I really love my Brother PQ1500S for FMQ. I have it set down into a table so I have plenty of workspace. I've never had a birdsnest that folks complain about on other machines, and it's just a nice simple mechanical machine. I still tend to piece on my Janome HT2008, but that is just habit and the fact I don't have to diddle with tension on the Brother to change between the two. My only gripe (and it's a small one) is the walking foot for the Brother does not have a quilting guide (arm?) on it, so I have to mark the quilt if I'm doing straight lines. Due to the pin feed, other brands won't work on it. But for a good basic workhorse that will give you no problems, I can highly recommend the PQ1500S.