Research Then Shopping in Houston

I've been a very busy girl!  I've been thinking, researching and obsessing over getting a longarm machine.  I thought buying my Viking machine was big but a longarm is BIG!!!  Would I get the hang of it, could I get good enough to sell my services, would anyone WANT to buy my services?  I have found that I really do enjoy doing surface design but get frustrated with the quilt gymnastics of getting the work surface straight without getting any creases in the backing.  I don't mind the time involved in quilting the quilt (usually about a week or so for a queen-sized quilt) but it is easy to put it aside because, well, I'm easily distracted by the next project!  Can I justify spending that kind of money?  And I hadn't even started stressing over what I wanted or needed in a machine!  I had never really used one and I know there will be a pretty big learning curve.  But then again, there was a learning curve with quilting on a home machine.  I found that when I did it day after day on a regular basis my skills improved dramatically.

So I started researching on the internet and talking to people who owned them.  The 4 I narrowed it down to were: Gammil, Innova, APQS and Nolting.  I not only went to the websites but got on their forums to see what people were talking about.  Sheryl on the Innova forum had a spreadsheet she used with questions to ask each manufacturer.  I copied some of her questions and added a few of my own.  I also researched what I should do on my "test drive".  Below is the information I asked about.  I marked the answers and gave my impressions of each aspect.  I also marked what equipment was standard or how much it cost to add it on.

Machine
Electrical Requirements
Actual working surface
Ease of movement
Stitch Regulator
Speed Control
Vibrations
Thread break sensor
Bobbin Access
Bobbin Size
Side spool holder
Controls front/back
Operator Interface
Open toe stipple foot
Open toe hopping foot
Needle up/down
One Stitch Switch
Oiling
Cleaning and Maintenance
Starter Kit
Wheel system
Frame Construction
Height Adjustment
Dead bar
Handles front/back
Adjustable handles
Fabric take-up compensator
Channel locks
Fabric pole lift
Hand wheels
Roller configuration
Motorized advance
X-Hatch ruler w/ dead bar Extended base for ruler work
Thread stand
Side Tensioning
Lights
Stylus
Laser light
Micro Handles
Panto and/or design boards
PantoVision
Bobbin Winder
Warranty
Customer Service
Training
Add ons or Upgrades What's due to come out in the future
Delivery & Set up Charge
Repairs
Basic Package
Total with computer
Overall Cost with options
How long is the offer good?

What to Stitch:

Straight line-

Front to back & measure

Side to side-make + sign  

Mark Shoo Fly Block and trace (stitch in the ditch)

How easy to change direction

Stitch 1/4” on side of design 

Stitch a large square with a circle inside

Cross hatch  How easy to stop at circle and move to the other side

Micro stipple inside circle

Loops and swirls-back and forth

Try with SR on and off.

I went down to Houston's International Quilt Festival so I could test drive the machines.  Yes, it's expensive but I'm making a HUGE investment.  To do the same thing without going to a big show I'd have to drive to Ohio, Western Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa.  We're talking gas, meals, lodging, time and wear and tear on both my car and my body!  I was able to test all 4 in a matter of hours in addition to seeing some incredible quilts!  Anyway, I was amazed at how I was treated at each of the booths.  Innova was very friendly and made sure I was able to test everything I wanted and answered every question thoroughly.  The dealer I would be working with from western Michigan was there and I got along with her very well.  I must have spent an hour and a half or so with them.  

Next, I went to the Gammill booth.  I felt very rushed.  She brushed off some of my questions and even though the dealer I would be working with was there and with another shopped, there was no effort to introduce her to me.  Maybe they work on commission.  The machine ran very smoothly but she was not forthcoming with what are in the works as far as upgrades go.  She wrote up a sales proposal and practically kicked me out of the booth.  No warm and fuzzies.

I next went to the APQS booth.  A gal in my guild has an APQS machine and likes it. As I test drove it I noticed quite a bit of vibration and it was a bit louder.  Still asked most of the questions but knew I would not be serious about it because of the vibration.

Finally, I went to the Nolting booth.  The people at the booth were very nice and willing to answer my questions but as soon as I started to test the machine I noticed the very pronounced vibrations.  I didn't even go down the full list of questions.

I wandered around the beautiful quilts in the show part of the convention center.  It was much quieter and a lot less crowded than in the vender area.  I let my mind absorb the beauty of the quilts displayed and tried to clear my head.  Most of the people I know who have longarms have Gammills except for the one woman from my guild.  They seem to be the most recognized name out there.  The biggest thing that weighed heavily on my mind was the willingness to help the customer-not only during the sales process but also the customer care.  Gammill has an 800 number that is open M-F 8am-5pm central time.  Innova bent over backwards to make me feel comfortable with the machine and made sure I could try anything I had questions about.  They also have an 800 service number available 24/7, 365.

I ended up choosing the Innova and will hopefully take delivery either the end of this month or the beginning of next month!  I'm very happy with my decision.  I look forward to working with my dealer, Bekki, and the rest of the Innova team!  I need to start setting up the business so I can buy it without the sales tax and get the advantages offered this year for starting a small business! 

The next few weeks will be spent setting up the business and getting the "Lair" ready for my new baby!  I'll have to come up with a good name for her!

Happy Stitching,

Karen