I am a fair Fmq quilter on my domestic machine but had basically never used a long arm until I took classes at the AQS show in Lancaster. HQ supplied the machines for the classes. It took me a bit to make the switch from sit- down to stand up but by the end of the classes i was perking right along. I loved how easy the machines were to use. If I could have afforded it I would have bought one there and then.