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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. If you have decided on a Moxie machine, you still have some choices to make. 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 frame so now 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!
The Moxie Family of machines
There are three fabulous machines in our Moxie family. Which one will fit your needs?
- Moxie ST is a stationary longarm machine, perfect for quilters who love to move the fabric under the needle. The right machine when you are REALLY tight on space. It features 18 inches of throat space and built-in stitch regulation.
- The Moxie moveable machine is a frame mounted machine. It has a 15 inch throat and everything you need to get started quilting.
- The Moxie XL has the same easy-to- learn and oh-so-fun to use experience as the original Moxie, but with 18 inches of throat space and new features 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 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.
Frames and tables
There are 2 frames compatible with the Moxie moveable machines (Moxie and Moxie XL). They are the Loft frame and the Littlefoot frame. The Loft frame has 2 size options. Moxie ST, the stationary machine, comes with it’s own custom-fit table called the Insight table. I’ll get into the details below as we talk about each machine. Let’s start big and go from there!
Moxie XL
How much space does the Moxie XL need?
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 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.
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 the frame is just 5 feet long and fits in the tightest studios. This 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.
This diagram shows just how much 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.
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 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.
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.
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MOXIE
How much space does the Moxie need?
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 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 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.
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MOXIE ST
How much space does the Moxie ST need?
The Moxie ST is perfect for quilters with limited studio space and those who want to quilt while sitting down and moving the fabric under the needle. 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.
How much space does the Moxie ST with Insight Table need?
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.
Optional table extensions
Add 18 extra inches to the width of your HQ InSight 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 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 Moxie 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 Moxie family. Click on the “Machines” tab to see all our longarms.
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by Mary Beth Krapil