Peckish

My answer - it depends. If you are aiming at starting a quilting business, then absolutely. If you aim to really take advantage of the classes and training offered, and learn as much as you can, then yes. If you feel you can learn well on your own, are good at troubleshooting issues with the machine, and have the time and patience to practice a LOT, then you could probably save yourself the $1500.

Can you tell which way I'm leaning?

Nilla

I'm only planning to quilt for myself, not as a business. Well, I want to donate quilts to charity as well as for family/friends/myself. I understand the basics of long arming, having rented time on one and having done a good bit of hands on research, but I'm easily frustrated and will probably get upset if I can't figure something out.

I did forget to mention that in addition to weekly classes, that dealer includes leaders and a few spools of thread so you can start quilting on a practice quilt while they are in the home. The other dealer charges separately for the leader cloths. Also, with the classes, they provide a quilt sandwich each week, which you will then take home and do "homework" on your own machine and bring back the following week so they can be sure you're mastering the skills. The classes are individual so you are the sole focus and last roughly 2 hours depending on individual need.

tellabella

I did forget to mention that in addition to weekly classes, that dealer includes leaders and a few spools of thread so you can start quilting on a practice quilt while they are in the home. The other dealer charges separately for the leader cloths. Also, with the classes, they provide a quilt sandwich each week, which you will then take home and do "homework" on your own machine and bring back the following week so they can be sure you're mastering the skills. The classes are individual so you are the sole focus and last roughly 2 hours depending on individual need.[/QUOTE]


Here is just my opinion...$1500 is a LOT of money to me...I bought a new Longarm this year...dealer is out 2 hours away...I had one full day class that was included ...I did the class after a bit of my own practice...I had done a couple of pantos and 1 quilt for myself...then I brought my questions to my lesson..she was wonderful...I bypassed the dealer that was 30 minutes from my home...
besides this, I have learned TONS from YOU TUBE ....and yahoo groups and blogs, etc..there is so much info out there...and if you have already rented out you should be fine..if you need lessons, you can take them too...using your $1500 savings...and spread the lessons out so you can practice practice practice and for me weekly lessons would not offer me enough consolidation ...go slow and have fun...

DOTTYMO

Okay. I purchased the smaller frame which goes with a sewing machine. Works the same. I purchased a juki with a big throat to fit on machine.
I set it all up very excited and put on a piece of fabric I didn't like with some backing same feeling. It was a single bed size then.... I planned to just go mad and practise anything. I used over 1000 metres of thread and kept going. It was covered with patterns . Dropped it onto the seat to plan the binding and turned around 3 dogs were sitting there. It has become their favourite quilt. I was also very pleased with it. For the next 3-4 days I could hardly move, I would suggest that you practise one area of a quilt for twenty minutes have a drink and move. Keep doing this with longer times.
I use it for specific quilts so I can leave and go back. But keep going a class or lessons with another long arm quilter may be exactly what you need.

carolaug

Thank you for this post...I am very impressed!!! Smart move on Innova...I will be looking in the near future for a long arm...no idea which one but this is a really good story on a company that cares!!! Kee

nellie

boy do i have buyers remorse, i had a deal with todd the sales man at sewing machine plus,i had started a lay away plan with him for a avante long arm with a studio frame i was putting money each month around $1,000.00 or less for my machine,well i was close to the amount for that machine i just needed $2,000.00 more to pay it off i could not wait i was so happy ,then one day todd calls me and tells me that they just got a very nice HQ16 with a stitch regulater,well he told me that could have that machine for the amount i had save with them which was $7,000.00 and that the only differance would be in the quilting space which would be 3 inches instead of 14 inches,todd told me that the advante is 18 inches long but quilting space is only 15 inches and the HQ 16 has a space of 12 inches, so i would only lose 3 inches ,well i throught about it and i ask him if im getting everything just like advante and just losing 3 inches then it would be ok if i was getting the studio frame with it oh yes he it will come with the deal ,well i thought i could live with that ,well they came early to set it up and i notice that they were dusting and cleaning a used table ,so i get on the phone to ask todd about this table set up and he told me that it comes with the HQ16 ,but i said that was not the deal we maked and he said if i wanted the studio frame it would cost me more money for it ,i was heart broken to hear this. after the men left i notice a old manual and some missing things from the top where the screen is ,i,ve called him several times telling him that i did,nt want this old machine with a part missing from screen and for $7,000.00 i got nothing like threads or needles or any of the goodies that comes when you buy there machines ,i have even talk to the manager and other sales persons about the rutten deal todd gave me and all they say is sorry but we can,t do anything about it that was between you both .well one day i got an email from there store about a big sale on most of there long arms and other sewing machines because they where moving to a new building next door and they wanted to get rid of there old machines and make room for the new ones coming in. boy i felt stupid and used and tooken advanages of , and on top of that with the old manual i came to find out that the long arm was alreally 5 years old how boy talk about beening double stupid on my part what a expensive lesson ,boy i know i will never buy from sewing machine plus.com so you ladies beware when buying there

Nilla

Tellabella, I hear what you are saying. 1500 is a lot. I actually like the idea of personalized weekly classes. It will keep any concerns/issues freshly in my mind, and I can devote plenty of time to mastering new skills, but yes, it's a lot of money. For now I've decided to try to put it out of my mind. The Juki Virtuoso release is postponed until Feb. now and I'm intrigued by what I've heard about that machine, plus it's even less expensive. I'm taking that as my sign that I need to be patient. I don't like feeling stressed and uncertain about something that's supposed to be for fun!

Nellie, what a horrible story. I feel awful for you.

amandasgramma

Yes, at times...I, too, feel the car could be paid off had I not bought mine. BUT, then I go out to the machine (in a separate shop) and I realize I really LOVE longarming!!! My 2nd regret is that I started taking in customer quilts......The good side to that is that I've been challenged and have made a little money, the downside is it took up ALL my time and has caused high blood pressure at times!!! Would I give it up --- NOPE!!!! DH and I are planning a long winter in Arizona next year...........I'm already starting to miss my machine!!!!

pumpkinpatchquilter

I just had to comment - I have heard stories like this over and over again about Neil and the customer service that comes from Innova machines. I am researching long arms right now for a purchase in the spring, and I don't know if an Innova is in my price range but I'll tell you what, these stories really push me to that brand. Customer service just means so much - these are huge purchases for us, and what a difference it makes to know that you as a customer are cared about and they want you to have a good experience. Don't ever change that INNOVA!!! IT MATTERS!!!

wolph33

we seldom need tech support --but Innova tech support is available 24/7 and they are great.the timing went out on Thanksgiving the 1st year we had ours.they were there for us and taught us over the phone and emailed pics so we got her done asap.lol-only true junkies are quilting on Thanksgiving anyway.I whole heartedly recommend Innova as the best there is.