Julie R

Then you are getting a great deal. This is almost identical to my machine (mine was 2014) had the overhead light bar and casters and was roughly $14k. The nice thing about Innova is that you can always upgrade at a later time too. Just this year, I swapped out my Pantovision for Navigator (computer-guided). I'm loving it.

kheliwud

I bought my Baby Lock Tiara, a sit-down mid arm, 6 years ago. I quilt only for myself and have never regretted spending the money on myself. Like you, I tried many machines at several shows before my purchase. While my dream is to have a large studio with a long arm on a frame, my current home doesn’t have enough space. I thoroughly enjoy free motion stitching and this machine has moved with me 2 twice since my purchase. I made my decision based on my available space and my local dealer. Having support during the set up and learning curve is important for me and having a trusted local machine tech is also important (but I have not needed him!). Go for it! You deserve to spend money on the hobby you love!

Gerbie

I think I would enjoy a LA myself, but alas, no place for one, and at my age only if I win the lottery would I ever consider spending those big bucks for a machine that I wouldn't use that often, and would only be for personal use. I am retired and DH will next fall, we owe only our monthly bills but who knows what might pop up or f we might want to move and purchase another home. I would definitely think about the cost and how often it would be used if you are no planning to start a quilting business.

cmw0829

I purchased a used Handiquilter and then three years later bought an Innova with Lightening Stitch - just because I'd always wanted Innova and had the financial opportunity to do it. I decided that I would someday want an Innova by trying all the machines at a show and talking with the reps from Innova - not dealers but the guys that owned the company.

It sounds like a decent price since it has Pantovision, an over $2000 upgrade. But check out the tablet that comes with it. They are now using Microsoft Surface tablets because there were performance problems with the old tablets that they used. They also used to allow owners to buy only the software and that created issues because some owners were buying underpowered tablets. I don't think they allow software only purchases anymore.

The dealer network is expanding but then again, quality of dealers varies. The one I purchased from was subpar and now I live where there is no dealer. But the customer support from the company is exceptional and the machine can be maintained and serviced by the owner, if you're not afraid to try it.

As others say, go to a show and try them all out. Different machines feel differently to you. Everybody will - for the most part - defend their choice of brand. You need to find what works for you. Machine Quilting Expo is in Manchester NH in early April. Good luck.

Tothill

You may have made a decision already but what I did.

In 2015 I went to the big sewing show at Puyallup. I wanted to try out all the machines in one place. I had a 4-5 year plan before purchasing. I live In BC Canada and used machines are rare, even more rare on Vancouver Island.

I regularly checked the local online classifieds as well as the https://www.longarmuniversity.com/MachinesForSale.html.

Handiquilter is the only brand that has support nearby, but I was impressed with the information I got from Andrew and Gammil, as well as APQS which has BC presence. This was before Janome had their long arm machines.

In May 2015 I saw an ad for an older HQ 16 available locally. When I called I was the 5th person who had called, but I was the first to show up with cash. The next day I picked up Diana and took her in for servicing before taking her home.

Now the not so pretty part. I loaded a Jelly Roll Race quilt onto the machine, quilting 3/4 of it and that is it. The machine has sat for the better part of 4 years. There are numerous reasons why. I do not regret my decision to buy the machine and am going to take a series of workshops in May to get comfortable using her. My plan for this summer is to finish 4 quilts.

I did buy a new bobbin winder as the one that came with the machine is temperamental.

If after this summer I decide long arm quilting is not for me, I will be able to sell it for what I paid.

If I decide I really like long arm quilting, then I may look into upgrading in 2020.