When will you consider a Long Arm?
 

Here, I am assuming you are a hobbyist quilter, that is, you do not make quilts to sell.

When will you consider taking the plunge and investing in a Long Arm?
Has anyone done a cost analysis - include the one time price, material cost (thread, etc), and maintenance cost? How many quilts does it take to break-even compared to sending the tops out for professional long arm quilting? (This is an important question because husbands need to be convinced. LOL!)
I know many times it is more than just costs, it is the enjoyment of doing it, freedom to choose patterns, etc. But here I am looking at costs alone.

Anyone care to share? Thanks:)

it's an excellent question, and one i have wondered about myself. No i don't have a long arm. i don't have the time to justify it..sigh.

I never expected to break even with quilting. It is just something I love to do. My long-arm came from my husband who wanted to see me take my love of quilting as far as I could go. He is a believer in having the tools you need. I balked at the idea, even though it was my heart's desire. He won me with the argument, "if not now, when?". He is the one who really saw the need.

I don't know where I would put one. DH has been eyeballing them for years.

For a rough estimate just divide the cost of a LA setup with the average cost of someone quilting for you. As I said that is just a rough estimate but for me it was an eye opener.

My dealer called to tell me they had gotten a long arm setup as a trade in. They offered me a great price, a warranty and threw in some extras. She called on my birthday. I took it as a Sign From God.

ours was a used set-up as well. Bought it on a whim visiting a quilt shop that was going out of business.

It sounds as if it were meant to be for you, Paper Princess. I've thought of a long arm but realized there is just not enough room in my home, but a mid-arm ... maybe, someday. But still have to do the research and justification .... do I really need this? It's just like buying a second car. Good luck, liont.

A long arm is on my wish list and I will get one as soon as I can afford it, which in today's economy looks to be a long time, sigh. I have a mega quilter on a home made frame that works fine for now but the quilting space is so limited.

As much as I'd love to learn to LAQ, I figure my basic quilting skills need more work, first. Lots more work. :p Never mind that I have no room for one! LOL