary free motion does? I tried one at the Chicago show, and was confused, although I do lots of free motion stitching (although not well). So is this thing a miracle or a boondoggle? I would like to hear an opinion from someone other than a salesperson. Anyone?
I'm curious about these, too. My local LQS sent an advertisement for the stitch regulator the other day, and I don't know much about them.
ReplyDeletea couple of weeks ago I was at a quilt show-the LQS was showing it but there were so many people around it I couldn't get a good idea-I did hear a price mentioned and I nearly choaked-I think it's more than a thousand $-I agree about the Viking attachments-I bought a Husqevarna last year and although I really am enjoying it-changing attachmts is a pain and I wish I'd investigated other machines first. I could have probably had a Bernina for what I paid and they have a lot of built in stuff.
ReplyDeleteI tried the Pfaff version - I wouldn't spend the $$ for it. I had big & little stitches still...
ReplyDeleteI have tried the Bernina version and really liked it, but I've heard that it's very hard on the motor of the machine.
ReplyDeleteMy LQS has a special on the Viking about $1400, $2900 combined with the Quilt Designer. Pricey. As far as the stitch regulator being hard on the motor, that's interesting. It makes sense to me because the motor must have to fight the speed imposed by the stitch regulator. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI think there is no definitive answer. If you have the money to spend, go for it. Otherwise I think you can achieve the same results with practice. Or, you could spend a little more on a long-arm machine that has a stitch regulator, and a handi-quilter type frame. You don't have to push the quilt that way.
ReplyDeleteMe, I'd take the long arm. I tried the Bernina stitch regulator thing and it was okay, but (for me) not worth the expense. If I put the pedal to the metal and go fast, it works out okay.
I'm not familiar with what you're talking about, Kay, although I've tried the Bernina and it's what I want. I haven't really learned how to free-motion yet and I'm kind of waiting to learn. I've heard a few quilters say that it's a little hard getting used to the stitch regulator when you can already free-motion on a conventional machine. I'm dubious about it being hard on the motor, though. Stitch regulators on long-arms have been around a long time. I guess time will tell on that point.
ReplyDeleteI tried it out at JoAnns and was not impressed with the stitch quality. There were as many varied stitch lengths as when I do it on my own (H-V) at home. The fabric mover did make it very easy to move the fabric around though. Right now that's the hardest part of free-motion quilting for me--pushing the fabric sandwich. I don't see myself buying one any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI saw a fair amount of women walking around IQF with them in their totebags but then, most women come to IQF to buy.
ReplyDeleteI tried all the longarm machines and I found that I was very impatient with the pantographs and had a lot more fun with the freestyle quilting. I didn't want to follow that panto line but do my own swirls and curls. My guess is that I would feel the same way about the fabric mover. (IMHO)
Whoa! I had no idea they were so expensive. I don't care that much about perfect stitches. :P
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very mixed verdict on this. Hedgehog seems to be the only person who really liked it. I certainly won't be buying one, but I am always a bit wistful, wishing for the thing that might make my free motion quilting look like Diane Gaudynski's!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I asked for a demo yesterday on the HV while we where out and about. The sales person was pushing the Designer SE so I kinda shut down any further inquiry once she announced the price combined with the SE. I can't even begin to imagine that it would be worth the cost.
ReplyDeleteI "googled" this subject because I have never been able to get even stitches with my Bernina stutch regulator. I keep thinking something is wrong with my machine, but the store salespeople said I just have to keep the same speed. Well, this is no different from how I free-motion quilted before I spent the $1000 for the regulator. I love my Bernina but am very disappointed with the regulator. I am happy to read that others have had similar concerns, since that tells me it may not be my fault!
ReplyDelete