My local dealer just got one of these in and I sat down and played on it for a while. You can get extensions for the side of the table if you need more support. It was wonderful. Price is up there though, about $5000.

You can see it on this website, it's about 2/3 of the way down the page.

http://www.suzannesquilts.com/handiquilter.asp

That's pretty cool! I'm still wanting the Fusion or Avante'. Of course by the time I have enough money for it, there will be something else that takes it place.. :lol:

I've had my eye on a new Horizon but I think the HQ may have just taken it's place.

Well, I am definitely dreaming, but the HQ16 Sit-down system is what I want. Are you listening Santa???

:lol: :lol:

I am just a pinch away from the Avante.

I wanted an HQ but finally got tired of waiting for what I could not afford. Ended up getting the Sunshine 16. It is a step up for now and I will sell it if I can every afford the bigger fancier machines.

I got to use the HQ sitdown system and I really liked it, I was quilting a Project Linus quilt at the Houston Quilt show this year.

The HQ my dealer has came from the Houston Quilt show, it's a little cheaper because it was a demo setup, about $500 off, and he's going to pay for the shipping to his shop if you buy one.

How awesome!! You'll have to tell us when you get it and show pictures!! I love watching the videos!

lol, don't hold your breath, tuesy. A pinch for me might be 6 months ;-)

I found a local dealer that will let me practice for free on donation quilts. How cool is that?

I got to play on one of these in Houston. OMG it was so cool. I loved it, but I am a had quilter and for that price I can have my long arm friend do alot of quilts. So, at my age I just could not justify the price and I do not really have a place to put, but I would love to play on it again.
Also checked the new Janome Horizon, but it really does not do much that my Janome (that I love) can do.

I use a Fusion and I love it!!

QuiltingHiker, do you like the Sunshine okay? Was thinking about one and they are made just a couple of hours away from me. Would love the sit down HQ but don't want to wait until I can save up for one!

The waiting was my problem, already waited 4 years and then end was just not in site. I just ordered the Sunshine 16 after Quiltfefest here in Jacsonville. It will take 3 months to be delivered. Long wait, seems I am always waiting....

I'll let ya know once I get it and play with it.

I played with the prototype in August at the Festival of Quilts in the UK. I succumbed and ordered it, and it just left the UK on its way to me this morning.

I don't have room for a big set up with the long frames etc., so I will have the benefit of the 16in harp, but will still move the quilt under the needle, just as with a domestic machine, except that this machine is mounted on the table so it faces you, rather than being sideways on as per domestic machines are. Another plus over a domestic that might be a little larger than average is that these are true long arms (but the smallest in the range) and can be updated at a later date with a frame etc., and they have the larger bobbins - these hold about 2.5 times more than a domestic machine.

Mine should be her on Tuesday - it's been hard having to wait this long, but I am nearly there now, and I have a lot of Project Linus quilts lined up to practice on.

I think that's the one Lacelady bought. She's still waiting for it to be delivered.

I have an HQ 16, and love it!

I hate to even sit down to play with one since my willpower isn't very good when it comes to things like this!! LOL!

Curious. Has anyone made, tried or used/uses the set up you can find online to make the set up that uses your own machine for free motion quilting? www.buildaquiltingframe.com

I also have the HQ16 sit down model. I got it last Jan & I have not used it yet. Got it in the Kansas City area. It was such a great price, believe it was $4200. I loved sewing on it at the shop. We were building our log home & just moved in this summer & now have it set up. Just waiting to finish my GD quilt to use it. Donna, The Rustic Quilter

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.

Of course we don't have the $ for such a machine either. I told my hubby that I'd really like to have it and was willing to go back to work part-time to get it. His stance was that if I had to go back to work, then I didn't need it. His words.

Guess I'll be taking the class to use the HQ 16 at the local quilt store 30 miles away. If I can't own it, at least I can learn to use it and rent time on it. (while I save my money)