At the quilt shows you will have the opportunity to try all different long arms, Sweet Sixteen, etc. I did this at the Paducah Show. As far as Paducah NOW, there is nothing to try other than English Sewing where they carry Pfaff and Brother machines.
Here's what I came away with after trying everything. I have no desire to do quilting for hire. I just wanted something that would "work" whenever I wanted to finish a quilt out with FMQ.
The long arms are BIG, they're nice with the stitch regulator, and very expensive. $4500 and up. I just could not justify that kind of $ for the little FMQ I would be doing. Plus, I would have to give up a very large part of my sewing room. I have a bed in there, and it would have had to go.
I ended up buying a Brother Nouvelle 1500S. It has a 9" arm and 6" heighth. I am using it solely for FMQ. Tension set for the thickness of my sandwich. So far it is working just fine. No broken threads, or birds nest on the back. It is my lack of ability that is the only problem. Got to keep practicing.
My FMQ
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