It would be interesting to see the category description. I agree with momto5 that there should be different machine quilting categories based on machine type: LA, Computerized LA, and DSM.
There are many well known quilters that use a DSM for all their quilting. I took a class from Diane Gaudynski and it was with a DSM. Leah Day and Angela Walters also use DSMs.
Many of the LA makers are making sit-down versions, but they are still Long Arms, while some of the DSM makers, like Bernina, are now making a "traditional" Long Arm, rather than just a DSM on a frame.
I personally have an Innova that I do my quilting on (personal and charity only) and a couple of DSMs (a Janome 8900 and a FW) for piecing. I orginially started with a Viking Designer 1 that I tried to home quilt on, but that was too much trouble for me. I was glad when the LQS started offering LA classes and rental time.
Last edited by caspharm; 04-15-2015 at 03:43 PM.