So I am looking into Longarm machines and have some questions. I am thinking of getting into Longarm quilting as a buisness so I do need a big machine to be able to do the big king size blankets. This won't happen for at least a year but I like to do my research.

I notice that every maker has some kind of computer software to attach to your machine. I do wan't to be able to have maijor computer components for the machine.

I have links to the machines and the computer softwares that I am considering.

Gammill has the Statler Stitcher:
http://www.gammill.net/index.php?m=statler_model
http://www.gammill.net/index.php?m=vision_26

TinLizzie has the Shirley Stitcher:
http://tinlizzie18.com/computerized-quilting/
http://tinlizzie18.com/longarm-quilters/ansley26/

Handi Quilter has the HQ Pro-stitcher:
http://www.handiquilter.com/category/hq-pro-stitcher/
http://www.handiquilter.com/product/...usion-package/

There is also The Stiq:
http://www.intelliquilter.com/index.php
This one seams to attach to almost any longarm machine

Innova 26:
http://innovalongarm.com/innova-longarm-machines.php

American Profesionals Quilting Systems:
http://www.apqs.com/machines_millennium.php

Anyone have these and what do you think of them?
Thanks for the help in this journey! :)

I have the APQS Milli with IQ (computer) and I love it.

i have the hq- without the stitch-pro- i free hand everything- am not all too interested in spending my time designing patterns with a computer- then letting the machine do it- seems like that would make my quilting production work- not a wonderful relaxing pasttime.computers tend to stress me out too often

We love our Nolting Fun Quilter......it's a smaller machine, but it does all we need it to do in our shop. Nolting also makes the larger commercial models with all the extras if that's what you want too.

And I can't recommend highly enough the customer service we have had with Nolting. They go above and beyond, from set up to over-the-phone diagnostics when we ran into problems. Need another part.....it's in the mail the same day.

If you're interested in a quality company and longarm...check out http://www.nolting.com/
Christine

My opinion is that We are Gammill Dealers after being Gammill customers for 4 years, and using Gammills for many years before that! I tried every brand and was easily sold on Gammill. Now.with that said, the other machines all do a good job. I think its pretty obvious that the Gammill is built as a commercial duty machine. Our 6 year old machine looks and works as well as our brand new ones! In 5 years of renting 2 or more machines we only lost one rental due to the machine. And my husband insists that if he had been more familiar with the machine at the time, we wouldn't have lost that rental! He has also gone on service calls to find 15 year old Gammills still going strong! I know Innova has a reputation for making commercial machines. I've also seen the intelliquilter, which is neat, but the Statler gives you more in my opinion. Lastly, Don't buy something cheaper to see if you like it.....everybody comes in wanting to trade in their first longarm for a Gammill. Gammill's hold their value. IF you decide to get out after buying a top quality machine it will have value. If you buy something less. You'll probably be stuck. Good Luck!

I have an A1 with a CompuQuilter. I have NO REGRETS at all about both purchases!

I have retro fitted my Gammill classic to a vision and just love it. I didn't want to spend the money for a statler and have to learn the program that goes with the statler. There is quite a learning curve with the computer. I don't do computer that weill.
Just my opinion
Marilee

If you are going into business you definitely want the longer table of 12 ft to accomodate all sizes of quilts.

I have the HQ16 with ProStitcher [PS] and will soon be buying a longer table so I can do larger quilts. The Avante and the Fusion are much bigger in the throat space capacity and the PS software is even better than what I have with my HQ16 PS.

I've tried the newer machines and love them. If I didn't have budget considerations I'd sell what I have and get a newer model.

Maybe if I bought a winning lottery ticket I could do that. Too bad I don't buy them except maybe 3 times a year, if that, and then only when with one of my friends.

ali

I have APQS with Intelliquilter. I can't believe all the design options. Join the yahoo Intelliquilter forum and look at intelliquiltertraining.com before you decide. You can split designs and recombine portions. Its amazing what is possible. Also join and start reading the forum at the APQS website.

I like the frame construction on Millenium, the way the quilts are loaded and especially the way the controls work.

I don't have an LA myself but have done research, tried at shows etc and if it were me, I'd get the Gammill...

I also have the Nolting Fun Quilter in my business. I have the Side Saddle computer system with mine so I can do the free motion as well as the computer designs.
I am able to combine computer designs with free motion on the same quilt.
I have a 12' steel frame for my machine system which handles up to the king size quilts. I love it!
Check out their site as they also have refurbished machines from time to time.
And the customer service is WONDERFUL!

Phyllis

I'm thinking also and this is great information.
Thanks to all who replied.

If you have the room, some systems also have a 14' table. There are days that I really appreciate that extra room. For quilts with a long vertical blocks, I will load the quilt sideways so that I can complete those blocks without advancing. Sometimes it's easier to turn a quilt to do the side borders.

If you're planning on doing this for a business, check to see what others in your area are using. If they are mostly short tables, you could end up picking up the larger quilts because you CAN. If you go with a shorter table, you may end up sending people away because you can't accommodate those quilts.

Quilts are getting bigger. Those really thick mattresses are what's driving the need for bigger quilts.

Thanks for all the replys.

I would get a 14 foot table probably.

Where do Longarm quilters get computer designs? I won't be doing any freehand to start with but maybe down the road.

Where do LA get all there supplies? Do you get them at a discount for buying in bulk?