Hi All...Im hoping for a little advise.

Im very curious about long-arm quilting. I know the long-arms are truly expensive and a purchase like that is not to be taken lightly.

I would like anyone who has purchased and used a long arm to give me a little background on their level of expertise when they decided to take the jump and try it.

The reason im asking is that I am truly hooked on quilting! Yes I know I have only done two quilts, but I know myself well enough to know when I love something and this, is one of a very short list.

With that being said,
Did it take you long to learn it and what level of a quilter would you have considered yourself when you decided to buy it?

You might want to join the homequiltingsystems group on Yahoo. They are a large and active group, and all of them quilt at home on different longarm setups. The rule-of-thumb advice on that group is to research longarm setups for a year before actually purchasing one, as there are a lot of possibilities. Also go to every quilt show you can to try out various setups yourself.

LOL as if you are talking about me. I started quilting about 1 1/2 year ago and got hooked with the first block. I have done many crafts (cross stitch, knitting, crochet) for many years but this is my best and i am so passionate about it, and yes i am the proud owner already of a long arm machine. Not a fancy commercial one but it does the job and i am loving it and enjoying finishing my own quilts. The feeling after i finish each quilt is undescribable and i keep looking at the quilt day and night like 10 times the next day and the day after....just love it.

Good luck and go for it and follow your passion :)

I'm partial to Gammill. Ive used Gammill's for years and bought a brand new one in 2006. I used it to rent to customers who wanted to Long Arm. Ive seen many students go on to become wonderful quilters. I bought a second one used a year later. My Husband had to rent a truck and go pick it up bring it back and reassemble himself. Gammill staff answered questions over the phone even though we bought it used! We have been pleased with both of those machines. Recently I sold my original Gammill to an employee for close to what I paid for it! I replaced with a new Gammill vision. I also upgraded our 2nd one to the vision system. I also now have 2 Statlers. Stitch regulated Gammills with a table start at $8995. Gammill offers easy financing. If you have a dealer near you. I'd go look at them right away. If you want to look at used check www.LongArmUniversity.com Good luck!

I was the 'weakest link' when I purchased my long arm and I'm still the 'weakest link'. But, my machine is strictly for my own pleasure. I never intended to do quilts to please anyone except me.

Thank you for that info! That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!!

:thumbup:

LOLLLLL, yes I have that passion too! Funny thing you mentioned "finishing" it yourself which is exactly what I want. THANK you for the inspiration!

Your quilt is gorgeous!

I've been quilting since I was 16, and I'm now 28. I love quilting, and began to seriously look into getting a long arm for about 3 years. I have tried all types of machines, and multiple times each. Every time I went to a quilt show, I'd try all the machines, and write down pros/cons of each. Then I'd go home and research more. I've joined quite a few yahoo groups, and talked to tons of people.

So, after 3 years of serious thought, and MULTIPLE try outs of the machines, I've decided on the Nolting for me. So I'll be saving up for one, and in 2 years for my 30th birthday (or earlier) DH and I will be buying one.

I have also used one of my friends Noltings to quilt two charity quilts, so although I don't own one right now, I do know how they handle, and can say that I have quilted on one.

You need to find the one that's right for you. The one that I want, may or may not be the one for you!