Machine For Quilting Question, Please
 

Hi All, I am sure there are a lot of posts on this but was wondering if you could kindly direct me.

I would like to get a machine that is a workhorse that I would use for quilting only. I can't afford a long-arm :( but I see a lot of machines advertised with the large throat plates which is what I would like but am intimidated with all of the brand names out there and I know that I would need to test drive some but would be interested to know what ones are your favorites. My big fear is that I will buy one that won't stand up to a lot of quilting or will break down easily like my old Singer.

I have made a lot of smaller things but I would love to graduate to making lap-size quilts.

Thank you so much for any advice!

Both my Sister and I bought the Brother 1500 from Allbrands. $569.00 no tax and free shipping. Has a 9" throat space and is a work horse. It's only a straight stitch machine, but what more do you need when quilting. A lot of people on this board has one and love it. We use it both for piecing and quilting. Sews over thick seams like butter.

also try a bernia and janome. i have both machines and they
are fantastic

Ditto! Love this machine, I use it primarily for fmq. You can read my review on it on Amazon, by Leslie.

I LOVE my Juki TL98Q! (I believe the newer model is a TL2010Q). It's a real workhorse; only does straight stitch, and does it VERY well!

I just got a Juki TL98Q from a friend who upgraded to a long arm machine. I absolutely love it. It's solid, fast and does a perfect stitch with the added bonus of a hand or foot thread cutter button, needle up or down and a basting stitch. The feet are heavy and solid, the foot controller is the best I've ever seen and this machine just powers through multiple layers of fabric. I am absolutely in quilting heaven having finished a large single quilt for my GD and a large baby quilt for a new neighbour in two days.

Most of the older machines have more throat space than most modern day machines, and although the old ones are as fancy as the new ones, if you can drop the feed dogs, then you can FMQ on them. I several old Singers and I know for a fact that it has more throat space than my Elna Quilter's Dream, AND the older machines won't cost you nearly as much as a new one, with the exception of the FW, and you can SERVICE them yourself, you don't have to take it to someone else to service.

Yep, I have a TL98Q also and she is a workhorse.....love her!!!!

i was extremely lucky i got a older longarm with 12ft table just under $2000.

Ditto the ditto!