I started out on a Handi Quilter. One thing you want to make note of, is that as you roll your quilt, that 13" will quickly become 10". You have learn how to quilt anything larger than an 8" block in halves. Meaning, if you are quilting a design in a 12" block and the whole design doesn't fit in your quilting space, you will have to quilt the top of the design, then roll your quilt and then quilt the bottom of that design. And that will happen across the whole quilt, with each roll. I found that to be true with the Handi Quilter and it has a 16" throat. But this machine could be a good starter for you and it will let you know if you want to persue longarm quilting. I am now in my tenth year of longarming and now own a Statler Stitcher.