You’ve never seen a longarm and “Mid-Arm” quilting machine described this way

So, here is my simplistic, real life way of describing the differences in a sewing machine, a “mid-arm” quilting machine and a longarm quilting machine. I keep adding quotes to “mid-arm” because it’s not a specific machine like a domestic sewing machine or a longarm. I explained that in the previous long, confusing post. Hopefully, this will educate and possibly amuse the home sewist trying to figure out what the differences are.
[None of the pictures are mine, they came off the kubota and Chevy websites. I am not associated with either company.]

Option 1: A domestic sewing machine

It does it all, comes with attachments and feet for all kinds of tasks. And, you can quilt with it. All-purpose. There are really big domestic sewing machines now, that have so much throat space, if you are just wanting to finish a quilt or 2 a year, and for the rest of the year, piece quilts, sew other projects from dolls to bags to curtains, and possibly even embroider on stuff, look at a domestic machine.

Option 2: “Mid-arm” quilting machine

A marketing term for a souped up domestic sewing machine, bigger and faster, with no attachments or fancy feet. It gives you more space to quilt and more power in the machine, for less money, than a longarm. A “mid-arm” is a heavy-duty, single purpose machine, but you can sew on it, if you want, sometimes. You just don’t need an industrial machine for most home sewing. (This and other confusing descriptions and differences in what is referred to as a “mid-arm” can be found in my previous post.)

Option 3: A Longarm quilting machine

Longarms have one purpose, to get you from point A to B, from finishing a quilt top to finishing the quilting, in style, more comfortably and with less strain on your body than with options 1 and 2. Simply put, you quilt with a longarm. You load it up with your quilt and take it on long, comfy rides. You don’t piece quilts with it, you don’t sew clothes. You quilt with it. Period.

Well, there you have it. I’ve been told my mind works in strange and interesting ways, coming up with comparisons that don’t really make sense to some, but definitely make sense to those who think like I do.

Have a beautiful day. I hope you do something you really enjoy, even if for a few minutes.

Your friend,
Anne Dovel - The Fit Quilter