I have had my Sweet 16 for a number of years, and I still enjoy it. I totally understand about having the fabric in your hands. I was lucky that I was able to spend 2 hours at a long arm manufacturer trying their machines. I just didn’t enjoy the process, so I went with the sit down. As for making a sandwich, I use spray basting on small quilts. I get my DH to help, and it works well. For bigger quilts I take them to a long armed who bastes them with water soluble thread in a grid about 3x3”.