Originally Posted by
BluegrassGurl
I have the exact set-up you are considering.... (machine & Grace speed control) but have not tried it yet. I have been sewing with the machine just to get use to it.... playing with tension... etc... before I begin quilting. I have 3 quilt tops ready to go and am anxious to get started. I am, however, starting with a simple lap size quilt so that I can practice. My husband built me a custom table frame (with moving platform). Hopefully, I will get to try it all out this weekend. I'll keep you posted.
Donna and Tigger,
I have used a Brother PQ-1500S for years and love it. I have sold a new Janome 6600 because I couldn't stand the feed on fine fabrics and use my 1500 almost exclusively with the exception of buttonholes and wide stitches. (I use one of my cheap Brothers from WalMart for those things. (I have those to teach sewing) I love the 1500 so much, I got another used one from my dealer. The second one I put on a mid-range Grace frame with the stitch regulator.
The stitch regulator I'm pretty sure will not work without the frame and carriage set-up. It has sensors coming from the X- and Y-axis wheels on the carriage so it can detect the speed/direction of the hand-controlled movement. That is how it slows and speeds up the machine to make fairly regular stitches so matter the direction. There is not a similar way to get that input from moving fabric on the flatbed of a machine at a table. I'm not an expert, but that's how I see it from setting it up and using it for quite some time. Attached is a close-up photo with part of the sensor and wires to help visualize this.
If you hear of anyone wanting to sell their 1500, please let me know. I am always in the market. And I would love to buy another one for use in classes and possibly one to donate for humanitarian aid volunteer sewing work in our church.
BTW, I would probably sell the Grace frame, sure stitch, and quick-zip system, fourth rail, etc. I'm in Idaho.
Good luck to you all.
--Charlene