Looking for sewing machine to do free motion quilting?
#21
I agree with Dottiemo, you may want to save your pennies a little longer to get a machine you will truly be happy with. I purchased a Janome 6600 about 3 years ago (about $1000). While I am just learning to FMQ, it is a wonderful machine with a 9-inch throat and easy to maneuver.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 619
For that budget I would get a straight stitch Brother PQ1500S or similar juki model, the juki's are more than 500 though but I believe they have a few extra features. I think janome has a similar model, not sure of the Bernina's but I don't think you will find a decent harp size in your budget
I've heard good things about the Juki that is similar, and also a Babylock that is similar, can't think of model numbers.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Desert Southwest
Posts: 1,314
Brother and Janome are made by the same company. Differences are in the materials used in the making and others I don't recall. Bernina, in my opinion, are the Mercedes of sewing machines. I own 3 Brother models. 1 mechanical, 1 digital and 1 higher end digital with embroidery. And I own 1 Bernina 153 Virtuoso. They are all great machines but once you sew on Bernina you will appreciate the difference among the machines. Get what you can afford and have fun with it. In the end, that's what matters.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
As long as you can drop the feed dogs, a machine can accomplish FMQ. That is all you really need from a machine. The machine you currently use may already have that ability. Get the instructions out and check. If you have lost the manual that came with the machine, you can find most of the free online by putting " your sewing machine name, model, and the word manual" you should find a source for free manuals.
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 556
I have decided that I am going to buy a Juki 2010! and look at all brands and some places to see what sounds best to get one.
In doing some research on the Juki 2010 and the Brother 1500, the Brother is made by Juki but has less features. If you do a search for Juki 2010 you will find a couple places thar offer a payment plan. Allbrands is one that comes to mind. Also I've seen advertisements right here on the Quilt Board. If you do a search here on the Board there was a recent thread discussion on the Juki. Good luck on your search.
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 211
This might be a dumb question but what are quilting stitches? I'm looking at new machines, mostly for piecing, but would like the ability to learn to FMQ. Do I need quilting stitches? Thanks!<script type="text/javascript" src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/f81c71f0/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js"></script>
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post