One thing that really helped me make decision was I took a day long class using the sweet sixteen sit down machine at the Road to CA quilt show. I learned a skill I wanted to know and I learned that I liked using a sit down machine.
The reasons I chose a sit down machine are
1. I like to do whole quilt designs. This is not easy to do on a frame. In addition to the typical quilts I do a lot of art quilts. I do have it set up right next to a big table, so the quilt is completely supported. I may put a table on the other side.
2. My FMQ skills on my home machine transferred very well. This isn’t applicable to you.
3. The cost was considerably less. $3000 for a good used machine.
4. Not as much maintenance hassles. Less parts to go wrong.
Since you have no experience with FMQ I would be hesitant to buy either type without first renting at least 6 hours on a machine somewhere, with expert guidance. You need to see what’s involved with maintaining the machines, especially a long arm, and the learning curve to FMQ can be pretty large. There are so many people who buy these machines and find them too difficult to use easily. If you can’t take a class at a a show or local shop I would consider paying a local long arm owner to give you some lessons on their machine. Also it’s clear that having good support from the makers of the machine through shops or telephone support is crucial and should be a high priority. This may be the most important thing for new owners.
when I went to Road to Ca I was impressed with the people who sold the sweet sixteen and George. I didn’t even stop at the block rocket booth. They had hired a bunch of young men for the show who didn’t have the experience of the other sales people. The others seemed to be in it for the long haul. The sweet sixteen vendors helped me find a used machine from one of their customers who upgraded to a long arm. They didn’t make much on this sale.
Take me your time. Spend the time to make sure this is what you want. You can pay for hundreds of tops to be professsionally quilted with what you’ll spend on a long arm.
Good luck!
Last edited by mjpEncinitas; 11-25-2017 at 07:14 AM.