My DML taught me how to quilt back in the early 80's and I've been addicted since. We always hand quilted everything. In 1985 I was in a quilt shop picking up fabric and the owner was quilting on a LA and I hated it. To me she was just making a comforter. She was just running a pattern from the top to the bottom in rows. So I was not interested in that kind of quilting at all. About 5 years ago my LQS got in a LA, the lady wanted to show it to me, I told her no thanks because I didn't think that was quilting. She started showing me what she could do and I was blown away. I couldn't afford the setup they had but started quilting on my dsm and loved it. Last year I purchased a Mega Quilter with a 9" throat. It didn't take long to figure out it wasn't big enough. Great to learn on. So I've been saving like mad and will be getting a LA this fall. Can't wait.