Regretting long arm purchase?
 

Has anyone on this site, who owns a Long arm have any regrets about buying it? I am in the process of buyers remorse and feel I need to return the machine. There is something just not right with the timing of all this and I wish I could put my finger on it. Making me nuts! JC

You might want to join the homequiltingsystems group on groups.yahoo.com . It's very large and very active, and the posters have a wide variety of longarm and midarm setups. One of the topics I have seen talked about there is how some people bought a longarm and then were so intimidated by it they let it sit for a year. I'm sure buyer's remorse would be an interesting topic to bring up there.

How much research did you do before purchasing? The rule of thumb advice on the group above is to spend a full year doing research and trying out as many setups as possible before making a purchase.

Longarm Purchase
 

I hear you ... my husband purchased me a Gammill last summer - great deal! I had fallen at the end of February an broke my arm and was still in the pre-surgery recovery stage. I finally had surgery in December and am really on the mend - long story. I had to wonder about the timing of this purchase and laid awake many nights thinking of the $8000 we had spent on it and how my car would have been almost paid off - lol

I have used my machine for a total of 10-15 hours since he purchased it for me. I have done a few quilts of my own and several charity quilts. Every time I get a quilt loaded onto it, I get excited. It is the getting the quilt onto the machine that scares the dickens out of me. Every time is easier and every time the results are better.

I had never really done any of the quilting on my own quilts so this was a scarry prospect for me. I know that I dream of the day when pinning a quilt on doesn't take me so long and when I can do it without even thinking about how to do it and getting the directions out.

I look at quilts that have been done by other longarm quilters and shudder - I am just positive that I will NEVER be that good. I have to remember that they were all beginners too. And ... I tell myself that they could also be using a computerized machine, whereas mine isn't. I know the lady who used to do all mine had one.

I just finished a quilt that I wanted to do a pantograph on, but I couldn't figure out how - I have only taken one class - and I ended up doing a meander on it with varigated thread and it turned out great (even if I do say so myself). I want to take more classes because, honestly, the longarm quilters that I have met in this area don't seem to be too anxious to help me learn - it's like they think I will be competition - right ?!?!?!? lol I am sure some of the problem is that I just don't know what questions to ask.

My best advice would be to ask about the return time frame and use the dickens out of it before it ends - you might find that you become more comfortable with it and want to keep it. I know that I feel less guilty about all that money each time I finish a quilt.

I am determined to master this beast - if it takes me until my dying day - lol If I can do it, you can too. I will have faith for both of us. I wish you lived close by so we could learn from each other.

I did learn something the other day when I was doing a small (26 x 26) wall hanging --- I pinned only the back on, laid the batting down, used the machine to stitch placement lines for the top and left side of the quilt. I pinned the top onto it and then let it rest while I stared at it. I finally decided to meander on the outside of the quilt and fussy stitch around the applique in the 10" center block. My goal on the center was to stay close to the applique without actually stitching on the design. I was more succesful than I thought I would be. I meandered on the hourglass blocks that surrounded the center square. I learned that the corner where four blocks came together were difficult to stitch over and if I stitched around them, they looked like small volcanoes. LOL I will do a better job of pressing next time. I showed my quilt to several people this weekend and most of them didn't notice the issues I saw and I even got a few compliments on how well I did - you should see me strut - lol

You just have to jump in with both feet and know that some quilts will look better than others but you can always spend some time practicing on muslin - I have and I am going to load more on so I can do some more practicing because I want to do that pantograph on a quilt, but I want to mess up on muslin.

I know this has been long and probably disjointed, but I hope you keep trying and end up falling in love with your machine.

W7sue-- i dont have a long arm (yet) but I thank you for taking the time to write what your thinking.. I love the positive vibe you have given me... Thank you..

ps- gloat and strut- you deserve it!!

You say "something not right with the timing of all this", but what does that mean? Do you mean that the machine's timing is not right (that can be fixed) or that it's not the right time for you to be making this purchase? If it's the latter, then it's probably something that you have to sort out alone or with your family, because we don't have the information to offer reasonable advice. If you mean that you're having trouble making the machine run as it should, then perhaps you could talk to the service department about your machine, or take classes. It does take time to become proficient on a longarm. I've had mine for just over 2 years and I know I haven't practiced as much as I could and should, but I still enjoy using it. Are your expectations for yourself perhaps too high?

well, I do hope that feeling passes. There is a learning curve with using it. Once you get the hang of it, you will wonder why you ever had those feelings. :) It's a big investment, but if it's what you like to do, you will have spent your money in a good way.

great post, w7sue.

i used Lindas long arm book for the longest time, especially for loading a quilt. It was a lot of help. Linda Taylors book, not sure of spelling, there are probably you tubes on the internet also. It does take time, but it will get better!! Lots of luck!!

Start with lap sized quilts, not huge ones. Makes loading so much easier!!

I love my longarm, because i love doing the fmq so much amd the longarms removes the need for basting or spray adhesive. I get into the "zone" and do my fmq thing. Take a class at a quilt conference an maybe you can find the zone too!!

I went to a 4 day class that came with my machine. After that, I was able to load my quilts fairly well. I've had my machine for a year now and have done 18 quilts on it as well as some table toppers and runners and quite a few practice quilts with muslin. After each project, I felt that I had learned alot and although not always perfect, I was happy with my results. But the main thing is that after the first few quilts, I was beginning to really have fun. I am proud of the skills I am learning.
You might want to look into some of the online classes like at Longarm Classroom or Longarm University. There was one on loading your quilt. I have a handout from Cindy Roth at Longarm University called "Putting a Quilt on a Longarm Quilting Machine. Go to her site online.
I think you need to really use your longarm now that you are physically able to before you give it up. Do several practice quilts using pantographs or other techniques you wish to learn, but don't try to learn everything at once - give yourself time to enjoy what you are learning.

Boy this is a thread that hits home with me. I've been talking about getting a longarm for several months and my DH was all for it at first. Now he's got me concerned because he thinks I wouldn't quilt enough quilts to justify the cost. I will turn 61 next month and if I did 12 quilts a year I wouldn't do enough in my lifetime to pay for the longarm. I think he's right that I enjoy the piecing more than I would the quilting. So now I'm concerned that I wouldn't learn how to longarm to the skill level that I would be satisfied.

I bought a longarm a few years back and NOW....I LOVE IT....then was a whole different story. I didn't feel it worked properly, it had a hesistation on each start and I couldn't get it to go away. Finally had the tech come out and they set the timing and played around with it and now I love the way it quilts and it is smooth. I also think that 3 years of practice has helped. The more I practice the more I love it.!!!

Good Luck

I took one short tute on mine when they set it up. I found I didn't like pinning the quilt in, it took to long, so I made zipper leads and from then on I was up and running. I quilted several sheets before I finialy did my first quilt. Still learning after 12 yrs, but I love it.

Buy second hand. That will reduce your costs significantly. I purchased a HQ 16, a frame and a pc quilter (computerized robot) 2nd hand and love it.

Like you, I was worried that I would spend big bucks and then not like the quilting. The price of the used set up raised my DHs eyebrows:eek:, but compared to buying new it was cheap. It's also not top of the line, but the HQ16 works perfectly, the frame is fine for what I do, and the pc quilter works for me! In fact, without the pcquilter, I wouldn't have bothered getting the HQ16 and frame. My fibromyalgia will not let me do FMQ, but I can handle sandwiching, measuring and loading the quilt on the frame - just not all the same day.

I've done about 8 quilts so far and have enjoyed it. Mostly I do end to end meanders, but that is my choice. I'm thinking of taking a couple of my meander patterns and leaving an open space in them to let me customize the pattern by the quilt or the recipient. For instance, for a child who likes trucks, put a truck in the open space. For someone who likes fishing, put a fish in it.

Am I getting my moneys worth? Yes. If you make 5 or 6 quilts a year and had to send them out to longarm at an average of $200 per year, then you've spent $1,000. After a few years, you've made your money back. If you make more quilts, you make it back sooner. Charity quilts are easier to manage, because you don't have to figure out how to get them quilted for next to no cost.

I've taken no classes, but have done extensive reading and the PC Quilter manual is pretty good at explaining how it works, plus goes into how to load a quilt on the frame. Having said that, I'm very good at figuring things out and absolutely tenacious about it. No darn machine is going to defeat me! And every problem I've had were caused by 'pilot error'.

One word of warning...there is a reason that FMQ is so costly! It's hard work and it takes a lot of time! So be sure you have the time before investing in a longarm.

I have no regrets. I have had mine since last June. I get better with each quilt. I have also gotten much faster with loading the quilt. I think you have to dive right in. I did have a couple of concerns after I first got it and I called the tech and they walked me through the solutions. I took a 2 day class which helped take some of the fear out of it.

Great feedback from all you ladies. Thanks for sharing so we can make an informed decision.

long arm
 

I too had buyers remorse when I bought my long arm. Had a hard time as I really wanted to be good right now and that didn't happen. Wondered why I had spent soo much money on something I couldn't do.So I took a few classes and got a little more comfortable and had to find my style of quilting and now I have to say I really enjoy it.

Hang in there, it will get better.

grammy.mj

Please don't give up. I have had mine for about 5 years and have done very little on it but shortly after we go it my husband got very sick and passed away. I just didn't have the desire to even look at it but eventually I did and I love it. Could it be that your more afraid to tackle it than buyers remorse? Good Luck with it.

s7sue, your words are very encouraging! I have had a simple quilt loaded on my frame for 4 months. At first, I just would look at it, now I don't even notice it. Think I better get a move on it before my DGS has a son of his own!!!

I never had buyers remorse, but I sure have had some frustrations! You have to just keep plugging away and be determined. I quilt for the public so I had to learn, and learn fast. I did a lot of practice pieces, my dogs still sleep wtih them...I purchased my longarm in 2006 and I probably quilt 30-40 quilts a year on it. I have added pattern boards and circle lord, and pantos to my armory, and that helps. I bought the home I am in now because it will accommodate my longarm, and I will buy the next for the same reason. Yepp, guess I love it! I am 61 also...but who's counting? :)

My regret is buying a domestic machine for a long arm table. It is just not working out.
I cant afford a long arm machine and the 9 inch throat on my machine is to much hassel to use on my table. Constant walking around the table to set up the machine for quilting. The bobbin is to small and runs out of thread fast and you dont know it cause you cant see it.
Basting the sides of the quilt are impossible with such a small area so need to do it by hand somehow. Right now it just sits taking up room in my sewing room.
Also no classes or videos for this kind of quilting.
So be sure you can afford the machine that is meant for a long arm table before you buy.

I think someone said they wish it didn't take so long to load-the pinning process? I can't remember who but I think you should consider the "Red Snappers". They are not expensive and you can load a quilt in minutes! Just google red snappers by renae haddadin and should take you to it. I will try and put a link here but not sure if it will work. I (& many others) LOVE them. http://quiltsonthecorner.com/red_snappers

Hi,Hockey rabbit I'm not sure I have Remorse But This is what has happened to me.
I Bought a:'B-Line Studio' Quilt frame free standing wood frame
1- I bought it 1 yr ago Oct have only used it 3 times
2- my husband is 6ft 4 he set it up and so I was not thinking about how as it rolled up it would be to far for me to reach
3- Now I've decided to take it part way down and set it up as low as it can go so I can reach!
4- I have a Viking Mega Quilter it has a 9 inch throat I would Never Do that Again If you Can Do Better!!!!! NOT THE MACHINE ITS FINE!! THE THROAT DO BIGGER THROAT!!!! as soon as I can I'm going to get a bigger/ true long arm
My Quilt frame Will hold a true long arm machine up to 18 inch thank god so I won't need to buy a new Frame!!

May I repeat myself here in that I do LOVE this means of communicating with other sewing and quilting ladies. And the first thing that I agree to is that, once you have a long arm (mine is a Gammill Classic on a 14 foot table that DH gave me for Christmas 2007); asking around won't get you any information from other owners of long arms--I guess they really are afraid that you'll be stealing some of their thunder. It is great seeing all the means that you can go to to learn how to use one. However, mine came with a very good instruction book and CD which my son and I use religiously (?) plus he has attended several sessions at Paducah at the Gammill booth; learns more every year. We have done about 150 quilts on mine--everyone we love wants us to do them a quilt (so we do).....

The one thing I find with mine (Gammill comes with a 4-year unlimited warranty) and I am nearing my 4-year limit and we need to have something done to the wheel system--my son says they need to replace it for us free because they changed the entire wheel system the year after mine came out (and we have had some kind of trouble with ours from day one; including replacing the wheel system). If they do, they do, if they don't we have to pay something like $1000 to have mine replaced.....

Anyway, I am still in love with my Gammill; but it is not my first long arm. I fell into long arm quilting by accident in 1990 by going to an auction and buying one from an interior decorator who was down sizing--she said "it is so easy; if you quilt you need this set-up--an OLD sewing machine head set up on a 14 foot table that would run one speed wide open (if you have regulated stitching on your machine you know of which I speak). So I learned how to sew REAL FAST; and I am not a fast sewer..... I was lucky enough to run an ad in a local sales sheet and sold it about six months later when the lady who bought it called me to see if I had sold my quilting machine yet.... For a long time I had it set up in our foyer (we live in an old-timey house) so I sure was glad when she called even though she stayed at me until I let her have it for $800 and counted myself lucky to get that.

My quilting machine is mostly for pleasure (my sisters, my son, and myself); we have all become quite good at it. Every time we make something we figure out one more thing that we want to try to find to make it better for us. I have seen pictures of the quilting done by ladies on this board that makes me want to try to find the pattern--we mostly do free hand meandering and stippling. We have done some very pretty work; but I don't know how to post pictures--so 'til I can get a kid over here to teach me how I'll just do without the pics.

Now, my advice to the lady who asked the question about buying a long arm machine, my advice is "go for it" and like some of the other ladies on here say "don't look back"..... If you love quilting, you will LOVE a long arm machine....

I didn't necessarily regret my long arm purchase but I did sell it in less than a year. The machine had a basic design flaw and no I'm not going to say what machine. But the main reason I sold it was because I have a bad back and because of the table height you'd end up stooping over a bit and it totally killed my back. Plus there was the whole standing up for hours on end to do the quilting. I can't do that either.

Take some classes if you can. I have had my shortarm setup for about 5 years....I like having it, and I like doing my own quilts. I wish I had more time to practice quilting on it. I usually end up doing my own swirly whirly quilting motifs free motion, because I am a procrastinator and end up needing to do the quilting quickly to meet a deadline. My own fault. I work full time and am very busy with quilt guild and church activities, as well as kids & grandkids. So, yes, it's great to have a quilting setup....just don't beat yourself up about using it, or getting really really good at it in a hurry.

Your tension just might be your issue, with my LA, I check the tension on a practice piece with the thread that I will use on the quilt. Thread brands do differ. I will sometimes use silicon on my thread. But practice, practice, practice.

No buyer's remorse here, but I was totally scared of my long-arm after it was set up. I avoided it for about 3 months and finally decided that I was being silly. Finally started using it and I love it. There is a learning process, but that is part of life. Just go for it and I promise that you will love it. It just takes practice.

In the past 8 months that I've been longarm quilting, I've learned that I love longarm quilting, but I definitely have some buyer's remorse over the model that I got. I went through our LQS and while they are wonderfully supportive dealers, my model of machine seems to be developing a bad reputation. When my machine isn't working, I feel a little sick over how much it cost. When it is working, I absolutely love longarm quilting.

I bought a HandiQuilter Avante 18 about a year and a half ago. I was hesitant to use it at first, but that's the only way you're going to get past your inhibitions. I won't say I had buyer's remorse, but I did do some 'figuring' in my head that I could quilt 2 quilts a month a make my payment, so there's your justification. If you need to practice to get acquainted with your machine, get 2 old sheets and put some inexpensive batting between them and then just play with it. You'll get better with it over time; just take a deep breath and relax. Enjoy your new toy!

I just got my own longarm. In the process of setting her up right now. But, I've used others before this. I did my homework for over a year & test drove many machines in that time frame. I'm so excited about having my very own Longarm!
Like all other aspects of quilting, we have to learn to crawl before we can walk. I'm going to have a big learning curve on my machine with practice, practice, practice!
Youtube has lots on longarming. Also, there are chatrooms everywhere to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask!
Have any of you tried the Red Snappers for loading your quilts? They're not expensive & you can load a quilt in @ 10 minutes! Just google Red Snappers & you'll find them. Good tutorial videos on the site as well.

Don't Give Up!
 

My husband purchased me a Gammill several years ago (in 2006) and I had the same regret. As soon as I got it, a part was broken. The dealer came and fixed it, then I had alll kinds of trouble with tension, then my dealer got weird on me and I had to complain to Gammill and got a new dealer. I was all ready to send it back but then I thought, that the people who used these machines so beautifully aren't really any smarter than me (us) and if they can learn, then so can I. I am still not at the level of some quilters, but I am pretty good---certainly better than I was. I purchased some tension tools (the Towa) and now I can get a pretty good tension. My machine isn't stitch regulated either, but again, my stitches are pretty good. I have learned to sorta hum along and I seem to get it right :c). Pantos are my "thing" now---especially since I learned to not try to follow exactly, it is okay to come outside the line :c). The moral of this story is you can in fact learn this!!!! There is a Gammill yahoo group that you should think about joining. They give all sorts of tips that have really helped me. The one thing I regret is my new dealer isn't in the area, they are in Mississippi---but are wonderful people. They have helped me a lot on the phone and sent a repairman to re-time the machine (I really messed it up) and it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. He was so much nicer than my original dealer and it actually was a great visit. It will be okay----you will learn this and will one day be able to laugh and support someone else. These machines do have a big learning curve---we aren't always told this and I don't know about you, but I thought the curve was the same as my domestic machine----NOT---give yourself time. Practice--Practice--and then Practime some more.

QUOTE=w7sue;5108325]I hear you ... my husband purchased me a Gammill last summer - great deal! I had fallen at the end of February an broke my arm and was still in the pre-surgery recovery stage. I finally had surgery in December and am really on the mend - long story. I had to wonder about the timing of this purchase and laid awake many nights thinking of the $8000 we had spent on it and how my car would have been almost paid off - lol

I have used my machine for a total of 10-15 hours since he purchased it for me. I have done a few quilts of my own and several charity quilts. Every time I get a quilt loaded onto it, I get excited. It is the getting the quilt onto the machine that scares the dickens out of me. Every time is easier and every time the results are better.

I had never really done any of the quilting on my own quilts so this was a scarry prospect for me. I know that I dream of the day when pinning a quilt on doesn't take me so long and when I can do it without even thinking about how to do it and getting the directions out.

I look at quilts that have been done by other longarm quilters and shudder - I am just positive that I will NEVER be that good. I have to remember that they were all beginners too. And ... I tell myself that they could also be using a computerized machine, whereas mine isn't. I know the lady who used to do all mine had one.

I just finished a quilt that I wanted to do a pantograph on, but I couldn't figure out how - I have only taken one class - and I ended up doing a meander on it with varigated thread and it turned out great (even if I do say so myself). I want to take more classes because, honestly, the longarm quilters that I have met in this area don't seem to be too anxious to help me learn - it's like they think I will be competition - right ?!?!?!? lol I am sure some of the problem is that I just don't know what questions to ask.

My best advice would be to ask about the return time frame and use the dickens out of it before it ends - you might find that you become more comfortable with it and want to keep it. I know that I feel less guilty about all that money each time I finish a quilt.

I am determined to master this beast - if it takes me until my dying day - lol If I can do it, you can too. I will have faith for both of us. I wish you lived close by so we could learn from each other.

I did learn something the other day when I was doing a small (26 x 26) wall hanging --- I pinned only the back on, laid the batting down, used the machine to stitch placement lines for the top and left side of the quilt. I pinned the top onto it and then let it rest while I stared at it. I finally decided to meander on the outside of the quilt and fussy stitch around the applique in the 10" center block. My goal on the center was to stay close to the applique without actually stitching on the design. I was more succesful than I thought I would be. I meandered on the hourglass blocks that surrounded the center square. I learned that the corner where four blocks came together were difficult to stitch over and if I stitched around them, they looked like small volcanoes. LOL I will do a better job of pressing next time. I showed my quilt to several people this weekend and most of them didn't notice the issues I saw and I even got a few compliments on how well I did - you should see me strut - lol

You just have to jump in with both feet and know that some quilts will look better than others but you can always spend some time practicing on muslin - I have and I am going to load more on so I can do some more practicing because I want to do that pantograph on a quilt, but I want to mess up on muslin.

I know this has been long and probably disjointed, but I hope you keep trying and end up falling in love with your machine.[/QUOTE]

I spent 3 days in the hospital because of me buying my longarm. I know that it sounds funny, but its not every day that you spend that kind of money. I got mine in jan. and its now april. and I am making a quilt for my mother who will be 90 in july. ( i never did things small) Keep in mind that she is one who believes ALL quilts need to be hand quilted. The more I use mine(far from perfect) the better I feel. This is also my retirement that will be supporting me as well. I can really feel your feelings on what you are going through as well. The store i got mine from is there no matter how busy she is, she always has time for me. I now feel that I have known her all my life, and she gives me all the encouragement that I need as ell. Just hang in there, Im there for you as well. Karen Baker.

I have to agree with all the previous repliers here. I got the floor model at my HV dealer last April. I figured there would be a learning curve to using it, but didn't realize how long that curve is. I still haven't gotten beyond meandering, but since I mainly to charity quilts and for my family, I don't mind. I am the person that can't stand to be stumped by anything. So I am determined to have fun and learn at the same time. My DGD just quilted her first quilt on it this weekend, and she is now enthralled. I will never be "Charismah" or anywhere close, but that is okay too. I don't like tightly quilted quilts, so this is my way of getting what I like and having fun doing it. It just takes lots and lots and lots of practice. I am finally learning which thread I like best, which is easiest to get the tension right, and just generally what works best for me. Long arms are definitely a large expenditure but I have no regrets, except that maybe it sits there too long between uses.

I love my Handiquilter and the opportunity to complete a project without having to wait for someone to get to it. I am not very likely to quilt with my Bernina and don't like waiting on someone else to machine or handquilt. I teach a couple classes a month and make a lot of projects-so glad to be able to finish them up myself. The other big advantage to having my own is that I can quilt at any time I want, even in my pajamas. :)

I made a purchase of a mid arm HQ16 one day while buying my embroidery machine.While paying the embroidery purchase I turned around to see the HQ 16.I made an instant purchase for this machine that was a floor model at a% off.Without even thinking previously about a purchase. I snapped up that machine and have been in Quilters Heaven ever since!!HQ16 is easy to use,any thread works and have never had one problem considering it was a floor model!I quilt all my own and do some for friends and have never regretted that impulse buy.I feel if your are not going the way of opening a large business consider HQ.Runs like a champ... ..it works for me with no aggravation!!!

I have two long arm machine, Love them both A-1 and HQ Fusion. :) :7

I have a chance to buy a HQ Sixteen with a PC Quilter and gracie frame for 3,000 $ Do you think that's a good buy?
I know nothing about using it, she said she would set it up and give me a days training. Does any one have this and do you like it . Is it hard to run? Thanks

I think at some time we all may have buyers remorse. I was afraid to touch my Babylock for quite some time, used it very rarely the first couple of years. Intimidation to put it mildly. Once I got past allowing my DH to insist I purchase it, and afraid of the cost if it didn't work after spending so much on it, I truly enjoyed it. I sent my used Brother to a daughter in law and my mothers used Singer to another daughter in law. Once I had those older machines out of the way, I started to enjoy the machine. But every time we were in a crunch for extra spending money and wanting to take a trip or replace a sofa or appliance, I felt so guilty about the sewing machine sitting there. Five years, a full time and a part time job loss later, we have 2 bedrooms converted to sewing use. I use it everyday and did not feel guilty buying the Babylock Jane to add to my quilting. I no longer have buyer's remorse. Because it is what I want to do, what I have done since I was little, and what I know how to do and will do for many years to come. If I had the space for a longarm, I would give up vacations and extras to get it. Those are over with once done (even though they provide wonderful experiences) but the machines will be waiting for me to stay productive and half-way sane. They are cathartic. It all does work out. Get in there, learn the processes, and enjoy it. I hope you become an extension of your longarm, which will justify the purchase. Now, if you mean by the timing of the longarm physically, perhaps you may need a good rapport with your local service person. :)

I bought my Tin Lizzie after testing out a few machines. I had been leaning towards the HandiQuilter, but when I was actually on the TL, I knew it was the one (same thing happened with my domestic). The machine arrived last May and immediately had a problem with one encoder (the thing that registers the side-to-side movement). Okay, no big deal, they replaced it after 2 weeks. But my rep never actually trained me. She spent 15 minutes with me, loaded the quilt wrong, said "play with it" and left. I had to watch the DVD a lot and come online before I could even do anything. And then the machine still wasn't working right. In February, I finally pitched a fit with the dealer and with TL themselves, since every quilt (the whopping 6 I made in 9 months) had issues. They sent the new rep (old rep was fired) and a tech. Tech said the other encoder (front-to-back motion) was also bad, which meant it had been bad for 9 months, awesome. Almost a month later, they replaced that - still issues. 2 weeks later, they just replaced the tension assembly. On the to do list is to get a quilt on there and give her a test.

I'm sort of in the buyer's remorse category. I still felt like TL was "the one", but I'm thinking I should've bought the HQ (since one of the gals I work with has one and LOVES the machine and the tech support, plus they have classes), or even a different machine. I dunno... trying to power through it since when it works, I really do like my machine. Hang in there, do some quilts, and make sure it's not just an expensive table like mine is...