What Is A Pennywinkle?

Nancy Knaus, co-owner of Pennywinkle Valley Ranch, standing next to a Sunshine 16 with frame.

So what is a Pennywinkle? A Pennywinkle is a small snail that lives in the creeks around Waverly, Tennessee.  This fanciful name was applied to a ranch named Pennywinkle Valley Ranch which is now the home of an interesting line of mid & long arm quilting systems.

I have mentioned this company before here at Studio 24-7 and when I saw that they would have a booth at the Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge Tennessee I decided to drive up to see their machines and the Quiltfest.

The show and vendors were in the recently opened LeConte Center and it is a beautiful venue.  Lots of space with good lighting and places to sit for a rest.  The vendors booths, with the exception of the booths with equipment, were not very interesting and I was very disappointed in the quilt show.  I don't make traditional quilts but I can be impressed with beautifully executed traditional quilts but with few exceptions nothing stood out that I found noteworthy.  There was a theme quilt category which was more interesting but again I just didn't see anything exciting.

The booth for the Pennywinkle folks was a different thing.  I'm not going to try and tell you about the features of these fresh and inventive machine but rather just say that they are beautifully manufactured here in the US and the prices for all the various styles are more than competitive.  They offer styles in a 16" and a 24" arm in both sitting and standing configurations. 

Sunshine 16

Take It Anywhere

The style pictured above is made to portable and weighs only 32 pounds.  I tested it and was surprised that they had it threaded with metallic thread which can be very tricky.  It performed beautifully.  I described a manner of sewing that I often find problematic and asked Nancy to demonstrate that with the machine which she did.  No broken threads, skipped stitches etc.  Very nice.  

The company is owned by Nancy and Jerry Knaus who designed and engineered the machines.  They have a program which allows customers to make an initial deposit of $500 with a delivery and full payment 6 months out.  There are other details to this but it's all planned to make it possible to purchase their machines.

Just in case anyone is thinking I'm getting some financial benefit from this post be assured that is not the case.  I'm just excited to find quality equipment made here at home for a good price.  You might want to consider one of these machines if you are in the market.

Quilting Machines - Part 4 - More Possibilities

The response to this informal survey was not large but all who responded were very satisfied with their choices.  All of the equipment reviewed was very high end and all very well known.  These are machines that require a real commitment in resources including money and space but appear to pay the owners back with great performance.

Here are a few other machines you may want to consider if you are in the market.  

Martelli - This company has both a standup and a sit down version of their longarm machines.  They have some interesting features including a "space-age" plastic frame.  

TinLizzie - I remember looking at this brand of machine years ago.  The styling was very different and more interesting.  Now the styling looks like everybody else.  The too have both a standup and sit down machine and a long list of features.  Interestingly they do not list prices.  You have to request pricing.  Perhaps this is due to the costs of features but I would have liked to see a base price.

Nolting -Nolting is another very well know company with a good reputation.  I mentioned them recently in regards to their buyout of Hinterberg.  They have a full range of machine sizes along with standup and sit down versions.  They have a neat app which allows you to select the size of a machine and a couple of other options and it gives you a price.  They also sell used equipment and I feel confident you could purchase these machines and know they work well.  Nolting also makes a nice small machine MAQ.  Here is a nice brochure from a retail store.

A-1 Quilting Machines -  I had not heard of this company until finding their website.  The machines and stands look well designed and again, many many features including a lift system which seems to be a new popular feature.  Their Beginnings Package costs $12, 500 with a list of suggested features totaling around $5,500.  I confess the prices of the equipment blows me away but if you are quilting as a profession or have the financial means to buy these machines they are fabulous.

Janome Artistic Quilter 18 - The home sewing machine company Janome has a new long arm that comes in both an 18 & 26 inch version.  It seems it may be a bit more "stripped down" but likely it functions nicely.  Because these machines are not generally sold online but through brick and mortar stores, there are no prices given.

Bailey's Home Quilter -  I wanted to find at least one machine with an 18" arm that was under $2,000 but I didn't succeed.  I did however find this companies 17" quilter that is around $2,500 and they also have a 13" and a 15" that are under $2,000.    This price does not include a frame but they have some packages that include the frame and are still under $2,500.  Perhaps the biggest issue with this machine as well as some of the others is the lack of opportunity to try them first hand if you don't live near a retailer.

Well I hope this is information you can use to get you started on "the hunt" for your perfect quilting machine.

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Quilting Machine Survey Part 3 - ABM Innova

ABM Innova with light bar

Continuing with responses to the Quilting Machine Survey, I had two people respond who own an ABM Innova.  I am giving their responses after each question as response A and B.

Respondent A said:  Seems like people either love or hate their systems, I also think a longarm is only as good as the effort the owner puts forth in learning it!  I know lots of people that have had their long/short arm setup for years and still don’t really know how to use it – not well anyway!

  

1.  What brand and model of machine do you have? (please tell us the arm size)

Respondent A:  ABM Innova 18” on 11’ frame
Respondent B: ABM Innova 27" arm with 12' frame

 2.  Why did you buy this specific machine?

Respondent A:  It’s the smoothest machine I tried, the Customer Service is 24/7/365, the price, it will take ANY thread, has large M size bobbin, upgrades can be added later without having to purchase a new machine.  

Respondent B:  I attended a machine quilting show and tried some machines and tried a friends (other) machine. It felt very "light" and could maneuver it with 2 fingers in comparison. I like that it looks like a giant erector set--industrial and clean.  Read many online longarm digests and  24-7 365 service phone calls attracted me.

  

 3.  What did your machine costs?

Respondent A:  $7999

Respondent B:  I think about $11000 3 years ago, however I added the Lightning Stitch stitch regulation system for an additional 5k later (cheaper to buy it at time of purchase as someone came to install).

 4.  How long have you had the machine?

Respondent A:  2 years

Respondent B: Since November 2009.

 5.  What type frame do you use for the machine if it requires a frame?

Respondent A:  The Innova Pro frame that came with the machine- custom sized at 11 feet to fit my space. (no extra cost!)

Respondent B: The frame that comes with the machine from ABM.

 6.  What features have been most useful?

Respondent A:  I think the whole setup is engineered very well, it all works so well together, I am completely self taught and have never had any problems. 

Respondent B:  Lightning stitch (I can sew really fast in and out of points and never have a long stitch.)  Tech support (I have called at very strange hours as they are in TX and I am in OH and they go over things with me with much patience and knowledge.) Also the Light bar.

 7.  What features have been least useful?

 Respondent A:  Nothing I can think of.

Respondent B:  No response.

   

 8.  Is there any feature you wish you had?  This can be something that is available or not.

Respondent A:  I wished I had the lightening stitch regulator upgrade, and my wish came TRUE in November – I had it added – it’s AMAZING! 

Respondent B: I do wish there had been a dealer locally who could offer decent training.  I learned on my own and there is a bit of a learning curve.

 9.  Have you had any serious mechanical or computer issues with your setup?

Respondent A:  No

Respondent B:  No.  But it comes in pieces and (the frame and table) so I put it together with 2 people and it took over a day. Broke a belt once but it was quickly diagnosed, mailed to me and installed with tech support talking us through.

10. Would you buy the same equipment again?

Respondent A:  Yes

Respondent B:  Definitely. 

11. Would you recommend your machine and frame to your friends?

Respondent A:  ABSOLUTLY!!!

Respondent B:  Yes!

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Thank you to the two generous readers who responded about their quilting machine systems.  Sounds like they are very pleased.  If you'd like to see a video of this system, click HERE.

Thank you for spending time at Studio 24-7.

I love hearing from so Remember

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Free!!