Longarm quilting
Five-figure decisions deserve honest research. Our longarm guides focus on the things owners care about years in — support, warranty and resale — not just throat inches.
Best longarm quilting machines
The main guide — Handi Quilter, Grace, APQS and Gammill, from first frames to lifetime machines.
Read → Head-to-headHandi Quilter vs Gammill vs APQS
The three big brands on dealer network, warranty and resale — the specs that actually decide it.
Read →Common questions
What is the first thing to decide when buying a longarm?
Two choices come before brand: frame or sit-down, and how much throat space you need. A frame suits large quilts and edge-to-edge work; a sit-down suits smaller rooms and free-motion. Throat space sets the largest area you can quilt without advancing the quilt. Our main guide walks both choices before it names machines.
Are cheaper longarm machines worth it, or should you save for a premium brand?
It depends on volume and resale. Entry frames from Grace and Handi Quilter quilt beautifully for far less. Premium APQS and Gammill machines earn their price on dealer support, warranty and resale years in. If you quilt often the premium brands hold value; if you are testing the water, start lower. Our head-to-head compares them.
How much space does a longarm quilting frame need?
More than most first-time buyers expect. A full-size frame commonly runs 10 to 12 feet wide, and you need walking room on both sides to load and baste. Shorter frames and sit-down models exist for tighter rooms. Measure the space first, because the frame, not the machine head, sets the footprint.