Originally Posted by
frecklestweety
Just recently was able to sell my Handi-quilter sweet sixteen sit down quilting machine and thinking about purchasing the simply sweet sixteen by Handi-quilter. Could not get used to moving the quilt when quilting and thought it would be easier, with practice, to move the machine. There are so many small long arm machines available and would love to hear from our members with some advice as the pros and cons of the different companies. I have limited space and can't have a real long arm frame machine and the baby lock and Handi-quilter seem to fit my bill. I got a good price for my sweet sixteen and it is being shipped to Arkansas from PA this week. So I will have the funds to put toward a newer machine. There will be a quilt show in March in Lancaster PA and will be able to check out other companies. I want a company that will stand by their machines and be able to have good service when needed. So would appreciate some feed back. Thank you in the meantime.
I have the Simply Sixteen on the Little Foot frame. Handi Quilter makes a quality product and good customer service. If you have already owned a Sweet Sixteen you are already familiar with the company.
The advantages of this set up is that it is significantly less expensive than full sized long arm machines of the same quality, and takes up significantly less floor space. The floor space was the selling point for me.
So what do you give up for these advantages? Rear handles, which are important if you want to use pantographs. (Rear handles can be purchased, but will result in needing more floor space.) Also, the quilt must be removed and re-attached if the width is greater than the quilting area of the frame. If you are doing free motion edge to edge you may want to stagger your stops and starts to avoid having an obvious line of demarcation. I think that if you are working one block at a time, either free motion or with rulers this shouldn't be a problem. I would avoid doing horizontal across the quilt straight line, as I can't imagine not having obvious stops and starts. As straight line is not my thing, I am not concerned with this. I do love that the machine has both manual and stitch regulated mode.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Simply Sixteen as it fits my needs both space and dollar wise. I am (slowly) developing my skills. If at some time in the future I develop the proficiency I would like, and have a larger space I will consider upgrading to a larger machine/frame. For now, I am a happy customer.