Our Story

FLOYD SEWING MACHINES has been in the sewing industry since 1948. Mr. Bill Floyd, then 18 years old, had a manual in hand and with limited education started repairing sewing machines with his mechanical mind. It became easy for him to make these machines work, and probably better than they were originally designed. This led him into manufacturing several specialty type machines. His first endeavor was making component attachment parts for the lingerie industry making the production efficiency of many factories increase considerably. He then turned his attention to the furniture trade by making what he called a boxing machine. (No, not something to fight a world champion boxer) This machine was designed with two sewing machine heads facing each other, and with the correct attachment, it made the band with the welt cord attached to what is called the band or the side piece to a cushion or the boxing. This machine saved time in several operations and enhanced the quality production of seat cushions in many factories.

I, Mr. Ernie Floyd, and son of Mr. Bill Floyd, came into the sewing industry in 1972 and started a manufacturing business making motorcycle accessories. This gave me a great background in the field of sewing. However in 1982, after I tired of the grind of running a sewing factory, I sold my business and partnered up with my father in the retail business of selling sewing machines. The business grew, and again we found ourselves designing many machines to enhance the production in sewing factories. Recently we noticed a little hole in the quilting industry… a long arm quilting machine that is a little more affordable to the home user.

We realize that Gammill is the premium long arm on the market, however very high priced, thus home users do not purchase these machines for personal use. As we looked at the other quilting machines on the market we noticed there really was not one on the market that had high quality, high end features, at a real favorable price, with all the features the home quilter would like to have. So we went to work on filling this void in the long arm quilting market. The dream of the TinLizzie18 began. As the designing process took place our first step was to develop a machine with features that a home quilter would want. First we wanted a moving foot (walking foot), this would allow the quilter to go through any thickness as well as form a great quality stitch.

Liz (the granddaughter), Ernie (the father), and Shirley (the grandmother)

Next we noticed that most of the machines were using a small capacity bobbin, we are using a large bobbin as it eliminates the changing of the bobbin so frequently. We then had to decide how long the bed of the machine should be and determined it should be 18” allowing the quilter to quilt large blocks even towards the end of the quilt. We also wanted to have a stitch regulator on the machine so we contacted Carol and David at the Cruise Control Co. to develop one for us. With the main specifications before us we began the development of the first prototype.

With many modifications along the way we had a sample machine to test. It worked better than our imagination. After testing with expert quilters, taking into consideration opinions and wishes of our current customers, and making the needed improvements, the TinLizzie18 is now in production.