Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Should I invest in a long arm? >

Should I invest in a long arm?

Should I invest in a long arm?

Old 05-17-2012, 07:48 AM
  #21  
Power Poster
 
BellaBoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Default

Since you said you have taken many hours of workshops on quilting then you know this is what you want to do. Don't fret over the decision, just start on the new adventure and feel good about it.

I have room for one and can get one if I wanted it and always thought I wanted one, UNTIL one LA I know let me spend a day working/learning with her. I lost interest after the loading of the first quilt. That part was boring and tedious for me, everything about it was boring except the actual quilting part. I would have to hire someone to load the quilt and get it all set up and then I'd have the fun of quilting it.
BellaBoo is offline  
Old 05-17-2012, 12:11 PM
  #22  
Junior Member
 
An Arm Long's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 223
Default

I bought a Baby Lock Crown Jewel a year ago and have done 21 quilts on it so far. I would say go for it if you are willing to practice alot and a long time and to take classes. I have helped two friends to use it after a day of practice for each. I did not charge as I am still considering a business but need more time. It was an experiment so to speak. And now I have decided that I will not rent it out as it takes way too much of my time to teach a person to use it and that I am getting good enough to quilt for others.
To me the best thing about the Baby Lock was the 4 day class with Kay Capps Cross in St. Louis. (4 days morning through evening with meal breaks) It costs and you have to pay to stay in a hotel or motel, but I came away feeling like I really knew my machine and frame and that I could do it.
I have quilted for others on quilts that our guild is doing for charity (no charge) and found that to be a wonderful way to get experience. But first I did some of my own so that others could see that I wouldn't destroy their quilts!

I have saved all my receipts for all the items I have bought for it and will possibly start a business as some point, but do not want a full time job.

I love the machine - so smooth and easy to use. I have had no problems with it. PM me if you need more info on that machine.
An Arm Long is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 04:36 AM
  #23  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Slidell, Louisiana
Posts: 6,951
Default

If I had the money and space, I would, but I wouldn't want to have to count on customer business.
Latrinka is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 05:02 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 462
Default

I don't have a longarm system, but hope to when I get the room. The house we own now does not provide me enough space for one. That having been said, hasn't kept me from looking at what is available out there. How many different longarms have you tried? I have tried a bunch and thought I knew which one I wanted and then tried an Innova at our State Fair this past year and my mind has been changed completely. You can move them with one finger they are so easy to manuever. Who knows by the time I get around to purchasing I may change my mind again, as I intend to keep looking and trying all I can as they make improvements all the time. I have seen people on the board say they are very satisfied with "this and this" and when I tried those machines, I found they definitely were not to my liking.

So think about what features you want on a machine and try 'em all with an open mind. Know that it is gong to take a lot of practice and I do mean a lot, and when you take in quilts from others, you are dealing with imperfect quilts most of the time and by imperfect I mean wavy borders to compensate with, not well sewn seams, crooked rows etc. which show up when you put them on a quilting machine. I have used an older model, no stitch regulator (which I have decided is a MUST when I make my purchase) and have done some tops for members of our club and for charity and believe me there is a LOT to learn in the process. I still have a long way to go, but am improving, but am not a natural like some people.

As for a business, don't count on it paying for your setup, if you go into business look at it as an added plus that you have gained. A lot of times when it becomes a business it is no longer fun and you may not want to do it, plus the pressure of perhaps an unhappy customer etc. So make a list of all the things that can go wrong and then imagine a lot more you haven't even thought of. Weigh the pluses and minuses and go from there, but definitely look at all brands and try them out, maybe more than once before purchasing.

Good luck in your endeavor whatever it may be and God Bless!

themachinelady
themachinelady is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 06:51 AM
  #25  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
Default

I have a 15" Bailey, so I consider it more of a midarm, but it has queen size frame. Others have mentioned that you should plan for lots of practice time, and I second those comments. With a long arm, you are moving the machine, rather than the quilt like you do on a domestic machine, so there is a little difference. I do recommend test-driving any machine you decide to buy. I also recommend stitch regulators.
jlm5419 is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 06:53 AM
  #26  
Super Member
 
quiltmom04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
Default

Be sure you really want to start a business. It's hard work, hard on your back, and one of my friends who does this has not completed one of her own projects in several years. My guess is if you want to finish your own quilts and are trying to justify the expense by saying you can start a business - you aren't committed enough.
quiltmom04 is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 08:20 AM
  #27  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
Default

I was all set to buy one, and then decided that I'd better practice FMQ on the machine I have now, a Janome 10001. It's not as easy as it looks. I finally finished a baby quilt that looks pretty good, but before I spend that much money, I'm going to get really good at it!!!
MimiBug123 is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 09:28 AM
  #28  
Member
 
petersdk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Posts: 59
Default

I purchased my Tin Lizzie 18LS long arm four years ago and have never, ever regretted that decision. I made the payments but never considered taking in others quilts. Nor would I ever allow someone else to use my machine. It's too expensive and like someone stated before, it's your cost if someone breaks it. Besides...that MY baby :-D
I equally love piecing AND long arming but working full time doesn't give me nearly enough time for either but retirement is only a couple years away.
I started out with a mid arm machine but quickly became frustrated with the small "play" space. So i fortunately sold that for what I purchased it for and got my 18LS. There are a lot of great machines out there and you'll find so much support here and on the blogs for the different brands.
If you feel you need to do customer quilts perhaps you could limit it to doing pantos. they go pretty quickly and then you'd have more time to practice on your own.
Good luck on your decision.
petersdk is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 10:52 AM
  #29  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
Default

I would look long and hard at getting a longarm machine since you will have to finance it. When you see longarm quilter's out there making 400.00 for a full size quilt..that's not the norm. The pros can do it, a person new to the process needs about 6 months to just get used to the machine and learn to do a good job. There is more to using a longarm machine than what you do on a home machine.

Join a Babylock Crown Jewel yahoo group, or several longarm groups. See what others are doing, how it's working for them.
I can tell you now...there will be tension issues...it's normal, these are not home machines...the tension can change every quilt, every thread. Fun? Yep, once you get past the learning, it can be a lot of fun!
I have a TL18LS with Qbot attached & love it.
Another thing with joining a yahoo group for the Babylock Jewel...you can see if there are any for sale on there. Could save you a lot of money.
Starting a business is not hard, but depends on your area...there are licenses in some states, and other fees. You need insurance. Do you have a dealer near you where you can rent a machine for awhile...to see if it's what you want to do? I get a quilt or two a month (don't really advertise at all)...sometimes more, sometimes none. If you can't afford the payment without quilting for others...I'd rethink the purchase for now. But, if your area has a lot of quilters & you know they can't find a longarm quilter...you may be ok. Is there a local guild? Join it and see what you can find on other quilter's.


Originally Posted by kcferrel View Post
I am seeking feedback and thoughts on purchasing a longarm. I am considering the Babylock Crown Jewel and frame. I attended HMQS last week and have made an offer.
My arguments for: I have the interest and passion for Fmq and I have the room in my house. I am fairly new to quilting, around 2 years. I have taken many hours of workshops in quilting the quilt and i am getting competent.
<than 2="" years)
How difficult is it to start a longarm quilting business?
I am afraid that if I start taking in outside work I may burn out and be left with a large investment.
I have been looking for a used long arm but honestly, this set up new cost less than most of the used machines I have found. Thoughts? Ideas? Gotchas?
i would need to take in quilting to offset the cost of the machine, or I could rent time to other quilters?
thank you, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience in this form.
</than>
margecam52 is offline  
Old 05-18-2012, 12:45 PM
  #30  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
Default

I recently went to see my first long arm "in person". The lady told me (in GA) that when she got her LA that she thought she could get customers. However, she told me that in her area, there seem to be many others, so she hasn't had much business.

So, if you really need the customers in order to pay for the machine, make sure you do your homework. Otherwise, just keep saving til you don't and enjoy your machine for yourself and your gifts.
justflyingin is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Debapril
Main
8
11-20-2017 05:10 AM
Sanveann
Main
42
12-09-2009 03:24 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter