Calling all Juki 2000Qi users... I could use some reassurance before buying..
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 37

Hello All..
I've been looking around at quilt frames and based on the prices I had decided that I'd start with the Grace Frame combo deal(s). There are two in particular that fit into my price range;
Grace Quick Start frame + Juki 2000Qi
Grace Majestic Frame + Juki 2000Qi
I'd say that I'm not quite a beginner quilter but haven't done a whole lot of large projects due to the limits of my work space. I have a large quilting room, but maneuvering large projects to quilt using 'kitchen table quilter' type methods is so difficult. Since I sew every day and really enjoy it, I figure that it is worthy of a moderate investment.
However, I've gone to several quilt shops that have been trying to turn my attention away from buying both any kind of Grace frame and any quilting machine system with shorter than a 16 or 18 inch throat.
The feedback I've gotten on the Grace Majestic frame is that it isn't as sturdy as the Baby Loc Pearl and that there are pins and pieces that constantly break or need replacement. I know both are good brand names... so I'm a bit torn there.
As for the machine, the jump in price is ridiculous! The Juki is a machine I can get into for approx $1000 as opposed to a machine like the Baby Lock Crown Jewel which I'm pricing out at best at $9400. I simply don't know if I can justify the cost of a sewing machine that would be worth more than my car... The main question I think that will make up my mind on the Juki is any feedback for being able to accomidate a queen size project with the 8.5 inch throat size..
I'd appreciate any feedback you all can give...
Thanks!!
Kim
I've been looking around at quilt frames and based on the prices I had decided that I'd start with the Grace Frame combo deal(s). There are two in particular that fit into my price range;
Grace Quick Start frame + Juki 2000Qi
Grace Majestic Frame + Juki 2000Qi
I'd say that I'm not quite a beginner quilter but haven't done a whole lot of large projects due to the limits of my work space. I have a large quilting room, but maneuvering large projects to quilt using 'kitchen table quilter' type methods is so difficult. Since I sew every day and really enjoy it, I figure that it is worthy of a moderate investment.
However, I've gone to several quilt shops that have been trying to turn my attention away from buying both any kind of Grace frame and any quilting machine system with shorter than a 16 or 18 inch throat.
The feedback I've gotten on the Grace Majestic frame is that it isn't as sturdy as the Baby Loc Pearl and that there are pins and pieces that constantly break or need replacement. I know both are good brand names... so I'm a bit torn there.
As for the machine, the jump in price is ridiculous! The Juki is a machine I can get into for approx $1000 as opposed to a machine like the Baby Lock Crown Jewel which I'm pricing out at best at $9400. I simply don't know if I can justify the cost of a sewing machine that would be worth more than my car... The main question I think that will make up my mind on the Juki is any feedback for being able to accomidate a queen size project with the 8.5 inch throat size..
I'd appreciate any feedback you all can give...
Thanks!!
Kim
#2

My suggestion on the frame is to go with the Hinterberg. It is a VERY sturdy frame and is easy to take apart and reassemble for storage purposes. I got the stretch size because I'm dreaming of a longer throat machine some day 
I have the Juki TL98Q, which is nearly the same as the 2000Qi. I love the machine. Last summer, I used it to quilt a king size. With that size throat, you can expect to have only 4.5" of quilting height when you get to the end. So you have to be creative in your quilting pattern if your blocks are large. My blocks were 12". I was able to quilt this flower by quilting the bottom half in one pass and then the top half in another pass
[ATTACH=CONFIG]311097[/ATTACH]

I have the Juki TL98Q, which is nearly the same as the 2000Qi. I love the machine. Last summer, I used it to quilt a king size. With that size throat, you can expect to have only 4.5" of quilting height when you get to the end. So you have to be creative in your quilting pattern if your blocks are large. My blocks were 12". I was able to quilt this flower by quilting the bottom half in one pass and then the top half in another pass
[ATTACH=CONFIG]311097[/ATTACH]
#4
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 70

I Have an older gracie frame I bought on craigs list. I love it but I can't get replacement parts, I guess it is just too old. I used my elna envision for a few projects and wasn't happy. I purchased the Juki TL 2000qi and love it!!! I don't have a problem with stitches looking like eyelashes and the machine is sturdy and probably to closest to an industrial machine I have ever owned. I really like the feel of the machine and it is light enough to move smoothly on the tracks. I wish you luck with your purchases, for the money I don't think you can go wrong with the Juki.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 37

Hello All..
Thank you for your replies. I think I am leaning towards the Babylock Pearl quilt frame. And instead of going with the package deal right out of the gate I'm going to first see if I can pair it up with a refurbished or second hand long arm machine. QuiltnNan, thanks for the tip of the Hinterberg frame.. on their web site they do sell refurbished long arm machines for under $2500. I'm going to see what other prices I can find and if I can't get both items for under $5K (I have a quote on the pearl frame for $2K) with a long arm machine that is refurbished, then I'm going to go with the Juki 2000 Qi and use that for a few years until I can save up to replace it with a long arm.
I'd really love to get into quilting beyond the meander stitch and add designs with interest into my quilting. Hopefully this spring/summer when we refinish our basement and my new quilting room is built I can have a nice little escape for myself and take my quilting from the kitchen table to a real quilting table.
Thanks again ladies!
K
Thank you for your replies. I think I am leaning towards the Babylock Pearl quilt frame. And instead of going with the package deal right out of the gate I'm going to first see if I can pair it up with a refurbished or second hand long arm machine. QuiltnNan, thanks for the tip of the Hinterberg frame.. on their web site they do sell refurbished long arm machines for under $2500. I'm going to see what other prices I can find and if I can't get both items for under $5K (I have a quote on the pearl frame for $2K) with a long arm machine that is refurbished, then I'm going to go with the Juki 2000 Qi and use that for a few years until I can save up to replace it with a long arm.
I'd really love to get into quilting beyond the meander stitch and add designs with interest into my quilting. Hopefully this spring/summer when we refinish our basement and my new quilting room is built I can have a nice little escape for myself and take my quilting from the kitchen table to a real quilting table.
Thanks again ladies!
K
#8

I'm also thinking of getting a quilting machine & frame. I saw this at a Quilt Show...A refurbished Voyager 17" machine and a new Hinterberg stretch quilting frame for: $3999.00. For more info go to: www.hinterberg.com/voyager-stretch.aspx , the dealer was from Ga. It also has a stitch length regulator, end tensioners, external bobbin winder.....I think it might be good for a beginner...like I would be. Hope this helps
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