Originally Posted by
Farm Quilter
I bought my 18" Innova 3.5 years ago for $7,000. They have gone up in price a bit...I think the 26" Innova is $12,000, including the frame. Before I found the Innova, I was looking at spending $25-35,000 on a Gammill to get all the things I wanted on it, so I figured I got a huge bargain with the Innova...and the Innova dances with me much better then any of the Gammills (or other LAs) I tried. And I really appreciate having 24/7/365 tech support with my Innova!!
Susan
I agree. I was lucky enough to afford the 26" with Lightening stitch (stitch regulator) and 12 ft frame, but still cheaper than Gammill, especially when you realize the maintenance is minimal compared with a Gammill. I used to rent time on a Gammill with no stitch regulator at at a LQS near my home, $100 for all day class (they had a used Nolting with no SR first, then upgraded to the Gammill) and $12/hr - no minimum time, but they were only open 10-4 and I worked FT.
Then we moved and the only LQS that rented a machine (Tin Lizzie) was going to require me to take another 6 hour certification class ($125) and charged $25/hr (2 hr minimum). They have now switched to a Gammill and are charging the same rates, plus a $75 refundable deposit. You also have to buy a set of zipper leads to use on your quilt.
At those rates, I figured since I had some money saved that I should go ahead and get mine and I love it. I can quilt on my own time and at my own speed. Don't have to worry about rushing to finish.
I tried on a regular machine and don't like pushing the fabric through. I also prefer to do my quilts from beginning to end, so sending it out was not for me, either. The only quilts I will do for others are charity quilts for guild, otherwise it's just my quilts.