nanbue

Curious which machine do you have that you have problems FMQ with? So many seem good at the start and then you read all of these nightmares. I have a Bernina 630 (I know its out of your price range) but it does fmq. endlessly without one problem. It has the oscalating hook. I think the 7700 is over 2000. I looked at that the other day. Seems like a good machine. Very heavy with large harp. I did not FMQ because I didnt like the way the feet go on and off, and I dont like the fact you have to unscrew the main plate. IF the machine is at all sensitive to thread and lint you have to clean all of that pretty often. I liked the Melody (babylock) The new Viking Sapphire 830 and the Bernina 530, 430 whch all are around the same priceing between 1800 and 2400. Also if less I used the Pfaff Ambition 1.5 for FMQ in a class, and found it to be really good, easy, quiet, it has thread cutters but no hands free mechanisim. But it is a larger then reg.
harp. THe price is at my dealers is 1300. The 1.0 is around 800
Just some ideas.

nanbue

Edit it is the new Sapphire Viking 875 that I tried out and it is a very nice machine in testing.
Not the 830.

rilene

I have had the 7700 for over a year now and love it! FMQ is a breeze!

vintagemotif

Leah Day just started a new FMQ project for those that wish to learn or improve.

freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/p/start-here.html

annesthreads

Nanbue - I have a Janome 4800, which is very picky about threads (machine quilting thread won't go through the tension discs) and is incredibly temperamental for FMQ (though great for piecing). It's almost impossible to get the tension right - and I've tried everything over the years. I can do FMQ successfully on other machines, so it's not just me!

Karenowc

I also have the mega quilter, but mine is the Grandquilter from Pfaff. It's a very nice machine. I have mine on a quilt frame and it does a great job.
Karen

Daisydoodle

Saw a Husqvarna advertised with an 11" throat but don't remember the model number. Visit the dealer and see what them have to offer and test drive everything! I am not very good at FMQ but keep trying. Do want to upgrade from my Janome QC4800 one day. Good Luck!

annesthreads

I went to the Husqvarna and Pfaff dealer today and played with the Sapphire and the Pfaff Expressions 4. Mixed feelings - see the new thread I started. Next, the Horizon! As you've probably seen above, I have a 4800 as well, and it haasn't been a good experience, though I know many people love them.

nanbue

Annethreads,
Did you find your machine?
I just bought a Janome 6600
Love it. Have FMQ for hours and its been great.

pasolovers

Take a look at the Janome 6300P, less stitches as the 6500p , a 9 in harp and about $900.00 I have one and I love it.