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You have decided that the Amara® is the longarm machine of your dreams. But, how much space will you really need for it? This post will help you to determine which machine in the Amara family and frame combination will work in the space you have available. You may already have a designated space allotted in your home, so you know how much room you have to work with. 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! 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.
The Amara Family of machines
There are three fabulous machines in our Amara family. Which one will fit your needs?
- Amara® ST is a stationary longarm machine, perfect for quilters who love to move the fabric under the needle. It’s the right machine when you are REALLY tight on space. It features 20 inches of throat space and built-in stitch regulation.
- The Amara® 20, moveable machine is a frame mounted machine. It has a 20 inch throat, and everything you need to get started quilting.
- The Amara® 24 has the same easy-to-learn and oh-so-fun to use experience as the Amara 20, but with 24 inches of throat space to help you finish your quilts faster, with an incredibly smooth stitching experience.
Why I’m qualified
Hi! I’m National Handi Quilter Educator, Mary Beth Krapil. I’ve been longarm quilting on Handi Quilter machines 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.
Frames and tables
There are 3 frames compatible with the Amara moveable machines. The Amara 20 is compatible with both the Little Foot frame and the Studio3 frame. And the Gallery2 frame is the frame for the Amara 24. There are 2 table choices for the Amara ST, the Insight table and the automatic Lift table. I’ll get into all the details below, as we talk about each machine. Let’s start big and go from there!
AMARA 24
How much space does the Amara 24 need?
The Amara 24 from Handi Quilter can go from baby quilts to king-size, it is the perfect fit for your style of quilting. And it is the largest machine in the Amara family. Everything you need for free-motion quilting right out of the box (including a powerful stand-alone bobbin winder).
The Amara 24 is compatible with the Gallery2 frame. You can choose from 10-foot or 12-foot frame sizes. Also, a 14-foot extension kit is available.
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. It comes with pole cradles that provide accessibility for loading or smoothing quilt batting and height-adjustable legs with self-leveling feet that can accommodate a variety of floor surfaces. The Gallery2 Frame also offers two ways to load your quilt with the QuiltMaster™ DuoLoad™ loading system: Standard loading or Clear-View loading.
Standard Loading
Provides a visual reminder of actual quilting space and easy access to the bobbin area for oiling and bobbin changing.
ClearView Loading™
Often chosen for ruler work, this option clears the way for the use of longer or larger rulers and templates.
Diagrams
These diagrams show just how much room you’ll need. The white area indicates the actual frame 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 as shown with the 14-foot diagram.
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AMARA 20
How much space does the Amara 20 need?
Experience quality, precision, and a world of quilting possibilities. The Amara 20 is the perfect fit for your style of quilting. Everything you need for free-motion quilting right out of the box (including a powerful stand-alone bobbin winder).
The Amara 20 is compatible with both the Little Foot frame and the Studio3 frame. With the Studio3 you can choose from 10-foot or 12-foot frame sizes.
Option 1. Amara 20 | How much space is needed for an Amara 20 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. The frame offers a quilting space of 14” x 48”.
Its innovative design accommodates any size quilt on this 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 little room you’ll need. The white area indicates the 4-foot by 5-foot actual frame 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. Amara 20 | How much space is needed for a Amara 20 on a Studio3 frame?
The updated Studio3 frame is sturdier, simpler, and has features quilters love, including the QuiltMaster™ DuoLoad™ loading system that lets you choose from two loading styles.
Standard Loading
Provides a visual reminder of actual quilting space and easy access to the bobbin area for oiling and bobbin changing.
ClearView Loading™
Often chosen for ruler work, this option clears the way for the use of longer or larger rulers and templates.
It also features Built-in Adjustable Bungee Grabbers for simple quilt top management and out-of-the-box accessory compatibility.
These diagrams show just how much room you’ll need. The white area indicates the actual frame 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 by about 1.5 feet.
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AMARA ST
How much space does the Amara ST need?
The Amara ST is perfect for quilters with limited studio space and those who want to quilt while moving the fabric under the needle. No more wrestling quilts through your home sewing machine. Enjoy the freedom of 20″ of quilting space and perfect, consistent stitches with built-in stitch regulation.
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. Everything you need for free-motion quilting right out of the box (including a powerful stand-alone bobbin winder).
Option 1. Amara ST | How much space is needed for an Amara ST on a Lift table
The Amara ST is perfect with the Lift table. This innovative quilting table features a smooth, one-piece top and built-in In-Sight stitch regulation. The Lift Table also includes easy button-touch height adjustment with 4 programmable buttons to remember your favorite settings. Go from standing to sitting with the touch of a button! Adjust your table to the level that is perfect for you.
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. More on the side extensions below.
Option 2. Amara ST | How much space is needed for an Amara ST on an Insight table?
Another option for Amara ST is 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.
Optional table extensions
Add 18 extra inches to the width of your HQ InSight Table or 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 by 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.
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.
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 (you can find the one nearest to you HERE) or one of our customer relations team members 877-697-8458. 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.
Still confused? Give us a call or send an email!
We are here to help answer all your questions.
- Visit your local retailer. If you’re not sure who that is, you can find one HERE.
- Call us! We have a team of customer relations specialists waiting to hear from you. 877-697-8458
- Send us an email. support@handiquilter.com
Next steps
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of space considerations, take a test drive of the Amara 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 in the Amara family. Click on the “Machines” tab to see all our longarms.
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by Mary Beth Krapil