hairquilt

I too do not use the regulator any more & agree that you don't need it when you get down the pedal speed with moving the fabric! Love my Sweet Sixteen!

cjackaitlin

I too have a Tiara, and I love it. The regulated is fine when you have mastered your gift of quilting. I find I have more control without it. Hope you get it and enjoy. Mary

Sewnoma

I don't have one of these but I've played with them in shops several times, I've been thinking of getting one for a year or so but haven't quite convinced myself to do it. (Lack of space is a big issue)

I don't like their stitch regulator. It seems clumsy to me, and you have to reposition the sensor thingy all the time or the fabric will move without moving the sensor and that doesn't do any good. So when I've tried using it, I end up with some pretty bad spots that I don't get without it. If I had one at home and practiced a lot more I'm sure I'd get better at it, but it just seems like more hassle than it's worth.

I also have decided to go ahead and be stubborn and just learn how to have better control MYSELF. That way my FMQ abilities will work on any machine, not just one with a regulator. I am still learning, but I do improve with every quilt!

So when I mentally price out these machines, I no longer even consider a stitch regulator.

luvstoquilt301

I have an older HQ16 without the SR. If you are the kind of person who will not be happy unless every stitch is exactly the same size---get the regulator. Mine will vary a bit but after the quilt is washed and dried it pulls in just a little and hides any tiny imperfection. I like to go fairly fast and that is not always possible with the SR. I quilt for myself and charity so I am just fine without it. I have even done a few quilts for $$ and tell them what I do---they are fine with it after seeing mine.

newjeepgreen

Thank you all so much for your advice. I do appreciate all this input as I really want to move forward to a quilting machine as I know I won't be able to afford a long arm. I know the agents advise a SR but I am not doing this professionally so I'm not that fussy if my stitches are not perfect so long as they please me that's all that matters. Thanks again.

EmiliasNana

Talk to your dealer. When I was interested in the BabyLock Tiara (made by HQ) I, too, had the same reservation about purchasing the stitch regulator. My LQS said every once in awhile the manufacturer offers the stitch regulator free as a part of a package. I told her to call me when they offered it FREE. She did and I just used it on my last two baby quilts. There is definitely a learning curve, but the stitching comes out lovely. I am fairly good on my own without it, but probably have a smaller stitch than the 10 st/inch I had the regulator on. That being said, if I had to buy it, I probably wouldn't, but since it was basically free, I will use it when I am more concerned about consistency. Definitely try it out at the dealers if you can. In the cruise mode, the foot pedal is used basically as the "on" switch, and the machine won't stitch until you move the quilt..............very strange to get used to and seems more jerky especially if you have a stencil to follow and you slow down on curves (the machine may speed up on the straight areas and slow down to a crawl on the curves, as you would, but without controlling it yourself with the foot pedal, it is almost a surprise). Just a footnote: the original price I was quoted without the stitch regulator, was more expensive than the package deal, with the stitch regulator thrown in, so a win-win for me.

solstice3

I don't have the Sweet Sixteen but I do have the Babylock Tiara. The stitch regulator came as part of the package and I love it. ALSO, I got a much better price on the Tiara over the Sweet Sixteen.

qwkslver

I bought mine just as they were transitioning to the stitch regulator so it doesn't have one. They offered to put one on at a steep cost and I would have to send the head back to them. I said no thanks. I learned without it and I don't see as I need it. I would say it's your choice, if it is a perk you want fine, if you want to save the money that probably is fine too. I never regretted my purchase. Good luck.

petpainter

I have the Viking version- the Platinum...I wouldn't buy the stitch regulator as it looked like too much hassle and I wanted to learn how to become proficient without it. I LOVE the machine!!!! I can't stand long so it's just perfect and much easier to use than a DSM!

madamepurl

Love, love, love the Tru-Stitch regulator! It's a must have for me. It does have a bit of a learning curve, but there is no practicing getting perfect stitches, it just makes perfect stitches. It makes your stitching look really professional.