Congratulations and hopefully you will decide to get the Innova after your training. I really learned a lot at my training and I was not new to longarm quilting. I have had my Innova machine (22" with LS on a 12' table) for 3 years and I love it more now than when I bought it. I do all hand guided work and it is very responsive and consistently makes a beautiful stitch. You will not be disappointed.