Yarn or Fabric

I've been contemplating my next machine purchase... I could go with a Juki 2010 for about $900 or maybe a longer throated commercial machine although that would have to stay put in the craft room lol. Not like I can take that to quilting days with my guild...
Or I could possibly go with something like the Sunshine 16 sit down....

I really don't want a frame set up in my craft room. I had one and it was a giant paper weight. It sucks up too much space for the amount of time I'd actually use it. I don't intend to ever quilt for profit so it's just me and my own hobby...

I have considered a HQ Sweet 16 but I don't see what my extra $4k investment would get me over the Sunshine 16. Same goes for the Fun Quilter and the George - they're all A LOT more money than the Sunshine.
I don't want a Bailey. I had one on a frame. I really do want a taller machine if I'm going to go with something other than the Juki... so that leaves me with Sunshine which I have to admit I have not test sewed it yet and I would before I commit. They're about a 4 hour drive so it's a doable trip...

I read that there are a few people that have purchased them. I'd be curious to know how long you've had it and what you think so far...

Candace

Does it have stitch regulation and all the bells and whistles of the George and Fun Quilter? If not, there's where the extra costs are.

Yarn or Fabric

Neither the Fun Quilter nor George are stitch regulated. You can get a regulator of some sort for the FQ. It's an additional fee and is only for frame models. The HQ has a stitch regulator for about $1k but it has not gotten the best of reviews from what I've read.
The George has a massive throat. It's 20" which is overkill for me. I only brought it up since I was certain it would be suggested.
I actually have not seen if you could actually use a FunQuilter on a table instead of a frame now that I think of it...

lindy-2

i have the juki and love it it has a decent amount of space and also has the added benifit of being a great peicing machine i use it all the time for peicing and sometimes for quilting when my longarm is down like it is now.

nyelphaba

I was able to test sew on the Sunshine 16 last year at Quilt Expo- I loved it! Wish I had one. I am going to Quilt Expo on Friday, and I hope to try it again.

BarbaraA

Why didn't you like your Bailey? There was a post the other day about the bailey's, everyone seemed to like them. Someone said they had a sit down model. I do not have a long arm (if that is what these are called) but I like to read these posts and gain knowledge. I would like to have a sit down model someday.

sewplease

Just for fun - Nolting does have a sit down machine called the Quilting Bee instead of the FunQuilter. Not cheap.

"Over 15" deep and 8" inside height provide plenty of room to sew large quilts and sew the large designs."

$4,600 for the package - here's the link http://nolting.com/qbee.php

Yarn or Fabric

Sewplease - thanks! I had totally missed it. I knew they had one but I also knew it was about the same price as the HQ S16

BarbaraA - I didn't dislike the Bailey at all. Bailies are good workhorse machines. If I'm going to spend about the same amount of money, I'd just rather get the Sunshine 16 instead for table use only because I like the height of the machine. I figure if I'm going to spend half that, I'd get the Juki. I am on the lookout for a Singer 301 type of machine which I could probably pick up for about $100 - just to get until I decide what I really want

I was just hoping to hear from some Sunshine 16 owners. I'll look them up and pm them

AshleyR

There is a yahoo group for Sunshine owners and I joined it for a bit to find out more about it. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pennywinklequilters/
From what I see on there, everyone loves their set up! And the owner of pennywinkle is active on the group and seems to be very friendly and helpful. I hope you will post what you find out. I was very very interested in this machine too (until I remembered I need straight stitches!!) and couldn't find much information about them, other than other people like us, trying to find out more about them!! You can also email Nancy directly. When I did, she replied within a few hours. http://sunshine16.com/Contact.html

LindaR

I tested the sunshine 16 in GR at the quilt show, I really want the sitdown model too. I have a juki on a Grace quilting frame. I am lousie on quilting on a regular machine without a frame, so don't know if the HQ would be good for me or not. I can't remember what the cost was at the show cuz I tried all the models but free shipping if ordered within 30 days of show. I would have to get rid of my grace frame. the 16 was $1700 alone to fit on my frame. The only problem is you would have to use a footpedal and I can't find a way to get around that. now I have a HQ handihandles that I have a off/on and speed control.... questions/questions LOL