That's true Tartan. I use to work selling piping parts for refineries, so retooling is definite deterrent. They are making them longer now so there might be hope. Now if they would start a company that would sandwich quilts I'd be the first in line.

I don't think it's hard but will cost a lot to have the manufacturing plant refitted to make long harps for the basic machines. I have seen home made long harp machine, the machine rod is cut in half with added length welded on. This is for mechanical machines only. Worked great. Looked awful.

Most high end machines with long harps have metal frames so I don,t think it's head support imho. If they can make 24 inch long arms they could probably engineer machines the same way but they would be heavier and more impractical mobility wise. My 12 inch machines ways a ton and is a pain to move around why would I want something even larger and heavier to deal with so I think it more the selling point, they have long harp sit downs and long arms does one also need a sewing machine that large and difficult to move around

My theory is a man who doesn't know a thing about sewing or quilting designed the sewing machines. Car plants retool all the time. Of course, cars continually go up in price. I guess I will just be happy with my two 9" throat machines that I have. I can quilt anything I want on them.

Sorry if I step on someone’s toes here but I’ll say it anyway. Yesterday DH and I rode with DIL in her car. DH in front and me in back seat. Whatever Engineer deigned this car never rode in one like it because there are too many blind spots. It took all 3 of us to watch traffic. Scary. I’ll be more than glad when she trades it off but they drive their vehicles until they’re toast.

Yes! The retooling to make different parts is very expensive. Everything would have to be refitted. Lots of R&D and retooling, all of which is very expensive to do.

As far as the whole "man on the moon thing. Yes, we can put a man on the moon. Its costs a bazillion dollars. If you want to pay that much, I"m sure someone will custom make you exactly the sewing machine you want.

Don't forget new lines of machines will be released in August from Br0ther and BL will follow. It will be interesting to see what is offered.

Price wise - I think they are high $$$$ because of the growing popularity/demand. Its the new hot ticket item folks want, so they jack up the price. Supply/demand/people willing to pay the price. I don't know...I'm not an economist.

I do know that my Viking Epic 980q has a 12" harp and I LOVE IT. Going back to a domestic sized area would be really difficult. While mid-arm or long arm machines are awesome - I'm in a very confined about of space, so my machine works great for me. (And I didn't pay a fortune for it. I got a bigger trade in on my Babylock than what I originally paid for it and the shop was in a crunch because they were being forced to move = a deal I was overjoyed with!)
Anyway - in time, maybe the larger harp machines will be standard, and the regular size be considered travel/compact and the pricing will level out. Meanwhile - enjoy what you have and keep having fun!
Donna Mc

Actually, the price of longarms has been coming down, mainly because of their popularity. There are a lot of new brands entering the market with their version, and are at a "hobby quilter" price point, not a "professional quilter" price.

The video was fascinating. I always figured they didn't make a larger bobbin than the M because of the mechanics of the stitch. The upper thread has to go completely around the bobbin in order to make the stitch, and I assumed if the bobbin was much bigger, it would throw the stitch or the tension or the timing off. Would be a good question to ask the manufacturer reps, wouldn't it?

This is exactly the reason why I like to use a fine thread, such as Bottom Line, in the bobbin. You can get a lot more 60 wt thread on a bobbin than you can a 40 wt thread!

My Singer 401A is a two spool machine however I have not used two on it but when learning how to use it when it was new.