I say get the longarm. Learning to free motion quilt on a domestic machine won't help alot if you get a longarm later. I believe the HQ Sweet Sixteen is considered a longarm---it has a 16" throat, right? As for resale value, all longarms depreciate over time. If you have room for one, though, I would test drive as many brands of machines as you can before purchasing, and get the very best you can afford and have room for. Often you can get more bang for your buck if you buy a used machine. Figure out what features are most important to you, and focus on the brand of machine which best provides those features. Good luck!

I am not familiar with your Janome model, but assuming it is a domestic machine, it is different from quilting on a shortarm all the way up to longarm. On the domestic machine, the quilt top is moved around while the machine is not moved at all. It is the opposite with the longarm. The quilt top stays on the frame and the machine is moved to creat neat FMQ designs. It is fun. Pretend the needle is like a pencil and you are "drawing" with it.

Do try out the machine first before buying it. There is a bit of learning curve, but well worth learning how to FMQ. l

I have the HQ16 and love it. I purchased used, so felt I got a good deal. My friend upgraded to a Gammill.

Recently, two of my friends have purchased the Sunshine 16, they tested them at AQS show. Much cheaper. Both of them purchased the sit down version because they had no space for the long rails.

To answer a previous question: a 16" machine is considered a mid-arm, but normally nobody makes that distinction.

So much great info from the members on this forum - I'm so glad I found you. Thanks so much for your help, encouragement and advice.

So far in my travels I've only seen the HQ Sweet Sixteen in Australia. No doubt there are more, but I haven't come across them yet.
The HQSS seems so good - use any thread, top or bottom. Has a stitch regulator and many accessories like heaps of rulers although I want to use stencil paper the type you stitch without thread to apply your pattern to the paper then put the paper on your block and stitch over the dots.
When I get good maybe it will be FMQ without any cheating. lol

18" and longer is really considered a long arm, the slightly smaller ones are mid-arms. I think you would always be able to sell it, but don't know for how much. Can you check AU resale sites (eBay etc.) and see what they are going for? Also, if there is a dealer in your area or a large show where a dealer would be I'd go to have a hands on demo. Even if you have to travel a bit (and stay the night) to get there. It's better to have a small amount invested in travel expenses than to buy something you don't like.

If you can afford it and have the space - go for it. Free motion on the long arm is so much easier than free motion on you piecing machine. I have a Voyager 17 with a stitch regulator and I love it. I actually got it from a gal on this site who was looking to upgrade to a Avante. Have you looked at the used market? You might be able to find something that costs less than a new machine or if you have the money and space maybe even a larger throat machine. I sometimes wish that the throat was larger than 17" on mine. When you get into an oversized queen quilt the more you quilt the less room there is in the throat. Also, mine has a small standard sewing machine bobbin (size L) and I can do just one dense pass before I change bobbins. Several of the machines use size M which has a larger capacity for thread.

By the time you pay for someone to longarm your dozen tops you will have a down payment on the HQ16!! LOL Do not know about the resale in AU but here in the states the HQ has great resale value. I find it fun and do not regret my purchase!! Good luck - let us know what you get!!

My sister and I learned FMQ on our domestic machines. We went to a show and Sis bought the HQ sit down model and I bought the HQ with frame and table. Both of us came to the same conclusion, WHY DID WE WASTE OUR TIME USING OUR DOMESTIC MACHINES?! There is no comparison between domestic and longarm. These are two totally different experiences. On the sit down model you do not get "drag" on the quilt like on the domestic. If you are using a high loft batt, you can adjust your hopping foot height on the HQ. Sis has the sit down model and LOVES LOVES LOVES IT. She doesn't have to "battle" the quilt like you have to with a domestic. In fact, sis even replaced a heavy zipper in a coat with her HQ. She said it went in like a breeze.
I hope this info helps. Regarding the resale value, I really can't give any advice there. Also, you might take a look at the HQ website in the forums. You might be able to find a really good deal on a used machine.

I learned to quilt on my mechanical Singer. I have just purchased a Baily 17" with Majestic frame. I cannot wait to load a quilt on it. It is still in the boxes due to the storm, but any day now it will be up and running.
My suggestion is to learn on the machine you have. It is an uphill struggle any way you look at it but it will give you valuable experience.

I know that there are also Innovas in Australia, because I've seen posts from Innova dealers in the Innova yahoo groups. I'm sure there are other brands available as well. Before taking the plunge, I would advise finding out more about what is available. You might join some of the yahoo groups and ask to hear from others in AU.

The definition of a longarm vs midarm vs shortarm varies. The most consistent definition I've heard is that a longarm is at least 18", so the sweet 16 would be a midarm.