Can you tell me about your experience or knowledge of the Flynn Quilt Frame or similar? I'm wanting info on the frames for using with my machine, but not a huge frame, something managable Tell me what I need to know TFS

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SavedSinnr,

Several years ago, a co-worker had one. She had some problems using it and approached Flynn at a quilt show. He blew her off...didn't have time to answer her questions. She never used it again. Last I heard it was making the rounds with her quilting family and friends and hadn't stayed in any one location any period of time.

good to know, does anyone have any suggestions for a mid priced quilting machine?

Don't base your purchase on my comment...just keep it in mind.

Perhaps someone who actually has a Flynn frame can help you out.

I just think that customer service is part of the purchase price. If a person is having problems he should've given her some attention or if he was busy, ask her to come back at a specific time and he would help/talk to her. ...Not just blow her off.

I have one that I purchased from Handie Ann.
I tried using it one time when my pcquilter was on the fritz. I guess if you practiced alot it would be doable but right now, mine is in the attic with all the other stuff that I am not coordinated enough to use.

I agree with KYIS, customer service is the most important part of the sale. Do not even consider the pcquilter like I have. The only time any one will call you back is to get your credit card number.

I just called my tech support for my pcquilter and she told me (by email) to read a section of my manual and tighten a set screw. The manual or her would tell me where the set screw was.
When I emailed her back to ask her where the set screw was she told me she could not help me until I tightened the set screw. My tech support cost me 70 bucks every 6 months(her need for my credit card) and tech support only works Mon, Wed, and Fri from 10 am till 2 pm so it takes about a week to email her back and forth for a 10 minute fix.

OK I have taken over your thread with my rant!!!!SORRY!!!!!!!!

I can send you my flynne frame for you to try out if you want.

If you want to do wall hangings or table runners, it works well. Anything bigger is impossible. You need enough room on either side of the machine for the full width of the quilt plus the side rails...and it gets cumbersome when the quilt gets larger than a wall hanging. I sold mine on Craigslist not long after I bought it on eBay.... I would imagine it's making the rounds in the used items market.

Lisa

I had the same experience as LisaP8. I think I gave it away.

It is entrancing to watch HIM use it at quilt shows as I have several times...writing words, drawing horses, fancy quilting designs...and it is comparably affordable. But when this question comes up here it is always mostly negative. I'm glad I never tried to ask him a question...I would have made a stink if he was rude.

I had one given to me years ago...I gave it to someone else. Maybe I'm just a klutz but it was way too awkward for me to use.

SS save your money don't get it. If you don't believe us go a head and take Warm Buns up on her offer. but remember that you need the same amount of room on each side of your frame as it is wide. You would be better off getting your self a deep throat machine and a large table. As you can tell most of us who have or had it are not real happy with it.

It may be true that most of you didn't like it, but I liked mine. I had space- and you really do need space -but I decided I wanted a LA instead to do bigger quilts. So lakequilter has mine. I'm not sure she's ever used it though...

I've tried but not mastered it... I have a short wooden one that I got from him at one of his workshops and that is great for hand quilting and trapunto so I'm hoping eventually I may get the hang of this bigger one. When I have lots of time.

Char

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lakequilter,

Look for a youtube video. There should be tips/tricks on how to use the frame more efficiently.

I tried it at a quilt show, and it seemed like it would be fine for me with a bit of practice. Some folks approached with questions and there was nothing but graciousness and help.

I have one and didn't find it too hard to use- but found it very limiting as only small quilts fit on it. Used it once for a baby quilt and now it sits behind the door of my sewing room.

I've known a few people with the Flynn frame, but haven't known any that use it.

Wow, it has finally happened, someone online has "trashed" John with second hand information. "He blew her off" is really an unfair comment. John's many students and the thousands of quilters who have talked to him at quilt shows know that this is not the way John Flynn treats people.

Oh, and the quilt frame works great, you do have to practice, though.

Three quilters in an office of 150-175 people - we became very close. I believe her account of the story completely.

That is not to say that he did not have a bad day as we all have. But he did not take time to talk with her about the problems she was having with the frame. The number of years that he has been in business - there are bound to be some dissatisfied customers.

Just a quick count but 6 out of 8 here commented on how difficult it is to use...

Warm Buns- if it doesn't find a home send it my way. I'd love to work with it.

SS I asked around since I was considering one also. I had several offers to take it off someones hands. I did not take them up on their offer instead I bought a Gracie II frame and a machine with a longer throat, not all at once, LOL! Now I am looking to upgrade with the baby lock machine, tried it at the quilt show and almost drooled on the machine, it was sooo easy.

Some people can take to certain quilting methods/ways easier than others, I am not a quick learner and need to see something done to figure it out, so without someone over my shoulder showing me how to use one I do believe it would have been difficult for me. It would have been a dust collector in my house.

Lindsay...I have a quilt frame that i bought at a show ...it is not the flynn frame....but it is a frame that you clamp to a work table....and set your machine on it and it works about like a long arm...as you can move your machine....it glides easily....

I don't use it because i bought a long arm and table....and i really got tired of moving my machine back and forth off of this frame.....

I will send it to you/with the directions and such....you will have to give me until next week to get it and find a box to ship it in....

it's yours for the taking my friend

SS it sounds like Msbananas has a good offer I would think long and hard about it.
GAquilter, I had the flynn system than I too got a Gracie frame and a Pfaff hobby quilter used it for a year than found a good deal on a 18" long Arm with a gracie frame I now have two Gracie frames plus The Pfaff hobby quilter (10"throwt) and my Pfaff long arm. I think that I have plenty of machines.

SS you might think about something like the system that Jean is druling over. Get a big table and a deep throwt machine.