Do most of you have LA tables?
 

I read "The Quilting Board" daily and it seems as though most of you have LA quilting tables. I have a Bernina 830 and bought the LA machine that goes with it but haven't taken it out of the boxes in the 1 1/2 years that I've had the table. My sewing room is plum full so I don't know where I would put it. I pay someone to LA quilt all my quilts and I don't work so I quilt daily and make over 30 quilts a year. That's a lot of money I'm paying the LA quilter. Should I make room (might have to be in my dining room) for my table to save $$$$?

Maybe now is the time to take it out.

I would definitely make room somewhere. Imagine all the money saved by quilting yourself to spend on fabric. :)

I don't have one though I've started to casually look at Craigslist. I'm not sure I want one as I'm still relatively new. Lots of tops but I've only quilted one. Used my DSM.

However...DH has already found a place in our home for a frame setup. I think he's hinting that I need to finish some of my tops.

I think the terminology is a bit confusing (Bernina 830 is not a longarm) but yes, you should consider quilting your own quilts, if only to see if you enjoy that part of the quilt-making process. I did purchase an Innova 26" longarm a couple of years ago, but before that I quilted everything in sections on my Bernina 440QE. I think the majority of quilters either quilt their own, or send theirs to a longarmer, because the LA frames (averaging 12 feet long, and definitely not what is in your box) don't fit in a lot of homes. There are even some sit-down longarms coming out on the market recently that look very interesting and don't take up nearly as much space. (A longarm machine is generally defined as having a throat of 18" or more.)

Yikes! if you sent out 30 quilts to be LA'd, TAKE THAT FRAME OUT OF THE BOX AND SET IT UP!!!! Do you know how much money you're "tossing" that could be used for fabric? Not to mention the satisfaction from completing all of your quilts yourself...Okay, not exactly "tossing" but certainly would be better used for fabric, especially since you have the system already there at home to enable that part of your quilting. Get it going and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun it is! Good luck!

I have a long arm and suggest you take it out and get started you won't be sorry!!!!

Since you are such a prolific quilter, I definitely think learning to LA is the best idea for you. There's a learning curve, but you'll be glad you did it. :thumbup:

There is a third option. Some places rent time on LAQ machines. You could jump on one of those for less money and try it out. Do what you like. Some people who love to LAQ might even barter quilt tops for quilting services.

I don't have one but if I did I' d find somewhere to put it and start practicing!

We don't get overnight company any more since my sister had a stroke, so I sold my day bed for the guest room and put my Bailey 13 in there. The frame is set up at 110'' I also have my sewing machine in one corner. Make room.
Mary in TX

heck ya..use the dinning room..if it is like mine we do not use it anyway so might as well have a frame in there.

I would absolutely love a LA table..BUT.. I have something better, I have a custom made table, built just for me @ my height, no bending, just standing straight up and doing what I love!
katz