sewplease

I find your post encouraging! I am 60 and just purchased a very nice, used Grace frame. I live in an apartment and it's set up in the bedroom. I hope in the next few months to get a 9" machine or a Bailey. My goal is to become proficient with the short arm setup. I've seen beautiful work done with a short arm. This is part of the quilting process I want to learn. I want to finish my big stack of tops and get them on the beds of my loved ones. There's no way I can afford a longarmer and keep piecing.

Greenheron

No long arm but I have a long Mountain Mist pattern frame. If I win the lottery I'm still won't upgrade......I'll send all my quilts to Charisma. Merry First Day of Christmas everyone.

labtechkty

Just can not justify the cost of one...but those that have them really seem to love em...

pumpkinpatchquilter

I don't have a long arm but I'm shopping around for a used one. I've been quilting ten years and it's pretty much taken over my life. It IS my life. I don't think it's a necessary thing - just like a lot of sewing doodads and gadgets. I know that I have always been artistic and am really passionate about my quilts...I am totally capable of quilting large quilts on a domestic but I just don't really want to. I think to own or not own a long arm is a really personal choice and it's hard to judge someone else's reason for wanting one.

I'd like to make a little money on the side with mine because quilting is my passion but we are on a tight budget...if I didn't currently do commissioned projects or sell on Etsy I couldn't have afforded half of the things that I have for my sewing. But I'm not planning on running a huge business any time soon. I think when you start quilting hundred of quilts you lose time for yourself and your own creativity and I know for me - I don't want that. But I can totally understand why someone would. (I have small children at home - I'd like to make a career of my quilting some day in some way, but for now they are my priority over all other things.) It was a HUGE decision to set aside the money for this purchase, I have never spent this kind of money on myself. The most expensive thing I own other than my house or my car is a $300 featherweight! Lol* I don't think I would either if I weren't absolutely sure I would use it. It's not for everyone - and if you are an avid quilter who'd like more space there are a lot of other options aside from a long arm.

patski

I bought one and ended up selling it! You need a very large room, you need lots of patience to learn it. I bought the Sweet 16 with the table ($3,500) and I have quilted dozens of quilts on it, even king size. Its' easy, fun and only uses 1/3 of the space of the long arm

Minerva1

I'm considering getting a one and still investigating. Can't afford new though. Sewing room is in the basement and with some rearranging would have room. I am enjoying reading all the thoughts here. I presently send my quilts to a friend in IA.

Scraplady

I do not have a long-arm and don't anticipate ever owning one. I don't really have room for a LA system nor do I think I really want one. What I WOULD like to have is a mid-arm with lots and lots of throat space and a table that I can SIT at. I am one of those who likes my quilt to be my very own from beginning to end, from design concept to the final stitch in the binding. I am just picky that way, so would probably never send a quilt out for quilting. I've done several queen size quilts on my domestic that has a 7 3/4" throat. I get it done, and I'm almost always pleased with my results, but it IS a wrestling match. I could see having something like the HQ 16 or maybe the new Baby Lock Tiara, which I went and drooled over last week. Right now, however, it's just not in the budget.

madamepurl

Got a HQ Sweet Sixteen recently - so a mid-arm - it's the sit-down. Love it, love playing/practicing with it, and can't wait to get some of my tops done. I just could never part with them, not knowing for sure how they would come back. Call me a control freak.

AshleyR

I know some here would disagree with me, but I got myself an industrial machine for Christmas! It's "only" 12 inches, not 16 (oh, but the 12 is so nice!!!). I got one that is a knock-off of the Juki 8700 and it has a servo motor that has adjustable speed. I got it off Ebay and it was less than $450 delivered to my door. Took about 4 hours to put it all together (no instructions; it would probably take us an hour to put one together now that we know how!). I haven't really had a chance to sit and play with her, but I did do a few practice runs and she is great!!! The table is about 3 ft x 5 ft so she doesn't take up much room. What really turned me against a mid arm on a table is that they don't have feed dogs. I like to do straight stitches on my quilt too so I couldn't really see any reason *not* to go industrial.