Nhweaver, what is a 'clasp stitch'?

Oh, I do know how it feels when you just take a bit of a "spin" on one of those amazing machines. I have issues enough with my fabric "collection" that I don't even go near the machines.... I just don't trust myself to be strong enough to resist every time.

Don't rule out a used short arm or midarm. People are always selling them when they upgrade to a machine with more throat room. A friend of mine used a Nolting fun quilter for like 7 or 8 yrs before upgrading to a 24" Nolting..she did huge quilts on that!!! Price is usually way reduced on an older machine and they have many more years of service in them.

I have a long arm machine that I have not used yet. I get excited thinking about getting it put up. It is not an expensive one (just over $2,000) but that is enough for me at this time. Hopefully you can find you have the money to buy your "dream machine".

I too look at new machines with longing, but my finances will not support the purchase of a new machine, so instead I will take my 18 year old Bernina into the shop to have her serviced so I can continue sewing and quilting for my family

Try Craig's list