FMQ machine preference
03-02-2016, 11:44 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Western New York
Posts: 5,834
03-02-2016, 01:11 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
It sounds like you want a domestic machine, but one with a larger size throat than the regular 6-7" and not a sit down long-arm.
If your budget is under $1000 and
If you don't want bells and whistles but do want to be able to do some regular sewing with it (Like for binding quilts), then you should look at both the Juki that has been suggested and also the Brother PQ1500s. The Juki retails for a little over $1000. The Brother can be found on-line for $650 to $800 depending on who you buy it from. They both have a 9" throat and also have more room vertically than do most other domestic machines. They also both have a needle down function which I find to be very helpful for FMQ, and also a button which you can push that will cut top and bobbin thread when you're done sewing. These two machines are straight stitch only, but they do have feed dogs (which you lower to FMQ) so they can be used for regular sewing, hemming, etc. in addition to being great FMQers.
I have the Brother PQ1500s which I bought used and have not had any problems with it at all. I do a lot of FMQ and this machine is a dream to FMQ on. It also has great visibility around the needle. The Juki is very similar--it may have a slider to control speed, but I'm not sure about that.
If you are willing to spend over $2000-$8000 then you could look at lots of machines with throats ranging from 10" to 12". They tend to have lots of bells and whistles. Brother/Babylock, Janome and Bernina all make machines in this range that folks seem to love.
If you do go out looking at machines be sure to pay attention to visibility around and behind the needle. Some of the machines that do a lot of decorative stitches also FMQ very nicely, but the trade off for lots of decorative stitches is lowered visibility around the needle area.
Rob
If your budget is under $1000 and
If you don't want bells and whistles but do want to be able to do some regular sewing with it (Like for binding quilts), then you should look at both the Juki that has been suggested and also the Brother PQ1500s. The Juki retails for a little over $1000. The Brother can be found on-line for $650 to $800 depending on who you buy it from. They both have a 9" throat and also have more room vertically than do most other domestic machines. They also both have a needle down function which I find to be very helpful for FMQ, and also a button which you can push that will cut top and bobbin thread when you're done sewing. These two machines are straight stitch only, but they do have feed dogs (which you lower to FMQ) so they can be used for regular sewing, hemming, etc. in addition to being great FMQers.
I have the Brother PQ1500s which I bought used and have not had any problems with it at all. I do a lot of FMQ and this machine is a dream to FMQ on. It also has great visibility around the needle. The Juki is very similar--it may have a slider to control speed, but I'm not sure about that.
If you are willing to spend over $2000-$8000 then you could look at lots of machines with throats ranging from 10" to 12". They tend to have lots of bells and whistles. Brother/Babylock, Janome and Bernina all make machines in this range that folks seem to love.
If you do go out looking at machines be sure to pay attention to visibility around and behind the needle. Some of the machines that do a lot of decorative stitches also FMQ very nicely, but the trade off for lots of decorative stitches is lowered visibility around the needle area.
Rob
Last edited by rryder; 03-02-2016 at 01:13 PM.
03-02-2016, 08:28 PM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 26,337
I'm another Juki 2010Q owner... and very happy. Best $850 I ever spent! This machine was made to FMQ.
03-03-2016, 02:39 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Boothbay Maine
Posts: 9,518
Rob hit the nail on the head... it depends on how much you want to spend as to what my machine preference would be... I learned to FMQ on my Janome 6600 that I have had for almost 5 years and they run around $1000. I then upgraded to a 8900 which is twice the price but a bigger throat space and FMQ is a dream.
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