Originally Posted by ritaquilts

I bought a Statler with the big table and it cost $35,000.00. Yes, you read that right. I considered it a business investment since I needed extra income. Needless to say, I have a lot of bells and whistles but along with that, I not only needed to learn to use the machine but a major computer program too. My reasoning behind going for the top was 1)it is considered the best longarm made, 2) fantastic lifetime support, 3) Delivery, complete set up and training, 4)I knew I wasn't up to "driving" it all day, physically and 5) I can quilt any size someone brings. I am not sorry since I still think its a great machine. I compared it to buying a car. I could have spent that much on a car and it wouldn't pay me one red cent and looses value continually. My machine hasn't lost near that much in value.
I think the biggest reason, people aren't hand quilting is because it is an art that is learned and todays woman does not have the time to put in to it. You used to be able to find people who would hand quilt for people, but not any more. I had to quit because of Rhuematoid. I didn't want that to stop me from quilting. I just had to find a new way.