Disadvantages of Longarm Quilting
Longarm quilting adds an artistic quality to a quilt that cannot be achieved with a home sewing machine. The most intricate stitch designs may be created with a longarm in a matter of hours (as opposed to months of hand quilting). There is no doubt that the longarm quilting machine is a valuable addition to the avid quilter's sewing room. However, the longarm has a few disadvantages as well.
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Cost
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Longarm quilting machines are more expensive than most other sewing or crafting equipment. The price range for a longarm is between $10,000 and $22,000. Machines with longer arms and more advanced technology command top dollar. Longarm quilting also requires more thread than traditional quilting on a home sewing machine due to the intricate designs. In order to justify the cost of owning their longarms, most quilters begin longarm quilting businesses.
Size
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The longarm machine is huge (most are 12 feet in length) and comes with a table. Room to move around three sides of the table must be accounted for as well. Dedicating an entire room to the longarm becomes a necessity. The machine is too heavy to move often and cannot be tucked into a closet when you need extra space.
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Repairs
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Most longarm machines operate with no problems and the need for repairs is rare. However, if you do run into trouble with your machine, getting it repaired can be a big hassle. Longarm quilting is not popular enough to justify repair shops in every town. Loading the longarm into a truck is not practical. The only feasible option is to pay a technician to visit your home and make the repair there. You will be paying on a per hour basis; if you live far away from a longarm repairman, drive time must be factored into the cost.
Return on Investment
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A longarm sewing machine has a low return on investment unless you are planning to start a longarm business. Finishing more than 10 quilts a year is a huge feat for the home quilter. The cost to have someone else longarm the quilt for you will cost about $150. Paying to have 10 quilts finished for you will cost $1,500 over the course of one year. Recouping the cost of the average longarm (at $15,000) will take you a minimum of 10 years.
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References
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