So I just saw the Babylock Tiara at my LQS ...
 

I didn't realize they had a sit-down long arm! A third of the price of a regular, just under 6K. Seems to use the same principle as a domestic machine - you move the quilt and not the machine. I did quickly search reviews and there were tension issues from many who purchased it, but the ones that went back to the dealers with the machines were able to rectify them and the others just sat home, frustrated. Well, ya know ...

Do you have one? If not a Babylock sit-down any other? Do you like it?

The Babylock Tiara is the same as the Handiquilter Sweet 16- it appears they've just licensed it for their name. You'll find lots of reviews of the sweet 16.


For me- I thought it was fun but I could not justify the cost when I quilt very well on my Bernina 430. I didn't like the stitch regulator though (I don't like Bernina's either). I thought it was easier to quilt without it.

Well, I just had to go watch a FMQ video using the Gammill and I get the difference, it's like doodling! Sort of like what I did on my brown bag book covers in high school, lol. I would probably like this better. Not that I'm buying one any time soon but it's nice to imagine I may someday.

I should seriously just shut my lap top and work on my little changing pads for next weeks baby shower.

I did pick up "Beginner's Guide to Free-Motion Quilting" by Natalia Bonner, then went to my LQS to buy a quilting foot and a walking foot for my Janome. I had a Babylock Esante which came with both but sold it last winter as I hardly ever used it to embroider. Since then I've only grid quilted and it's time to fancy it up a bit.

I don't own but tried a Handi Quilter Sweet 16 and really liked it. I got a long arm though. I already own a Janiome 6500 with 9 in. opening and I can do Cal King quilts on it and have done them on it. What the long arm also does is take away basting by glue spray, thread or pins while you still have that with a sit down machine. I did think the Hnadi Quilter sit down was a lot of fun. The stitches did not look as nice as their long arm or my Janome 6500. The space is awesome.

Almost all of the manufacturer's are coming out with sit-down long arms now. Innova has one, APQS and a few others I remember seeing at the last show I went to.

I love my Tiara! the space is awesome. I was all ready a sit down sewer so no real learning curve. I have had no real issue with tension some adjustments along the way. Gail

The thing is, for me at least, the actual act of quilting on these sit down long/mid arm machines and a regular machine is nearly identical. What you gain is space, and lose the hassle of dealing with the bulk of the quilt. If you can't quilt well on a regular machine (say on a practice sandwich) this machine isn't going to magically make you a better quilter. Using the regulator may be something that can help you, but again, it isn't a magic tool.

I really love FMQing, and I find it so much easier than piecing, but I'd recommend practicing somewhat on your current machine before spending $6000. Unless, $6k just isn't much money for you (and it might not be, but for me it's a lot.)

Yes this! You really put it into words.

I've had my Tiara for about a month and love it! Haven't had any problems with tension so far, maybe because I've been using the same thread in the bobbin and needle (I read that this was a good idea, at least for the first few months).

Daffy