On a recent visit to Ace Sewing and Vacuum Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen, a home quilting machine that is mounted on its own table.
Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen
Although I’m not a quilter, I can certainly appreciate a great home quilting machine when I see one.
At A Glance
When I first saw the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen, I wasn’t absolutely certain if it was a quilter or some other sort of specialty sewing machine.
Mounted on a cabinet table
A tiny red button to facilitate changing the bobbin
Rather than the traditional frame that I had become accustomed to seeing with a quilting machine, this one was mounted on a cabinet table.
It threads on the right hand side and when it’s time to access the bobbin, you can remove part of the table and there’s a tiny red button that engages a motor to raise the machine to facilitate changing the bobbin without having to bend down or reach under the table.
The optional stitch regulator is mounted on the left side of the machine while the moveable fabric holder is placed beneath the fabric and is moved about as needed.
When not in use, the same red button can lower the machine all the way into the table and the doors closed, making your quilting table a convenient cutting table.
Features
- 16 inch throat space
- More than three times the quilting space of other sewing machines for home use
- More than 8 inches vertical space
- Sews up to 1500 stitches per minute
- High-speed rotary hook with large capacity M-class bobbin
- Half-stitch for basting or walking stitch
- 30” x 36” table surface assures even quilting
- Additional 18″ table extension available for both sides of the table
- Hopping foot prevents fabric movement during a full-stitch cycle
- Works with HQ rulers for perfect stitch-in-the-ditch and curved quilting lines
Working on the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen
The Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen threads easily on the right side. This single needle, freehand quilting machine has a16 inch throat. The head doesn’t move about like its larger frame mounted counterparts.
Instead, you sit at the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen and move the fabric beneath the needle in any direction you choose.
Not noisy and virtually no vibration
While watching the machine go through its paces, I watched the Ace staff member use several different quilting rulers available for separate purchase. The Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen is not at all noisy and there is virtually no vibration whatsoever.
The computerized Tru Stitch regulator measures movements on the worktable and guarantees even stitches while creating freehand designs.
The stitches are not only even and well formed, they give your work the appearance of the hand made quilts my grandmother used to make.
Fabrics
- Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
- Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
- Knits
- Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
- Upholstery
- Leather/suede
- Fur
- Reptile skin
- Canvas/Twill
- Plastic/Rubber
- Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers
Accessories
Standard accessories included with the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen:
- 4 extra bobbins, 20 needles, sample thread pack
- Getting Started DVD
- Owner’s Manual
Optional accessories available for separate purchase:
- Tru Stitch Regulator
- Open-toe hopping foot
- Horizontal spool pin
- 18” x 30” table extensions
- Table overlay (recommended for use with TruStitch regulator)
- Quilters’ rulers and curves
Maintenance
| After each use | Monthly* | Once Each Year** | As Needed | |
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | ||||
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | ||||
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | ||||
| Lubricate | ||||
| Service by sewing machine repair professional |
Tying Off The Loose Ends
The fact that you can raise and lower the Handy Quilter Sweet Sixteen when changing the bobbin or lower it all the way to close the table is a wonderful feature, making this one of the most functional additions to a sewing room I have seen in a very long time.
Machine can be raised to change the bobbin
I watched the Sweet Sixteen move up and down quietly and smoothly and witnessed first hand how easy it is for a quilting enthusiast to add this machine to their home sewing room.
The swing out shelves and large storage space are ideal for storing all of your quilting supplies when the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen is not in use. Quilting isn’t for everyone and I don’t believe this is a machine for beginners.
However, people who know their way around sewing machines and have mastered the basics of sewing machine operation might be very comfortable with the Sweet Sixteen, especially if they enjoy machine quilting. Working on this machine is not difficult at all.
I believe anyone over the age of 13 or so would be able to operate this machine with just a few hours training.
In fact, if they are really fast learners they could probably master the Sweet Sixteen after just a few minutes of training. It is so fast – 1500 stitches per minute – that I don’t recommend use by anyone younger than 13 years of age.
Creating freehand designs on the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen, with or without the aid of a quilting ruler is as easy as sitting down and letting your imagination take control.
If you are a quilting enthusiast, I believe the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen might be a good choice for you. It is a real quilting machine, not a combination sewing and quilting machine.
The size is ideal for those machine quilting enthusiasts who do not have space in their homes for a quilting frame… and how many people actually have that luxury?
Although it isn’t as large as many other quilting machines, the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen can handle just about any size quilting job. I could definitely see someone making a king size comforter on this machine with ease.
If you want to add the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen to your sewing room, you have several options to choose from.
You can buy it with or without the Tru Stitch regulator or without the cabinet/cutting table that I saw at Ace Sewing and Vacuum Center.
The people at Handi Quilter also offer another table that is smaller, and does not have the electronic lift feature. The choice is yours.
I think it’s great that anyone who wants the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen can mix and match these features to suit their own personal tastes, needs, and budgets.
It is also possible to start with just the machine and add the other optional features when you are ready to do so. There are very few machines that offer so many options… another big plus for the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen.