This article was written to help people who are considering purchasing a longarm quilting machine know how to shop for a machine that will best suit their needs.

In the spring of 2010 I went on a quest to find the best longarm machine for my own personal quilting.  As a longarm quilting teacher I have had the opportunity to quilt on many different brands oflongarms and I have owned a few as well.  I decided that in my search for the machine of my dreams it would be good to gather that information into an article that may help others through the process of choosing a machine.  I tried to share my knowledge without bias.  Originally I thought I would compile a chart that listed all the features available on each machine.  I quickly realized that every longarm brand has many models and many features that change regularly.  Knowing that the chart would quickly be outdated I decided that helping a longarm shopper understand the purpose of each feature or option would be more helpful.

Buying a longarm for the inexperienced shopper is similar to a 15 year old buying a car.  It is difficult to distinguish what is good and was is not It is a large purchase and emotions are often involved.  Having an understanding of what is offered, and what things are used for can help you spend your money wisely.  I hope that this article can help eliminate buyer's remorse for longarm shoppers.  I truly believe that knowledge is power....and each longarm shopper can have the power to make a great choice and enjoy their longarm machine for years.

After weighing all the options listed in my article I chose to purchase the Innova 22" with Lightening Stitch.  I found the size to be ideal for my arm length and quilting style.  I am amazed by the responsiveness of the Lightening Stitch regulator.  I love the way the machine glides easily in the designs I draw.  I have had no need to call the 24/7 tech support....but it is good to know I can.  I was not fond of the "erector set" look of the table and frame...but after using it I appreciate the stability and strength it offers.  The configuration of the rollers is the best.  The "dead" bar height is adjustable to whatever kind of batting I choose.  But once I have it set, I do not need to make additional adjustments each time I roll the quilt.  That frame grows more beautiful in my eyes each day...LOL!  And I could not have been happier that the sticker price was lower than anything with the same features.

I wish you years of happy quilting on what ever machine you choose and hope you find this article helpful in gaining an understanding of how to shop for a longarm machine.  Please feel free to share this website with others who may want to read the article.

Sincerely,

Renae Haddadin