If you have the quilt stretched too tight, you will get skipped stitches and sometimes little knots of thread on the back. I have even quilted with a slight bow in the fabric. Just as long as the back is not wrinkled.

LOL :D Now that gave me a good chuckle.

I've started thinking about getting the Sweet 16 and looking to get it lower than $5000. I have cash to buy it but also want a better deal so may end up going to a quilt festival somewhere HQ might be to see it and try to negotiate the price down.

An authorized dealer has been emailing me to come to there store and check it out but I'd have to travel about 3 hours one way to see it and I seriously doubt they would lower the price even if I walked in with hundred dollar bills to pay them in cash.

Last year I was interested in Baby Lock Evolution Serger, 8 threader, and the local authorized dealer about an hour from me wanted over $4200 for it. I knew by what I had read online I could get a better deal so I went to Padauch Quilt show and ended up getting the Evolution and the Embellisher for about $2400 CASH money and free shipping which with both retailed for around $45-4600.

I simply kept negotiating with one of the reps until she came back with a price I could live with. It took three rounds back and forth with her boss but they finally let me have it at pretty much the price I wanted it. Obviously CASH TALKS and one often walks away with what we want.

So I am going to shop some more regarding the Sweet Sixteen.

clsurz--you say you already have a Baby Lock. I believe the BL Tiara is the same as the Sweet 16. Might be nice work with the reps like you did previously. My LQS just got the Tiara in. I'm pretty sure I can take a baby quilt in an try it out. This may be my alternative to a more expensive and more space hogging LA. Currently using my Bernina Virtuosa 150 with my own "short arm" (love the description, too-LOL) and really don't want to wear out the Bernina with fast quilting.

Does anyone know if the Sweet 16 or Tiara could later be set up with a frame?

Amen....I have the same....this set up is a work horse....simple and will quilt forever. I am actually looking for the sewing machine mega quilter just to use as a sewing machine. I recently have been using monofilament on quilts and it runs right through the machine without monkeying around with tensions. Love Love my quilter!

I have a Janome MC9700 ... and I was thinking of getting one of Ken's quilting frames myself. Can you give us any pointers?

Do you FMQ using your Janome 9700? I have the same machine but have not tried FMQ with mine. Tips?

sandy

I quilt on my simple Bernina machine without a frame. Would like to get a mid arm with the longer throat. Hopefully it gets in the budget soon.

This looks like a mid=arm machine???? I have a Phaff mid arm and really enjoy using it. Bought it used and have it serviced about once a year.

delma

Those Red Snappers are worth every penny I paid for them!!!! Soooooo much easier. On line I think I paid like $57 or $59 for them.

delma