Sounds good to me. Plus you can get experience over time to see if you like longarming. If you don't you don't have a huge investment that sits around deprecating. If you find you do like it you can keep that in mind and you have room to put it maybe get one some day!

I took a class at a LQS and now I can rent their Gammell machine. We use pentagrams and load with zippers. It is really fun and generally costs $40.00 for a large baby quilt. The class cost $100.00 and the zippers $30.00. Loading with zippers is really fast so you aren't using quilting time loading the quilt.
Sue

I did that at our little quilt shop. The meandering was shockingly easy to do. Motifs are hard for me, but I can't draw at all so that may be the problem. For me, loading is cumbersome, but doable. The ladies at are shop will always help. Our shop also keeps track of all your rental hours. If you decide to buy a long arm from her in the future, she takes off 75% of the money you spent in rentals from the price.

I'll preface this with saying I'm a tried and true hand quilter. That said, there is a shop a bit of a hike (45 min. each way) from me that does something similar with a couple of long arms that they have. Have to say, I've been intrigued by it. Not enough to go the distance but the prices are comparable to what you are stating. I personally think it's cheap at the price to learn the process. No clue how long it takes to 'do' a quilt. Others here can give you that info. But I would think it would give you the opportunity to see if you like the process at a low investment. And, depending on time estimates, it might be more reasonable than sending quilts out to be done. Plus give you the knowledge about possibly wanting to purchase a similar set up sometime in the future. I say it's a win-win. Go for it.

That is a very reasonable price to take the class. Around here, I have seen the 2 hour classes cost about $150 and that does NOT include any free rental time. I would definitely try it if I were you. I have a long arm machien and it is so mcuh fun to use. Good Luck.

Long arms are fun. I have found I'm craftsy not artsy so I like pantographs verses free motion. I just did a twin took 4 hours to load, quilt and unload. a queen and meandering it would probably take the same because you don't have to plan where too much goes. Good luck and have fun!!!!

I would love to do it. The price is decent. The class is only $35. I just hate the drive. I'm five minutes from JFK. Might really consider it. I was at the quilt show in Lancaster, and was able to play with a LA.. It was a lot of fun.. I'm wondring if it woud help to have a quilting buddy work with you. In other words. Rent the machine for four hours, and work with another quilter on both of your quilts. When one isn't working, they could read, or do something else, but when there is a problem, two heads are better than one.. I have no room for a LA, but would love one. I don't have anything to quilt, as I am involved in a major QAYG project.

We have a place close by that does similar, I have been wanting to try it. I'll be curious how it goes for you!

You should go for it. I have a longarm and you need to know the machine and the correct way to load, thread the machine, and work with tension. It is a must for you to know this. I would never trust anyone to use my machine without knowledge of it. There is alot to know about quilting machines and it will be a good learning experience for you too.

Let's stay in touch Barri 1 and see if we can take the class together. Two heads will remember more than one. I fully plan on taking pictures or even video if they let me. They may not, but it does not hurt to ask. I am thinking if I look at the photos or watch the video over and over again I will remember more. I doubt they'll let me but I will ask next time I am there.