Expert Quilting Setup: A Sit-Down Longarm Studio for About $17,026
An expert quilting setup costs about $17,026 for 37 items, built around the Handi Quilter Amara 20 sit-down longarm at about $9,495, with a 20 in throat and a height adjustable table. It adds a Juki piecing machine, an electric AccuQuilt, a 70 x 40 in cutting table and studio lighting.
Expert setup
This is the performance-ceiling quilting studio: a machine to piece on, a sit-down longarm to quilt on, a cutting system that turns a pile of yardage into blocks quickly, and a room set up so none of it strains your back. It totals about $17,026 across 37 lines.
The centerpiece is the Handi Quilter Amara ST 20, which runs up to 2,500 stitches per minute with 20 inches of throat space on a height adjustable lift table. You move the quilt under a fixed needle, like free-motion quilting on a much bigger machine, so it fits a room where a 10 to 12 foot frame would not.
Who should not buy this setup: anyone finishing only a few quilts a year, anyone who mostly wants edge-to-edge pantograph designs (a frame machine suits that better), and anyone whose shoulders or hands already ache when steering a quilt. For most of those quilters, a longarm service or the intermediate setup is the better use of the money.
Everything in the expert quilting setup
The longarm
Thread, needles and the tools that make steering a big quilt easier. Confirm needle size against the Amara manual for the thread you run.
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Handi Quilter Amara ST 20 | Twenty inches of throat means a king quilt rolls through with room to see your stitching. The intermediate setup quilts on a domestic machine; this is the jump to longarm speed and space. | 1 | $9,495.00 | Price |
 Handi Quilter Longarm Needles | Handi Quilter's own sharp point longarm needles in size 18, the size Superior lists for its 40wt King Tut on longarms. | 1 | $15.38 | Price |
 Superior King Tut 40wt | A 2,000 yd cone of 40wt Egyptian cotton that shows quilting texture without shouting. Two cones cover several large quilts. | 2 | $59.10 | Price |
 Superior Bottom Line 60wt | A 3,000 yd cone of fine 60wt polyester for the bobbin, so more quilting fits on each bobbin and the back stays flat. | 1 | $15.06 | Price |
 Machingers Quilting Gloves | On a sit-down longarm your hands do all the moving; grip gloves cut the pressure needed. | 1 | $9.78 | Price |
 Supreme Slider Queen | A Teflon slider on the table lets the weight of a big quilt glide instead of drag. | 1 | $39.54 | Price |
| The longarm subtotal | $9,633.86 | |||
The piecing machine
A longarm does not piece. If you already own a good straight-stitch or combo machine, skip this group.
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Juki TL-2010Q | The same fast straight-stitch piecer as the intermediate setup, with an even feed foot for binding. There is little to gain from a pricier domestic machine once the longarm does the quilting. | 1 | $1,199.00 | Price |
 Schmetz Quilting Needles | Household quilting needles in the HA x 1 system the Juki lists. | 1 | $17.73 | Price |
 Aurifil Classic Set | Twelve large spools of 50wt cotton for piecing, the full-color sibling of the neutral set in the intermediate kit. | 1 | $189.86 | Price |
| The piecing machine subtotal | $1,406.59 | |||
The cutting system
Compare cutters in the fabric cutting machines for quilting roundup and AccuQuilt GO! vs GO! Big.
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 AccuQuilt GO! Big | One-button electric cutting of up to 6 layers, compatible with all GO! dies including the 14 x 16 in GO! Big dies. It removes the crank effort of the manual cutter in the intermediate setup. See the AccuQuilt GO! Big review. | 1 | $699.99 | Price |
 AccuQuilt GO! Qube 8 in | Eight dies that combine into 72 block designs finishing at 8 in, which is where a die cutter pays for itself. | 1 | $299.99 | Price |
 AccuQuilt GO! Strip Cutter 2-1/2 in | Cuts 2-1/2 in strips for binding, sashing and jelly-roll style patterns without a ruler. | 1 | $136.99 | Price |
 Olfa RTY-3/DX 60mm | A 60mm Endurance-blade cutter that handles up to 12 layers of cotton, for trimming backing and batting and cutting thick stacks. | 1 | $26.49 | Price |
 Olfa RTY-2/DX 45mm | The 45mm cutter for precise trimming where the 60mm is clumsy. | 1 | $19.69 | Price |
 Olfa RB45 10-Pack | Ten spare 45mm blades. | 1 | $39.99 | Price |
 Olfa 35x70 Mat Set | Three connecting mats that assemble to 35 x 70 in, close to covering the cutting table so backing can be squared in one pass. | 1 | $209.99 | Price |
 Creative Grids 12.5x24.5 | A 12-1/2 x 24-1/2 in non-slip ruler for wide cuts. | 1 | $55.99 | Price |
 Creative Grids 6-1/2 x 24-1/2 | The standard 6-1/2 x 24-1/2 in strip ruler. | 1 | $39.99 | Price |
 Omnigrid 4-Square Value Pack | Four squaring rulers from 4-1/2 to 12-1/2 in. | 1 | $61.86 | Price |
 Bloc Loc HST Set #2 Optional | Slotted rulers that lock onto the seam for trimming half-square triangles exactly. Optional unless triangles are your thing. | 1 | $72.75 | Price |
| The cutting system subtotal | $1,663.72 | |||
Pressing
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus | The auto-lift iron from the intermediate setup; there is no meaningful step up for quilting. | 1 | $199.99 | Price |
 Oliso M3Pro Optional | A 1,000 W mini iron for pressing seams at the machine and small applique pieces. Optional. | 1 | $79.99 | Price |
 Brabantia Size C | A 49 x 18 in four-leg steel board that adjusts from 27.2 to 37.8 in, so you can press standing or seated, with a 10 year warranty. | 1 | $145.00 | Price |
 PQT Wool Mat 17x24 | A wool mat beside the piecing machine. | 1 | $34.99 | Price |
| Pressing subtotal | $459.97 | |||
Batting, basting and notions
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Warm & Natural 40 yd Roll | A 90 in x 40 yd roll of cotton batting, far cheaper per quilt than packaged batts once you finish quilts regularly. | 1 | $299.99 | Price |
 Odif 505 | A sit-down longarm still needs the layers basted. Two cans baste several large quilts. | 2 | $57.70 | Price |
 Clover Fine Patchwork Pins | Fine pins for matching points. | 1 | $11.17 | Price |
 Clover Wonder Clips 50 | Clips for binding. | 1 | $16.95 | Price |
 Clover Seam Ripper | A sharp seam ripper for the piecing station. | 1 | $6.65 | Price |
 Gingher Thread Snips | Snips at the longarm for thread tails. | 1 | $19.91 | Price |
 Clover Chaco Liner | Chalk marking for quilting motifs and registration lines. | 1 | $9.39 | Price |
| Batting, basting and notions subtotal | $421.76 | |||
The room
Compare options in the cutting table, sewing cabinet and sewing chair roundups.
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kangaroo Kookaburra | A 70 x 40 in open cutting surface with four self-closing drawers that folds to 20 in wide when not in use. Standing to cut at the right height is the single biggest back saver in a quilting room. | 1 | $1,499.99 | Price |
 Kangaroo Bandicoot Optional | A cabinet with a 3-position hydraulic lift that sets the piecing machine flush with the tabletop, rated for a 55 lb machine, with a lifetime warranty. Optional if you already have a flush sewing surface. | 1 | $999.99 | Price |
 Arrow Hydraulic Sewing Chair | A hydraulic chair from 18 to 22 in seat height with a swivel base, so you can match your elbows to the longarm table height. | 1 | $399.99 | Price |
 Missouri Star Design Wall | A 62 x 72 in flannel design wall for planning layouts and quilting designs. | 1 | $39.95 | Price |
| The room subtotal | $2,939.92 | |||
Light
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Daylight Artist Studio 2 | A 6,000 lux, 6,000K, 95+ CRI lamp with a continuous dimmer aimed at the longarm, where thread on busy prints is hardest to see. | 1 | $274.99 | Price |
 Daylight Slimline 4 Floor | A second 6,000K daylight floor lamp for the cutting table and design wall. | 1 | $224.99 | Price |
| Light subtotal | $499.98 | |||
About $17,026 for all 37 lines. The longarm alone is more than half of it. Without the optional lines it is a little under $16,000.
Prices were current when compiled and change often, so confirm each on Amazon. Lines marked "See price" have no verified listing price and are left out of the total rather than guessed. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
What you can skip for now
Honest skips for quilters who already own part of this studio:
- The piecing machine group, about $1,400, if you already have a good machine. The Juki TL-2010Q is only here so the list is complete.
- The sewing cabinet (Kangaroo Bandicoot), about $1,000, if your machine already sits flush in a table.
- The electric cutting system (AccuQuilt GO! Big plus dies), about $1,140, if you prefer rotary cutting. Keep the mat and rulers.
- The mini iron and triangle rulers, about $150 together.
If the longarm itself is the question, a Grace Little Rebel midarm on a Grace Q-Zone Hoop Frame costs roughly half as much. It has a smaller 13 x 8.5 in throat and needs frame space.
What to upgrade first
Buy the longarm first, and the room second. The Handi Quilter Amara ST 20 is what changes how many quilts you finish. The Kangaroo Kookaburra and Arrow Hydraulic Sewing Chair are what keep you comfortable enough to use it for hours.
Leave the electric cutting system for last. It speeds up cutting but does not change the finished quilt. Read the Handi Quilter Amara 20 review before deciding.
Is a sit down longarm quilting machine worth it?
It is worth it if you quilt often, like custom free-motion work, and do not have room for a frame. A sit-down machine like the Handi Quilter Amara ST 20 fits roughly a desk footprint and needs no quilt loading. You move the quilt yourself, which gives fine control for feathers, ruler work and dense custom quilting.
It is not worth it if you want edge-to-edge pantographs or have trouble lifting and steering a king quilt, because the full weight of the quilt moves across the table. A frame system moves the machine instead. Compare the approaches in sit-down vs frame longarm and midarm vs longarm, or read how to choose a longarm quilting machine.
| Option | Throat space | Max speed | Price | Space needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handi Quilter Amara ST 20 (this setup) | 20 in | 2,500 SPM | About $9,495 | Desk-sized lift table | Custom free-motion, small rooms |
| Grace Little Rebel on Grace Q-Zone Hoop Frame | 13 x 8.5 in | 1,600 SPM | About $4,600 together | Frame plus walking room | Budget frame quilting |
| Handi Quilter Moxie + Loft | 15 in | 1,800 SPM | About $5,495 | 8 ft frame plus walking room | Edge-to-edge on a frame |
| Grace 16X + Q-Zone Hoop | 16 in | 1,700 SPM | About $4,599 | Frame plus walking room | Bigger throat on a frame |
How much does it cost to set up a longarm quilting studio?
The list above is the complete version with the room furnished. The longarm is the largest single line, and the rest splits roughly between the cutting system, the room and a piecing machine you may already own.
Compare that with paying for longarm quilting. Run your own numbers in the longarm cost calculator, which weighs machine cost against a per-quilt service charge, and read longarm quilting cost for typical service pricing.
What else do you need for a longarm quilting machine?
Beyond the machine, a longarm needs cone thread, the longarm needles its manual specifies, a fine bobbin thread, batting by the roll and a way to baste. A sit-down machine also benefits from a slider and grip gloves, since you steer the quilt by hand. A frame machine skips basting but adds leaders and clamps.
Lighting matters more than people expect: thread on thread is hard to see. The lighting guide explains color temperature and CRI, and the sit-down longarm roundup compares the machines.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do you need for a sit down longarm?
Much less than a frame. The Handi Quilter Amara 20 sits on its own height adjustable table, so plan for that footprint plus room behind and to the left for the quilt to spill onto, and space for your chair. A frame longarm needs the length of the frame, often 8 to 12 feet, plus walking room on both sides. Measure the room before choosing between the two.
Can you do pantographs on a sit down longarm?
Not in the usual way. Pantographs are traced from a paper pattern at the back of a frame while the machine moves over a stationary quilt. On a sit-down machine you move the quilt, so edge-to-edge designs are stitched freehand or with rulers. If most of your quilts will be finished with pantographs, a frame machine such as the Moxie on a Loft frame suits you better.
Do I still need a regular sewing machine with a longarm?
Yes. A longarm quilts the layers together but is not built for piecing blocks or sewing binding. Most longarm owners keep a domestic machine for piecing, often a fast straight-stitch model like the Juki TL-2010Q. If you already own a machine you are happy with, skip that group in this setup and put the savings toward batting or thread.
Is the AccuQuilt GO! Big worth it?
It is worth it for quilters who cut a lot of repeat shapes or who find rotary cutting hard on their hands. The AccuQuilt GO! Big cuts up to six layers of cotton with a button press and accepts every GO! die, including the larger GO! Big dies. It is not worth it if you enjoy rotary cutting or rarely repeat blocks, which is why it is the first skip listed above.
What is the difference between a midarm and a longarm?
The difference is throat space. Midarms like the Grace Little Rebel, with a 13 x 8.5 in throat, sit between domestic machines and longarms, and they cost less and fit smaller frames. Longarms such as the 20 in Amara 20 quilt wider rows with fewer advances. Read midarm vs longarm for the full comparison.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.