I use a sweet 16 also, I just love it! My dealer is less than a mile from me! I really like the simplicity of the machine, and the fact that the head faces forward instead of sideways. I do a lot of detail quilting and keep my head closer to the work. If the eyelet that holds the thread is bobbing up and down right by my face, it could be distracting or dangerous, so I appreciate that this is not in the way on the sweet sixteen. Yes, it has needle up/down function. You set it to stop either needle up or down, and you can also push another button to make the needle move a single time, either up or down.

I do believe that dealer support is very important, which is why I bought from my local dealer. Since the Tiara and the Sweet Sixteen are the same machine, whichever dealer is closest might determine your choice.

Jamie Wallen's tension video on you-tube is very enlightening, for anyone who quilts on a non domestic sewing machine.

Kathy

I "test drove" the Sweet Sixteen, as well as the APQS (George) and Gammill (Charm) sit-down machines at Paducah this spring. All are quality products. In the end, I purchased a Sweet Sixteen. There were 2 main reasons. First, I liked the way that the SS was positioned, with the sewing head facing toward you, instead of perpendicular like a domestic machine. It really makes managing the bulk of a quilt much easier. Second, the SS was much less expensive, and I couldn't justify the extra expense for the other machines since they all seemed to perform equally well.

Good luck with your decision!

I will check out the Gammill - thanks, Eileen!

Before you make your decision, why don't you try the Gammill sit-down? I think it's called the Charm. Gammill has been doing longarms for a longer time than most of the other companies on the market.

Thanks for the advice, Sue. I was going to order it through sewingmachineplus.com because of their price. But maybe I need to slow down and see who sells it nearby so I can get the personal support. I will check out the video you suggested. Thanks again!

I have a Sweet Sixteen and love it. The Babylock Tiara is the same machine. My advice is to get a machine that has close dealer support, or whatever machine includes at least one hour or two lesson as soon as the machine is set up. In the mid-Atlantic, we have at least one dealer who will go to your house, set up the table and machine, and give an hour lesson which includes all the basics.

The initial learning curve is not quite as easy because long-arm tension is different that our instant domestic sewing machines, especially if you have a domestic like a Bernina which has us spoiled as far as tension adjustment goes. You have to become very comfortable with adjusting your bobbin tension.

There is good information out there through the HQ website and watch Jamie Wallen's youtube video on Longarm tension. Watch all the videos from all the brands.

There is also a Yahoo group HQ_Sit_Down_Model

Have Fun!

Getting real close to buying one of these - any advice? Also, if someone has a Sweet 16 - does it have needle up/down? Is there something better - like the PLATINUM™16 mid-arm quilting machine? Thanks!