My husband is looking at a job just south of Wichita. I want to get out of casinos if we move, and I'd love to be a long-armer when I grow up. What's the market like there? Can I make a living? The bills will be paid off, so I won't need a lot, but a girl has to support her habit!
Right now, in Las Vegas, there's about a 6 week average wait for a quilt to be done. In Denver, it seems like everyone and her cousin has a long arm and it's a 2 week turnaround.

There are TONS of LAQ's in Wichita, KS! Is this the right Wichita?
They also service many rural communities around southwest KS and Northeast OK! They have great shops and a wonderful show every other year..next year will be the year!

I lived in Wichita from 1992-1998. Of course, I can't tell you what the market for LA is like there now, but there were 3-4 quilt shops w/i a very short drive of Wichita and the quilting community was LOVELY (and lively!). I wish you the best of luck with your move.

Having lots of long arm quilters in the area sure doesn't bring the price down. Out in the rural areas here they prices are much lower to have a quilt quilted than in the metropolitan area.

we must be too metro here in Enid then...these LAQ's want a fortune for quilting...and we have about 20 of just here in town...

I need to find me a more rural one that charges a true cost for doing them...or I have to quit making them...I already have 22 that need quilting and can not afford to get them quilted and have NO room to do them myself...

Sometimes I take mine 2 hrs away where they charge 35 for a king size which is cheap. They only do pantograms.

I live south of Wichita in a small town.There is only one and she is booked up for months.

Most of the best longarm work I have had done is by mail. I have never met ( face to face) the many of the pro's that have done work on my quilts.
I will tell you it seems many LA'ers in my area just want to do Panto's and finding someone local who will do anythng custom is difficult unless you are willing to wait 6-9 months. Many in my area have stopped taking on new customers for custom work.
So even if there are many in the area .. there is still work ot there and opportunity to build a business.

Thanks so much for all the info!
Jacquie, we need to meet if we move there! You sound like fun!
Frarose, $35 for a king? That's just wrong! That's less than minimum wage just to load it! (almost)
My plans are to buy my machine by Christmas so I can practice like crazy. I have to stay in Vegas til June, the boys graduate then. I'd like to be confident enough to go into business by the time I join him out there.
Hey, Jacquie, maybe you can let me practice on some of your tops!

I know a lady here on the board that is in Wichita and looking to sell her LA set up!