The Tiara and the HQ Sweet 16 sit down have the same orientation, that is, I face the head of the machine (long ways) when I'm quilting. I have a couple of small portable tables, one on the left and one to my right right, plus there is plenty of room behind the needle as well. So far, the largest quilt I've done on the Tiara is 60 x 60, but I will be doing larger quilts soon. The machine is so easy to use -- I love it! Betty