A: A longarm quilting machine allows you to quilt large projects by moving the machine head across fabric mounted on a frame. Unlike a domestic sewing machine, the fabric stays stationary while the machine moves across it, allowing you to quilt very wide projects.

A: A longarm has a longer arm (throat) that extends beyond the needle, allowing you to quilt wider quilts. The fabric is stretched on a frame rather than fed through the machine, the quilting head moves in all directions, and you have more control over speed and movement.

A: On the contrary to a sewing machine, with a longarm quilting machine you control the machine head’s movement across the fabric using handles to steer it. The quilt is secured on a frame with rollers. The machine head contains the needle, thread, and bobbin. As you move the head, you create quilted patterns and designs.

A: Please do not worry about this! Practice makes perfect and at APQS we offer classes, tutorials, and community forums to support the learning process! Most beginners can start creating basic designs on the first day.

A: Loading a quilt is not as scary as it sounds! We have a great video showing you how to do this: Watch Video

A: Very easy! We have a great video showing you how to do this: Watch Video

A: Great question! Stitch regulation is a system that ensures consistent stitch length regardless of how fast you move your machine head. Whether you move quickly or slowly, the machine maintains even, uniform stitches. Many people say stich regulator is the unsung hero of longarm quilting!
Having a stich regulator on your machine is crucial for quality stiches. All of our APQS machines have full stitch regulation as standard.

A: For quilters who prioritize high stitch quality, APQS is designed for precision, consistency, and smooth stitch regulation. APQS invented the first fully functioning stitch regulator, first incorporating it into our longarm machines in 1999. Today, our stitch regulation helps quilters achieve consistent, precise stitches, clean direction changes, and balanced tension.

A: Great question! Stitch regulation is a system that ensures consistent stitch length regardless of how fast you move your machine head. Whether you move quickly or slowly, the machine maintains even uniform stitches. Many people say stich regulator is the unsung hero of longarm quilting! Having a stich regulator on your machine is crucial for quality stiches. All of our APQS machines have full stitch regulation as standard.

APQS stiches at 3500 stiches per Minute. This is and has been considered for years the best stitch regulator in the industry.

A: Quilt Glide is a specialized stitch-regulation mode on select longarm quilting machines (our APQS models Freddie, Millie and Tilly) that combines manual and stitch-regulated sewing. For more information follow this link: Watch Video

A: Channel locks (horizontal and vertical) are basically your precision guides. They keep your machine head moving in perfectly straight lines helping you create professional looking geometric quilting without having the steadiest hand.

They also reduce hand fatigue, they make quilting easier, and they take out the pressure of trying to keep everything perfectly straight.

A vertical channel lock keeps your machine moving straight up and down, no drifting left or right. A horizontal channel lock does the same but for left-to-right movement.

A: Throat size is the distance from the needle to the arm (the vertical part of your machine). It’s measured in inches. At APQS we make machines ranging from 18 inches (that’s our Ellie) all the way to 30 inches (our Millie30).

The bigger the throat, the wider you can quilt without having to stop and reroll your fabric. A 26 inch throat is the sweet spot for most quilters!

A: Throat size affects many things: How wide you can quilt without rerolling, how much space your machine takes up (bigger throat = bigger machine), how fast you can work (bigger throat = fewer stops), how much you will pay (bigger usually means higher price). Larger throats are better for wide quilts but require more space.

If you are undecided about which machine to get, reach out to our team and they can help you based on your typical quilt sizes and available space. Contact Us

A: Thread and tension are like the dynamic duo of quilting. When they’re balanced, your stitches look beautiful. When they’re off, you get loops on top or bottom, thread breaks, or uneven stitches.  Different fabrics sometimes need slight tension tweaks! Before you quilt your quilt, we recommend you always test on scrap fabric first. It takes a couple of minutes but saves so much heartbreak!

A: Pantographs are pre-drawn designs that you trace over with your quilting head. Think of them like coloring books for longarm quilting! If you follow the lines on the pantograph, and you have beautiful patterns.

Pantographs come in hundreds of designs (feathers, florals, geometric patterns, etc.). Pantographs are perfect if you want consistent designs without having to draw them yourself or if you’re still building up that freehand confidence.

If you buy one of our machines (except for Ellie) we will give you a free pantograph!

A: Our APQS Ellie is specifically designed for small spaces. It has an 18-inch throat head, it is lighter weight than larger models and it can still create big quilts regardless of its size. As an alternative, Lenni offers a mid-size option if you occasionally quilt larger quilts!

A: Space requirements depend on the table you buy with your APQS longarm quilting head. Many quilters fit machines in spare bedrooms, basements, or dedicated sewing rooms.
Add a minim room size recommendation:

A:
Halo Table: Ellie

Standard table: Ellie, Lenni, Lucey

Deluxe table: Lucey, Fredie, Millie, Tilly

Comfort table: Lucey, Fredie, Millie, Tilly, Millie 30

Ellie (18-inch throat, tiny but mighty, perfect for small spaces and beginners), Lucey (22-inch throat, the Goldilocks size for home quilters), Lenni (24-inch throat, versatile middle child), Millie (26-inch throat, our most popular, the industry standard), Millie30 (30-inch throat, the powerhouse for wide quilts and production), Tilly (our brand new baby, great for beginners and experienced quilters, so easy to use!).

Main differences? Throat size (how wide you can quilt), price (bigger usually costs more), and space needed. All have lifetime warranty, all work amazingly. Pick based on your typical quilt size and available space, you can’t go wrong with any of them!

A: APQS’s goal is for more people to share the quilting passion. In the past, longarm quilting machines have been financially out of reach for many interested quilters, so APQS introduced a more affordable and less intimidating 18-inch option.

A: Consider these factors in order:

1) How will you use it? (personal, professional, business)

2) How much space do you have? And what throat size fits your needs?

3) What’s your budget?

4) Do you need computerized quilting?

At APQS we offer models from the 18’ Ellie to the 30’ Millie30 to fit different needs and budgets! We also have various table sizes to fit your needs.

If you are undecided reach out to us with any questions. Contact Us

A: Both APQS Ellie and Lucey are ideal for beginners because they offer: manageable size and space requirements, excellent stitch regulation for learning, lifetime warranty and support at a reasonable price point. In addition to that, they of course have built-in education support through APQS classes and tutorials.

A:

• Buy preowned if you: Want to save money, you are new to longarm quilting, you want to test the market, you are ok with minor cosmetic wear and you value warranty protection on your machine.
• Buy new if you: Want pristine condition, want the newest version, prefer knowing you’re first user.

A: That is simple, they’re not new! The machine has a history (which is a good thing because they are proven to work!). Most preowned machines are trade-ins we receive from customers wanting to buy a newer model. We give high discounts on the new price depending on the machine’s age of the machine. You could save a lot of money!

You should buy a preowned machine because you would be getting a fully refurbished, inspected machine with warranty protection and access to the same community and support as new owners. You’re not compromising on quality; you would just get a great deal!

A: Go to our Preowned website to find out! Shop Preowned

A: Yes, 100% yes. Refurbished APQS machines perform identically to new machines: Fully inspected and serviced (72-point inspection), any issues have been fixed, and they have been tested to make sure they work perfectly. They quilt just as beautifully as new machines. The warranty options are the same. The community access is the same. The only difference is the price is lower and maybe there might be some cosmetic wear.

A: When a machine comes back to us, we do a complete 72-point inspection. That means we check everything, mechanical function, all the moving parts, thread guides, tensioners, stitch quality and more! If anything needs attention, we fix it. We clean it up and test it to make sure it’s perfect. After inspection, preowned machines work like new but sell at discounted prices reflecting their history!

A: Yes. We don’t just offer standard warranty, at APQS we offer industry-leading lifetime warranty on all machines! At APQS we believe in our machines and materials; therefore, we offer lifetime warranty!
Most competitors offer only 5-7 year warranties. APQS’s lifetime warranty protects your investment forever.

Learn more

A: APQS lifetime warranty covers: Parts and labor for manufacturing defects, mechanical failures, repairs and replacements, no time expiration, no annual limits and this applies to all machine models.
What’s NOT covered: wear and tear, intentional damage, modifications by unauthorized parties, normal cosmetic wear.

Contact us at APQS for warranty claims

A: Preowned machine warranty depends on the age of the machine:

Machines from the current year (or prior full year): Full lifetime warranty included (same as new machines).

Machines older than prior year: they come with a 10-year warranty. Customer can upgrade to lifetime warranty at time of purchase at reasonable cost.

This ensures every preowned APQS customer has great protection and upgrade options.

A: Yes. If the machine is from this year or last year you have full lifetime warranty included (same as a brand-new machine).  If it is older than that, lifetime warranty is available for purchase at a reasonable cost. Lifetime warranty can be used for the buyer + two other people you select at time of purchase.

A: If lifetime warranty is not purchased on an older preowned machine, you still have 10-year warranty included as standard. Still excellent protection and much better than competitor warranties. Lifetime warranty upgrade option remains available anytime. Either way, you’re well-protected on your APQS machine.

A: We have great news for you, our APQS Longarm machines don’t require much maintenance. We have a great video showing you how to maintain your machine: Watch Video

A: We will be happy to help you! We have an excellent service team available via call. If you have a problem and do not know how to fix it you can either call your out APQS service team or your local dealer. Contact Us

A: APQS stands out through:

• Lifetime Warranty on machines (industry-leading coverage)
• USA-based support (support team located right here in the USA)
• US manufacturing. All our machines and tables are made in Carroll Iowa.
• Best stich regulator in the industry
• Proven durability (machines last 20+ years with proper maintenance)
• Innovative technology (Genesis technology, Quilt Path computerized quilting)
• Strong Community (active owners’ community, events, and resources)
• Affordable options (machines at various price points for all budgets)
• Flexible financing

A: Yes, APQS customer support is proudly based in Carroll, Iowa in the USA, which means:

You speak with knowledgeable, English-speaking support staff. Our support team understands USA quilting culture and preferences. You will get quick response time to calls and emails, local expertise and relationship-building.

A: Our customers say that our customer service is best in class. APQS is committed to prompt customer service, our goal is to resolve issues quickly so you can get back to quilting. Follow this link to contact us

A: Yes! We understand this is a big purchase, so of course you can try the machines. You can try the APQS machines in:

• Authorized Retailer Showrooms (visit and quilt with machines)  Locate Retailer
• Roadshows (APQS travels to communities across the US, see when we are close to you! Roadshow Calendar)
• Classes and Events (learn from APQS instructors) Events Calendar 

A: This is not coming from us; the feedback we get from our APQS customers is that our machines are reliable and durable. They say we have exceptional customer support, lifetime warranty for peace of mind, quality and stitch consistency and a great community.

A: APQS machines are built to last 20+ years with proper maintenance and care. Many machines in use today are 15-20 years old and still quilting beautifully. The lifetime warranty reflects our confidence in machine longevity!

Lifespan depends on: Regular maintenance and care, frequency of use, storage conditions, proper handling and operation, quality of thread and materials used.

A: Annual professional maintenance is recommended to:

Identify and address wear before problems occur and to keep machine operating at peak performance. Many owners schedule annual checkups with their local APQS retailer.

A: Yes! APQS maintains parts inventory for all machines we manufacture, even decades-old models. Parts availability is one advantage of choosing APQS.

To order parts just contact your local APQS retailer or call APQS customer service or order online

A: Yes, professional servicing is available through authorized APQS Retailers in your local area (most dealers offer service). Alternatively, you can send it back to us in Carroll to support. Contact your local retailer or call APQS for service availability and pricing.

A: Great news, all our new machines have lifetime warranty so no need to worry about this.

A: Yes! APQS owners have several upgrade paths:

1. Trade-in programs (upgrade to newer model with credit for old machine)
2. Accessory upgrades (add computerized features, new tables, etc.)

Contact your local retailer or APQS to discuss upgrade options for your situation.

A: APQS continuously innovates with:

At APQS we are committed to improving. We actively listen to customer feedback, so we invest in regular innovation which keeps APQS machines at the forefront of longarm technology!

A: APQS provides instruction through:

YouTube channel: Link

Website tutorials: Link

In-person classes at authorized retailers: Link to calendar

Take advantage of these resources, you’ll learn faster and enjoy quilting more!

Q: What’s the difference between Free motion and computerized longarm quilting?

A: They are too different to compare! Most quilters use both techniques to make the best version of a quilt:
Free motion: You manually move the machine head using handles. This technique offers maximum creative control and artistic expression. Requires more physical movement and skill development.

Computerized: Software controls the machine head along programmed designs. This offers faster production, consistent patterns, perfect for repetitive designs. You can use a preloaded design or load a design file (pantograph, custom design, etc.). At APQS we call it Quilt Path (essentials or Pro).

Both have advantages depending on your quilting style and goals. If you want to learn more about them, follow the links: Free Motion and Computerized Quilting

A: Consider it if you quilt frequently and value speed, want precise repeating patterns, or have consistent client requests. Skip it if you: prefer artistic freehand quilting, have budget constraints, or don’t need speed or precision. APQS’s Quilt Path system makes computerized quilting accessible for any skill level as it is very easy to use!

A: Quilt Path is compatible with machines as of year 2013. Contact our team at APQS directly to discuss upgrading or retrofitting your specific machine.

A: Absolutely. Professional longarm quilting services are in high demand. Income depends on the request, number of quilts completed monthly, marketing effectiveness, and whether you quilt full-time or part-time. If you reach out to your team, we can help you further.

A: We have done analysis for you, follow this link to find out: Click here

A: We have done analysis for you, follow this link to find out: Click here

A: Common pricing methods:

1) Per square inch ($0.015-$0.025 – most common)

2) Per quilt (Flat fee $400-$2,000+)

3) Hourly ($50-$100+/hour)

4) Custom (Negotiated per project).

Research your local market quilters to get more information

A: Yes! Let’s talk about it more, please reach out to APQS sales team. Contact Us

A: We can help you with the math! Follow this link to learn more! Learn more

A: It really depends on your experience level. When you’re starting out, maybe 1-4 a month while you’re learning. As you get better and faster, 10-15 a month is. And if you’re an experienced pro working full-time you could do 15-25 a month or more. It depends on the size of the quilts, how complicated they are, and whether you’re a perfectionist!

A: Yes, APQS machines tend to hold value well due to:

Durability (machines last 20+ years), Lifetime warranty, strong brand reputation (consistent demand in used market), resale community (active secondary market).

When compared to competitors’ machines, APQS machines often command better resale prices, making them a smart investment!

A: APQS partners with leading financial institutions to offer flexible financing plans for machine purchases. Please reach out to APQS or follow this link: Learn more

A: Yes. We work with multiple lenders to accommodate various credit profiles. Contact your local APQS retailer or call us directly about personalized financing options.

A: Interest rates vary based on many factors, but rates are at approximately 7.9%. For a personalized quote including your specific rate, please request a financing quote or email our sales team.

A: We aim to ship your order for a maximum of 7 days after your full payment has been received.

Shipping timeframes vary based on your location and your order.

A: Yes, APQS ships internationally. Shipping costs, delivery times, and any applicable duties or tariffs vary by country. Contact us or your retailer for international shipping details and costs for your specific location.

A: For an accurate shipping quote, please reach out to APQS or contact your local APQS retailer.

A: Yes of course! Just let us know and we will make sure everything is organized for your arrival.

A: APQS machines are carefully packaged to prevent damage during shipping. If your machine arrives damaged: please document the damage with photos, contact your retailer or APQS immediately, do not attempt to repair yourself and file a damage claim with the APQS.

APQS will work with you to resolve the issue through repair or replacement.

A: Once your machine ships, you’ll receive a tracking number via email. You can use this number to monitor your shipment’s progress online.

A: Yes, many customers successfully set up their APQS machines. Your machine comes with very detailed setup instructions, and you also have access to video tutorials (available online). In case of questions, you can reach out to our customer support hotline.

A: Yes, at a cost.
Our instructions are very self-explanatory, however, if you wish for someone to set everything for you, this can be arranged.  Please speak with your local dealer to arrange set up.

A: Before setting up your APQS system, please ensure you have enough space, clear pathways for maneuvering the equipment, have leveled flooring and a nearby electrical outlet.

A: Yes, machine registration is highly recommended to:

• Activate your lifetime warranty
• Receive support updates and notifications
• Access member-only resources and tutorials
• Receive invitations to events and promotions
• Registration is simple and can be done online using this link: Register New

• A: Before your first quilting project:Clean the machine (remove manufacturing oils and dust), thread the machine correctly (follow manual instructions), wind bobbins with quality thread, test on scrap fabric (check tension and stitch quality)Review thread tension basics (consult manual or online tutorials), familiarize yourself with controls (speed, stitch length, presser foot pressure)

• A: At APQS we of course recommend our own products for best results.  However, you can use any brand that works for you. When in doubt, ask at your local quilt shop or contact our APQS parts department.