Oooh you lucky girl you!! That is awesome!! Well your 6 months is alot closer than my 2.5 years. (just an estimate, although I wish it was months instead of years)

Donna, even with your move etc., I don't know how you have managed to not use it until now. I am champing at the bit for mine to arrive.

I saw one at the Long Beach International show. I didn't sit and play with it buy the two gals that I went there with did and really liked the feel of it.

I have the HQ sit down machine and I absolutely love it!! I have had it about two weeks.

Do you like the sunshine 16? Do you think it's worth the $$?
It seems to be a lot less expensive than the HQ Sweet 16.

Thanks

As soon as I get it home will let ya all know what I think. == I figured I wasn't gonna have the $$ for the other ones anytime soon and this would be easier then quilting on the sewing machine I have.

Just finished with the Mancuso quilt show in Florida. I sat and worked with the HQ Sweet Sixteen and all the HQ products extensively. Our show lasted three days and was in their booth all three days and here's my review on these machines: First some background. I come from a free-motion domestic machine background. It's what I'm most comfortable doing. After only a few minutes I was in love totally with the Sweet 16. It feels like a quality machine from the start. My confidence soared. One thing I don't like about my domestic machine is that I don't trust it. Don't get me wrong, it's great for piecing and decorative stitches, but when you push it for more or get into heavy free-motion quilting, it can't deliver. The sweet 16 delivers and delivers big. I TRUST this machine. I can go as fast or slow as I wanted with NO breakage at all. The rep even switched to ribbon metallic thread (notorious for breakage) and this machine just plowed right through with no problems whatsoever. I could concentrate on my design instead of worry about my machine. I loved it so much I bought one! Also, I'm not a "longarmer" but I felt TOTALLY comfortable with the Avante and Fusion. Even though the concept is foreign to me, I could easily switch to these machines if I wanted to switch from free-motioning. As far as Sunshine 16, don't waste your money. I also tried one out and it was clunky and shook the table badly. Also, it is very hard to see with this machine as the foot is closed. (Who designed THAT?) As far as the sweet 16 goes, the award winning quilter David Taylor uses one and consistently wins best of shows at major competitions. There ya go. My 2 cents.

I tried the HQ Sit Down at a local dealer just a few months ago. Until then, I did not knwo it existed. I fell in love with it and told me husband I planned to save for one and purchase one. He convinced me to save for the long arm instead as that is what I really want. I love the HQ Avante and hope to get one within the next year. I have plenty of room for the long arm so it makes sense--but the long arm cost so much more! If I did Not have room for a long arm, I would buy the HQ Sit Down in a heart beat. I see they just came out with a new style in it and I'm sure it is even better now than when I tried it a few months ago.

I tried out the HQ Sweet 16 today at a local quilt shop and really liked it! But my question is . . . now we're back to crawling around on the floor and basting the sandwich together before quilting???? Do people use the fusible batting???? OR what?

I had the quilt frame/machine set up and felt I wasn't using it enough to justify the space it took up and the size of quilts I was making - which I could free motion on my sewing machine. I sold it and don't miss anything EXCEPT the ease of free motion quilting.

My local dealer got the HQ 16 in and I sat down to demo it and totally fell in love, but the price - $5000 - really threw me for a loop. I'm going to check it out at the Sewing Expo in WA in March and see if they are offering any deals. My dealer will match deals if he can so I'm going wait and see.