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Test drove a new Tiara No room for a long arm? You might like this!
KPM   Advanced HI USA Member since 1/18/07 Posts: 687	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/21/12 5:29 AM I got to try a new Babylock Tiara yesterday. If you've been wanting a long arm quilting machine but would need a new house for it, you might want to check it out. Instead of the machine moving all around, it sits fixed at the center back of its included table, with the needle towards you. The small display screen is directly in front of you, and you have a good view of the whole area of the quilt that rests on the sturdy folding table, which is roughly the size of a card table. You can't get the feel of this machine by the photos online - you need to actually sit down at it. I kind of felt like Captain Kirk, especially when I went into warp speed (1500 spm). Even then the stitches still looked BL great, top and bottom. I was also able to maneuver well in small sized stippling. It has a stitch regulator option which I didn't try as I prefer to work without one. But the one they offer is very different and is not connected to the needle area at all, if you're interested. The (very) heavy metal machine's arm opening is 16" long and 8.25" in height. It takes a large sized M class bobbin. It does not offer any kind of design programming, but I think it does have some kind of cruise control which I didn't know how to set up. I think most everyone has room somewhere in their house to set up a card table, if they could fold it up for storage when not in use. But you might need to hire Mr. Universe to set it up for you, as the machine weighs 53, the table 56. (Maybe you could get him to join you in the hot tub afterward.) It does have an industrial machine aura, so I would bet on it lasting your lifetime! So, what do you think? I think BL may have found a nice marketplace niche. However the MSRP may be a bit high, I think it's in the $4G vicinity. ------ Let's just say all modern sms are well represented in my studio.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6770	Login to reply to this post In reply to KPM << 4 members like this. Date: 10/21/12 7:22 AM Is that MSRP for the machine, or for Mr. Universe? I could dip into my line of credit... ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
TessKwiltz   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/21/07 Posts: 1316	Login to reply to this post In reply to KPM << Like this post Date: 10/21/12 9:24 AM Looks very similar to a HQ 16 with sit-down table ------ Tess On threadpainting flowers: "How many colors are in a flower? ... How many do you have?" - Ellen Anne Eddy
KPM   Advanced HI USA Member since 1/18/07 Posts: 687	Login to reply to this post In reply to TessKwiltz << Like this post Date: 10/21/12 1:17 PM Yes it does. Maybe they're made in the same factory. Looks as if Babylock may have a better price point though, plus local dealer support if they're in your area. Is that HQ brand sold in local stores? ------ Let's just say all modern sms are well represented in my studio.
TessKwiltz   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/21/07 Posts: 1316	Login to reply to this post In reply to KPM << Like this post Date: 10/21/12 1:28 PM My Bernina dealer also sells HQs. My Babylock dealer is not as nice. I play with the HQs every year at Quilt Festival, but I am holding out until I have room for a frame. Maybe another 10 years til retirement and away from the city. Sigh. ------ Tess On threadpainting flowers: "How many colors are in a flower? ... How many do you have?" - Ellen Anne Eddy
ZugZug Beginner TX USA Member since 1/4/12 Posts: 36	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/21/12 5:55 PM I also tried out the Tiara at my local BL dealer. Yes it is the same as the HQ Sweet 16. However I love my BL dealer and have no clue about an HQ dealer locally. Price point is about the same on the machines, just a little difference. MSRP for the Tiara is $5500, stitch regulator is another $999, one advantage if you have been stalking the HQSweet16 is that BL usually has their no interest financing. Also as previously posted, local dealer support is always a bonus...shop for your dealer, not the machine. I tried the Tiara with the stitch regulator and without...I prefer without, which was suprising since all this time i was almost certain that was an option I NEEDED...but I can not get over the "sound" of stitching with the regulator. I am very auditory based. Sound is what tells me to shift gears in my car, motorcycle, when the lawn mower isnt working right, when the needle needs to be changed on my machine, when the bobbin is just a bit off...So the constant change in stitch speed and sound that the stitch regulator creates, causes me to pause too often and be worried something is wrong because I cant "get in the groove" of things. I agree that the Tiara is an excellent option for limited space issues and also for those who can not stand for long periods to use a traditional stand up frame. I have plans to go to the local quilt show and inquire also if in the future I can mount the Tiara on a regular frame. If so, I will be even more apt to buy one now since space is limited but I know in a few years it wont be since we will be building a garage and studio for me. I figure this would be a great option to become familiar with the machine and its quirks and also have a machine that can literally "grow" with me.

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