i knew i wanted a longarm within the first couple of months of quilting.
i hated quilting by moving the quilt and was never going to let someone else quilt my quilts for me.
i like to have total control over the project instead of allowing someone else to put their artistic voice on my work.
it took me about 12 months or so to find a used setup that i wanted.
i was a beginner when i got it since it was my first time ever using a longarm.
at this point i would consider myself advanced or professional since i make my living thru quilting.