Looking for Quilting Machine with More Throat Area
04-14-2021, 04:13 AM
#91
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portage, Michigan
Posts: 7,364
I have a Pfaff, Performance 5.2 with a 10 inch harp. They are no longer made but seem to be an efficient machine. I got it used from a local Pfaff dealer. It had been returned to the shop after being used for less than 10 hours. Good deal that stretched my budget but I have had NO problems with the machine in the past 2.5 years of pretty heavy use. I would recommend the machine if you can find one.
My daughter has an older version of the same machine that she located on E-bay and it also has served her well for about 4 years with not machine problems at all.
My daughter has an older version of the same machine that she located on E-bay and it also has served her well for about 4 years with not machine problems at all.
04-14-2021, 07:14 AM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 932
Originally Posted by pocoellie
Reading through all the nose bleeds with this machine, Caley, I'm glad that you decided to take it to a reputable repair person and that they've fixed the problem. My repair man says that for fmq, you should always have a single hole plate on,
Straight Stitch Throat Plate
04-14-2021, 08:22 AM
#93
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
pocoellie, BL doesn't make a single hole plate for this machine, so I have to figure out a way to make it that way with some material, or maybe tape.
QuiltMom2, My intention towards the end of this thread was researching ways to fix this machine, and for some, the suggestions I found may work for those whose machine wasn't as out of whack as mine was. I always try to find a way to convey solutions to problems, regardless of whether they are sewing machines, or some other problem I've encountered. I never want others to go through what I sometimes have to go through in order for something to actually work.
All that said, I feel that nowadays, things made are not anywhere as sturdy, or reliable as the things I grew up with as a child. While they were not even considered high tech these days, what we had was high tech for the 1950's, and generally built like a tank.
And I definitely suggest going to a certified repair specialist for the brand sewing machine you have, if you encounter a problem. Also ask if they are familiar with the type of sewing you do, such as free motion quilting. Having the repair specialist actually know what FMQ is, made it a plus getting my machine set up for the type of sewing I am doing.
As I stated previously, apparently the Jazz and Jazz 2 are not made at the regular BL factory, according to the sales person I talked to. It is contracted out to a place in Taiwan. And from what I have read about the problems with the new machines coming out of this factory, their quality control is not the best.
QuiltMom2, My intention towards the end of this thread was researching ways to fix this machine, and for some, the suggestions I found may work for those whose machine wasn't as out of whack as mine was. I always try to find a way to convey solutions to problems, regardless of whether they are sewing machines, or some other problem I've encountered. I never want others to go through what I sometimes have to go through in order for something to actually work.
All that said, I feel that nowadays, things made are not anywhere as sturdy, or reliable as the things I grew up with as a child. While they were not even considered high tech these days, what we had was high tech for the 1950's, and generally built like a tank.
And I definitely suggest going to a certified repair specialist for the brand sewing machine you have, if you encounter a problem. Also ask if they are familiar with the type of sewing you do, such as free motion quilting. Having the repair specialist actually know what FMQ is, made it a plus getting my machine set up for the type of sewing I am doing.
As I stated previously, apparently the Jazz and Jazz 2 are not made at the regular BL factory, according to the sales person I talked to. It is contracted out to a place in Taiwan. And from what I have read about the problems with the new machines coming out of this factory, their quality control is not the best.
04-15-2021, 03:34 AM
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ont. Canada
Posts: 457
While at a quilt show 3 yr ago, l came across a vendor ( local quilting/ sew shop) who had a display of recently traded machines. I saw& fell in love with a Janome 8900 (11" throat!) , but didn't feel comfortable purchasing in that setting. After the show, l told hubby about it and was kicking myself for not getting it. Hubby said " call him up". I'm glad l did! The machine was available...l went to shop, tried it, got a " lesson" on it and it has been my trusty sidekick ever since! Wonderful price , and a dealer 30 day warrantee.Ask dealers about trades...mine had barely been used because the buyer decided quickly to move up to the M7.
05-19-2021, 06:36 PM
#95
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
After all I've gone through with the Jazz 2, I've decided that the machine just isn't user friendly for me. Yes, it sews nicely. Yes, I got it set up by a professional repair person to do free motion quilting. But I just don't seem to be compatible with ME.
Now I have to figure out just how to sell a slightly used sewing machine. Never done that online, and am not at all internet savvy.
I read that "Craig's List" is a good place to sell locally, and of course, EBay is supposedly a good place also. Anyone have a suggestion on how much I should ask for the machine?
Now I have to figure out just how to sell a slightly used sewing machine. Never done that online, and am not at all internet savvy.
I read that "Craig's List" is a good place to sell locally, and of course, EBay is supposedly a good place also. Anyone have a suggestion on how much I should ask for the machine?
05-22-2021, 03:40 AM
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 835
Since you probably have less than 10 hrs of sewing on it I would ask the same price as you paid. But you also might ask at the local repair shop if you can trade in for something else.
It sounds like you are not familiar with buying or selling online. Be careful as there are alot of scammers (to start with, say "cash only"!). You might want to enlist a friend or family member who has done this to help you manage the process.
It sounds like you are not familiar with buying or selling online. Be careful as there are alot of scammers (to start with, say "cash only"!). You might want to enlist a friend or family member who has done this to help you manage the process.
05-22-2021, 03:57 AM
#97
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,056
Caley, I'm sorry the machine didn't work out for you. Sometimes we just have an affinity for one brand or another, sometimes you know immediately whether a machine will work for you or not, and sometimes it takes longer. Even though sometimes we pay a financial price for our knowledge -- you know more now than you did a year ago! It really surprised me that after actually using a friend's long arm for awhile, I don't feel the need for quite as big of a machine as I once did. My short little arms can only actually move so far!
Last year was so awful, this year slightly better, but the advice to go out and try as many machines in person as you can still applies.
I'd second Rff1010's suggestion of this time seeing if you could use it as a trade-in through a local dealer. Doesn't have to be the brand they sell.
Last year was so awful, this year slightly better, but the advice to go out and try as many machines in person as you can still applies.
I'd second Rff1010's suggestion of this time seeing if you could use it as a trade-in through a local dealer. Doesn't have to be the brand they sell.
05-22-2021, 05:19 AM
#98
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
I forgot to post this yesterday. After a day of thought, I've decided to donate the machine to my local senior center. Of course, that will happen whenever they reopen.
Many of the local seniors are so poor they barely can feed themselves. They have trouble doing anything else, so I am hoping that those who have clothing that needs mending can use this machine, or they can have someone who can sew on the machine mend them for those in need.
Soooo, not only will I be donating the machine, I need to accumulate various colours of thread to donate alone with the machine.
I've been donating things to this facility for years; mostly books, magazines and clothing. Hopefully this machine will be helpful to those in need.
Many of the local seniors are so poor they barely can feed themselves. They have trouble doing anything else, so I am hoping that those who have clothing that needs mending can use this machine, or they can have someone who can sew on the machine mend them for those in need.
Soooo, not only will I be donating the machine, I need to accumulate various colours of thread to donate alone with the machine.
I've been donating things to this facility for years; mostly books, magazines and clothing. Hopefully this machine will be helpful to those in need.
10-26-2021, 08:47 PM
#100
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Nevada
Posts: 650
A little late to the conversation, but was looking for ideas for a new machine with a larger throat. I have a Jazz and took it to a repair guy to be fixed because it was doing the same things that everyone was talking about here. The lashing and just general poor stitching when trying to free motion. He told me that one issue with these machines is poor design. The issue is usually in the needle bar. The frame that holds the needle bar is aluminum and the needle bar tends to get a little sloppy. He said he could work on it and get the dropped stitches to stop and for it to work better, but he couldn't guarantee for how long. So I think I will just bring it home and try some of the things mentioned here. Maybe something will work. Hopefully.
But I do think I am going to look into an industrial machine. I watch Donna Jordan a lot and she uses a simple Juki Industrial and I am doing some research to see how well something like that would do for free motion quilting. I know that there are several Juki home machines that are designed for quilting, but do not have a very big throat. Any ideas?
But I do think I am going to look into an industrial machine. I watch Donna Jordan a lot and she uses a simple Juki Industrial and I am doing some research to see how well something like that would do for free motion quilting. I know that there are several Juki home machines that are designed for quilting, but do not have a very big throat. Any ideas?
