We are the Midwest dealer for the Innova by ABM International.  We are in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.

CONGRATULATIONS!  You are a very smart quilter to be investigating the Innova long arm by ABM International.  It has not been on the market for as long as some, but it is better.  Keep reading or call me (Chris) at the store for more info               (630)321-9051         or email info@quiltfabric.com

Here's a picture of the machine from one of our booths at a show.  This is the 26 inch machine but it's on only about a 5 foot frame for the show.  Look how much sturdier the frame is than most.

 TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT

We are the only place in the Midwest where you can come and try the machines. We have an 26 inch set up in the store. The 26 inch is on the 12 foot frame and also has the Autopilot installed.  There is also an 18 inch and a 22 inch available.

We use it to quilt for customers and it is fabulous. Come try it any day from Tuesday through Sunday. We are in Willowbrook, a southwest suburb of Chicago.  We're on the NE corner of Route 83 and 75th Street, one mile north of I-55.

Important to know about the Innova long arm quilting machine:

• THE COMPANY BACKGROUND ABM International, has been making commercial quilting machines since 1947.  That means the huge machines that run 24 hours a day quilting comforters, and bedspreads, and fabric, and Kevlar vests, etc, etc.  They even made one for NASA that sews together 27 layers of something with ceramic thread that makes a part of the heat shield or something.
   
• HOW THE INNOVA CAME ABOUT A couple years ago, they found out about the home quilters, went to a Houston Festival, and thought "Gee, we could make those", and since trade laws changed in 2003, a lot of their US business was going overseas, this gave them something to make for here.  They still make the big machines, they just have to go sell them in countries around the world, instead of North Carolina!.
   
• BETTER TECHNOLOGY The technology inside the machine is newer than many other long arms (and they sure didn't take a regular machine, cut it in half and stretch it ).  What this means to you is that there are no moving pieces that are getting a lot of friction and need oiling all the time.  In fact , you never need to oil it except down in the bobbin area.  They use ball bearings instead of bushings if you understand what that means.  I now know, but I won't bore you here, besides, it requires hand gestures for me to explain.
   
• UNIQUE, BRILLIANT FEATURE  The "head" or front of the sewing machine will swivel 90 degrees.  Makes it much easier to get at the needle area when you need to, take bars out, or take your machine off the frame.

• BETTER FRAME   A 200 pound person can stand on the rails without damaging it.  It is a very, very sturdy frame.  It is not made of bicycle tubing like some of them are.
   
• LIGHTNING STITCH REGULATOR The stitch regulator is awesome.   It has to do with the type of motor in the sewing machine.  I know now about Servo motors vs. regular motors, and why that can make the stitch regulation more infinite and smooth.  Plus it stops when you stop, not idling and making more stitches as you pause in a corner.
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• VERSATILE I have stitch outs to who you of many different threads.  It uses King Tut thread and Rainbows, both by Superior, very well.  The same cannot be said of all brands.
   
• It is very reasonably priced.  OK, it is all relative.  Yes, $8999, for the 18 inch or $11999 for the 26 inch is a lot of money, but not compared to $15,000 for the same thing by other manufacturers.  And a Statler Stitcher-like attachment is here, for about $14,000. Compare that, plus the first price, to $35,000 for a Gammill with a Statler Stitcher. Hmmmm. $26,000 vs. $35,000.  note- I have heard that Gammill has come down from that price.....hmmmm.....isn't competition wonderful? Shipping to Chicago area is about $400.
   
• The company has admitted that it is not going to stay this reasonably priced, so jump on it.  They enjoy some price advantages due to the bulk in which they buy parts, but they also have just priced this reasonably to get into the market.   The above prices include everything you need.  It's not "oh, you wanted a frame with that?"  You get the frame, the machine, the stitch regulator, a bobbin winder, and an extension table to rest rulers on.
   
• We have someone to set up in your home ($425 or you can do it yourself), we have someone to do training classes here at the store, and we have repairs covered (although I am not expecting many).
   
• A big revelation to me was that it is actually easier to do little tiny stippling on this long arm than on a regular sewing machine.  That explains some of the quilting I saw in Paducah and Kansas City.  Come try it.
   
• There are only a few dealers in the country so far, and quiltfabric.com is one of them.  Please spread the word to any friends, anywhere who are thinking about a long arm. 
   
• Financing is available!!

Here's some info from the ABM international website, for the engineer in your family:

Innova Longarm Quilting Machine Specifications

18" x 10" Longarm quilting machine
26" x 12" Longarm quilting machine
Extruded alumium construction
Front & rear adjustable handle bars
Front & rear handle bar mounted controls with start/stop, needle up/dn and speed control
Selectable to stop needle up or down
All sealed ball bearing "grease-less" needle and hook drive system - You don't have to oil it 
Spring action power driven large hopping foot
Industrial quality "PLC" programmable logic contoller for accurate stitch and speed control
1 H.P. servo motor
"Pulse Tech" motor speed controller
Industrial quality high resolution encoders
Timing belt drive (no grease points)
Rotary thread tensioner
Large capacity "M" bobbin
Non-engaged handwheel
Pro-glider composite wheels
Max sewing speed: 3000 SPM
"Pro Frame"Perforated 1.5" square extruded aluminum tubing clear anodized 
Frame can be ordered 6', 8', 10', 12', 14' or a custom size
Adjustable height from 30"-42"
2" stainless steel poles 

Innova Longarm Quilting Machine STANDARD Features

Standard:
Selectable needle stop position up or down
Easy hopping foot independent height adjustments
Stitch regulation
Rotary thread tensioner
Flourescent work lamp
Laser stylus
Mechanical stylus
2 nylon side tension clamps with adjustment straps
Stand alone bobbin winder w/shutoff & speed control
2 bobbins
1 bobbin case
Tool kit
Dust cover
10 #16 titanium needles
Leaders
Machine leveling legs
Gas assisted lifting top fabric roller
Stationary top quilt take-up roller
Stationary bypass roller
Pole Brakes

Optional:

Overhead light bar with or without track style lights
Casters
Electric lifting table screw drive mechanism
Power feed take-up roller
Stitch regulation pro w/ touch screen and double resolution encoders
Micro handles
Small thread spool, horizontal side mounted holder
Unique fully adjustable and easy to position crosshatch ruler
"Autopilot" computer robotics system
"Patented" ecording multitech automatic couching system