Back when I first started longarming, I had expected and planned to do certain kinds of quilting: I’d quilt for others, probably pantographs, and save the custom work for my own quilts. What actually has happened is that I have ended up doing custom for nearly everyone, with only 2 pantographs requested in the last 3 years! In that time, what I learned about my quilting personality is that I love to work from the front of the machine, and I really love experimenting with fabric, thread, and whatever else comes my way.
During this time, I also realized that there were some things that would make my quilting life easier, and had a wishlist of “love to haves” that fit my quilting preferences. Fast forward a year and a half, and I have found the machine that suits me right down to the ground. I’ve been quilting things for about 2 months now since I purchased it (can’t share any, almost all are going to be in books and whatnot, so have to be under wraps!), and can officially say I have put this amazing machine through its paces.
I love it so much that I did a quick video (my first on my own! go me!) of my favorite features of the BERNINA Q24, and am happy to answer questions if you have any. It’s a quick overview of the stuff I use every day, and there’s quite a bit more to share, but I’ll save that for another video. Thanks for watching, and happy quilting!
I am a BERNINA Ambassador, and have purchased this machine for my use. The opinions I share are mine, and I do not receive payment for them.
I currently own an A-1 long arm (since 2007) but am now looking to upgrade ….. I need (want!) some newer features. So my dilemma is this. I have been lusting after an Innova for some time now but it would be exceedingly difficult to fit it in my space as it is too ‘deep’ ….. My space is narrow. I also work in a Bernina Store ( since 2000) so love my berninas but we are not certified to sell the long arms. I have tried the sit down Q20 and it is fantastic but I am not ready to go back to a sit down machine …yet! Everything I have seen and watched re: the Q24 /Q20 is very positive and I certainly love all the features …… but it is the frame that concerns me.
My current machine …the frame is so strong the entire USA gymnastic team could work on it and it probably wouldn’t even bend !!! The Bernina frame doesn’t look much different to the first one Bernina brought out and that is so flimsy in comparison. Do you have any opinions on that? …… I am having trouble actually locating a store that has the machine up and running that is near me as I would really like to try it. There was a store in Burlington ….Old City Quilts …. And they sell Bernina and Innova ( would have been sooo convenient) but recently have stopped having the Q24 on the floor …..after talking to them ….. Was an issue with the frame sturdiness. I know I could go to a show but I also know how busy they can get.
So I guess I am really looking for some honest feedback
I know this is long!!!!
Ann Hutcheon ( Pompton Plains, NJ)
You know, Ann, I was told the same thing. And then I bought it anyway because of all the other features (the memorized tensions! the handles! the intuitive way you use it!), and have never looked back and never regretted it for a second. I love it, I love the frame, and while I was told it wasn’t sturdy enough, etc. (I got the same from the same person you did), I haven’t found it once to be tippy, less than sturdy, or not strong enough; it’s extruded aluminum which is what they use for holding up serious weight-bearing loads, and my engineer husband was really impressed. I had a Gammill before this and could never get it level, and this we got level the first go, and it’s been amazing. The new Q24 longarms actually can have different sized bars (8, 10 and now 12 feet lengths I think?), so the room doesn’t need to be as long. The Q20 is the exact same machine as what the longarm is, but just at a sitdown table. My local store carries it (Gloversville Sewing Center). Let me know if you need more details because I could go on forever.
Hello – I am also interested in the Q24, though have seen comments which want me to ask more questions. There are questions about the fact that the “normal” sewing machine needles are not strong enough to support the higher speeds of the Q24; also that the stitch regulator is laser “driven” (?) therefore any problems could/will be electronic, which could result in having to return the sewing head in for repairs; also the tension is electronic so any problems in that sector will be electronic. I have test driven the Q24 – wonderful – but it seems (unless I am mistaken) that you cannot do much repair work (if necessary) yourself; unlike other long arm machines (ex APQS). Any comments will be apprciated. I own a DSM Bernina 770 and am very familiar with Swiss quality as I live in Europe and travel to Switzerland very often.
Thks in advance
Sue Hansen – Luxembourg
Ok, I found your blog info here after going to a craft, sewing, and quilting festival in Pomona, Ca. I tried out the sit down as that would suit my space, and is much like what I have done with my home machine for 15 years….only so much better.
They told me the Q20 could easily go into a frame down the road should I want to…or if my space changed…which is interesting. I loved the ease of the machine and wish now I had purchased a Bernina in the beginning…(I have a Brother)
Aside from the drawback of not having a frame, just a table (which is an awesome table)…is the Bernina better than other machines do you think??
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
I have to say that I have it because I love it, and I’ve driven everything over the last few years as I take a lot of machine quilting classes. I love the built-in stitch regulator, and I love that I can change the feet from my domestic machine to my longarm (which is true for both the Q20 and Q24). It takes regular machine needles, and the electrical cord is not thick and clunky, which can pull a machine on a frame off true. Super easy maintenance, and it has programmable settings (up to five) which, for me, is really the key factor. I switch threads A LOT, and since the tension is electronic, I can set up my different thread profiles to easily switch back and forth, rather than dialing it in, testing it, turning the dial and testing it over and over like i did on my old machine. For me, these features make all the difference, but what everyone looks for is different!
Hi I live in Australia and am seriously considering purchasing the Q24and Fame but my engineering husband is concerned that the long rods on the 12 ft frame would be to flimsy and flex a lot. Can any one that owns or uses a Bernina q24 on a large frame please comment. Thank you Joan
Hi Joan! I have the “classic” frame and have had no problems, is that the size you mean? Or the largest of the frames? I have not used the largest extensively, but I moderate a BERNINA Longarm Owners group on facebook that has quite a few people that do use it. I think you’d find a lot of people there to answer any questions you might have. My husband is an engineer too, and is quite pleased with the frame, especially when compared with my old machine. It is adjustable in a way that my old machine had no hope of being and we can level it in minutes instead of hours, using the feet on the table itself rather than blocks of wood and shims.
Hi Mandy yes it is the classic I am really keen to get. Thank you so much for your response. Also thank you for reference to the group you moderate. How can I joint it.
Once again thank you for your quick response. Joan
I have the Q24 with the longest rods-144″. I can honestly say it is the sturdiest piece of machinery I have ever seen. I have tried other quilting machines and they are flimsy compared to this one. I have had it for over two years and love it. I am actually now adding the Qmatic computer as I am disillusioned with pantograph. There is nothing wrong with pantograph but it is difficult with human hands behind the machine to get smooth copies of the design. I do much better if I freehand from the front. The machine runs like a dream, handles well, and does perfect stitching. I wouldn’t have anything else.
Hi Joan! Then that’s the one I have. I’ve had no problems at all with it being bendy. Search for “BERNINA longarm owners” on Facebook and we will show up!
Thinking of a Bernini Q 24 for a small long arm service. Do you believe it is durable enough for that type of use.
Yes! That’s how I use it. It is sold as an industrial machine by Bernina.
I am leaning towards buying the Q24 as my first long arm for personal use. I have been told to consider APQS and Innova as well. I would like your input on these machines.