catsden

Anyone out there have the HQ sweet 16 sit down machine? I got to play with one and am thinking about purchasing one.

QuiltingVagabond

I have one - absolutely love it. I took a class from one of the Handiquilter instructors to get over the "don't want to break it" nerves and just jumped right in after that.
I got the bigger Hideaway table but have never put it away in the 2 years I have owned it.
But I did sell the stitch regulator and would recommend that you not get it until you have used the machine for awhile. I found it to be a nuisance and learned to match my machine speed to my hand speed.

catsden

Thanks, I got to play with this and really like it. Was thinking about the stitch reg. but I already can match machine speed and hand speed so will probably pass on that.

patsan

I just bought a demo model at my daughters LQS. I played with it for about 30-45 minutes. The day after I got it home, I fractured my back so I couldn't use it for a while. When I did try, something happened and it broke. My daughter came down to get it and bring it back to her shop (5-6 hours away).
It got a new C-pod and everything was set.
I tried it last week for the first time. I am a brand new sewer and quilter so I was just going to meander all over it. I did NOT like the stitch regulator. I found it to be too cumbersome, so I removed it and will just use it manually. It felt smoother on manual setting also.
I need a LOT of practice using it. But I will get there one of these days.
Was the class from Handi quilter really worth it?

QuiltingVagabond

Pat, the class was really good. It was held at a local dealer shop.
You can find the schedule on the handiquilter website to see where there is one near to you.
Or you could go to Utah for their "university".
Susan Manry and Harriet Carpanini are the instructors I had - they were both very helpful.

cathyvv

I have an HQ16 on a frame. No doubt I tortured it in the beginning; it's a very hardy machine! I bought it 2nd hand in 2010 and have never looked back. My DH cleans it or me annually, other than that I have not had any maintenance done on it. one of these days it will need maintenance, but until then, I'm happy.

The only thing I would change about it is the throat size...in my dreams!

Trisher

I have the equivalent machine (BabyLock Tiara) and L.O.V.E. it! I also go without the stitch regulator! Play and practice lots! It is fun to use!

Mimiqwerty

I also have the BabyLock Tiara and I just love it. I love being able to sit (bad knees) while I have room to work on very large quilts.

quiltsRfun

I have the Sweet Sixteen. It was used in classes at a quilt show so the package included the stitch regulator. I agree with the others, I do much better without. I love the S16 and have been able to finish many more quilts since getting it. Sit down works best for me both size wise and health wise.

kaylfordsollimo

I bought one second hand and see them available now and then at http://www.longarmuniversity.com/MachinesForSale.html In fact, there are two listed right now (one in MO and the other in FL) - just scroll down to find them. Big difference in the asking prices though. Mine came with both side extension tables and a bunch of extras.