Long arm question
 

Folks, I would like to get some words of wisdom from those of you who have a quilting machine (long arm or other). My daughter and I piece a lot of quilts and we are constantly paying to have them quilted. We have some hand quilted and some done my machine. We spend a fortune on quilting. I have tried to learn to do free motion on my machine but I haven't had much luck. I have quilted several small projects using SITD and straight lines. I have been interested in getting a long arm for some time so I could finish my own projects. I am not sure I would want to quilt for others unless it was just family and friends. I am not thinking of using it to start a quilting business. I have lots of questions. I know that the machines vary in price a LOT. I would not want, nor could I afford anything state of the art and top of the line. Again, this would be used for quilting mainly my own stuff. I know there are a lot of variables to consider, but I don't really even know where/ how to start looking. I would greatly appreciate any advice! I know they take up lots of space, but I have a room I could devote to it. I have listed some of my questions:

What (ballpark) you get a decent user-friendly machine for?
What brand/ type would you suggest to meet my needs?
Are they sold used or reconditioned very often?
How difficult is it to learn to use them?
I was thinking that I might try to find someone who would let me come and watch them quilt, so that I could get a feel for it. I tried a couple of machines at the Paducah quilt show, but I left when the sales pitch started because I was not serious about getting one at the time. Thanks in advance for any help!

I don't have one but pricewise the baileys have seem to be the cheapest, I would imagine there is a learning curve but some LQS's or quilt shows do offer classes for you to learn, some dealers do as well. it really depends on your budget.

I have a Viking 18.8 and like it very much and it does a good job. There are tons of machines out there and you can find good used ones at dealers or on places like Craigslist. There is a lot to learn and takes lots of practice but if I can do it you can too. With two people quilting you should get your moneys worth by just quilting for yourself. I don't quilt for anyone else, not that they would want me too,lol, I think it is worth the money to have one if you want one. Go for it.

I don't think it is difficult to learn how to use one.

first- start by visiting dealers & shows- try out machines- there are a vast difference and variety of machines. in all price ranges- machines can be found used- people trade in when they upgrade- people sell them when their lives change- frames/tables/whole set ups vary-
first step is to go visit a few in person- at shows you can generally try them out & have some fun-
some quilt shops have machines they will let you take a class to learn to use-then rent time on it to do your own quilts- start locally- also, talk to your regular (long-arm) quilter- see if she would allow you some time to check out her machine/setup...when i first bought mine i took a certification class at a quilt shop in Florida- the 4 hour class was $50 - once certified you could rent time for $20 an hour when you wanted to quilt your quilts- I offer the same to the customers who bring me their quilts- i have had a few people come in & take the class- quilt a quilt or two- then decide although kind of fun they would rather pay me to do it- they either don't want to spend the time or have decided it's more work than they thought- but they still can come in & do their own if they want to=or made that special quilt they really want to be completely from them...
first step is 'test drives' just like buying a car (& sometimes more expensive than) prices range from a couple thousand right up to mortgage levels...depending on the 'bells & whistles' you want/need

Here's a great article:
http://r.b5z.net/i/u/10076798/f/shop...or_longarm.pdf

Contact your LQS to see if there is a Long Arm Quilting group in your area. they obviously have lots of info, if there's no LA group, check with a quilting guild. If nothing else, you can get info on the local dealers.

look up quilts shows and expos in your area-then you can test drive nearly every make on the same day.prices very as do quality of machines/frames.Warranties and support very also.Sometimes you can find a used machine in the newspaper or ebay.

Check the APQS website http//:www.apqs.com They have smaller models as well as larger. They are made in Carroll, Iowa. Their support is fantastic so are the people on their forum. You can take classes from them and they even offer a class on how to keep your machine maintained on your own. They often have used machines available.

I started, by buying a Juki 2010 for about $900 and then a quilting frame from a quilter here. I also got a stitch regulator and kept my cost below $2000 for all. I used that for about a year. The 9 inch harp worked well especially for my own quilts and the quilts I quilted for my church. I love long arming so i financed a longarm with a 18 inch harp . I recommend if money is a consideration and you are unsure if you want to dive into a long arm expense, try a juki and frame. Even if you decide that quilting isn't for you, the Juki 2010 is a work horse sewing machine.....

Some quilting stores will rent time on their long arms - this would be good way to get a feel for it and decide if it's something you want to invest in. Prices vary a lot - I bought my 16" HandiQuilter Avante for just under $10K, but lots of people have found used machines for less. One advantage of buying through a dealer, esp. if they are local is that they will provide setup help, initial training, and support. My dealer is going to offer long arm classes to everyone who bought a machine from her (for a cost, I'm sure). Figure out how much you spend on quilting a year, and that may help you determine your budget for a long arm.

I do not have a long arm, but I sometimes help my sister who has one. There is a lot more work involved than I would have ever dreamed. There are so many different things that can go wrong. If I were you, I would do as others have suggested....try one out. Take classes or rent time or find some way to get really familiar with one before you buy. My sister bought hers used, and not locally, and there isn't anyone nearby who services it or knows how to fix it if it has a problem, so she has had to figure it out herself. I would hate to have anyone else get a machine and not have some sort of local support.

Dina