I looked at a top of the line with all the bells and whistles a few years back after attending a show. Well at that time it was almost $30,000.00 investment. I very quickly figured out that even if I send out 10 quilts per year... its not worth it. Granted you can get used or less bells and whistles ... but even at a $10,000 investment .. it would take lots of quilts before it paid for itself.
One cost that is often overlooked is the start -up.. the learning curve... you will need supplies to practice .
By using a pro , I can select a specific pro for the style of the quilt and I have no "learning curve" fo me to learn that style of quilting.
I would love to be able to complete all my quilts start to finish ... but I also enjoy going further into my skills as a piecer. I did not think I would have the time to do both as well as I wanted. So for me even if I won the lottery ... I would not get one... and if I did win the cost of sending them out would no longer be an issue.
Another note ... a friend bought a Long Arm set up .. and she has had a very tough time managing the expectations of quilting friends and relatives. She bought it strictly for her own use .. but is constantly pestered by those who want to "borrow" her machine or beg her to quilt "just this one quilt". She says its like being the only one in the neighborhood with a pool on a hot summer day.
Last edited by Lori S; 06-09-2012 at 12:19 PM.