I’d debating setting the Gammill back up and quilting another top this coming week but now I have a delivery date for the new Innova longarm for Wednesday so I’ll just finish gathering the items that will go with the Gammill when they take it with them and I’ll keep working on the HST Diamonds.
I’ve had a lot of questions about the new longarm. Why I was getting a new one? Why an Innova? Is the new longarm computerized? So I thought I’d answer those questions here.
My Gammill is 12 years old and I don’t have a nearby dealer and, when we sold our Big Canoe condo last year, Keith agreed to let me keep some of the proceeds to purchase a new machine. My 3rd and hopefully last longarm purchase.
The first machine I bought was a 26 inch stitch regulated Gammill on a 12 foot table in 2002. When we moved to Minneapolis in 2006, I needed a smaller machine that would give me more flexibility as I knew we would be moving it from place to place and I couldn’t count on having a room large enough for the big machine and table. I was able to do an almost “even” trade for the smaller 18 inch stitch regulated Gammill Premier on a 10 foot table, basically just paying delivery and taxes on the new machine. I thought it was a very good deal.
So why did I choose Innova? Besides the fact that they have a good reputation with longarm quilters these are the features I wanted when I chose the 18 inch Innova, with lightning stitch (an “upgraded” stitch regulator) on a 10 foot table.
Pantovision – I am NOT getting a computerized machine. Pantovision is a system that will allow me to quilt pantographs from the front of the machine, using digital files. I love the idea of being able to change the pattern sizes to suit my quilt, to adjust the spacing between rows and have more control when I want to insert a row in quilt or to combine patterns but I will be the one quilting, not a computer!
I wanted a newer machine with a nearby dealer – less chance of having issues and if they do occur, someone to come out and fix them!
Self leveling take up bar – my Gammill table has to be manually adjusted on both sides of the table. It’s a pain and while I looked at upgrading the table years ago the cost was very expensive.
No oiling other than bobbin area – No more messy oiling of the machine above the table/quilt.
Lighter weight – I really hadn’t had a problem moving the Gammill but after my surgeries last year and with the suppression therapy, I have been having tachycardia when I’m working on the longarm – I’m obviously working harder than I realized so a lighter machine will be a bonus.
More quilting space – even though both machines are 18 inch throats, the Innova has a 15 inch quilting space versus the 12 inches I have on my Gammill. That means less rolling when doing freehand and the ability to use larger pantographs.
The Innova 10 foot table will allow me to quilt a top that is 105 inches wide. Right now I can squeeze 102 inches on the Gammill table but I have to create extensions to my leaders to do it. I don’t make many queen or even king size quilts but occasionally I need the extra inches.
So I’m excited and a little nervous and I’ve been studying the pantovision manual – I can’t wait to get started!
