Upgrade Options for the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen and Pfaff Powerquilter 16.0
Upgrade Options for the Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen and the Pfaff Powerquilter 16.0
The Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen has been available since November 2010 in the UK. The Sweet Sixteen is a versatile straight stitch longarm quilting machine. It features a 16" throat space, enabling quilters to complete even large quilts more easily than they could on a domestic machine where throat spaces typically range between 6" and 11".
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Various changes have been made to the software and accessories since it was first launched. This blog post will cover the following:
History of the Sweet Sixteen2010-2012When the Sweet Sixteen was launched in the UK it was originally supplied with a strong, height adjustable table measuring 36" x 30". The height could be adjusted between 26" and 42" enabling quilters to get a comfortable seating position and for some people, stitching standing up is possible.   The original foot supplied on the Sweet Sixteen was a solid foot that screwed into the foot bar. An open toe foot was also supplied which needed to be fitted by unscrewing the regular foot. At this time there were no other feet available for the Handi Quilter machines. Ruler work was done using the regular closed toe foot.
In 2013 Handi Quilter introduced a conversion kit for the Avante and Sweet Sixteen. They then made it the standard fitting for all future machines. This made changing the foot much easier as feet could be removed through unscrewing a small allen key screw on the new stem. The conversion kit is still available for models prior to 2014 when the change was made. The solid foot was standard on all Pfaff Powerquilter 16.0 machines unless they were supplied by The Cotton Patch and Pinhole Quilting. The foot was normally upgraded to the newer interchangeable feet with the fitting of a Conversion Kit from both UK Handi Quilter suppliers.  You can purchase the Conversion Kit here. There is a video on how to install on our website and printed instructions within the kit. The interchangeable foot which was supplied on all Handi Quilter machines from around July 2014 is shown below. There are now LOTS of feet for the Handi Quilter machines.  Additional Functions Added to the Sweet SixteenThe Sweet Sixteen original manual looked like this. The decal on the side had a heart.  Between 2012 and 2014 Handi Quilter made a number of improvements to the Sweet Sixteen. Additional functions were added including a basting stitch, low bobbin alarm, improved screen layout, quilt alarm and timer. The machines were also labelled as TruStitch ready which meant that when the stitch regulator was added the machines could be used without any further software or hardware changes. The manual was updated in April 2014 for the new functions. This was Version 2.1.  An example of the machine screen is shown below without any stitch regulator attached. The ability to save the presets is on the front screen, the basting stitch function is in the centre under the red rectangle and the needle up/down movement is below the basting stitch.  In November 2014 the Sweet Sixteen was further changed with an improved tension option; a numeric readout on the screen which showed a number for the tension. As the user increased the top tension the number would increase and when they reduced the top tension the number would go lower. At this time the logo on the machine changed (the heart was removed and the font changed). It enabled users to be able to note what the tension readout was for a particular top thread (given that the bobbin tension had been set to a similar level and with similar weight of bobbin thread) so that they could get close to the correct tension more easily. This was particularly useful for customers who were new to their machine. The manual was updated to reflect the tension readout option and called Version 3.0. November 2014. The latest manual is dated 2015, Version 3.1 and it can be found along with the other machine manuals on this page. Link to Manuals Page.  The screen below hasn't changed since November 2014 and an example of the front screen is shown below. The tension readout of 540 is in the lower left corner.  Since 2014 there have not been other major changes although the boards may have a higher board and firmware number such as the 2018 model shown here -  TruStitchHandi Quilter describes the TruStitch as follows: "Innovative stitch-regulation system for the HQ Sweet Sixteen that measures controller movements on the table surface for choreographed stitch-regulation. TruStitch is perfect for free-motion quilters of all levels from beginning to advanced." Handi Quilter recommend that TruStitch is used with the white plastic overlay. Both The Cotton Patch and Pinhole Quilting have always supplied tables with the white overlay in the UK and Europe since TruStitch became available. The Overlay makes it easier for customers to use rulers and also to make them TruStitch compatible. Replacement Overlays are available if yours has become damaged or marked. If you do not have the Overlay the signal from the TruStitch will be lost when it's used behind the needle (one the metal longarm section). We also supply clamps to keep the Overlay in place. The clamps means you don't have to use double-sided tape to secure the Overlayto your table, which damages the table if you ever want to remove it. The TruStitch also works with the Pfaff Powerquilter 16.0 although there is no overlay available. Machines with a Firmware level of 3.17 and higher do not require reprogramming to be able to work with TruStitch.   When you connect the TruStitch the top left hand logo is replaced with the option to sew in either Manual or Regulated mode. Before connecting the TruStitch.  After connecting the TruStitch  To use the TruStitch you change to Regulated mode from Manual.  Select how many stitches per inch and the Cruise speed. Then start it with either the foot pedal (although how much you press down is irrelevant) or the screen by pressing the Play icon. The play icon changes to a Stop icon when you press it. The Cruise percentage is set depending on how fast you want the machine to sew when it's stationary. For beginners we recommend starting at a low percentage. There is an exercise towards the end of this blog post that you can work through to try the different settings.  If you want the machine to stop when you are not using moving it you would set the cruise percentage to zero to put the mode into Precision. The screen below shows this setting. In this case when you stop moving the fabric the machine will stop sewing. The needle may be up, down, in the fabric, etc. When you take your foot off the foot pedal or press stop the needle will stop either up or down depending on what you had set it to.  For certain techniques like micro quilting you may want the number of stitches to be higher so that the stitches are smaller and at the same time increase the Cruise percentage. This should make the machine feel smoother.  Of course at any time you can go back into Manual mode by clicking the top Manual mode button. This video of Karlee Porter using TruStitch explains how to set up TruStitch. Re-Programming the Sweet SixteenIf you bought your machine in the UK after July 2014, if an engineer upgraded your machine or if you have Firmware level 3.17 or higher you should be able to use the TruStitch or InSight table without any further software changes. If you bought your machine prior to July 2014 or bought second user you need to check the System Information screen (access via More or Menu) and take a picture. You can send the System Information picture to us if you are in the UK and you would like us to upgrade your machine. We do charge for this service. It is cheaper if it is carried out at the same time as your two-yearly service. Please contact us quilt@pinholequilting.co.uk for further details. The machine screen below is an example of one that was upgraded to the level of software that is needed to run TruStitch or the InSight Table. It was purchased in August 2014. If it is possible to upgrade your machine we would upgrade your machine to this level.  |
InSight Table Stitch Regulation for the Sweet Sixteen
In 2020 Handi Quilter announced that the InSight table would be available for the Sweet Sixteen. The InSight table has two magic eyes in the top of the table which continuously monitor how fast the fabric is being moved. This information is fed back to the machine causing it to increase or decrease speed thus keeping the stitches even.
The InSight table does not work with the Pfaff Powerquilter 16.0.
The height of the table adjusts from 25.5" to 39.5" allowing most people to stand to quilt if required. It is approximately the same as the original table being 36" x 32".
The InSight table provides a superior level of stitch regulation for the Sweet Sixteen Stationary machine for a few reasons:
- It doesn't need adjusting for where you are quilting like the TruStitch puck does. You can focus on just quilting once you've set the Stitches per Inch and the Cruise speed.
- If you are using delicate fabrics it picks up that the fabric is being moved. With TruStitch you need to have a certain firmness of fabric for it to work.
- You have two sensors so there is a better feedback to the machine for how the fabric is moving.
- You can rotate the fabric whereas with the TruStitch you have to move the fabric parallel to the front and edges of the machine otherwise the machine sews lots of tiny stitches. For most people this isn't an issue but some quilters have a technique which involves rotating the fabric.
You can watch various YouTube videos on using the InSight Table on our YouTube Channel.
InSight Table Options
There are additional options for the InSight table.
Extra side table - they can be fitted to either or both sides. They fold down when not in use.
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| Table Extension pictured (with the Capri) |
Drawer for the InSight Table.
You can also fit castors to the InSight table to make it easier to move it into position when you want to use it. You need two sets (two per set). They lock.
You can see more on our website - search for InSight. Visit Website.
Extra Large Foot Controller
The extra large foot controller is a great option for manual mode. It has a smoother and more precise pickup and control.
FInd out more on our website. Extra Large Foot Controller
Exercise to practice your stitch regulation.
If you have TruStitch or InSight you could try this exercise which takes you through a few different modes and may help your understanding of which you prefer.
We hope that this has been useful to you.
If you have any questions on your Sweet Sixteen please email us quilt@pinholequilting.co.uk
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