Simply Sixteen by Handi Quilter
 

Does anyone have an opinion on this machine? I've been quilting on a 9" throat Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter/Inspira Frame for almost 15 years and have loved every stitch it has sewn and believe me it has sewn many, but I went to a dealer yesterday to have my machines serviced and low and behold the floor model of this Simply Sixteen took a hold on me and won't let go. It comes with a "little foot" quilt frame, bobbin winder and other perks. I would just love some input on it! Thanks in advance.

This is a big decision.

I had a HQ16 that I bought used, and loved it. I gave it to my sister when I bought a Q'nique 21". Would have gone 'up' with a HQ machine, but a new machine plus Pro-Stitcher was way more than I wanted to pay. My DH serviced the HQ16 for 8 years. All it ever needed was a cleaning and a bit of oil. I wish I could say that I was 'gentle' with the machine. However, I was learning quilting on it, so made my share of what could have been big mistakes. It worked in spite of me.

Ask whether it is stitch regulated - probably not - and decide if you need stitch regulation and inquire about pricing. (If you decide to computerized quilting, you will need stitch regulation.)

I wonder if it would work on your Inspira frame? That's another good question to ask!

Thanks cathyvv! It does have a stitch regulator (and yes you are right! I do need the stitch regulator) but they said it won't work on the Inspira frame. I plan on keeping the old set up because if nothing else I can baste the three layers on it, in preparation for the new set up and still do my pantographs. It really is a totally different set up and would take a lot of adjusting this old brain but boy it looks inviting.

I have that machine but on a 10 foot studio frame. Loading/moving the quilt on the little foot frame seemed way too much trouble for me, especially having to make the quilt sandwich prior to loading (my least favorite thing). As far as the machine itself, it works great. I've had it for a year with no problems.

Thanks indycat32! So many thing to take into consideration!

The biggest benefit of this set-up is that it doesn't take up as much space as a full-size longarm. I don't know if you can put the ProStitcher on the Simply 16. You could get the back handlebars and do pantographs. And you could get the Ruler Base and do ruler work -- my favorite quilting method at the moment. I really think you could quickly baste your quilt sandwich on the Simply 16, before you do the actual quilting.

I have the Avante' and wish I could have got the Amara or Fusion. Go as big as you can. The bigger the frame and machine, the faster you can get a quilt done.

HandiQuilter is a great company!

My first machine was the Simply 16 and I Loved it! Sold and purchased an Amara w/ProStitcher. Love it also but there are days I miss the Simply due to the lightness and ease with free motion. I debated about keeping both and wish I had. Good luck with your decision as it was hard for me to make that first step.

I have that machine on a 10 ft table and I really love it.I used to have a gammel premier sold it,had problems getting service for it with out driving 5 hrs one way.So I sold it and bought a handle quilter from a place here in town love it

Mine has stitch regulator

Personally I couldn't go down to that size frame, I am so use to my 12 foot frame and I don't like the moving of the quilt sandwich and worrying that I could find a disaster on the back of the quilt. Just me though.

It’s a great machine. If you are getting a good deal, you can always purchase a 10’ or 12’ Studio2 frame later.

I wonder if it is the same machine as the Q'nique 15 and Brother sit down mid arm, (I was told by a dealer that the Brother and Q'nique are the same machine). I would consider it (and the others) if I wanted a machine on a frame

What are you saying that is wasn't the machine for your or that you loved it.

Grace Company told me that the Brother and Q'nique are not the same machine, but Brother wants us to think they are. :o

The Simply 16 is made by Handiquilter, the Q'nique by Grace and the Brother by Brother. I have Q'nique 21 and enjoy working on it.

If you have the money go for a bigger one. I got the 20" Amara HQ and boy is it a wonderful machine, I was sewing on a Husvarna Mega Quilter with a 9" neck. There is a bit of a learning curve but so far I'm OK.

wow. I was told by the Q’nique dealer at a quilt show that they are the same machine. I have brochures for both of them and they look identical. I was guessing one factory made them and put different decals on them. Kind of like brother and babylock.

It's not the money so much as it is the space. I hope I can handle the learning curve!
Thanks for the input.

Wondering why... lyric girl, can you elaborate on what you didn't like?

Handiquilter is a great company to work with. I started long arm quilting on an HQ sixteen 16 years ago. I’ve since upgraded to an Avante. Through the years I have found customer service and tech support very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and my machines have been a joy to own, work with.

The machine itself is not bad, but the smaller frame really needs to be understood or you'll end up frustrated with the purchase. I would see if you can get credit/swap with the larger frame, especially if you're used to a traditional frame setup.

This small frame has been discussed on the board in recent months. One of the advantages to a traditional long arm frame is that you don't have to baste up a quilt sandwich. With the 5' frame of the Simply Sixteen, Brother Little Foot, and Babylock, you still have to baste, plus now you have to clamp and unclamp the quilt multiple times. The latter isn't all that easy and you aren't able to avoid basting the quilt first.

I would lean more towards a sit-down and large/expandable table if space prevented a 10' or 12' frame or asking for credit towards a larger frame with the machine.

Also take a look at Q'Nique's/Block RockIt's 21" Titan model and compare pricing (and try both it and the HandiQuilter out to see which works best for you).

I have that machine on a 10 ft frame. I absolutely love it. I have quilted several quilts on it and one of my friends has quilted several on it too. It’s a workhorse!

I was very tempted to buy a LA with a small frame but resisted because it limits you as to the size quilt you can work on. I bought a HQ 16 used with a frame that is 9 ft. I know, that's an odd size but it's what the machine came with and the price was better than what I could ever buy new. But, even at 9 ft., I'm limited to size. I quilted a large Queen a month ago and had to take the quilt off the frame and reposition to do the sides. I really wish I had a longer frame. That small frame would drive me crazy.

I have the small frame for my Baby Lock Coronet (HQ Simply Sixteen equivalent). I don't have space for a larger frame. Yes, it's a pain to reposition the quilt, but I much prefer that to trying to move a large quilt under one of the sit-down machines.