HQ Sixteen-New to Me!
 

I recently purchased this HQ Sixteen from a Craigslist ad, got it set up a week ago and just finish FMQing my first quilt on it. It's not one of the new HQ Sweet Sixteens; it's an HQ Sixteen that I believe is 2 or 3 years old. I got it for about 1/3 the price of the new ones, and it stitches like a dream. I was pretty comfortable buying this one used because the lady I got it from had gotten it used a year earlier at our LQS, where they are HQ dealers/servicers. They had sold it to the original owner also, who had upgraded to something larger and traded it in.

I like the hopping foot for FMQing; it's a little different to FMQ than with my Juki TL 98 Q with a 9" harp that I was using, but I had almost zero learning curve to make the transition. I as soon as I got this machine set up, I did a small test feather and then started right in on the purple quilt (posted here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...d-t164909.html ). It didn't come with sit-down table; instead I set it up on a 4' x 5' built in table that I used to have the Juki on. I used rigid pink insulation foam board cut to fit around the machine and covered in fabric then heavyweight clear plastic so I'd have a nice smooth quilting surface. It gives me a huge flush surface area for large quilts; better I think than the HQ table that is available, and certainly much less expensive.

I think the thing I like best about this machine so far is that there is so much better visibility, and I don't have to crane my neck so much to get a clear view of the stitching area. Of course the extra harp space is WONDERFUL too! The harp isn't just wider, it's higher too and seems way more "open".

So, I think you probably get the idea that I LIKE this machine a lot and am very happy to have it!

EDIT: So the pics didn't show up in the order I added them, but you'll get the idea. I haven't figured out how to post descriptions for each picture yet...

The first picture shows the HQ Sixteen ready to go. That's a non-stick teflon oven liner I'm using in place of a much more expensive and smaller Supreme Slider mat. I just tape it down on 2 sides with some packing tape and it stays in place quite nicely.

The second picture shows access to the bobbin area.

The third is a quilt in-progress.

And the last pic is when I first got it and set it beside my Juki TL 98 Q that seemed pretty good sized until compared to this one! That Juki is still my very favorite machine and has be promoted almost exclusively to piecing and other similar projects.

Wow, that's a nice set up. Enjoy your machine.

What a wonderful setup. I like the way you wrapped the vinyl around your styrofoam blocks. It all looks very neat. Great ideas!

Very nice! I saw one of these recently on Craigslist too, but I'm thinking I"m holding out for the Avante' AND a place to put it. LOL

looks great!!

Thats the one I have my eye on. I sure haven't seen one on my local craigslist. Bummer.

Nice set up

I have been looking at the Sweet 16 because of space limitations. I am impressed with your idea for the table setup. What size and thickness of foam board did you use? I may use your idea for my Elna 7300. The wheels are really turning here!

Lucky you! I thought an HQ16 had to be used with an enormous frame, nice to know it doesn't. Unless, of course this is a sit down model.

With a foot control for it, you can use it as a sit down.

Because the area of my table is pretty large, I used 2 4'x8' sheets of "snap board" pink insulation foam. I chose 1 1/2" thickness because I needed the surface raised 3" to be flush with the top of the HQ sixteen bed. I used clear packing tape to tape the pieces together, then covered it fabric, then heavy weight clear plastic I got at the fabric department in Walmart. Clear packing tape holds the fabric and the plastic on as well.

Jealous!
 

I'm green with envy but so glad you're enjoying your new machine.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Wendy, I've been wanting a Sweet 16, but have a chance to buy an original 16 like yours from someone across the country. Do you know what the difference is, other than having the touch screen in a different place? Is the speed controller the same as on the Sweet16? Your set-up looks perfect! TIA for any answers you can provide....
Dee

Really liked the idea for your sewing table. Hubby and I went to both Lowes and Home Depot and neither of those stores carry the foam in 1 1/2" thick in our area. And the foam was a mint green color. I need a 3 1/2" rise for mine. We may just look for a table at garage sales we go to and revise it to nest my machine.

Dee,
I'm not familiar with the features on the Sweet Sixteen, but I can tell you what I have on the original HQ Sixteen I have. I can change the needle up/down setting and set the maximum speed to whatever % that I'd like also. Those seem to be the only settings available when it's set up as a sit-down model. Mine did come with handles and wheels but I don't have frame so haven't hooked those up at all. I know you get another screen with the handles but I don't know what options are available there.

Beckalou,
Your idea of nesting the machine into the table should would just fine also. My table is set up to nest my Juki machine so it wasn't possible to fit the HQ machine down into the table. That's why I went with building up the table surface for it instead. When I want to use the Juki in this table, I can lift off the machine and the foam pieces and drop the Juki into its spot.

That is quite a nifty set up. Looks like fun.

On the Sweet Sixteen the display is on the front (which I guess you already know). It controls the needle up and down and you can set the speed on it. Plus it has 3 preset speeds that you can change to what is comfortable for you (I'm not explaining it very well though). I'm not really sure if there are any real differences between the machines.

Congratulations on getting this machine.

Well, by now you don't need anyone telling you that you made the right decision with your purchase. Recently, I purchased a HQSS and I love it, too. I had been FMQ on my Janome for a while and didn't mind it, but the difference between the two machines is unbelievable. Like you, it didn't take me long to warm up to the HQSS. The amount of throat space makes me want to fly through and I have to remember to steady my pace. Good idea with the teflon, I will try it next. Thank you for sharing your excitement and experience.

Cool setup! It looks professionally made. You're clever.