I have been quilting for over 25 years and resisted machine quilting until a few years ago. Wrestling a large quilt into the small space of my sewing machine was work, not relaxation. Plus, I wasn’t very good at it. I am enough of a perfectionist that my less than great results didn’t provide enough incentive to keep practicing. I kept my machine quilting projects to small pieces and sent my large quilts off to be quilted by the professionals.
A couple of years ago, I upgraded my Bernina 200 to include the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator). It was great! Not having to worry about my stitch length provided the help to get me past the learning curve. I began to enjoy machine quilting but still struggled when quilting large quilts. I decided to look into a mid-arm machine set up. This would be a struggle because my sewing room is in a loft, accessible only by spiral staircase. And my sewing space is TIGHT. A huge ten-ton arrangement would be a problem.
I should say that I work for a local quilt shop, which sells several types of sewing and quilting machines, including Handi Quilter Products. But I wanted to see everything available in the quilt market. Since my parents live in Houston, Texas, I annually visit the International Quilt Festival. I had two days to look around. (Note to self – two days is NOT enough time at the Festival!) I packed my notebook, camera, and tennis shoes and began my hunt.
Under the glowing booth lights, everything looked impressive. The Festival was packed with staff and consumers and each booth gave great information about quilting and their product. I tested everything whether or not it was in my price range. At this point, I wanted to learn machine features. Price considerations would come later.
About mid afternoon on my second day, I was exhausted. My neck and shoulders were stiff and my legs and knees were actually hurting. I was beginning to think this long-mid-arm stuff was not for me. I went back to the HQ booth and noticed the sit-down model in the corner. I sat down, donned the machine quilting gloves and began stitching the sample quilt at the table. After a few false starts, I knew I had my machine. This was the technique I was used to. All the months of practicing on my home machine were met with the freedom given by the extra space of the HQ. What fun! I could sit. The table was the perfect height. The table was also configured differently. I was sitting at the head of the machine instead of the side. This meant that I could move completely from one side of a quilt to the other without running into the side of the machine. Plus, it was affordable. I could even add on the Stitch Regulator, poles and table if my sewing set up ever changed. I was so excited about my find that when I left the booth forty-five minutes later, I was still wearing the machine quilting gloves! (I did realize this after a few minutes and returned them.)
I went home, called my boss and ordered the HQ16 and sit-down table. That was almost three years ago and I still love my HQ sit-down system. I just wish I had more time to quilt!

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Sixteen Sit-down