HQ Sweet Sixteen May be in my future. Opinions greatly appreciated.
 

I am looking into purchasing the HQ Sweet 16 with table and possibly the Tru Stitch Regulator Option. I have not yet seen a demo but will do so in the next week. There is a dealer about 40 miles from me and they have one demo model. I have some experience with FMQ with my Pfaff Creative Vision and although I manage to get through it, it is always a chore with a large quilt even though the throat is a pretty good size. Can anyone tell me if it is really that much better than using a domestic machine, particularly with bed size quilts? Also, are they standard priced or is it possible to find discounts (reg price $5200 and $6200 with Tru Stitch) and if so where. How about maintenance - have you had many problems or is it a work horse? I really appreciate any input as I am walking in the dark with this one. I'm in the northeast USA.
Jobago

Ooooohhhm, I am so JEALOUS!!I have played with it at two shows and both gave better prices if you bought there. VT Quilt Show had $4,500 I think. I talked with David Taylor there, check his website. He's really knowledgeable and represents them. However, he does not recommend the stitch regulator. It's not what you expect - it's a weird little gizmo that you put under the fabric, and you can always buy it later if you find you need it. Do check around for specials, but you need a relationship with the rep, I think. You'll want lessons, etc. In my area, a local FMQ is designated dealer though her studio is in her house. If I could buy one, I'd go to her. Also there are a couple of good dealers not far from me - Notion to Quilt, in Shelburne MA, and one in Middlebury VT. There should be more around if you look for them.
They give you so much space to move the quilt around!! In general, I've hear HQ has a good reputation, but I'm sure you'll get all kinds of pros and cons on this board. I don't like the feel of a longarm, and don't have room for those huge setups. You could fit the Sweetie in somewhere. OK, there is no commandment about coveting quilting machines, so I'll continue to do so. Good luck to you!!

Thanks Lynn, good suggestions. I'm thinking it might be worth the full price if the dealer really knows a lot about it and isn't just a seller of machines. I can get there in an hour. I'm hoping to travel there in the next week and take my first look at it and try it out. Thanks for the tip on the regulator. It's probably an option they'll improve on in the future. I guess it is better to learn the technique without it and I can always add it later. I too don't have the room for a frame and even this will be a squeeze, but you know what quilter's are willing to do for a new 'baby'!

I have a LA, and can easily do king + sized quilts on it...and there's NO comparison between that and a DSM...I couldn't quilt if not for my LA...but, in all fairness, there are a lot of quilters out there who only use their DSM's and do absolutely jaw-dropping work! Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

i ran the hq 16, alot of vibration. drove to NC to drive Gammill, heavy and ended up buying the APQS. open blog and discounted houston show class model. the blog is invaluable and the customer support is oustanding. test drive all you can and make surevits the right machine for you before deciding on one. and i highly recommend a stitch regulator.

I'm going to visit a dealer tomorrow and test drive it, so I will let you know what I think (and if I ordered one!) when I get back. I'm interested in the stitch regulator and will see what that's like as well. I don't have room for a frame, unless I take over the living room, and I don't really want to do that.

I also highly recommend the stitch regulator. Especially if you're new to long arming. If you don't get the stitch regulator, that will be one more thing to be tense about--to make sure you are moving at an even speed. The learning curve is hard enough just learning to do designs. Good luck with whatever you get. I have a friend who has an HQ Avante and loves it. She has had it over a year now and has had no problems with it. I was going to buy a HQ Fusion but went with the APQS instead--as I just liked the feel of the heavier machine. It is just like a sewing machine, we all learn to love what we have--because that is what we know. Good luck.

I just replied but I think I misunderstood which machine you are looking at. Are you talking about the HQ sweet sixteen Sit Down? If you are, I would say go for it. That is what I wa originally going to buy because I figured there was no way my husband was going to let me buy tHQ sweet sixteen he long arm and frame set up---well I now own a long arm and frame set up. But I loved the HQ Sweet Sixteen Sit Down when I first tried one and I know if I ever get to the point where I get rid of my long arm and frame set up, I would buy the HQ Sweet Sixteen Sit Down in a heartbeat (even though I currently own an APQS long arm and they also make a sit down. I just really like the HQ Sit Down. Just a couple weeks ago I recommended it to my sister-n-aw because she does lots of piecing but has not room for a long arm and frame set up. So I told her she should consider getting the HQ Sit Down. Good lick with you choice.

I purchased my HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down with the Tru Stitch and the overlay for the table. The overlay takes away the vibration when the Tru Stitch gets near the needle plate, and it tries to go over the "hump". I've moved from a standup longarm to the sit down setup due to progressive spine disease. I just love it! I use a small craft table from WalMart next to it when needed for larger quilts. I'm still learning to FM but just love the even stitches I get from the Tru Stitch. Have fun with whatever you choose!!

The HQ Sweet Sixteen is by far the best quilting item I have bought. I purchased the extensions for the table and the overlay but not the stitch regulator. What someone said is true. It is a strange gizmo to me although others love it. Can always buy one later.

I bought mine from an HQ dealer about 40 miles away. Paid $5100 including shipping and tax.

Hq has named their sit down machine the Sweet Sixteen (Babylock has the same thing called a Tiara). HQ calls their stand up long arm the 16. ( no Sweet involved!).