How exciting!!! I'm sure that you will love her. Buyers regret will end when she gets to you. Just call me green with envy. lol

You will love your machine! What will you name it? I had a nustyle called Momma Machine (long story)..now I have a TL18LS I simply call Lizzie.
Find a yahoo group for Nolting machines & join...search every part of that group & ask tons of questions. But...remember that the online groups for specific machines are going to have more HELP! posts than I LOVE IT! posts.

Our TinLizzieLongarm group on yahoo has over 760 members..about 1% post on a regular basis...and most of those are new users asking questions, having issues (usually tension or user errors)..and the rest are the replies to help them learn their machine. It's the nature of the online groups for specific products...folks can't get to a dealer after hours, and come onto the groups to get help...and usually do get that help.

I am on several groups with a lady who has 2 Noltings & just loves them. She does all kinds of quilts. http://www.seajayquilting.com/
Connie is the owner of seajayquilting & is very helpful and has helped me many times.

Congrats, I hope you get along with yours better than I am with mine. We got a used one and set it up by ourselves. I'm thinking I'm too short - I'm 5 ft 1 inch tall. Then the other thing is the thread keeps breaking. I just can't seem to get comfortable with mine. So the best of luck to you, I'm hoping it works for you.

I was the same way with the first system I bought, then something happens after the first creation being taken off the frame....love and the convenience of it being right there at your beck and call. Since the FIRST, DH and I've bought many a system (some used and some new) and my newest baby is a Crystal (stitch regulator, needle up/needle down, pano ledge and thread cutter included). Now we have friends coming over to 'play'. Such fun.

Yeah!!! Can't wait to see what you make with it?

You'll LOVE IT! I had waited for years to redo my falling apart kitchen, but when we put the down payment to start it, I was almost sick! But when it got in- I knew it was the right thing - and you will too! Lucky you!

You will love it!
It does take some getting used to using a longarm, but well worth the effort. Don't expect perfect quilting right away - LOL - ask me how I know.
Just take it easy and enjoy it.
Be sure to join the yahoo group. Homequiltingsystems. It's a great place to learn and get help from.
Don't look back = just forward!!!

My thoughts too Dunster. I simply can not imagine anyone having the reach to utilize that much throat space, unless it is computerized. I have a 26" and have a hard time reaching. Don't get me wrong, it is lovely to have that much space but I am definitely at my absolute maximum reach at 26" and that is standing on my tippy toes when I am quilting at the top.

I'm sure you'll love once it arrives. I'm having buyer's angst right now - but that's because my machine was due on the 18th and it's still not here :( Sniff, sniff, whine. I wanna play! I"m sure you'll love it when it arrives. Did you test-drive?

Perhaps try to look at it this way, worse comes to worse you sell it....not like a husband you keep forever..... just give it time and lots of pratice before you make a decision, I envy your ability to purchase one, as I am still free motion quilting on my little Bernina.....Just give it time and ask a million questions....and then some............

Congratulations. I'm sure you'll do fine. Our local quilt shop has classes for folks; does yours in AR? That might be helpful.

Good for you. Just tell yourself you will learn to use and you will practice until you do get it right. Enjoy!!!

Awesome! I've been longarming for almost a year and although I have a love/hate relationship with my machine, I love longarm quilting! Just remember to breathe! You'll love it!

Just allow yourself to feel remorse for a bit. And then it will pass, especially when you take delivery on this wonderful machine, and you'll be okay. There's no help for it, I think, if you're built like that. The last time I bought a car it sat in my driveway for days and I wouldn't even look at it or drive it, I had such remorse. But it passed and I was fine. For some people, it's just a big GULP! thinking about spending all that money......after you've done it!

You've done something good for yourself. Try to relax and enjoy it!

I bought my LA 2 years ago.Was all excited when I purchased it;when they sent me the e-mail it was arriving; and then....it hit me! I spent ALL this money! What if I am not able to do this? Ive watched just about every video on line there is to watch-what if I am fooling myself?.....Well it arrived-husband(who is wonderful in supporting my adventure) had set it up and helped me load my practice piece.....AND there it sat......for 6 months!!!! I was too afraid to try it thinking Id break it and had no one to help me fix it.Anyways, a co-quilting friend said to jump right in;the water is fine! So what if you arent perfect? That is what practicing is all about.So with her help- music and alot of laughter- we did manage to get the practice piece off the frame.It wasnt the best but I at least DID IT!!!! And now-though I still have a LONG WAY to go;I am happy with what I do on it.So forget the regrets and enjoy your new toy!Have a great day!

I did the same thing. I know it sounds unbeliveable to most quilters, but the doubt will get to you. I did not open my machine for months.Just remember Rome wasn't built in a dayand you will not master this in a week.My machine said to use for a month off the frame to get the feel of it,and it was a great help. You will get the hang of this, maybe you will have to use panographs and that will be okay also.Long-arm quilting has a learning curve of 3 to 4 months is what I was told.I also to my neddle out and got the feel of how the machine worked without fear of breaking needles. Have a great time with your new purchase.

I had a little bit of apprehension when my Innova 26" first arrived. Once I went to the training classes and started playing with it on my own, I absolutely love it. I had learned on a smaller Nolting and then a Gammill, tried a Tin Lizzie and an HQ, but fell in love with the Innova when I tried it at the dealer. The only thing I don't regret is not having as much time anymore to play with it (I went back to work FT a few months ago).

Thanks!!! I am going to look her up!! I hope I love mine!!!

The lady that will be coming to set up my machine will show me how to load it and how to use it all before she leaves. (she may have to spend the night) hehehehe! (or the week) After reading all of your experiences, I'm beginning to feel better about it. I just try not to think about it in $s and cents!! Yikes!!!!

I spent twice as much on my long arm as my car cost, my regret would have been not paying cash because I would have had trouble making the payment building a business takes a while

I knew a lovely lady named Violet. I think that would be a good name for your purple baby. SHE probably just can't wait to meet you and to serve you.

There is only 3 things to remember. Practice, practice and practice. there is a learning curve, but just put on some music, have a glass of wine at one end and chocolates at the other. You'll be surprised at how fast you learn to get from one end to the other. My machine is named Minerva, after my Grandma, who taught me to quilt.

I can do the music. Maybe a little wine. But, not enough to do me any good because of the medicine I take. And, I love love love chocolate but can't have the caffiene. So, I guess it is just practice, practice, practice and listen to some oldies...

I had those same feelings when I first got my TinLizzie. Don't worry, they go away the first time you finish a quilt on it. It makes quilting sooooo much easier! Therefore it's more fun!

I feel your remorse. I, too, just bought the Bernina quilting frame and quilt motion software to use with my Bernina 830. It came and I have it assembled almost, but I cannot make myself give it a try. I am sure that will pass and I can get to it soon as I am sure you will too. Just follow the instructions slowly and practice. I know we will master these things and have a wonderful time quilting.

Mine arrived on Friday. Setup and running today, and I am thrilled. Try not to think of the cost, and think about the fun you are going to have using it! I'm sure you worked out the dollars & cents earlier, so now you should put that all aside and plan to have fun. The only way you lose now is by not using it.
Now, back to my dungeon for more playtime/practice :)

Good for you! The only thing I would consider is if you have any people in your area for help. o they give customer help.If you buy any sewing machine and do not ave any close by customer service then i would be really worried. That is the main thing to ask...is there any place close tome where I can get help?

Videos are great
 

If you have a camera or phone that makes videos, then do one with every different thing she tells you. (Making many small videos will let you go back to that one task you have a question about, without scanning through the whole 2 or 3 hour video.) One clue, if you are using an iPhone, turn the camera sideways, because when you sync to your computer, if taken with the phone in a normal position, the pic will be sideways...lol A lot of fun to watch! I would test the video thing before she shows up to set up the machine.

The videos will allow you to go back & review everthing she tells you & shows you. You will come to consider the videos as your bible for the machine.

For my older Nolting, I went to the Nolting website & printed out everything I could for long arming. I put that in a binder with a table of contents & left a couple of pages in the front that I could write tips/important stuff on. This is my resource. Most often I have been able to figure out things without contacting Dan Novak at Nolting. But when I have needed the tech support, he has been great.

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice. I do have movies on my camera. I think I'll have fresh batteries waiting.

I think it might be a good idea to take some classes if you have not signed up for any yet. You spend a lot of money so it would be worth spending some time in learning to use it and it might alleviate some of your feelings. Your machines sounds lovely. Besure to post pictures of her. Have fun and pace yourself. Congrats!

I am excited for you, if that helps at all! :)