I went to the Houston International Quilt Festival 2 years ago and stopped by the Handi Quilter booth. Fell in love with the Sweet Sixteen. I retired seven years ago and joined a local guild. I had been quilting on my Janome Spec. Ed. 11,000 and even with the large throat plate find it hard to quilt on a very large quilt.
I could not justify spending $5,200 for a new sweet 16. Keep hashing it around in my head. My sweet husband told me if I wanted a machine to go and buy one. We both worked hard and saved for a comfortable retirement. I knew I would be purchasing for my use only.
I started a quest to find a gently used sixteen. It took me about 8 months and finally found a machine that was 14.months old. The machine had only been used twice to quilt 2 small table runners. The lady who owned got sick and was unable to sew anymore. The had never run two bobbins through the machine, thus it had never been oiled.
Her daughter asked the dealer her mother purchased it from to help her sell it. I purchased the machine for $3,000.
I love this machine and have never regretted the purchase. It has made me a better free motion quilter and has given me the confidence to take classes and try different free motion techniques.
I am glad I waited to find a used machine. Saving $2,000 was a real plus in my decision to buy the machine for my personal use.