HandiQuilter Amara Vs HandiQuilter Moxie Comparison
I’ve had the delight of owning and using HandiQuilter longarms for four years now. First, I became an early user of the Moxie longarm quilting machine, and more recently I upgraded to the Amara. There are benefits and challenges to both machines, and if you’re trying to decide which one is right for you, I hope this article is helpful!
(This post may contain affiliate links)
Disclaimer: I purchased (and still own) a HandiQuilter Moxie in 2020. My Amara is presently on loan from HandiQuilter as part of a content creation agreement. Even so, all of my opinions are my own, and I promise to be transparent and honest in this review.
If you’ve ever visited a HandiQuilter booth at a quilt show and played with the different longarms, it may seem obvious that the Moxie and Amara are quite different longarms. But how they are different, in terms of specs but also in terms of ideal use, may not be as obvious. I think each machine has its role for certain quilters and even certain styles of quilting, so I want to compare the two so that, after reading this, you know which machine is the best fit for you!
Note: This blog is not about whether or not you should buy a longarm. If you’re still deciding if you should keep quilting on your home machine versus upgrading to a longarm, then you may find this blog helpful. Today’s blog assumes you’re planning to buy a longarm and deciding between two very popular HandiQuilter models
Video
The Specs
Amara
The HandiQuilter Amara is a versatile longarm quilting machine for longarm quilters of all levels.
Throat Space: 20 inches or 24 inches
Mounting options: Table (20” only), Little Foot Frame (5 foot hoop frame; 20” only), 10 foot Studio3 Frame, or 12 foot Studio3 frame
ProStitcher (computerized quilting) optional
2,500 Stitches Per Minute
4-24 stitches per inch
7” display screen
Class M bobbin
Price: $12,295 USD - $25,490 USD
Moxie
The Moxie is designed for new longarmers looking for a more efficient and affordable way to finish their quilts at home.
Throat Space: 15” (or 18” for the Moxie XL and Moxie ST)
Mounting Options: Table (Moxie ST), 5’ Little Foot frame or a Loft Frame (8’ and 10’ options)
ProStitcher Lite (computerized quilting) optional
1,800 Stitches Per Minute
4-18 stitches per inch
2” display screen
Class M bobbin
Price: $4,995-$11,985 USD
The Experience
At a glance, it would be tempting to decide, “Okay, the Moxie is a little more affordable and basic, and the Amara is bigger and sturdier” While this quick summary is strictly true, there’s a more nuanced comparison to make.
Everything about the Moxie is smaller and lighter. There are three sub-10 foot mounting options, and the Loft frame is much lighter to move and reposition. Plus, the table, Little Foot, and Loft frames have smaller footprints than the Studio3 frame. The machine itself is lighter as well, making it easier to set up the Moxie alone. The lighter machine is also easier to move across the quilt as you stitch, requiring less strength and muscular adaptation to operate.
The HandiQuilter Amara is sturdier. The frame and the machine are bigger and heavier (definitely a 2-3 person job to assemble), and the frame options are larger. It takes noticeably more strength and effort to move the machine which may result in quicker fatigue for new longarmers or folks with low muscle strength or stamina. The weight of the machine can be an advantage, though, when custom quilting as the Amara is more accurate for precision quilting.
Which Machine is Right for You?
So which machine is for you? Ideally, I’d recommend trying both at a quilt show to get the best feel for the differences between operating the HandiQuilter Moxie vs the HandiQuilter Amara. Here are some questions that may help you decide, too:
How many quilts do you plan to finish each year? There’s a big difference between 5-6 and 10+ quilts per year, not only in how quickly the longarm “pays for itself” but also in how much time you spend quilting on your longarm
How big are your quilts? Are most of your quilts smaller or larger than 60-72” square? The more big quilts you make, the more likely you are to want a larger throat space (like the Moxie XL or the Amara) or a larger frame (like the 12’ Loft frame)
How do you like to quilt your quilts? 10 quilts with a meander is very different from 10 custom quilted quilts in terms of time and effort. If you are a dedicated custom quilter, you will likely find the weight of the Amara and it’s larger display screen helpful.
How is your balance and your muscular strength and endurance? If standing for long periods (30-45+ minutes) is a struggle, you may want to consider the Moxie ST or Amara in a table. If your arm and core strength is low, you may find the significantly lighter weight of the Moxie easier to operate
What is your budget? You may love the size and features of the Amara, but if the Moxie is a better fit for your budget, then consider starting with the Moxie and trading up later.
Closing Thoughts
I believe you can make your quilting dreams come true on ANY machine that is accessible to you. I have custom quilted bed sized quilts on my home sewing machine, and I have done a simple meander on my big ol’ Amara. But when we have the opportunity to add a new machine to our toolbox, it can certainly make doing what we love a bit easier and more enjoyable. Ultimately, the right machine is the one that fits your space, budget, and your quilting goals, and both the HandiQuilter Moxie and the HandiQuilter Amara are amazing longarm quilting machines.
Resources
BLOG: Moxie Review
BLOG: Amara Review
COURSE: Longarm Preparatory: Learn how to use your longarm so you feel confident finishing your own quilts
