I went and tested the Sweet Sixteen w/ sit down table today...I must say, it's kinda neat, you have WAY more control with it...this machine is 4100.00

The next one i saw was 6500.00, i forget the name, but it was a stand up one and when i tried it out, (I have NEVER tried one before), it felt like i was all over the place and every little twitch i had showed up on the fabric

I am seriously thinking of getting this sit down model and the plus is the small amount of space it would take up.

Anyone have this?

I tried an HQ Sweet 16 at a show and it was so smooth. I'm very new to FMQ and haven't done anything presentable, but I felt like I could get somewhere on it. To me, the big drawback of the sit down concept is that you still must baste >:(

I agree. If I ever decide to get a long arm it would have to be sit down due to space limitations. But the basting is a problem for me for the same reason - lack of space. For now, the solution is to send big quilts out to my LAQ.

I think the basting problem is fairly easily solved with spray basting. A large piece of plywood on saw horses in the driveway, maybe a few large clamps, and you're all set! I think this might actually be faster than loading a quilt onto a standup frame. I've heard that it can take more than an hour to do that.....

I've thought of the plywood on saw horses. Course it would take some planning cause I'd have to do all my basting in warm weather. Maybe piece the tops in the winter, then baste and quilt in the summer. How long does spray basting hold if you don't get the quilting done right away?

I tried the HQ Sweet Sixteen at the Cinci show again today. I have been playing with them all (long arm, short, etc.) and I still LOVE the Sweet Sixteen. First, I will never have room for a long arm or the money but honestly, I like to touch and feel the fabric....I like playing and the Sweet Sixteen lets me. I had a ball with it today. Where did they quote you 4100?? Did that include the table and all?

I got mine last November and I love it to bits - I was already OK with FMQing, so no problem with that at all. The table is height adjustable, so I set it at the same height as my other machines in their cabinet and Sewezi table.

I did a 90in square quilt on it just after Christmas and it was easy peasy.

You did that on a sweet sixteen??? Are the feathers and stuff hard to do?

that does include a table (not the extensions) and a bobbin winder and everything else that comes with it. I had them put it in writting so next week i don't have any problems buying it LOL

I have a Sunshine 16 from Pennywinkle Farms. Totally stripped down long arm at less than half the Sweet Sixteen including table. I haven't had much time to spend with it since I bought it a few months back, but so far it's just what I need and nothing extra. If I want to go for more goodies on it like stitch regulation they have that as well. Uses all readily available feet and any reputable machine shop can repair it.