pineneedles4

I was the same way...trying to figure out if I could justify buying a long arm machine. I used to hand quilt my quilts but when it takes me an entire winter to quilt a quilt, my tops were getting backed up so I machine quilted a queen size quilt on my home Bernina....and that convinced me I needed something bigger. I don't have the space for the long rails so I settled for the Tin Lizzie 18 with the sit-down table. It was affordable (certainly not the Gammil machine that I consider the desirable Cadillac of machines) and it would fit into my home. So far I love it but I've only quilted three quilts on it so far. I like the option of being able to convert it to the long rails when I get a larger place. Quilting is my hobby so for me it's more about the creative process and less about the money. If I didn't quilt I'd spend the money on something else.

promenades

I bought the Crown Jewel for several reasons. Local (50 miles local) support from my QS I purchased it from. I have Lupus, RA, AS and IBM (all auto immune disease) and after a long battle, I am now bale to get back to sewing embroidering and quilting. I used to play fiddle and train/ride/show horses also. But the two later ones I am no longer able to do. So I am so excited I am able to do the quilting/embroidery/sewing thing again. After a long chat with my doctor I decided (my DH also) to get a longarm. It is very hard on my shoulders/wrist/elbows to quilt on my sewing machine. I know I have bad days so it was very important to me to get the Quiltmotion software. Babylock had just what I needed at a price that was with in reason and I got an awesome deal for the whole setup I wanted. After being a person that used to go 150% it is hard not to be able to do things you used to do. So getting back this one thing is the biggest thing ever for me. I compared cost of sending my quilts out to be quilted and decided to buy. So, getting a LA also opened up doors for me in just a very big way. I am hoping it will be here by the end of the week or first part of next week as they are going to deliver and set up for me. Every one has their reasons for getting or not getting a LA. I just so excited!

DonnaC

Not unless I win the lottery and am able to buy a BIG house. I live in a small condo... no room for a longarm! Although I am certainly pining after the Sweet Sixteen sit-down machine, and have been for years...would love to have one of those.

patdesign

probably never, no room, and no inclination to spend big $$. Saw one on Craigs list last week for $1500. Still too much!

momjoy6

I kind of did the same thing only on getting a sewing/quilting machine w/a larger throat space. I figure I can make about 40 quilts FM or stitch in the ditch and have this machine pd off for about the same price I would have to pay for a LA. Then I don't have to take up all that space for it either. Just my thoughts. I DID buy one w/11" throat space. Works great

Skittl1321

I doubt I will ever get a longarm. Right now I really enjoy quilting on a domestic. I may eventually rent space on a longarm.

I like quilting way more than piecing, and never send a quilt out. Even still the cost of a longarm is just too rich for me.


(Oh- and my DH definitely does a 'cost analysis' on his toys. He doesn't get to just buy whatever the heck he wants for his shop. Neither of us sell the things we make, so we don't "break even" but he can't upgrade anything whenever he wants to. That's why he's still using an old table saw instead of the fancy new one he wants.)

JLD

My hubby bought me a used set up for Christmas. It was an investment. I don't make quilts to sell but love to make them for my family. I kept getting frustrated with trying to quilt on my regular sewing machine and having puckering and such on the back when I had worked so hard on the front. I have truly enjoyed having it and will have the option of supplementing income down the road if I wanted. I will say that when making the investment know that there is a learning curve - if I had lived closer to a dealer I would have bought new so as to get the classes. I am still learning but love it.

Pam S

Had to jump into this discussion. Like a lot of others said, most men wouldn't feel the need to justify the tools they buy for their hobby, why do we? I quilt for myself, I love my hobby and I don't need to justify spending money on something I love if I can afford it. If it meant not paying my bills or going deeply into debt that's different.
I spent a couple of years researching LAs, deciding what features I wanted, saving up for one, testing them at shows and finally decided on a Gammill. It was delivered 10 days ago. The set up and instruction from my dealer was great. I spent several days playing and practicing and have done one quilt so far. Got 3 more ready to load and I already know I'm going to love. No buyer's remorse here but that's because I did my research and knew what I wanted. Did have to rearrange the basement rec room but, hey, the kids didn't need that fooseball table anyway.

nstitches4u

I'm not sure you will break even unless you quilt 24 hrs, a day. Having said that, it is much cheaper than therapy! If you enjoy doing it, it is worth it. Beware of "friends" wanting you to quilt for them for little or nothing---unless you want to do it. I have a home-based machine embroidery business and have had to learn to say no to all the freebies. People don't realize how much money is tied up in machines, thread, stabilizers, etc. if you are constantly doing free jobs for friends, you definitely aren't breaking even.

kittiebug

When I got my longarm, I got it just for my own use.Well I enjoyed so much now I do other quilts.
I don't think you should get one just to make money. But yes it is nice ,it keeps me quilting and doing something
I love.