Quilting on a domestic or sit down machine has one major problem for me. I can't manhandle a quilt very long at all without back spasms. Usually within about 30 minutes. And I absolutely hate!!!! doing the quilt sandwich. When my friend was selling a very used (1999) Nolting 24 inch with a 12 foot bed, I jumped on it. I still get back spasms but it's not for a couple of hours. I can load the quilt back on the frame in a couple of hours. Then I float the batting and the top. That's day 1. Day 2, I can get most airy Panto's half done on a queen size quilt. If the quilt is a lap, I can finish it in 4 to 6 hours. If the panto is more detailed, it does take me more time.
I don't do free motion...am not artistic and can't draw worth a darn. Moving that sewing machine head around is so much less tedious for me than trying to shove a quilt and keep an even stitch through a short arm. Now, if all my quilting projects were going to be mini's, placemats or table runners, I would probably know I needed two units. I will never give up my stand up Longarm.
And get the biggest throat you can afford. It's so much quicker to finish a quilt if you can make a 16 inch pass each time as opposed to a 6 inch. Takes at least double the time to do the smaller width. I can go up to an 18 inch on my 24 inch throat Nolting. The rollers take up space. The disclaimer....this is my opinion and my experience. Others make absolutely beautifully quilted projects on the mid arms, and I can only admire their work.
Last edited by Barb in Louisiana; 11-08-2017 at 10:52 AM.