ZugZug

I was wondering if anyone has or knows of anyone who has convereted their HQ Sweet 16/Babylock Tiara from the table set up to a regular stand up frame? Just curious, since I wont have room for the regular frame set up for awhile, but am interested in the 16/Tiara if it is something that I can get now, use and then place on a frame later. Just curious. I am still a ways from making a final decision, and the Quilt Show is coming up here in Houston in less than a month. I just wanted a few ideas ahead of time so I can focus my attention on systems that are a real posibility for me.

AshleyR

I can't answer your question, but I'm sure they can do so at the quilt show. However, I was wondering if you've considered a Sunshine 16? http://www.sunshine16.com/ is their website. Looks like it will go from table to frame quite easily (of course, for all I know, the Sweet 16 and Tiara might just as easily!)

Dolphyngyrl

I am pretty sure they are convertible

AliKat

To convert it you would need a cradle to fit whatever machine you have onto the tracks so it would move. If you know of someone who is carpenter-ishly good then you could have the table made and only have to buy the cradle and track.

I have a HQ 16 and my table was made for my space [it is wood.] The cradle came with the machine and I bought the track separately from HQ.

ali

Yarn or Fabric

I know this answer!! I was just talking with a HQ rep actually and it is very doable - you do have to get the tracks for the machine/frame.
I'm getting the HQ Sweet 16. I opted to not get the Tiara because my local dealer would only do MSRP and I would rather get the original for a better price

I will say that I regret not buying it at the quilt show I was at a few weeks ago because I would have gotten free shipping which would have saved me $190. I really really regret it but I wasn't 100% sure until I test drove the Tin Lizzie sit down (which is NOT convertible to a frame btw) I decided today to get the HQS16. I'd already have it ordered and ready to ship but there's a show 4 hours away in 2 weeks and I'm in contact with that HQ rep to see what kind of a deal she'll be offering.... I'm hoping to hear back from her in the next day or two so that I can seal my deal and get my machine purchase settled...

ZugZug

Thank you! I dont mind the idea of having to get the tracks later since I would just get that when I get the frame to insure i get compatiable parts. I will have limited space in the home we are moving into, however there are plans to build a garage at a later date (much later since we have to renovate the house first) and I will get a room in the "garage" to accomidate me at that time, but would love to be able to practice between now and then (possibly 5-7 years away).

I will be checking out both machines (HQ and BL) at the show, but I have a local BL dealer who is fantastic. I absolutely love her. She has already told me that I can get show pricing on the Tiara through the end of the year, and most likely even till the end of Jan.

Are you getting the stitch regulator on your HQS16? I have read some people say it isnt worth it on the sit downs since you dont move as fast, and others say they couldnt manage with out it.

Yarn or Fabric

I am not getting the stitch regulator. If you are used to doing free motion quilting at all, I don't think you need it. You can spend that money on something else.. and if you are redoing a house, I'm sure you'll find lots of uses for that money to set up your new studio

You have to slow down your speed to use it so I felt it was sluggish. I tried it both ways at the show - on both the Tiara and the Sweet 16 and my stitches were nice and smooth and a great length. They keep it on regulated at the shows so that most people can feel like they can quilt beautifully. I feel it is an expensive crutch... and I didn't think the stitches were *perfect* with the regulator. There were still a bunch of smaller stitches - no more than without the regulator for me but that showed me that I really didn't need it. That's just my personal opinion on it though. If you are not used to free motion quilting then you might want to consider it - or practice with free motion on your domestic before you go to the show this way you can see the difference in person. Free motion quilting takes a lot of practice. It's funny but I find it A LOT easier than stitching in the ditch which I absolutely hate.

You can also use longarm rulers on the sit down models. They aren't too terribly expensive. I'm thinking of getting some the next time I go to a show, probably at Paducah unless I do end up going to the GA Expo in a few weeks. I might also get some cut from the local glass dealer. They'll lazer cut any shape or size as long as you have it drawn out - and you know how thick your plexiglass needs to be. Longarm rulers are thicker than regular rotary cutting rulers. Too bad.. I've got lots of unused rotary cutting rulers that I could totally use for quilting lol.

I think having dealer support is a wonderful thing. I have to admit that my local Babylock dealer offered me msrp for the machine when I contacted them. I'm not paying msrp. That's all there is to it. If it was the same price as the show specials, then I would have gone for it.
The HQ dealer here in AL is only 2 hours away but I'd have to pay for shipping... the dealer that will be at the GA quilt expo is 4 hours away. I'm going to have to weigh the savings to get it in GA vs keeping the dealer support in AL... having said that the Ikea is along the way to the dealer in GA I have a lot of thinking to do....

aborning

I would definintely recommend getting the stitch regulator if you are not already used to doing free motion. If you don't get the stitch regulator and are not used to doing free motion quilting, you will have to be concentating not only on your quilting design but also your quilting speed. The stitch regulator sure made emy life much easier when I did free motion quilting on my Bernina--before I had my long arm. I still use my stitch regulator almost all of the time on my APQS as I do freehand quilting and now I only have to concentrate on my design and not also on my speed. But to everyone, it is a personal preference.