Advice on machine for fmq
 

I am upgrading from my Singer 401a so I can more easily fmq. I know I'll have lots of questions so I will buy local. I want a large harp, a blanket stitch and good personal service. What else should I look for? I took a class on a Bernina 770qe which was lovely but that's too big a jump. Coming from a mechanical to a computerized machine is a big step and all the potential software problems scare me. And the terminology! Is the AcuFeed=BSR=Digital dual feed? Is there a website that compares different models side by side?

This site lists sewing machine reviews from consumers:

https://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews

What brand dealers do you have locally? There is a comparison feature on each brands website. I have brother/babylock machines and really enjoy stitching on them.

What is your budget and there are many different price points to start?

Perhaps a peek around this site may help answer your questions.

https://www.sewinginsight.com/babylo...vation-review/ (I just picked a random machine to review).

Hopefully, others will come along with more information.

I would look at a janome 6700. It has a nice harp but is not as advanced as some of the other machines, but is a super solid heavy duty machine. I really enjoyed the demo and almost got one but I have my dreamy and it has never skipped a beat so can't justify when I have a super solid machine that does everything I need

I love both my Janome 6600 and 8900 for FMQ. Since there are newer models out (a 6700 and a 9200) you might be able to get the older versions for a good price. Good luck with your decision...and test drive.

You could always stay with a mechanical machine - Singer 15's are sweet for free motion and you can find them reasonably priced on CL. They are easy to maintain, class 15 bobbins hold a lot of thread, feed dogs drop, and have a great straight stitch.

http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Machines/performance-5-2
I have the Pfaff Performance 5.0 which is a great machine, but the newer, Performance 5.2 I have been considering trading up to. I have quilted queen size quilts on this machine.

Here is a youtube demo on the 5.0 that may be of interest to see this machine operating. This is a Pfaff dealer demonstrating an instructional video.
https://villagesewing.com/pfaff-performance-5-0/

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quil...comment-256107

I went from a Singer to a Janome and Love It!

The janome are wonderful machines...... The Brother pq1500 makes nice FM and you can get it cheaper but it is only straigh stitch machine ( with 9" throat space)... Good luck

I do all my FMQ on an older Bernina and have never had problems. My two Berninas are the only machines I've done FMQ on so I don't have anything to compare with.