Sit down Gammill vs. APQS vs. Handiquilter
 

Does anyone know why there is such a large price difference in these three sit down machines. The Handiquilter Sweet 16 is $5195, APQS George is $6650 and the Gammill Charm is $8595. Has anyone compared features or had experience with any of these 3 machines?

Keep in mind that the APQS does NOT have a stitch regulator. At least it didn't last summer when I looked at it. For that reason, I would not buy the APQS George--even though I have an APQS longarm. The Handi Quilter Sweet sixteen sitdown is a nice machine. It is what I was going to buy before my husband said that I could buy a long arm instead. Ansd everyone says the HQ products are very good. don't see any reason to buy the Gamil that costs over $3000 more--but maybe it has more bells and whistles. Good luck.

Are you comparing 'apples to apples' with the models you are looking at? Do they all have stich regulators? What size are the tables, are the all the same? How are the tables constructed? What type of ongoing support do you get? a 7X24 hour hotline? this gets paid for somehow!
If possible, I would go to a national quilt show and look at all the vendors in person.

Innova also has a sit down machine, as does HQ and Babylock (which are both the same machine branded differently for each). There is also a small mom-and-pop business called Pennywinkle that makes a sit down as well (I believe they have a pretty good reputation so don't let "small mom-and-pop" sway you).

I've test drove a few of them, and like all sewing machines and long arms - they all "feel" different. The one *I* like may not be the one *you* like.

You really should get yourself to a large quilting show and test drive as many as you can. Narrow it down by "I like the way these machines felt" first, then sort them by (in no particular order): price, dealership availability/proximity, warranty, manufacturer support.

And Bailey's just came out with a sit down as well. Excellent service, great prices, and great quality.

Viking has also come out with a sit down machine.

There is a sitdown machine made in TN that is the Sunshine 16. I have never sat at it but a friend did in Houston and said they actually had it on a card table. You may want to check it out. It seems like mfgs. are noticing that a smaller sitdown is perfect for those that don't have room for a long arm.