For all those of you who are thinking about renting time on an la. They are not easy to run I mean it takes practice and lots of it. I wanted a la really bad until I got one. I do not like to use it the learning curve is really long, not hard but you need lots of time. hence I have a really good longer who does my quilts . They come back beautifully quilted. I would advice find a friend who will help you use hers for a trial run. To see if you want to long arm first. Just my experence. some of us are longarmers and some of us are not, many$$$$$ later I found out I'am a quilter.

I took two lessons, one for $50 and one for $20. I now pay $15 per hour on her machine plus $2 for each bobbin that I use.

its $10 an hour where i live and $100 to take the setup class before you're allowed to be a renter.

I just found a place that's an hour from me and I'm so excited! $100 for the certification class, then $12/hr for the use of them. I'm glad to see so many informational posts here. I wondered what the time expectation is (4 hours for a Queen is a good rule of thumb to know - I realize that varies a ton by patterns chosen).

I can't wait to try it out! I'm so glad I saved some of my Christmas money!

Our LQS rents out their mid-arm for $50 per day. You have to take the introductory lesson first which is $10 but is refunded when you rent the machine. If you take a friend who also knows how to load a quilt, you can probably finish two twin/double quilts in a day using an all over meander. If you use the pantograph it is slower. I so agree with Clair- they are not easy to run and it takes a lot of practice for everything to become automatic. It takes quite a while to load and you have to stop every so often as the bobbin runs out after two or three passes. I now have a lot more respect for LA"ers and understand why they charge what they do. Long arming will not be my new career and I'm so glad I found this out before I bought my own machine. I don't want to work that hard every day for other people.

Here it was $17.50 per hour with 4 hour minimum. That was a few years ago.She changed it from full days cause most people got it done faster. A class to learn was required. I rented like 7 times. My queen size always took at least 5 hours and I didn't quilt that close, didn't have to rip and wasn't fussy. Freehand is faster than a panto if you know how and know what you want. Planning how you want to quilt it can take time so plan that ahead of time.

I have a mid arm and it does take time and practice. My grandson started using it 3 years ago when he was 9, he is excellent. Plan to take time and perhaps not put your "best one ever" as your first project when you rent.

I wish there was a place near me to TRY my hand at it....I have played at the shows, and really, doubt that it is my next career, but it would be fun to just TRY it out! I have a friend with a Statler that said to come any time and she will show me how to use it, but that thing scares me since I know what she has into it! YIKES....

sounds like what is done around here and I would still have to drive around 60 miles one way

A local place is $20 an hour for beginners, $15 for experienced quilters with a required training that costs $75.

I think this would be a really good investment to find out if you want to own a long arm or even do your own quilting on a rental machine.

I do plan to do this - someday. :)