since you are accustomed to working on a long arm, I suggest you try out a sit-down and one of the mid arms before you make any decision--go to a major show that will have all and take Mom! You may find that a smaller set-up works just fine or you may find that you don't like it enough that you'd just not use it--money wasted. If you do go with a long arm, most 12' frames can be put diagonally into about any bedroom and still allow moving around space, etc. Also, keep in mind that you are used to moving the machine not the quilt--a sit-down would be moving the quilt which is a very different movement.