If you have a longarm, what kind do you have?
 

If you have a longarm machine, what kind do you have, how long have you had it,
and about how many quilts have you quilted on it?
Thanks.

I have a Bailey Pro 17E on a Majestic frame. I started using it late December I I quilted four quilts not counting practice. It no bells, no whistles machine but it serves it's purpose and I like it. Price tag was the biggest consideration since the whole set up was about $5000. If I had the money I would probably go for 24" Handy Quilter which would be about $12500, but that's just me. Good luck.

I have a Gammill Vision 18-8. I bought it at the Houston International Quilt Festival in November 2011 (less than 1 1/2 years ago). In the 2 1/2 years I was quilting before I bought it, I quilted around 10 quilts on my DSM. After getting it, I quilted over 20 in first 12 months. That number would probably be much higher if I didn't work full time and could quilt all day.

I have a midarm: Voyager 17 on Hinterberg stretch frame. Bought it used in October of last year from a fellow quilt guild member. So far I have quilted 3 queen-sized-plus quilts on it and am very, very pleased with the results. Only wish I had invested in a frame setup ten years ago!

I have a 24" Prodigy purchased about 9 years ago, and an A-1 with Intelliquilter (computerized quilter) purchased about 4-1/2 years ago. Not sure of the number of quilts, but I'm guessing between the 2 machines it's probably about 1000??? Okay, grin, they're not all mine, I quilt as a business for others ;-)

Andi

I have a Nolting and it is wonderful with terrific tech. support. I have done maybe 50 quilts on it in the last 5 months.
This is my second machinewith my first being a Tin Lizzie which was a real lemon with absolutely no tech. or company support. Noltings are work horses that just can't be beat. I "driven" most other brands and have not found one that is better no matter what the price. Nolting cost maybe a little more than Tin Lizzie but are sush a great machine it is well worth the difference.

I have a Nolting 14 on a smart 65" frame, and I hope to start using it in a month or so. Got it last March, was one of the first things I got for our new house, and the remodel is almost done so can get back to my quilting.

I have a baby lock crown jewel with a Qbot attached (computer for quilting designs) that I've had for 4 months now and have quilted 9 quilts on it so far. I love it!

I have an ABM Innova 26" throat on a 10ft frame.
I got it July 2010
I have quilted 32 quilts on it. Like Laurlyn, if I didn't have to work full time I could quilt all day. But my other commitments pretty much restrict my quilting time to weekends only :thumbdown:

Innova also has absolutely amazing tech support and customer service. Their on call tech support is 24-7-365. I called over Christmas holiday weekend and in less than 15 minutes the owner/president of the company called me back and walked me through my issue. While on the phone with him I could hear the beep of another call coming in which I ignored. Turns out it was another tech trying to call me. Upon hanging up I immediately got two more calls from two more techs making sure I had been taken care of. Now THAT is service.

I absolutely adore my Innova.

Wow! The Innova is my dream machine and would be what I upgrade to some day, if I ever upgrade. So nice to know about their level of tech support!

I have a Nolting PRO 24", 12ft table, M size bobbin and hydralic legs. I love my machine. Noltings are USA made and service is top rate. I only quilt for myself but have lost count of quilts and things I've done. LOVE LOVE it.

I have an Innova 26" with Lightening Stitch (stitch regulator) on a 12 foot table. I love the tech support and the ease of use compared to some other brands. It is also an easy machine to upgrade without having to buy a new machine each time something new comes along.

I learned to LA on a Nolting 18" (?)[non-regulated] at the LQS near my old house which they had lessons and then you could rent time on it. They upgraded to a Gammill (non-regulated), which I also used.

I had looked at a Tin Lizzie at a dealer before I moved. One shop in town near our new house did have a rental machine, but were changing from a Tin Lizzie to a Gammill dealership and the machine was unavailable at the beginning. They were also going to make me take their LA class before using their machine.

When we moved, my DH said I could have a LA. I then also tried a HQ at a show, but the dealer told me I would have to bring the head in (it weighs like 45 lbs) every year to the shop for servicing. Then I was told about the Innova and I went to the dealer and tried it. I fell in love with it.

However, as other people have said on many threads and logs, you have to try the different machines to find the one you like. You also have to know what you can afford and what space you have as well as how good is the customer support. Also, as one person said, learning on a rental machine is good to see whether you really like to LA.

I have an Avante 18" Handi Quilter with the 12' studio frame. I got it in April of 2012 and I have quilted 25 quilts so far. I got the 12' frame because I already had 3 king size quilts ready to be quilted. I don't have a quilting business - just for personal use. I love my Avante. It is easy to use, glides along nicely and is not picky about thread. I love the Handi Quilter Tech support - they are very, very helpful if you have any issues. They also have great webinars for training right in your own home. I bought my Avante from a local dealer and he came out and set it up for me and gave me lessons on how to use it. That was so very helpful - showed me how to load a quilt and how to thread the machine and how to set the bobbin tension and do different types of quilting. He also gives out his cell phone in case you have any questions or issues. He is an authorized Handi Quilter repairman also. Before purchasing mine, I went to a quilt show and tried out all the brands. The Avante runs very smoothly, glides along nicely when quilting. I thought some of the other brands quilted smoothly as well, but I liked that the Handi Quilter dealer would come and set it up in my house and was close by in case I had any problems. Although calling Handi Quilter Tech support is fine - they answer right away and walk you through any issues or questions. I don't think they are open 24/7 though, like I read above from someone who has an Innova. I would say test drive them all and see what feels good to you. Look at the different frames as well and the different types of track systems. That is important, too. I really like the Handi Quilter studio frame and track system. I had a friend go with to look at all the systems since she already had a long arm and knew what she liked and didn't like about hers. She thought the Avante Handi Quilter was a good pick.

i have an HQ-16, have had it since 2004, have quilted a few hundred quilts on it...probably 65-90 a year give or take in individual years

I also have a NOLTING PRO 24 w/ 12' table. Intelistitch is the only whistle that came with the machine. I love this machine. Getting started was not an easy task but the company was there all the way with me. My dealer is terrific too.
All my stitching is Free motion. This machine is wonderful to use. Smooth. Even the sound is cool. Like a muscle car of the quilting industry.
I can't even begin to count how many quilts I have done.

I do not quilt professionally. I just love to quilt.
peace

I have a Husqvqrna/Viking 18 " computerized machine with 10 foot frame. I have had it about 4 years and have quilted between 100 and 200 quilts, mostly lap size.

I have a Nolting. I bought my mom's machine about 6 weeks ago. I have had a lot of fun with it. The Nolting factory is about 45 miles away and they have great dealer support. I have so much to learn but I am loving it.

I have a Gammill Premier Plus, bought about four years ago.I love it and have quilted probably 200-250 quilts on it in that time. I had an old New Home (I think that was the name of it) set up but sold it shortly after I got the Gammill; I did several on it as well. My Premier is on a 12-foot frame.

i to have an innova ...got it almost 3 years ago and have quilted over 500 quilts on it ..the service is great .....what little service i have needed .....evenings weekends or nights it doesn't matter .....i would not trade it in......have used a few others just not impressed with them

I bought my Gammill Classic used about 12 yrs ago. I was working full time until 4 yrs ago. Some of you are very prolific. There have been maybe 25 quilts done on it by myself and others. At the time I bought it, all my quilts were large size. Now, I do small art quilts that are easier done on my domestic machine.

I just got my longarm in Jan. the day before my shoulder surgery so I have only done one baby size quilt and some practice. I am a owner of a nustyle no bells or whistles it is 17" with a 12ft table I believe it will be great I am almost done with theropy and my shoulder feels pretty good I have several that need to be done.

I have an older APQS Ultimate I that I purchased used almost three months ago...and so far I've quilted about 15 quilts on it. I love it! But...I'm also an obsessed quilter of ten years. I quilt just about every day so I knew that if I hadn't gotten sick of it by now I'd be safe to invest a few bucks into a machine and frame. LOL*

I have an APQS Millenium, stitch regulated, 14 ft. frame. She takes up a lot of space, but I dearly love her. She's the Jennie in Jennie and Me. Bought her new in 2004. APQS has a great support team and their machines are USA made in Carroll, Iowa. I've quilted several hundred quilts on her, most for others. Hand driven by me. But I still keep thinking that I will try to do some quilting(small stuff) on my domestic machine. I'll get up the nerve one of these days!;)

I have a Gammill Opimum Statler Stitcher. This is my third machine. I had a Gammill Classic (1999) then a Classic Plus (2002) then the Statler(2005). (Love it) I have no idea how many quilts I have done, A lot! I worked full time and quilted until 2009. I got layed off from my job, sold my car, paid off my statler and have been a happy quilter ever since. : )

HQ 16 with pc-quilter for computerized quilting. I've had it for about 3 years and done about 20 quilts on it. I only do edge to edge patterns, though, because of some health issues. If I didn't buy it, I would have gone broke getting my quilt tops 'done' by someone else. I had 2 done at about $200 a piece, and didn't like the result.

Sometimes I still don't like the result of the quilting, but now I have only myself to blame.

I'd love to have a really big long arm, but realistically, that isn't in the financial cards. My HQ16, bought second hand, is a work horse. After 3 years of use, I was going to take it to be serviced when DH said. "Let me do it."

I hesitated, but then told him he could service it (he's handy mechanically), but if it didn't work after he was done, I was upgrading to a bigger machine. That might have motivated him; he cleaned it and put it back together with no 'extra screws'. After taking it apart, the only thing that it needed was to removal of a few pieces of thread that had lodged the mechanics.

The bottom line is that, for a relatively simple machine like the HQ16, self service is possible if you're mechanically inclined.

I have a dream of owning one someday.....does that count?

I have an HQ16 and love the ease of use of the machine, great customer service, lots of videos on the web and have called with questions and have been talked through a few of my problems. Have used almost all brands of thread and all of them work fine, and have quilted several hundred quilts in the 4 years I've had my machine.

I am in the market for a long arm. Will be going to the local machine quilters show so I can try all the different brands. I have a LQS where I learned to use one and rent time on it. They have a Prodigy 24". Have to say I LOVE that machine. I am considering getting the 22" Innova with a 12ft table. Unless one of the other machines really strikes my fancy more. **Anxiously awaiting the april show so I can try and buy :)

It's a Gammill for me. Purchased new in 2000 from West Plains, MO. I lost count of how many tops I quilted when I reached 1,125. This machine is not computerized and no stitch regulator, but it is a great workhorse. I simple love this machine and every single minute quilting with it.

Viking 18x8, Imperial 10 ft frame, Qbot.

I have a Gammill Optima equipped w/a Statler Stitcher that I purchased Oct 2007. I went back & looked at my records. I didn't track it the 1st year but the years I did track it, I did between 90-100 quilts a year. I have only had to have one service call in the entire time that I've owned my machine. Fortunately for me, the Gammill dealer is only about 20 mins from where I live. It's an expensive piece of equipment, but it did pay for itself over time AND it keeps me busy *smiles*.

I just took delivery on an Innova 22 in with Lightning Stitch (digital stitch regulator) ..LOVE IT! (deliver as in THIS morning! lolol)

I have a Gammill Optimum with a Statler Stitcher - I've had it since June of 2008 - not sure how many quilts I've done on it, but it's a great machine and I've had very few problems with it!

I have the HQ Avante. It's the 18" LA on the 12' table. I love my machine, it's so smooth it just glides. I've been using mine for approximately 5 months and have quilted around 15 quilts. I have experimented using every thread under the sun and have had great success.

Mine is a Bailey Pro 17E with a stitch regulator and a Grace Majestic frame, not computerized. I've had it since middle of September 2012. Thus far I have done 6 large lap quilts, over 55 by 65." Five of them are Quilts of Valor while one is for my DH. I love it! I now have microhandles (made for Bailey by Finishing Touches) which I have been using on a practice sandwich....works great for very small quilting designs. When I don't need them for regular FMQ, the handles can be turned up out of the way. Right now there's another QOV and a smaller charity lap quilt lap ready to be loaded on Bailey. Can't wait. We just got 6 inches of snow and it is still snowing. Perfect timing!

I have the QueenQuilter18, the original version of Tin Lizzie. Only bell is stitch regulation. It's on a 10' Grace frame. I've had it almost a year now, but had problems with the frame in the beginning. It wasn't set up right, operator error on my part. Once I got it straightened out, I've done probably 40 quilts on it. She'll take any thread I throw at her. Tin Lizzie has been great with any support I've needed. She's a workhorse of a machine. Just went to a quilt show & test drove some other machines & am looking to upgrade. I really like the APQS & Handiquilters.

I have an APQS Millie. We got her in May 2004 and have completed about 500 to 1000 quilts for custmers and for my self. I have had two problems in that time and the service was great from APQS to get the machine fixed.

I have a HQ Avante and Prostitcher, for 3 years now. I lost track on how many quilts I have made.

I have an A-1 Elite with a 12 foot table. I have had it since 2006. Never had a minutes trouble out of it. I have quilted over 1000 quilts on it, I quilt for the public.