Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen Sit-down Package Includes Table, LED Light Ring, & Bobbin Winder. for $4700., will meet a lower price if I find one. Considering this package because I spend most of my time in a wheelchair and I want my machine to fit in its own table to give me a flat surface to work on.
I quilt mostly lap and crib size quilts, except rare occasions when I making a quilt for someone special.
My sewing machine and Embroidery machine are both Janome, but the Janome mid-arm has a 10" bed as opposed to the 16" bed on the Handi Quilter.
Looking for feedback, suggestions, opinions, thoughts, etc from those who have one, have heard about one, or just want to throw out a unbiased (or biased) opinion.
OK, ladies, tell me whatcha' think?? :>)

I wish I owned one! It's on my list...hopefully someday! I did try it out at a quilt show last year...LOVED IT! The thing that I really liked was the visibility. I am quilting on a Viking Sapphire now. There's a decent amount of space, but there isn't much space right in the needle area, which limits your visibility. Is there a place you can try one out?

Sent you a p.m.

I've had mine since last November and I love it. The winder is much bigger than you might suppose - it's capable of winding two bobbins at once, and has a big motor in between them.

The table is great, and I don't think you would have a problem getting your legs underneath it, even though the machine base sits on a shelf below the table surface.

I've used all sorts of combinations of threads on it, and never needed to change the tension once.

Apart from the 16in distance from needle to pillar, don't forget you have a lot more space UNDER the harp (heightwise). I measured it the other night for another poster, but I can't remember exactly what it is, I think it's at least 9in - much higher than domestic machines, so there is oodles of room to shove a big quilt in that space. Can you operate a foot pedal? You can dial in a specific speed and then just press the pedal to the floor, which might be helpful.

I am thinking if you do mostly lap and crib size quilts is there really a need for the bigger harp space? I easily quilted up to 60" quilts in my DSM and some bigger ones when I was just doing grid quilting with a walking foot. I have a Bernina with only about 8 or 9" in the harp.

Anything bigger is what I had trouble wrestling with and I mostly make queen size quilts. Just something for consideration before making the investment that may not be necessary.

Edited to add they make plexiglass work tables that fit around DSM that increases your flat space.

A friend owns that and has done some amazing work on it. It is one that I am considering if I reach the point where I have the funds and the space to expand.

Cheers, K

Check this message to see the project she is currently working on:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-124084-1.htm#3280609

Follow-up.

I played with one at the NC Quilt Symposium yesterday and am in love with it. Now to find the finances and the physical space to put it.

Cheers, K

And I was with the friend of CorgiNole's when she bought hers at the IQF in Houston in 2009.....It is amazing and on my wishlist!

What I like about it is that if you are used to FM quilting on your domestic, there shouldn't be a huge learning curve.

I also like its size...and price.... It will be what I end up purchasing should I ever be able to buy a quilting machine.