Congratulations! I am so happy for you. For me owning a long arm freed me up and let me enjoy my hobby on a higher level. Enjoy!

I don't believe you'll be happy very long with a standard throat size on a domestic machine. Buy the best you can afford, after trying them all out at a major quilt show. You'll be happier while using it, and if the time comes that you want to sell it, you'll be selling a machine which is more desirable to interested buyers. Decide what your "must have" features are, and go from there. Remember there are always used machines available, and quilters advertise them on the internet on various sites. House of Hanson is one of those. The dealers usually have used machines available for sale, too, from people who trade them in for a newer or larger longarm. You can always get more bang for your buck by buying used, and commercial machines run forever with regular oiling. Take your time with this decision so you'll be satisfied for a long time. And have fun shopping!

I recently purchased a sit-down quilting machine by Janome, the Artistic Quilter SD, with 18" throat space and large table with extensions for under $4500. You may want to look into this option. I am very happy with it, I was able to quilt bigger than lap-size quilts and did not get any pain on my shoulders nor feet.

Check out Block Rocket. They look pretty neat and are well within the $6000 budget.

Acajacques,
i still have not made a decision on a long arm yet. It's such an investment and I am looking at the Janome artistic sit down quilter it's been a few months so how do you like yours? Would you buy it again? Pros cons?
Thank you so much!
elizabeth

Congrats to one who purchased nolting. A friend has one 12ft table and has had no probs at all...over 4 yrs now! I have had my apqs for 10+ yrs 14 ft, without any probs...even had a client base for awhile.....

I agree with this. I have a used Hq16 on a used frame with a used PCquilter. Bought it all in 2010. I would love a new frame and a more modern computerized quilting system, but this all works well enough for what I use it for.

If you decide to use your dsm on a frame, make sure the frame can be used on a bigger LA machine as well. That way you can upgrade to a LA with more quilting space and not have to get a new frame for it.

It is a big decision to make. And these days $6000 is not a lot of money to spend on LA quilter and frame. Don't feel guilty about spending the money to do something you love. After all, no one dumps your leftover money in your casket before you're buried, so you might as well get some fun out of that money now.

I'm sorry you're having problems with your HQ. I got mine used in 2010 and have had no problems that didn't turn out to be caused by me. I guess every brand produces lemons. My machine is happy with CT polyester spools; I haven't really tried other threads, so who knows what would happen if I used 100% cotton?

I love my Innova wouldn't trade it or the service....when I bought it i went to a big show with a notebook and test drove every one I could ....took notes ...crossed them off the list ...test drove all of them left again and again ....not sorry worth the time and money.