ILoveToQuilt

I agree with justflyingin. Research your market carefully. The area I live in has so many "professional" LA quilters the market is saturated and anyone starting up a new LA business would be hard pressed to get clients. Some of the gals have been in business for so many years they have the local market all tied up. I know of one woman who used to rent machine time in her studio, but I think this may have been more of a class on LA techniques while using her machine. That business didn't last long, so now she is just another one of the local LA "professionals" competing for the same customers that the other LA gals are competing for.

If you can afford the LA machine, go for it. I wouldn't buy a LA machine if it would put me in debt. You will probably not be able to recoup your money over the short-term as there is definitely a learning curve in starting up any business. Please consider the following: How long can you afford a loan payment without money coming in from your "business" to help repay it? Will buying the machine impact any other aspect of your life and create a hardship? Making money in any business is not guaranteed, especially with the economy the way it is now. I know up here, many people do not have the "discretionary" funds (money to spend on things other than essentials) to spend on hobbies, etc. Basically, what I am trying to say is you can't "go to the bank" (or repay your loan/business expenses) with monies you haven't earned yet...and not to be a spoilsport, but it might be a while (if ever) before you start making money. Most new businesses fail in the first 5 years - at least in this area (northeast), not that I am saying that your business will fail, it's just one of the realities of start-ups. You also must consider the tax implications if you are going to start a business. Also, consider your city/town zoning laws. Does your neighborhood allow "in home" businesses? If you are filing taxes on the business, the city or town usually knows that you are running a business from your home, so you can't "hide" it. Since it will be in your home, what will happen to your home owners insurance? Rates may change and usually not for the better - premiums go up and you may have to buy more coverage. One woman I know sells soap and hand-made craft items from her home and must carry $1 million dollars in coverage just in case someone gets hurt while on her property. (Consider the person who is dropping off or picking up a quilt who slips and falls on your property. Can you afford this?)

If you want to buy the machine strictly for your own pleasure and you can afford to do so...GO FOR IT! I say lucky you. I am not an MBA, lawyer, insurance or tax expert...I just play one on television...LOL...so the above is just my opinion.

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.