When someone is willing to pay for my time I am a handquilter for hire. I have seen some excellant work done by Long armers. I know several ladies that do outstanding work. While I shelled out for my wonderful Berina sewing machines, serger and embroidery machines I am not willing to put thousands of dollars into a long arm machine. I also have no place adequete to set one up in my home. I can handquilt and watch TV or listen to a book on tape or hold a conversatoin with friends or family. My main expenses are thread, needles, thimbles and a frame. A long armer has a huge investment in the machine that will take years to pay for unless she charges others for her work. While I am a very speedy handquilter a long armer can finish a quilt in days that would take me months.
Decide what is most important to you. Time, money or a finished quilt.