I am in the process of scheduling lessons and rental time here at an APQS studio here in Florida. To rent their machines, you have to take an all day hands on lesson which is for$125 and that includes a zipper set which my understanding enables you to get your quilt ready and reduce loading time. Really yave no clue about longarming at all, so looking forward ton the lesson.
The studio charges $20 an hour for rental plus cost of thread. The time it takes to finish quilting depends on the size of the quilt and the quilt design you choose, I've been told that quilting a queen size with a simple all over design will be about four hours, didn't catch if that includes loading time or not.
Have my lesson scheduled in ten days, can't wait!