Handiquilter
 

I am considering this Handiquilter. Here is the website. Does anyone have one of these and what is your thoughts?
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/Ha...et-Sixteen.php

I am coveting this machine. Have you test driven one yet? Two friends have it, and their work is amazing (it was amazing before they bought the machine too). I played with one at a quilt show, and am hoping to buy it in a year or two (want to pay off my car first).

Cheers, K

I don't know much about this machine but I would like to tell you that whatever you buy make sure that you have an authorized dealer and repair service locally. I see several of my friends that live here in NV with me and if their machines need any repair, they do not have a service person (even in Reno) and have to ship their machine for repair. i brought a BabyLock Jewel a couple of years ago and really went for it because they can service in Reno in 2 shops and at my CA home, I have a choice of 5/6 authorized repair service shops. On of the CA shops are within 20 miles from me.

I had the HQ16 for 5 years and loved it. When the HQ18 Avante came out I upgraded to it and have the pro-stitcher. Love all of it so if you can afford them go for it. Their telephone help is great..

Send Lacelady a pm - she has one but isn't on this board much these days. I'm sure she would answer your questions.

I have the Sweet 16 and love it. I would love to upgrade if money were not object, but since it is I am quite happy with the Sweet 16. They have excellent customer service.

I have a Sweet 16 sitdown setup, and I love it! I live very close to a long arm manufacturer, and they were kind enough to let me play with their frame setups for over an hour one day. While they were very helpful, it was enough to let me decide I really didn't want a frame setup at all. I have discovered I enjoy touching the fabric while I quilt, and I prefer a sitdown system. The Sweet 16 is a good compromise; it gives me a large enough throat to easily do free motion quilting and yet doesn't take too much space.

I bought mine at a local shop, and they service it. Since it is almost entirely mechanical (only the speed control and screen are electronic), they are pretty easy to service. Of course I haven't needed any service, but it's there if I ever do need it. I prefer a machine I can do most of the service on, and I can do this. The HQ folks give good support over the phone too.

Pam

I have had an HQ16 with stitch regulator since 2006 and I LOVE it. I can do anything the bigger and more expensive machines can do. They now offer an automatic stitcher but since I do for myself only, I don't intend to indulge myself.

I am only 5'1" and this machine flows nicely for me. I tried several others and had to be careful with the weight of them.

I had a problem (operator error) with the machine, called Utah and the service guy talked me thru fixing it.

I agree that you should have a dealer close to you if possible whatever machine you get. But the HQ is terrific.

Happy Quilting, Kathy

I have a Handiquilter Avante and love it. One of my friends has the 16 stand up model and another one has the Avante. We're all extremely happy with our machines.

This was advice given to my by a very competent quilter a number of years ago. It is good advice. It's not fun having to ship your machine to a repair shop. Bad enough if you have to leave it at a local shop but at least you can drop it off and pick it up easily and when ready. And you can talk to the service repair person to get feedback on what was going on with the machine and maybe even a demonstration on how best to treat the machine. There are a number of machines out there that are good so local is what I would buy now.

I'm so in love with my HQ Avante, and I bought it second hand from a quilt shop where I'm sure she was used and abused. Good machine, never a lick of trouble. I've done a dozen quilts or so since April.

Thanks for all the comments. My LQS has one on order and I am wanting to test drive. Maybe I could find a second hand one also.

and their customer service is really good. I have had an HQ16 for several years and love it more each day

Love, Love, Love my HQ. Have had it for several years, quilt for myself and others on it. Easy to use and their customer service is great.

I have the HQ16 and have upgraded it to include the ProStitcher and the newer table bed and trolley. I love mine.

OK, I have a few HQ dealers here in my area. I went to another quilt quild and found another HQ owner. She has never taken her HQ in for repair. If she had a problem she just called HQ and they talked her through it. I called when we had questions on setting up the new table top and they were wonderful; sent me e-mail pictures and descriptions, and then we talked some more and got the job done.

Learn your own maintenance and HQ will help you out with the rest.

ali

I have the hq16 since Sept...and I LOVE it.... It's easy to use and simple to setup. I highly recommend it. Especially if you have done a good amount of machine quilting already.

I appreciated reading everyone's comments, especially about if you need service.

I recently bought a Handi Quilter frame and was told I could use my own sewing machine with it. I have an old Kenmore and a Singer Quantum Futura. I was told once you set it up, you will probably want to leave the sewing machine on the frame. Has any one used this kind of Handi Quilter Frame. Any advice on what kind of sewing machine I should use?
PennyG

I own the Handy Quilter sit down and the Avante with the Pro Sticher. My sit down model is last years model, still a very nice machine, I am thinking of selling her running out of space in my studio.

I also have the Avante and love it!

I have the HQ Avante..Studio 10' frame. I love it! Set up can be a job if you don't know what you are doing. (My Rep. came and set mine up and taught me how to use it. He had part of the machine sent to me and the other 1/2 sent to him. He per-assembled the table at his shop that saved a ton of time. As it was... he was here for 8 hours setting it up and teaching me how to use it!) As someone else mentioned... you should have a Rep. near by. My Rep. is FANTASTIC! I had a problem with mine... and a new one was shipped out from HQ 3 days later. It would have been sooner, but my set up was on a Saturday and HQ was closed, but it was all taken care of by Monday evening.

I would suggest buying one locally.... IMO.

I have purchased the HQ16 and love it have had it 6 years now. no complaints, and the price is good too!
get it!! good luck
katz

I am trying one out next Tues. Don't know which model it is, and I didn't realize there were so many models! It doesn't do King size quilts. The owner is upgrading.

I have the Babylock Crown Jewel which is just like the HQ Avante. Both are wonderful machines.

I have a APQS long arm that I just purchased about a month ago--but the Handi Quilter Fusion was my second choice. I got a really good deal on the APQS so I decided to purchase that one. I have enough room for a long arm and frame--therefore--I have a longarm and frame. However, before I bought that, I did try the HQ Sweet Sixteen Sit-down and I loved it. I was going to purchase that and then my husband pursuaded me to get the longarm instead--since I had the room for it and he knew it was what I really wanted. However, if I did not have enough room (or $) for a long arm, I definitely would own the HQ Sweet Sixteen Sit-down. And I know a couple other people who have the HQ long arms and really like the HQ products and their Customer Service. Good Luck with your decision.

I agree with this comment -- TOTALLY! I have a HandiQuilter Avante and absolutely LOVE it!

I have the HW-16 but mine is the older model. I've had my machine for 6 years. I would love having the display on the top of the machine like they are now, mine is on the side. I love the machine to pieces!! Mine sits in a table though as I don't have room for the large frame.

I just ordered the HQ Fusion/Pro Stitcher Package. It will be here next week. My husband and I looked at seven other manufacturers and weighed all of the pros and cons. HQ came out on top. I am so excited.

I have one and it is alot of fun to use and I just love everything about it.

I test drove one and they are great. I could not aford one, so I purchased a Bailey Home Quilter, a lot less money.
Mary

This is the machine I started with. I used a Brother with mine. It was the one pictured with the frame. For the most part I left my frame up, but at that time is was on the dining room table. There were times when I needed the table. It really wasn't that much of a problem to take off and redo.

I also tried one of these in a shop. It was great! If only I had more room and more money!