Well I thought I would jump in here...
I own a long arm..just purchased my second machine...
I think we all have different gifts...I picked up longarm quilting easily...I know not everyone does...so I appreciate the ones that want to help support me.
I love hand quilting ...Well the looks of hand quilting ..I don't do it myself because I have never learned how ...but also very time consuming... When I see some of Borntohandquilt's quilts..I am amazed that she can just churn them out the way she does..that is her gift....and they are so stunning!
Some people just prefer piecing and they piece very well..if you aren't as good at quilting ...but you love your quilt why not send out the quilt?
IN all reality I wanted my own long arm machine so I could finish my own quilts...what I realized along the way is that now it doesn't matter as much to me..our needs/wants change with time..we are ever growing and ever changing.
When people who had their own LAQ machine would send me their quilts to LAQ ..I thought that was strange..now i get it! I sent out some of my own to a fellow board member..I am excited to see what she odes with them because she will put a new spin on something I started to create....and I am excited about our collaboration..in the end I hope everyone feels that way when they send me a quilts as well.
BUt there is a downside sometimes to having a LAQ machine...yes lots of space..they take up lots and lots of space. money..I had to make it a business to pay for my machine..I prayed for ten quilts a month. Just to make my pamt. Long hours standing in front of a machine.
But in the end all of that is worth it. I get to be creative. I meet new people all of the time. People who share in the same hobby as I do. I get to stay home with my kids and help support my family. The benefits of owning my long arm outweigh any negative.....That is just my own personal experience...and I don't expect anyone to share any or all of that.....if it's not your thing..it's not your thing. No pressure because there is room for all of us!