Originally Posted by mpeters1200
Originally Posted by kwendt
The class 15 bobbin is slightly larger and holds more thread. The 15-91s have the bobbin going in vertically, not drop in horizontally like the 66's. This can be helpful, especially in FMQ, because the thread path doesn't need to take that 90 degree turn as it sews (the 66's, and any horizontal bobbin machine... the thread turns a 90 before creating the stitch). It's a tension thing when quilting lots of layers... or sewing flat felled jeans seams.
My Singer 66-16 has the drop in bobbin. The machine guy says in order to do FMQ, the feed dogs have to be removed. Apparently, they just unscrew and pop out. I certainly haven't tried it yet. I know a 15-91 would probably be better to FMQ with. Is FMQ impossible with the horizontal drop in bobbin vs. the vertical one?
No it's not impossible. It IS certainly possible to FMQ with a 66-16 and many people do. I have not, but I bet Glenn has. The 66-16's are really good machines to have. For quilting/sewing, it seems like people tend to prefer/advise that you use a 15-91, or 66-16, or a 201 - in that order. (That is, of all the old iron ladies). There are others who point out the merits of the 301's (featherweight big sisters), the 401s and 501 Rocketeers. Those are cast aluminum bodies and lighter weight.
The old iron gals have that fabulous, unbeatable straight stitch and so much weight, that my big queen sized quilts don't faze it. I don't have problems with the weight of the materials pulling the machine to the side, or my stitching!, to the side as I go. A REAL plus. But that's just me.
The 15-91 feed dogs have an actual large thumb screw on the bottom (lift up/tilt back the machine) and unscrew the knob with your fingers. As you do, the dogs lower ... you can make them higher/lower - totally adjustable. Come to think of it, if you're sewing really light chiffon or something, you'd want to lower the dogs just slightly so as to not damage the fabric. The 15 will do that.