I bought a Handiquilter16 from Craigslist. I went to the Handiquilter website and watched lots and lots of videos including how to load a quilt.
Then I put on a practice piece and just started. I found out it is not hard at all. Then I quilted a couple of charity tops for my guild. I do all my quilting from the front of the machine free hand. I cannot get behind it to do pantos and do not like them anyway.
I do not have a stitch regulator or any bells and whistles. I am a prolific charity quilter and LOVE doing my own easily.
If you goof up it is just fabric and you can always go get more.