As I am getting a little closer to getting my longarm, I'm beginning to realize the value of a dollar. I am getting a little scared about spending so much money on something that I don't know if I'm going to like or not. I know I'll probably love it and want to spend all my time "playing" with it. But, still, it is a lot of money. I don't have any place close by that lets you rent a machine. And, I don't know anyone close to me that has one that I could practice on. I just have my one 10 minute experience at a quilt show on the Nolte. So, please. Somebody help me out here and tell me how much I'm going to love it!!!

Yep, you're gonna love LOVE *LOVE* it :)

You're going to love it!

you'll love it. Just think of all the projects you can do now! Have fun!

Sorry, but if there is the slightest doubt or feelings of guilt, I would wait.

You are going to love it. You just need to line up some resources to troubleshoot the bugs/issues you encounter early on and expect there to be a learning curve. Get some good advice about which machine best fits what you want. As it is such a big investment, perhaps you should set aside some time and money to travel to a place where you can try out a few different machines. A quilting vacation.

I promise you'll love it! I honestly can't imagine any other way of quilting other than on the longarm. I can crank 'em out one after another. Have fun with it!

How many quilts have you made in the past year? I pay $115 to have mine quilted.... queen size.

ditto, you should be totally confident with your purchase or else wait until it does feel right

hubs nudged me into mine. He asked "if not now, when? Just do it". I'm so glad he did.

Its sort of like buying that new car. You already "test drove" it at the show, now you just drive.. You will find out all the things it can do (or not do) from using it..:)

Some machine companies allow for a payment plan. Maybe something to look into. I know you'll love it but only if it doesn't impact the bottom line. Be sure you have good support for trouble shooting too. There is always a learning curve on any new machine.

It's normal to feel the way you are about spending that much money. I know I would be a basket case even tho it is something I really want. Make sure you do your research so that you get exactly what you want.

I don't know which machine you're thinking of ~ there's a Babylock dealer in Fayetteville AR (I know 200+ miles from you) that has the Crown Jewel.

There is a Nolting dealer in Harrison AR (yep, still a hike) but if you're having doubts, maybe you could take a day & check them out .. at least, that's what I would do. That would give you a second opinion. It's hard to believe no one in Texarkana has any dealers .. go figure.:roll: :lol:

Another thought .. my LQS has longarms to rent .. maybe there's something like that closer than you think .. that would give you some *hands-on* experience before taking that plunge :D

My DH bought mine 2 weeks ago as an early birthday present - and even though I feel a little guilty about the total cost of it all, I am not sorry he did it.
And when he told me I deserve it for growing old with him ... I ♥love♥ him all the more for it! :)

If you have decided which one you want, go for it.
I am sure you deserve it, too!! :thumbup:

I would also wait until I KNEW I would want to go through with a pricey purchase.

Realize also, these Long arms take up a huge amount of floor space, require copious amount of thread, lightening etc.

While I am NOT saying do not buy one, I am telling you slow is best...honestly.

JUlie

Ahhhh that was sweet

I understand. It was the same for me with my Horizon. You will love it and you will do really great at it. Enjoy!

Nolting is a good company with great customer service. They recently bought out Hinterberg, the company that makes my Voyager. I've never been sorry I bought mine, but if after you have used it for awhile you find it just isn't for you, it will have a great resale value. Don't worry about it: You won't be stuck with it if you don't like it, but I bet you'll love it!

You're lucky. Where I live, you have to pay around $160 for a full size quilting job. Batting not included.

Think it over and check out all the available options, features, and accessories. I love my long arm but it was a big expense. Researching helped me a lot before I purchased one. There were many different ones I tried before I made the final decision. Everyone has different styles of quilting, etc. Hope this helps.

I am sure you are going to love it and turn out beautiful quilts.

I know exactly how you feel. I was very nervous about making the final decision to order my Gammill....even though I wanted it more than anything. I will tell you that I love, love, love it and have never, ever regretted the decision to buy it! Good Luck and Happy Quilting.

This is EXACTLY how I feel. If in doubt wait it out.

We have all had cold feet, when making the jump. I really douted my self when I up graded to the vision on my Gammill.
I haven't had time to pratce much but so far I think it will be great.
Marilee

I say for something that expensive, you need to be completely sure. I'm sure you'll love it, but its like buying a car its a big investment and you don't want to regret buying something you don't like.

went to gammil in west plains missouri decided i like hand quilting better but even tho its expensive lifes short try new things there is always someone who will buy it from you if you decide it;s not for you

I was the same way and when my DH was putting it together the thought crossed my mind (for only a brief moment) to send it back; but now that I have had it for 6 weeks.......

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII LLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEE MMMYY

AAAVVVEEEENNNNNNTTTTTEEEEE!!!!!!

I smile even when I walk by it. You will too.

I got mine just before Easter and love it. I too tried some out at the Lancaster Quilt show. I got mine from my Husqvarna Viking dealer because I wanted someone close by to help me through any problems I may have. I am glad I did that because I had a problem with it a week after I got it and had to send it for repair. Now I love it. Biggest problem I see is that I need to make several tops at a time so I can quilt one right after another. There is a huge learning curve for me, but I am getting much better at meandering. You need to have confidence in yourself. Life is short and you can't take it with you (money) so enjoy life as you want to.

When you decide to buy be sure there is a help line you can call for help. As an ex. I have an HQ (Handi Quilter) with a local dealer but they have a 800 number I can call with any question (and I have) and they help you out. That is a big selling point for me as I was new with noone around to get help from at the time.

I guess I'll stick my 2 cents in now. I have a mid-arm (Handiquilter 16) which I love and never regret purchasing. I have found that the quilting is the part I enjoy most of the quilt process, just above designing and selecting the fabric. I am now considering trading up to the 24" Fusion by Handiquilter and I am having the same doubts, but going full speed ahead because I already know I enjoy it. You, however, have to do what is most comfortable for you.

Yes, pricey, but love mine too. But I tell everyone to get a computerized system! All the longarmers around me are wearing out their shoulders, elbows, backs etc.!

I have had my APQS Ultimate II for over ten years now and probably didn't research machines well enough before I bought it. (Didn't look at other options) I only knew that a LQS had one they liked and that some women who were doing long-arm quilting were making it a full-time job and were booked a year in advance.

On the other hand, the machine has performed beyond my expectations, requiring nothing besides routine maintenance and cleaning and if anything serious goes wrong, the manufacturer is a two-hour drive.

My advice - make sure you buy the size of machine you are going to need for what you are going to do.

I am 76 and purchased a Gammill Classic 6 years ago. I paid for it with quilting for others in 2and 1/2 years. I added Intelliquilter computer system in July of last year. No regrets. I only wish I had made the purchase when I was much younger. Great source of added income and so rewarding.

I'd really recommend that you try one someplace before you buy. I have always thought that I'd love a long arm system but after spending a day with my friend Chris on her Gammill and spending several days on a midarm setup at my local LQS, I decided that I really didn't like it nearly as much as I thought. Now I really appreciate even more what longarmers do and why they charge what they do. It was time consuming and a lot of work to get everything loaded and ready to go. The actual quilting was ok but not something that I would want to do everyday or as my new business. My LQS rents out their room with the midarm for $50 a day. My friend and I rent it once in a while, help each other and can finish a quilt for each of us in a day (if it's not king sized). I'd do more "homework" before you spend all that money.

If I could spare the money and the space in my sewing room I would LOVE to have one of those machines!!!!

awww he is a keeper!!!

Gosh, that sounds awfully high. I do hand quilting for less than that. Whew!!

I may have to take the time to go do that. I may give them a call.

lol, I can relate to this. I give her my cheeriest "Good Morning!" everyday as I walk by to make the coffee ;-)