,The amount of space you need for a longarm quilting machine depends on two factors: the size of the machine and which frame or table you set it up on.   When you have decided it’s time for a longarm to finish all the quilt tops you have made, there are so many choices!  It can be a little confusing. You may already have a designated space allotted in your home, so you know how much room you have to work with. Or you may have decided on a machine and have to find (or build) a space for it.  

This post will help you to determine which machine and frame combination will work in the space you have available. Or if you know which machine you really want. This will let you know how much space you will need for your dream machine. Then you can start rearranging rooms or building that she-shed!

Why I’m qualified to talk about room for your longarm

Hi! I’m National Handi Quilter Educator, Mary Beth Krapil.  I’ve been longarm quilting on a Handi Quilter machine for more than 20 years and teaching longarm quilting with Handi Quilter for 16 years. I love to share longarm techniques and the best of Handi Quilter products.  I know all the machines and frames in our Handi Quilter family line-up inside and out.

How Much Space Do I Need for My New Longarm and Frame/Table?

This information is divided into 2 parts. Part 1 – space needed for Handi Quilter movable machine and frame combinations. And Part 2 – space needed for Handi Quilter stationary machine and table combinations. They are listed from small to large.

Part 1: Space Needed for Handi Quilter Movable Longarm Machines

There are 4 options for movable longarm frames. Each machine is compatible with one or sometimes two frames.

MOXIE

You’ll find 15 inches of free-motion freedom in the HQ Moxie™ longarm quilting machine. Forget basting with pins or cramming quilts through a domestic machine. Get to stitching quickly with straightforward features, easy-to-use controls, and the space to get creative. Practical features and optional accessories make this simple, spunky longarm the perfect quilting machine to customize and make your own.

Option 1. Moxie | How much space is needed for a Moxie on a Little Foot Frame?

The 5-foot Little Foot frame is the perfect solution for folks who want to quilt with a movable machine but don’t have room for a full longarm frame. The HQ Little Foot Frame is a great choice for movable machine quilting in a small space. Overall length of frame is just 5 feet long and fits in the tightest studios. Frame offers a quilting space of 14” x 48”.

Its innovative design accommodates any size quilt on its free-standing frame and it’s adjustable from 33” to 44” in height. Easy to assemble, this professional-grade system is made of high-quality steel. Leveling feet adjust to variable floor surfaces.

Just lay your basted quilt sandwich over the frame and hold in place with the included quilt clamp management system: 6 Easy-Grasp Clamps, 1 Super Clamp and 6 Hold-Tight Clamps.

For quilts 48 inches wide or less you can choose to use the included Little Buddy attachment.The Little Buddy features special brackets and poles which allow the quilt to be loaded without basting and rolled and advanced to simplify quilting small quilts on your space-saving Little Foot Frame.

Diagram

This diagram shows just how much room you’ll need. The white area indicates the 4-foot by 5-foot actual frame/machine space requirement. The gray area indicates the room you will need to move around the frame as you advance through the quilting process.

Note: It is possible to put one short side of the frame against the wall. This will decrease the width needed to about 6.5 -8 feet.

Option 2. Moxie | How much space is needed for a Moxie on a Loft Frame?

Loft Frame

The versatile HQ Loft™ Frame features the essentials of a professional quilting frame system and optional accessories to create a personalized quilting experience. It is possible to add a 2-foot extension to convert the 8-foot Loft to a 10-foot Loft.

Diagram

This diagram shows just how much room you’ll need. The white area indicates the 4.5-foot by 8 (or 10) -foot actual frame/machine size requirement. The gray area indicates the room you will need to move around the frame as you advance through the quilting process.

Note: It is possible to put one side of the frame against the wall. This will decrease the width needed to about 10(or 12) feet instead of 12-14 feet.

Moxie XL

The Moxie XL from Handi Quilter has the same easy-to- learn and oh-so-fun to use experience as the original Moxie, but with new features to help you finish your own quilts faster and with an incredibly smooth stitching experience. Get to quilting quickly with straightforward features, easy-to-use controls, and 18 inches of throat space to get creative. Practical features like bright lighting and touchscreen controls make this simple, spunky longarm the perfect quilting machine.

Option 1. Moxie XL | How much space is needed for a Moxie XL on a Little Foot frame?

The Moxie XL is compatible with the Little Foot frame. You can read a description of the features of the Little Foot frame above.  This diagram shows just how much room you’ll need. The white area indicates the 4-foot by 5-foot actual frame/machine space requirement. The gray area indicates the room you will need to move around the frame as you advance through the quilting process.

Option 2.  Moxie XL | How much space is needed for a Moxie XL on a Loft frame?

Moxie XL is also compatible with the Loft frame. This frame features the essentials of a professional quilting frame system and no basting before loading is required!

Diagram

Here is the diagram for the Moxie XL on the Loft frame showing the space needed for the frame and machine (white area) and the room needed for your body as you quilt (gray area).  Please note that a 2-foot extension is available for the Loft frame to increase it to a 10-foot frame.

AMARA 20

Experience quality, precision, and a world of quilting possibilities.  This 20-inch longarm machine comes with HQ Studio3 Frame (choose from 10-foot or 12-foot). It is also compatible with the Little Foot frame for those with tight quilting quarters.

Option 1. Amara 20 | How much space is needed for an Amara 20 on a Little Foot frame?

When you have limited room for a longarm frame the Little Foot frame is the answer! You can quilt any size quilt with this little 5-foot powerhouse. It comes with the Little Buddy attachment that allows you to quilt up to 48″ wide without basting the layers. Read the full description above.

Diagram

Here is a visual representation of the footprint of the Little Foot frame. You can see the space needed for the frame itself (white area) and also the room needed to move around the frame while quilting (gray area).

Option 2. Amara 20 | How much space is needed for an Amara 20 on  Studio3 frame?

When you have the room for a full-length longarm frame, the Studio3 frame is the best choice for the Amara20 machine. The HQ Studio3 Frame is a robust, professional-grade table and frame system for your quilting studio. No basting before loading!

Speaking of loading, the Studio3 Frame also offers two ways to load your quilt with the QuiltMaster™ DuoLoad™ loading system. The innovative sidearm system lets you choose from two loading styles. Standard Load provides a visual reminder of actual quilting space and easy access to the bobbin area for oiling and bobbin changing. ClearView™ Load is often chosen for ruler work, as this option clears the way for the use of longer or larger rulers and templates. 

You can choose between a 10 foot frame that allows 108 inches of quilting width. Or choose the 12-foot frame that can accommodate up to 132 inch wide quilt top.

Diagrams

These diagrams show just how much room you’ll need for either the 10-foot Studio3 or the 12-foot Studio3 frame. The white area indicates the the actual frame/machine size requirement. The gray area indicates the room you will need to move around the frame as you advance through the quilting process. Keep in mind you can put one short end of the frame against a wall and you’ll save 2 feet in width.

AMARA 24

The Amara 24 longarm machine is the largest machine in the Amara family. It has everything you need for free-motion quilting right out of the box. Experience quality, precision, and a world of quilting possibilities! 24 inches of throat space gives you an amazing large quilting area.

Amara 24 | How much space is needed for an Amara 24 on  Gallery2 frame?

Because this machine is larger and heavier, it is compatible with the HQ Gallery2 frame. Made of high-quality steel, the HQ Gallery2 Frame is a robust, professional-grade combination table and frame system for the home or professional studio. The Gallery2 Frame also offers two ways to load your quilt with the QuiltMaster™ DuoLoad™ loading system. The innovative sidearm system lets you choose from two loading styles. Standard Load provides a visual reminder of actual quilting space and easy access to the bobbin area for oiling and bobbin changing. ClearView™ Load is great for ruler work, as this option clears the way for the use of longer or larger rulers and templates.

You have 3 choices for length of your Gallery2 frame: 10-foot, 12-foot, or, with an optional 2 -foot extension, you can go to 14 feet!

Diagram

Here is a visual representation of the footprint of the Gallery2 frame. You can see the space needed for the frame itself (white area) and also the room needed to move around the frame while quilting (gray area). It shows the 3 length options available. Remember that you can place the frame next to a wall on one short end to save 2 feet of space in width.

INFINITY

HQ Infinity by Handi Quilter is the top-of-the-line professional longarm quilting machine. Innovative features, from stitching speeds up to 3,100 precision stitches per minute to handlebars that can be tailored to how you like to quilt, makes the Infinity best in class. Customizable settings, programmable presets and intuitive software give the Infinity the ability to work and grow with you.

Infinity | How much space is needed for an Infinity on a Gallery2 frame?

Like the Amara 24, the Infinity is compatible with the fab Gallery2 frame.

Made of high-quality steel, the HQ Gallery2 Frame is a robust, professional-grade combination table and frame system for the home or professional studio. The Gallery2 Frame also offers two ways to load your quilt with the QuiltMaster™ DuoLoad™ loading system. The innovative sidearm system lets you choose from two loading styles. Standard Load provides a visual reminder of actual quilting space and easy access to the bobbin area for oiling and bobbin changing. ClearView™ Load is good for ruler work, as this option clears the way for the use of longer or larger rulers and templates.

You have 3 choices for length of your Gallery2 frame: 10-foot, 12-foot, or, with an optional 2 -foot extension, you can go to 14 feet!

Diagram

The diagram show just how much room you’ll need for either the 10-foot Gallery2 or the 12-foot frame or the 14-foot frame. The white area indicates the the actual frame/machine size requirement. The gray area indicates the room you will need to move around the frame as you quilt. Keep in mind you can put one short end of the frame against a wall and you’ll save 2 feet in width.

Fun Facts:

1. Important! Adding Pro-Stitcher to any of our movable machines will NOT change the space requirements. It will only increase your fun and speed in finishing quilts.

2. If you have limited space but you have your heart set on a particular machine, be sure to talk with your local retailer or one of our customer relations team members. We have lots of innovative ideas on making your longarm dream come true in tight spaces!

3. All Handi Quilter frames and tables have optional, perfectly-sized, casters for ease in moving your longarm. If your studio needs the ability to push the longarm out of the way for other functions, you’ll want to add casters to your package.

Part 2: Space Needed for Handi Quilter Stationary Longarm Machines

There are 2 stationary table options.

The Moxie ST is only available on the Insight table.

The Amara ST has two options to choose from: the Insight table and the Lift table. Optional side extensions are available for both of the table options. Extensions added to either side or both sides of the table  gives extra space to support for large quilts.

MOXIE ST

The Moxie ST is perfect for quilters with limited studio space and those who want to quilt while sitting down. No more wrestling quilts through your home sewing machine. Enjoy the freedom of 18″ of quilting space and perfect, consistent stitches with built-in stitch regulation.

Moxie ST | How much space is needed for a Moxie ST with Insight Table?

The Moxie ST package includes the Insight table with built-in stitch regulation. It features a huge smooth table top that supports the quilt as you easily move the quilt under the needle. The table measures 38 inches by 38 inches. The only additional room you will need is for your chair.

Diagrams

As you can see in the diagrams, the white area is the table, the gray area is for your chair. The second image shows addition of the side extensions.

AMARA ST

Experience quality, precision, and a world of quilting possibilities in a stationary quilting package. From baby quilts to king-size, the Handi Quilter Amara ST is the perfect fit for your style of quilting. This 20-inch longarm machine comes with the automatic Lift Table or choose the InSight Table.

Amara ST | How much space is needed for an Amara ST with InSight Table?

The InSight table measures 38 inches by 38 inches. You will need room for your chair.

Diagrams

These show both the table and the table with side extensions added.

Amara ST | How much space is needed for an Amara ST with LIFT Table?

The LIFT table has the built-in stitch regulation and the big smooth top like the Insight table. But it also has a wonderful added feature! You have the ability to raise or lower the height of the table at the touch of a button. We like to quilt for extended periods of time because it’s so much fun finishing quilts. But sometimes your muscles can get a little fatigued. When that happens, I like to raise (or lower) the table just an inch or so and suddenly I’m refreshed and can continue quilting! Would you like to stand to quilt with your stationary machine? The Lift table raises high enough to make that possible.

Like the InSight table, the Lift table measures 38′ x 38″.  You need to add space for your chair.

Diagrams

The table is the white area and the space needed for your chair is the gray area. The second diagram shows the addition of the side extensions.

Optional table extensions

Add 18 extra inches to the width of your HQ InSight Table or your HQ Lift table with the HQ Table Extension. Easy to install, these extensions pop up when you need them and fold down for storage. If you have done any stationary machine quilting, you know that it is important to keep the quilt up and supported on the table as you quilt, to reduce drag. When quilting large quilts, the table extensions make all the difference, giving you extra room. Get two and add one to each side for 36 extra inches

Table extensions | How much space is needed to add table extensions?

Each table extension adds 18 inches to the width of the table. Two extensions gives you a whopping 36 inches of extra room.

Next steps

Now that you are armed with the knowledge of space considerations, it’s time to take a test drive of the machines on your list. You can visit your closest Handi Quilter retailer. We have more than 350+ located throughout the US, (and more world-wide). Find your retailer HERE.

Visit the Handi Quilter website HERE, to learn more about the machines you like. Click on the “Machines” tab to see all the longarms.

What to read next

Interested in machine comparisons? Read these blog posts:

Machine Comparison: Should I Buy the HQ Amara or the HQ Infinity

Machine Comparison – Should I Buy the MOXIE or the AMARA?

How To Choose the Right Retailer for your Longarm Purchase

Remember to Quilt Every Day!

by Mary Beth Krapil