Which machines have largest throats?
10-26-2013, 10:35 AM
#1
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Which machines have largest throats?
I am looking for a vintage machine model that will handle larger quilts when I graduate to making them. In general, which brands/ models should I keep my eye open for? Looks from pictures like Kenmores, Whites, and certain Singers? Any advice on this would help, along with my desire to have the machine do FMQ easily. I'm still rather a greenhorn at all of this.
10-26-2013, 11:40 AM
#2
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zozee,
The Singer 101 has a larger arch than the others but is less common. The 201s and 66s are probably the best as they are more common with easily available parts and accessories. They are bigger than the often recommended Singer 15s and clones.
Some of the early White made machines have large arches as well. My Free SM Co machine has one of the biggest as does the Singer 127 and Sears sold Franklins.
This is of course just machines I've worked with there is no doubt a lot more to choose from. I can say that with the onset of ZZ machines the manufacturers reduced the available arch space significantly.
Joe
The Singer 101 has a larger arch than the others but is less common. The 201s and 66s are probably the best as they are more common with easily available parts and accessories. They are bigger than the often recommended Singer 15s and clones.
Some of the early White made machines have large arches as well. My Free SM Co machine has one of the biggest as does the Singer 127 and Sears sold Franklins.
This is of course just machines I've worked with there is no doubt a lot more to choose from. I can say that with the onset of ZZ machines the manufacturers reduced the available arch space significantly.
Joe
10-27-2013, 06:43 AM
#8
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The difference in space under the arch between the 201 and 15 might seem to be small, but it's there and I find it makes a big difference. We quilted two full sized quilts last year and started on my HOTHER, a 15 clone. It was cramped and hard to work with. Then we switched to our 201 and the difference in available space made a world of difference. Much easier to work with.
Joe
Joe
10-27-2013, 08:57 AM
#9
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Location: South Dakota
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so far, my New Queen has the most throat room, but I'll have to mess around to modify a hopping foot to fit. I'll agree with Joe, just a little bit more room makes a big difference, more than you would expect. though I think the biggest difference is having the table room around the machine, and having a slick surface so the quilt glides easily. I really enjoy FMQ with my 15 so far. Way nicer than on my Viking 990. I prefer a straight needle over the slant, but will have to experiment with more slant machines to decide if the slant was the issues, or the particular machine. Or just inexperienced operator!
10-27-2013, 08:08 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada
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I prefer straight over slant too, I've had a 403, 401 and a 631g. I've never really liked any of them for sewing over pins. They seem to not glide smoothly over them. They are bomber machines though, just never thought the slant was any improvement sewing wise.
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