Longarm Lust-
You know you have it when you spend all of your spare time walking around the house with a tapemeasure figuring out where you might possibly be able to put a 12 foot long machine and all the other things that come with this acquisition!
Only after that do you sit down and starting looking at the numbers and figuring out which one of your kids “just isn’t college material” so that you can fund this rather expensive venture without going into a sink hole of debt. Come one.. you know it is true.
There is no way around it, buying a longarm is a big commitment both in space and in money but it can also be one of the most exciting and rewarding adventures you will ever go on. The key is mapping out your journey ahead of time so that you don’t have any unfortunate surprises after saying yes to something that most likely costs more than your first car!
The Key to Space –
Unless you are an art quilter who only works on a small scale your machine it going to take up some serious room. Most longarms can be configured for 4, 8 and 12 foot length with others doing 5 and 10 and some going as long as 14 feet ( there might be longer machine but I have never seen one!) Remember you will then need room to get around it as well as room to use it and get behind it if you ever way to do laser guided work or pantographs. So minimum you will want is a 15 x 8 space. Have people gotten by with less.. sure! but crawling under your machine gets very old – ask me how I know! So know thy space!
The Key to Affording –
Longarms are expensive! Starting new at about $15 K and going quickly up from there depending on brand and features this is not a choice you make on the fly ( ok, I did and I am very happy with my machine but I BEG you not to do what I did, others have a lived to regret it!)
Can you afford longarm? only you know that. But I will put in a STRONG admonishment not to think of a longarm as a big time money maker and if you have never longarmed remember you are going to need some serious time to become proficient enough to contract out to people. I highly recommend saving up for your machine so that you will not have the pressure of payments if those would stretch your budget some place that it cannot go. Some are lucky, they pick it up quickly and can be running a young business in mere months but let me say I know way more who are well into a year with their machines before they felt confident enough to quilt for others.
Of course for some a loan or financing will be their only option and that is ok, just remember that you will be giving up time quilting for yourself if you are slave to quilting for others to make the payments on your machine. So up shot- make sure the payments are very reasonable, and again. if you have to, wait and save.
Key to Thinking About It.
Here is where I am also going to put in my plug for getting a longarm and not thinking of it as a business, but as a way to enjoy quilting even more and fulfilling your persona goals as an artist. While there is no doubt that these machines are expensive, they are no more expensive than owning a boat or motorcycle for personal recreation. The argument that these machines must earn their keep seems a bit silly since lets face it, you did not expect your mate to become the Gordon’s Fisherman just because they got a boat. So why should you be forced to make a longarm a business if that is not your goal?
Longarms are but one of the amazing options we have out there for today’s quilter, in fact some of the most stunning quilting I have ever seen done was accomplished on a domestic machine so take heart that even if your longarm lust is in overdrive with no chance of getting one now that it need not stop you from doing amazing quilting no matter your machine or the space you have to do it in.
and speaking of keys.. I was at my local quilt store today and saw these and thought of all of you! So for a bit of mid-week fun I will be giving these Quilted Key Covers away! Just leave a comment answering the question- Are you thinking about a longarm and if so what are you concerned about?
I will draw for the winners (2) On Saturday evening the the 8th of June. Must check back here or on the BAQS Facebook page to find out if you have won!
This giveaway in now closed with 92 entries!. Good luck to everyone!
I have had a longarm for 2 years now and love it. I am busy with customers quilts and I have time for my own. I looked around for a year and tried a variety of them at a quilt show. I fell in love with the Handi Quilter, Avante. No regrets.
I own a longarm and love it. I only suggest to try all out in your price range. It is like buying a home you never truly know what are positive or negative features until you move in.
I purchased my HQ Avante with a small inheritance from my mom, who taught me to sew, but wasn’t a quilter herself. Every time I quilt, I feel her smiling down on me! I have resisted quilting for customers so far, mostly because I’m afraid it would such the joy out of something I love doing for myself and others. Love the key covers!!
My mom and I had never made a quilt and bought a longarm and a building to put it in! We tried out machines for about a year before making a decision. I am the quilter and my mom was the boss! I quilted 180 quilts the first year we had our longarm. I lost track after that! I have been using a longarm for about six years now! Do lots of test drives before making a decision! Happy quilting!
I lust after the skills, more. I’ve tried them at shows, and I suck!
I have neither the cash nor the space, so it’s not really a concern.
If I felt I had some sort of aptitude, then I might
actually long for a long-arm! Sure would be convenient!
I thought about a longarm for a couple of years before I bought one. I have a large sewing room and thought it would fit no problem. It is true that it fits easily, but the space for the things you need to accompany it took over my sewing room and I finally had to take a second bedroom for my sewing room because I could not keep any order in the room because there was so much stuff in it. I also thought I would like to quilt for others – didn’t need the money to pay for the machine, but was retiring and love to travel. I thought it would pay for my travel. I quilted so much for other people that I began to hate quilting. I have since almost stopped quilting for others. When people ask me, I refer them to others. I only still quilt for a few friends and that keeps it manageable. So many people in our area have also bought longarms and are quilting for others that I just have to say “Why do I want to do that?” I just have to say. Buy it because you want it for you. Not because you think you can make money on it!
My APQS Longarm, is aptly named ‘Milieu’; by my artist daughter. The definition is: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops: environment. If you think of your Longarm acquisition in this way, as part of the tools of your art, the machine has different context. I compared & tried every available machine available before making the decision to go with a top of the line APQS; traveling thousands of miles to MQS to research. I created a spread sheet to compare & rank details to help assess value to make the decision; & and now would consider several other factorsI still quilt for others to help pay for my rented studio space, but love the artistic freedom to create. Thank you for your blog; & the opportunity to participate in information sharing.
oh how I wish I had one. just for me not for profit. I love to sew and this allows me to create…ahhhhhhh..and I am a fan of your work.
I have one….had to down size to 10foot table when we moved….but still going strong…woohoo
APQS Millie rocks!
Would love one but space and cost are real issues for me.
I will add DEFINITELY try a bunch of machines out before you jump in. My husband bought me one on the fly – I had never tried any longarm machine. Crazy! It has been nothing but problems. Do your research first!
I made the leap this past January. I love it and I’m not looking back. Handing over quilted tops is fabulous.
I have been back and forth for almost a year. Thank you for the article because I think a lot of us think we can make a go of it being a business….doing for others, but if I could ever win….that would be a dream!! But it’s everyone’s dream here! Ha ha so, I will have to save up my pennies and quite buying so much fabric! ;-). Stopping the stash is highly improbable! Lol so I’ll continue to save and dream and one day I WILL!!! <3
Yes, I’ve thought about getting a long arm. My concerns are; price, space, skill, & how long will I be able to use use it? I’ve got RA & am losing range of motion every day. I’ve a big ass loom taking up one room already. Can I really dedicate another room to a long arm? Hubby will get me anything I want, but damn. If this keeps up, I’ll need a house just for my crafts.
Have used a long arm and loved it but no room for it and my husband too. Right now I still want him more.
I would love to have a longarm. It was a long term goal when I first began to quilt. However, after building a stash, the longarm “wish jar” is no longer an option…I can only hope 🙂
The only room that I have that is big enough is the master bedroom. Tried, but can’t talk the hubby out of it! I rent one at one of the quilt stores close by. Not ideal but works. I feel lucky to be able to do that.
Your the first one I’ve heard say that you don’t have to run a business to want a long arm. Thanks, that was great to hear. Your article brought up a lot of good points.
I would love to have a long arm machine but for me it’s like winning the lottery all a dream
Oh, I list after one but my BFFQ got one for $1,300 and allows me to use it whenever…..it is awesome! She told her DH to sell it to me at that price if she croaks. noooooooo!!!!
A friend of a friend went out of business as a drapery maker and it was just sitting neglected.
It’s a Nolting. We all love it. She is a member of our Quiting for Charity group and she does a lot of work gratis. Another one of our members has a quilting studio with a brand new long arm and she too does lots of free charity work for another group.
I have some awesome BFFQs.
I love the work of those talented artists who have a long arm quilting machine! It never ceases to amaze me of how beautiful their work is! I can do none of that so far! Just some little bits and pieces on my Janome!! If I did have one, I’d take classes, find a mentor and learn, learn, learn!!!
I am thinking about a long arm. I got into quilting in my fifties, so I wonder whether it makes sense to venture out with a long arm for myself when there are so many wonderful quilters who can quilt my projects. Then I think, why not!!! It would take very little convincing to take the plunge!!!
Not really… though if I were to want to quilt for myself (I’m a topper & hire long armers to quilt & bind my quilts.) I think that a long arm would be ideal for me, because it more closely resembles moving a pencil vs moving the paper, which is how quilting on a domestic machine feels to me.
Yes, occasionally I toy with the idea of a “real” quilting machine, bells, whistles and all, but truth be known that when I am done with any given top, I am thinking about the next one. So my passion isn’t in the quilting, it’s in the creating department. (Not to say that quilting isn’t creative, it’s just not MY creativity.) I do have a Juki on a Grace frame with which I can meander quite acceptably, but beyond that, I have several great friends who are WAYYY better at quilting than I am, and I can live with that. Until I win that lottery, that is… or until you give one away, ha ha!
I have two friends that are lusting after long arms. I have one, but I am assisting them in thier lusting for their long arms. We have measured their rooms. Moved stuff around. I have gone to several long arm dealers, quilt shows and private sellers to test the long arms with them. I have given them lessons on my long arm so it will help them in thier search for thier long arm. I have answered e-mails and phone calls answering their questions and calming their fears. I do not mind it cause I know the excitement and fear that the purchase of a long arm can cause. I am just trying to make thier decision the right decision for them. So I am lusting for a long arm with them, for them. lol Marla
I just got a longarm and am in the process of figuring out how it works and making sure all the rods are in the correct place. 🙂
I have a long arm machine and have been in business for 6 years. Before I bought one, I used to shy away from machines being demonstrated by a vendor at a quilt show. Then, my husband and my quilting buddy talked me into buying one because they believed I could do it and because i wanted to quit my much hated job at the time. When my original long arm dealer never followed through on 8 hours of classes included in the purchase, I had to learn on my own, with the help of the internet and books and many hours of frustration. In spite of the rough beginnings, I have come to love long arm quilting and after motherhood, I consider it to be the best job EVER! I am also a long arm quilting teacher at a large quilt shop in Phoenix and love teaching my students as well! Long arm quilting has been an amazing blessing in my life. If you are thinking about getting your own machine, my advice is go for it! Then, remember the 3 Ps: practice, patience & perseverance. Don’t give up!
i had my mom talk me into getting a long arm 18 years ago. Best thing I ever did. anyone can afford one. I have one of the first gammill’s that came out and you can get one for around 7,000 sounds like a lot but if you are serious about it will have that in no time. They do work with you now also.
I could never afford one!
Like everyone, I would love to have a long arm, or should I say I would have loved to have one 5 or so years ago. I have the room, could probably afford it, but I have now reached the age where I’m less physically able, The eyes are going and the aches and pains are coming. I’ve missed my chance.
yes, I have one and I am thinking of getting another one with a statelier stitcher so I can multiple task. The decision will be between upgrading my 12 year old mAchine , trading it or keeping it and adding another one to go FT LAQ. Your blog entry was great BTW!
My husband is a member of Tech Shop, a membership place with tools, woodworking machinery,welding, etc. they also have a small section of sewing machines, with a long arm included. I was not home one Sunday afternoon and he took a Training class. I was shocked. He took me there to show me how to use it. Now i think i am hooked and think i do have that talent. To win one would be the greatest!!!! We could both play with it! I would be able to build a shop just for my long arm! My daughters and granddaughter would certainly benefit too!
Sharon I hate to bust your bubble but I am not giving away a longarm.. you might want to go back and read the whole post! 🙂
Yes, I lust. But we can’t afford it financially or space wise, so I rent time on one at my LQS, I wish I had more time to practice and play. Someday, maybe.
Yes, I’m thinking of buying a long-arm. I want to get to a big show and try out lots of models. I’ve asked friends for recommendations, but I know I need to get the machine right for me.
It’s a matter of time before I purchase a long arm. Space is the issue. I am thinking of getting a large shed that the amish make and put air and heat in it. I go to the quilt shows and “practice” on them all the time. I am in the “Queen of Loop de Loops” presently. The Norwiches have already approved my future purchase as they already like sleeping under my cutting table. They feel the long arm will give them the ability to stretch out….
Yes, I’ve had longarm lust for a few years now … and my biggest concern is how to knock out the wall to the bathroom that stands in the middle of my 2 rooms I would need 🙂
Been in the back of my mind (shoved there by lack of space and money) for a long time. Have a studio, but everything’s in the wrong place and doesn’t allow any long arm arrangement to work. Ah well, one can dream!
Finances and space don’t allow me to get a long arm quilting machine. But have considered the sit-down free motion quilter from Baby Lock. Love to play with the machine each time I go to the local Baby Lock dealer. Much more affordable and will probably get more use from me than a long arm machine. But love the work you do, Maddie! I will live vicariously through you!
It’s a matter of time before I get a long arm…thinking of buying a shed the amish make to house it with air and heat. I test drive everytime I’m at the quilt shows for fun and “practice”..quite frankly, I am known in the test drive circles as the “Queen of loop de loops” . My Norwiches have approved as they like lying under my cutting table now. They feel they can stretch out more comfortably if I purchase a long arm..
Yes, I took the plunge last October at the Portland Machine Quilting eXpo. The way I look at it, it’s the motorcycle that I gave up riding while feeding my creative energy. The learning curve is phenomenal and Maddie, you’re an inspiration!
Owning a longarm is a passing thought… We certainly don’t have any room in our house and I seriously doubt that I would have the patience to learn how to use it and I doubt that I could learn quickly enough to even consider making a living on it!!! I think that I’ll stick to hand quilting because quite honestly it is my passion and I love the look of it!
Yes I would love to have one but really if I were to buy one I would have the stress of working it to pay it off. I have given this allot of thought yes I would love one very much but not at that cost. As you explained it comes down to really wanting it for my own pleasure and then if I wanted to make it a business I would have that option…and at last decided that because of that reason, unless I strike it rich, I will probably never own one. Now do I still save the pennies when I can, I sure do there is always hope that I just might save enough one day…..thanks for your input.
When the hubster gets a new man cave, then my thread shed would be able to expand, so space would not be an issue. My thoughts of owning a long arm would be to be able to have a final quilt project that I could call my own, from start to finish.
Mom and I are thinking about selling her “good” living room furniture to make way for a longarm. Put in a hard floor instead of carpet and we are all set!
I have HQ Avante for my own personal use. I am a stay at home caregiver for my 32 yr old Mentally challenged son. Classes arent an option for me….So with interest free financing I was able to the machine I wanted and sell the Voyager 17 I did have. Teaching myself ruler work after taking a few Craftsy classes. If anyone is on the fence about a longarm. Go for it if you can….life is too short for regrets!!
I have a Gammill with a 14 ft table. While I mainly do wall quilts for myself, I have done several custom California Kings for customers. The machine takes up most of my room; but love it and glad I made the decision a few years ago to purchase the larger table and Gammill Optimum Plus!!!!
Yup, terrible lust in my heart! I’ve been discussing with hubby how to handle it. We’ll probably add a room just to make sure we have the right floor support and room for an entire quilt studio. Now, exactly when that will happen?? Time will tell. In the meantime, I’m still playing with my domestic. I do fine and love it, but sure would love to be able to actually SEE what I’m doing like on a LA! love those key covers!
Yes, I have been looking at a Tin Lizzie model. I don’t want to quilt commercially, just for myself. Therefore, I can’t justify a $15K investment and not being able to drive it on the open road.
That would be a wonderful thing to have. A longarm sewing machine would really help to be able to get more quilting done and faster. A dream come true….