HQ Sweet Sixteen Reviews

[RiverMomm]

Over Christmas I visited my quilting sister-in-law and guess what was her new (and expensive) toy? Yep -The Sweet Sixteen. Oh, I was envious, but to be honest, I am still very much a newbie and that machine is too much for me (at least that is what I said to myself as I ran my hand across it!). I emailed her and asked for a review for you.

"My review is that I’m looking forward to using it more. I am short, so adjustable table is great, I have a business, so could “rent “ it out – it has a stitch count feature you can use for billing. So far I have purchased what I think are essential extras.

1. The open toed foot (just try it with both, you will find you can do finer movement when you can see in front of the foot).

2. I also bought a spool holder that fits closer to the sewing part, this for more delicate threads that don’t like traveling so far without breaking!

3. There a really great deep templates to help with designs, I have the VersaTool from Handi GADGETS just for a start.

4. I also bought the slippery sheet to put under the quilt while sewing.

The extension table seems pricey, so I’m improvising with inexpensive fold away tables from Costco.

Having it has been inspiring – I took classes on Zen-tangle free motion, and I want to do more elaborate quilting than “stitch in the ditch” and squiggles.

It is not the only one on the market. But it can handle finer threads, full range of needle sizes 11-16. And I like the insert in the table for the machine, and the harp direction."

[Jebfowler1]

There is a dealer not far from me. I need to call them and check if they carry the Sweet 16. I really do want to test drive it.

[Jebfowler1]

Over Christmas I visited my quilting sister-in-law and guess what was her new (and expensive) toy? Yep -The Sweet Sixteen. Oh, I was envious, but to be honest, I am still very much a newbie and that machine is too much for me (at least that is what I said to myself as I ran my hand across it!). I emailed her and asked for a review for you.

"My review is that I’m looking forward to using it more. I am short, so adjustable table is great, I have a business, so could “rent “ it out – it has a stitch count feature you can use for billing. So far I have purchased what I think are essential extras.

1. The open toed foot (just try it with both, you will find you can do finer movement when you can see in front of the foot).

2. I also bought a spool holder that fits closer to the sewing part, this for more delicate threads that don’t like traveling so far without breaking!

3. There a really great deep templates to help with designs, I have the VersaTool from Handi GADGETS just for a start.

4. I also bought the slippery sheet to put under the quilt while sewing.

The extension table seems pricey, so I’m improvising with inexpensive fold away tables from Costco.

Having it has been inspiring – I took classes on Zen-tangle free motion, and I want to do more elaborate quilting than “stitch in the ditch” and squiggles.

It is not the only one on the market. But it can handle finer threads, full range of needle sizes 11-16. And I like the insert in the table for the machine, and the harp direction."

Thanks! I have yet to see a negative review. Had surgery on my right foot about a month ago, so as soon as I can get around a little better, I'm going to try a test drive. I'd really like to find it on sale though.

[Jebfowler1]

I have one and unfortunately I have not had enough time to play with it. When I did use it, I LOVED it. It's easy: sit down and quilt. When I got mine, I decided to get the TruStitch as well as I barely made it to the "I SUCK!" stage of FMQ with my regular sewing machine. With the Sweet 16, I made it to the "this actulally looks presentable" right out of the gate. DH added a pull-out extension table from IKEA on the left side (I am right-handed) and I have small cabinets on the right for extra storage.

I would buy her again in a heartbeat.

One thing that many users grumble about it the fact that the machine itself sits a smidge higher than the table which can pose problems for using the stitch regulator and some templates. DH actually raised my table to meet up with the top of the HQ16. Others have bought the overlay that is available to cover the entire table.

Are you aware that there is a great yahoo forum for HQ Sweet 16? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HQ_Sit_down_Model/

Happy hunting.
Martina

Martina

Do you find that the TruStitch is necessary now that you have it? I'm not sure if I can afford to get that too. I really appreciate your review. One thing that is nice is that if you eventually want to use it as a long arm on a standing quilt rack you can. So it's really not like an either or proposition, you can upgrade it.

Thanks,

Janice

[Roxanne]

Thanks Martina. I wasn't aware of the yahoo group. I just joined.

[Jebfowler1]

[QUOTE=Roxanne;217088]Thanks Martina. I wasn't aware of the yahoo group. I just joined.[/QUOTE

So did I!

[Jebfowler1]

Well, it turns out that the local dealer doesn't carry the HQ Sweet 16, but does carry the Babylock Tiara which is the same thing. Gonna try to get over there and check it out in the next couple days.

[JVO]

I also own the HQ Sweet 16, and I do love it. I work full time so getting to time to practice is tricky. I do want to buy the TruStitch to go with it so then you just have to worry about the design not the speed, but with a little practice you do get the hang of the speed and hand movement together. It seems to work with any type of thread. I have had mine for 1.5 years and still do not feel comfortable enough to quilt a full size quilt. I have done many table runner and it is getting better, but I fine the longer I quilt an item my quilting gets bigger! So I have to take many breaks!

[Jebfowler1]

Well, I didn't have a Sweet 16 dealer, but did have a Baby Lock Tiara dealer. Since the machines are identical, I decided to go try out the Tiara. I loved it! It is so smooth and easy to quilt on, and this is from a newbie quilter. It makes me feel like I am even better at quilting than I thought. Got offered a great pkg deal and decided to take the plunge. Don't think the Tru-stitch is really necessary, but it was thrown in at no extra charge. I will pick it up either tomorrow or Friday. Can't wait!

[tsplace]

I got a sweet sixteen machine for Christmas. I do not have a dealer anywhere near me so my machine was ordered online. If you have the opportunity to purchase through a dealer I would suggest you do so. Your classes would be free from your dealer as I understand it. If I can find a dealer close to home I will have to pay for the classes.
Not knowing exactly how to use the machine I like it. It was easy to set up and to use. I had a problem with the tension at first but, that was my fault for not knowing what I was doing. I'm learning about quilting on my own from the tutorials on the MSQC and on youtube. What exactly does TruStitch help with?
Thanks,
Terry