Second guessing myself on getting a long arm.
08-05-2019, 11:43 PM
#81
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: east kilbride Scotland
Posts: 1,330
If you want it get it, what’s age got to do with it? Are the people who are saying don’t get it quilters? And are they paying for it? If after a while it no longer gives you pleasure, sell it.
08-06-2019, 06:06 PM
#83
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,811
I just turned 69. I just bought an A1 and prayed I would not be too old to learn it. I have quilted 10 quilts in 6 weeks and I have not had lessons yet. I love it. Yes there are mistakes but you mush look closely to see most of them. It is computerized. I had a tin lizzie before and loved it, but could only do a few patterns. There were good reasons that I never got really good, health, travel, health broken bones and surgeries. If you can afford it, go for it. I love doing my own quilts and cannot wait to go to school on the computerized part of it so I can do so much more. I worried I might be too old but I think it worked out fine. Yours probably will also. Good luck and I hope you make the leap. 
09-05-2019, 10:30 AM
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 448
You are really raising two questions...first, will I like quilting on a longarm....second, will I live long enough to get "value" out of this purchase?
Question 1: I have never heard anyone say they hated longarming, aside from the learning phase which is challenging no matter what you are learning. And you can always sell that puppy if you truly cannot or do not like using it. Then you are only out the difference and have had an interesting experience.
Question 2: the older you get, the more luxe you should shower on yourself. You are here for a good time, not a long time, so make the most of it. I know my gran would have delighted in a longarm, rather than have to hand quilt (slowwwww) all her quilts. She could have made and left behind so many more. No room for Calvinist guilt as you age! Indulge and enjoy as much as you can.
Question 1: I have never heard anyone say they hated longarming, aside from the learning phase which is challenging no matter what you are learning. And you can always sell that puppy if you truly cannot or do not like using it. Then you are only out the difference and have had an interesting experience.
Question 2: the older you get, the more luxe you should shower on yourself. You are here for a good time, not a long time, so make the most of it. I know my gran would have delighted in a longarm, rather than have to hand quilt (slowwwww) all her quilts. She could have made and left behind so many more. No room for Calvinist guilt as you age! Indulge and enjoy as much as you can.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 09-05-2019 at 10:32 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
09-06-2019, 06:08 AM
#85
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
Hi, I bought a demo APQS Lucey which has a 26 inch neck when I was 61....I am glad I did.....I have done 47 quilts on it...all for myself....what I have discovered is...that I am a utility quilt maker....love making quilts that can be thrown on the floor, have a dog lay on it, be picked up, thrown in the washer and dryer...and be wrapped around a person again.....no fancy quilting...but I love being able to finish my quilts myself....I do wear trifocals...got my eye doc to give me a prescription for "longarm glasses" which corrects the near and mid-range vision...works great...no longer can quilt all day...but three hours is good...and I can do that...cuz my longarm lives in my house.....I also got a 5/8 inch thick 12 foot by 3 foot mat which really helps out my legs and feet....I would suggest like someone else has...taking a class and renting time on a longarm if it is available in your area...or trying out a friend's machine if they are willing....just to make sure you like it....I sure do...much better than trying to find someone to the quilting and much better than basting a queen sized quilt and wrestling with it under my little machine....
Please keep us posted as to your decision.
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