Quilting machine
 

I am looking at a Baileys quilting machine and a sweet sixteen quilting machine. They are a big difference in the price. I quilt as a hobby, not as a income. Does anyone know the pros and cons of the two of them? I have contacted Baileys and having a hard time to get them to return my phone call, so that puts a sour taste in my mouth. PLEASE can anyone help me with this?

I've never seen a Bailey's in person but did try out the Sweet 16 at a quilt show (loved it!). I can tell you from the photos, the Bailey's doesn't have a lot of space between the base and the bottom of the arm in comparison to the Sweet 16. The visibility will be much better in the Sweet 16. It will also cost you about $5000. I think the Bailey's are in the $2000 range.

I know of a couple of quilters that have Baileys and are very happy with their machine, and the service. A Bailey is what I will get when I have the room and the money.

Look at the schedule of bailey i call and talk to chuck he gave his cell phone very polite and professional

I have a Bailey 15 Pro and love it. Mr. Bailey is a doll. Don't give up on Bailey, he is a busy man. Baileys are all "Made in America".

pI have a Bailey 15. It is a great starter machine. I got the stitch regulator with it. $2400. They are a stretched Janome. I don't know whatmodel. Chuck has the components mfgd locally. My husband and I actually went there to take a look. Very small busness but very helpful. Machine is just a straight stitch with no feed dogs. I love my machine and it is affordable.

I have a 15" Bailey. Love it. FYI, they are not a stretched machine. They are built based on the Singer 15. That has been discussed at the various group sites. Join the Bailey yahoo group and/or bhqbaileyhomequilter at proboards.com for info, troubleshooting, generally sharing. Bought mine used over a year ago. Love it. Had a 9" Pfaff GrandQuilter before. Didn't do much FMQ w/the Pfaff, but am really getting into it w/all the space that I have now. I screwed up my timing, and even though I did not buy my machine from Chuck, he was very helpful in getting me up and running. There are also video on youtube. Seach for DesertDebbe. She is the moderator of both groups and very knowledgeable.

If you can't get them to return you phone calls before you buy the machine what are the chances they will after you do?

I just got a Bailey's 17. I got it up and running and been playing with it today. I'm very satisfied with it and could kick myself for not getting it sooner. I already had the Bernina frame and it fits fine. It's not hard to use either. Not complicated.

There are many great things said about Baileys on this site. For a hobbiest it sounds perfect. I have a Nolting and love it but I also have a quilting business.

Tin Lizzie 18 has a special going right now - machine and frame for $6000.

They are great. Ask to speak with chuck or Brenda, the owners. I know them well. Have been doing business with them for more years then I want to count.

You might look into Penniwinkle, I have tried sweet sixteen, tinlizzie at show in 2004. I like the Pennywinkle they sell floor (made by them) I was able to buy one, I also have the handle frame that is used in from. My machine is a Brothers 1500s. I bought in 2003 or I would have their machine too.!! Tinker

I would love to have a quilting machine but it doesn't matter how many times I measure the room it isn't big enough!

Bailey's also have a sitdown table model now. You might consider something like that where space is an issue.

I have a 15" Bailey. Granted, the Sweet sixteen is a fantastic machine (I test drove one and fell in love), however, I would never have been able to afford one of those. I love the Bailey because it gives me an opportunity to have my own "longer" arm machine. It is a very simple machine, with no bells or whistles which I do sometimes miss. There is less that can go wrong with it though. Many of the gals who do have Bailey's have made several modifications to their machines to accommodate their needs. If you are interested in a Bailey or have one already, I do suggest joining the group at yahoo. There you will find much help for any issues you may have or questions regarding owning a Bailey.

You should check out the following link, they were VERY helpful while I was researching my quilting frames and machines!

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/quilting-machines.php

I purchased a used HQ 16 from a private party and had a small issue with it. I posted a question on facebook about it and within an hour I had the company asking me to contact them. I did so and spent half an hour with a man going over my machine and what to do with the problem. He asked me to send him some pictures and I did. He then called me back and stated that he would be sending me some parts with the return label to send the old parts back. Well, what he sent me was all of the electronic parts and the machine works great. The best thing was the service. I purchased my machine from a private party and this company I can't say enough good things about it. I didn't pay a cent and I am able to call them anytime and ask any question. I've never heard of Bailey's, but as far as machine and most important SERVICE I would go with the HQ.

I have the Bailey Pro 15, and it is a wonderful machine.

We took it off the frame I had it on and put it into a table my husband built. As a matter of fact I will be using it this weekend, quilting one of the grandson's secret surprise quilt. :)

not familiar with the Baileys, but i did get to play with the Sweet 16 (and the Babylock Tiarra) at the Cinncinnati Quilting Expo recently. I loved the Sweet 16..the Babylock Tiarra is the same machine (and i was told they are made by same company??)
It takes up very little room.....which is a bonus if you dont have alot of space.

I would own one if I could!

oops..maybe i am confusing it with the HQ? sorry. could be.

The HQ Sweet 16 is the same as the Babylock Tiara.
Both are sit down models.

HQ also has a stand up LA, with called HQ 16.
Basically the same machine, with a few extras.

Does this help you?

Wow that is gorgeous! Happy quilting

I realize this is an old thread but in case someone else is researching mid arm machines, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I've had a Bailey 17 for five years now. I have mine on a frame and have purchased a second used one to put in a desk for smaller projects. It does everything I need it to do and it's trouble free. In other words set it (tension and stitch regulator) and forget it. The Yahoo group is a must if you want to learn everything you can about the machines they sell. The components are mfg. in the USA and the Baileys are a family business. They assemble each machine themselves as they are ordered. They also sell the full line of Janome machines. They are busy and they will call you back as soon as they can. They also answer emails. I had a problem with mine when I first got it that we could not resolve over the phone. They sent me a brand new machine and paid all the postage both ways. They are great people and it's a great machine. The height of the arm will accommodate a king sized quilt with room left over so don't worry about the 8 inch head space.

Helps me. Thank you.

In case anyone is looking in the Socal area a Charming on this board is selling a mid arm machine. I know nothing about it but if you are looking and it is close by you might want to contact her. This is what she wrote me a couple days ago-

BTW if you know of anyone looking for a long arm machine i am selling my 18" viking with 12' frame and the robotic Quiltsewclever and many many additional items. I prefer someone who can pick up locally because of my time limits.

I hope this might help some one.