This discussion is wonderful and so professional. I admire all of you for how much fore-thought goes into making a business out of LQS quilting. I have an LQS but only do meandering or I draw the whole design on the quilt with washable markers. I wish I could do better, but I have one of those diseases that makes you forget things after you are 60. Proved by MRI, so I don't do thins that frustrate me and I do get there eventually.

I have to agree with you scissorqueen about some of us not being able to afford a LA. I can't. On my limited income I have to quilt my own, but many of the quilters I know do want their quilts done by a LA. I quilt by hand so that is my enjoyment

Our HQ-16 and the studio frame (we upgraded) cost us $9,000. I say "us" because my best friend and I went in together to buy our HQ-16. After using it for 5 or 6 quilts I realize that we made the right desicion in buying this machine and frame because we are both short - 5'1". Moving the machine is one thing but you also have to lean over to cut threads and if you use any kind of straight or curved edge you have to lean over the frame somewhat. We would really have a hard time if our machine were any bigger. We use groovy boards a lot - they are so simple to use it's ridiculous - but they are expensive. I also have used pantos and done some free hand things. It does take practice and practice and more practice. I won't quilt for anyone else. Quilting is my hobby and as soon as I take the first penny for quilting, it becomes a job.

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.

Can you explain the function of the groovy boards?

Can you use the groovy boards on a Gammill?

I just purchased the Tinlizzy and paniced on my first quilt. I didn't purchase the machine to go into business but to get my nine quilt tops quilted without having to pin it all. My LA Quilter got to the point where she just wasn''t wanting to quilt anyone's but her own and every once in a while she would try to get one of mine in. I believe she got burned out and she has an American Professional machine which she wouldn't sell or rent to anyone. I have a monthly payment, can get my quilts done and have family members who are piecers but don't want to quilt so I have lucked out on them for side money plus the fact that I told them I would quilt for them but always have the disclaimer that I am not a professional. They loved my home sewing machine quilting so lets see how this other works out. The other thing you need to consider when you get a machine is if you will have enough room for it. I have the ten ft poles and it took up one whole area of my spare bedroom that had already been turned into a sewing room. Good luck on your endeavor.

I just purchased the Tinlizzy and paniced on my first quilt. I didn't purchase the machine to go into business but to get my nine quilt tops quilted without having to pin it all. My LA Quilter got to the point where she just wasn''t wanting to quilt anyone's but her own and every once in a while she would try to get one of mine in. I believe she got burned out and she has an American Professional machine which she wouldn't sell or rent to anyone. I have a monthly payment, can get my quilts done and have family members who are piecers but don't want to quilt so I have lucked out on them for side money plus the fact that I told them I would quilt for them but always have the disclaimer that I am not a professional. They loved my home sewing machine quilting so lets see how this other works out. The other thing you need to consider when you get a machine is if you will have enough room for it. I have the ten ft poles and it took up one whole area of my spare bedroom that had already been turned into a sewing room. Good luck on your endeavor.

There are midarms (18" or smaller throat) and longarms (19" throat or larger). The bigger the throat, the more space you can quilt before having to roll the quilt.

There are many different features available such as stitch regulators, auto advances, channel locks, hydraulic lift tables, special wheels, special handles, special lights.
Tables differ. Weights differ. Speeds differ. Glide differs.

Choosing a machine is like choosing a car. It's not that one model will necessarily be BETTER than another; it will just be better for YOU. Only you can determine which machine is best suited to your needs.

My best advice is to do some research on the websites of the large companies: A-1 Quilting Machines, gammill, APQS, HandiQuilter. Then attend some shows where you can test drive the machines. And then talk with longarmers and ask why they bought what they bought. Most people love what they bought. They bought what they needed.

I know I love mine and it has been a workhorse for me. In 5 years of quilting a few hundred quilts a year, I've only had to replace the lightbulb and the checkspring.

Happy owner of an A-1 Elite 23" longarm

Rita, are you quilting for profit? Just curious. My aunt is thinking of getting a Baby Lock LA for $15,000.