A new Brother pq1500s or used pfaff grand quilter 1200?
#1
A new Brother pq1500s or used pfaff grand quilter 1200?
I was looking for a machine with a large Throat as my elna quilters dream is so hard to do machine quilting on...
A couple weeks ago I bought the brother pq1500s but was about ready to return it to amazon this past week. I still Couldn't figure out the needle threader to save my life and had a hard time with the walking foot. I got my tension issues figured out (mine and the machines. It was a threading problem mostly) and i do love the stitch on this machine. After I took to a local shop for help with the threader I got that figured out but it's still a challenge but doable. The walking foot does NOT have a guide bar attachment and as far as the shop owner could tell there isn't one with a guide bar. Not sure if that's a deal breaker but it sure would be nice not to have to mark my lines.
When I was there the owner was telling me about a local woman trying to sell a 2007 pfaff grand quilter 1200. It's listed $800 obo. It was maintained at the shop and only used for fmq. The seller teaches classes at the lqs next to the sewing machine shop. I paid $655 for the brother so she suggested I ask $580...
What do the experts think? Is that a better machine? Equal? And how bout the walking foot?
thanks so much for your help!!
A couple weeks ago I bought the brother pq1500s but was about ready to return it to amazon this past week. I still Couldn't figure out the needle threader to save my life and had a hard time with the walking foot. I got my tension issues figured out (mine and the machines. It was a threading problem mostly) and i do love the stitch on this machine. After I took to a local shop for help with the threader I got that figured out but it's still a challenge but doable. The walking foot does NOT have a guide bar attachment and as far as the shop owner could tell there isn't one with a guide bar. Not sure if that's a deal breaker but it sure would be nice not to have to mark my lines.
When I was there the owner was telling me about a local woman trying to sell a 2007 pfaff grand quilter 1200. It's listed $800 obo. It was maintained at the shop and only used for fmq. The seller teaches classes at the lqs next to the sewing machine shop. I paid $655 for the brother so she suggested I ask $580...
What do the experts think? Is that a better machine? Equal? And how bout the walking foot?
thanks so much for your help!!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 311
Try out the used Pfaff and see how you like it. I have the Brother 1500 and love, love, love it for piecing. Mostly because of the pin feed, eliminating the need for a walking foot FOR PIEICNG. There are good deals with used machines. Try out the Pfaff and see how you like it, since you are not smitten with the Brother. Plus the Pfaff most likely has lots of decorative stitches.
Good luck with your decision.
Good luck with your decision.
Last edited by SmickChick; 07-09-2013 at 04:55 AM. Reason: typo
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
I have this Brothers machine and love it. I do not use the threader since it seems easier to thread the needle by hand. Also I more often then not do not use the walking foot since I can raise the presser foot on this machine so fabric feeds evenly. Check this board for other great remarks about this machine. Also Test drive the other machine to see which you like best.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
What problems are you having with your Elna? Both of those models you listed have about the same throat size as the Elna Quilter's Dream, so, I guess my question is, if all three models have close to the same throat space, and you already have one of the models, why buy another one? I love my Elna Quilter's Dream.
#9
What problems are you having with your Elna? Both of those models you listed have about the same throat size as the Elna Quilter's Dream, so, I guess my question is, if all three models have close to the same throat space, and you already have one of the models, why buy another one? I love my Elna Quilter's Dream.
#10
Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I called the woman with the used Pfaff and I'm going to give it a test drive. It's a straight stich only machine. I'm not looking for a fancy machine, just something I can FMQ and fit a larger quilt through much easier... I can't see paying a Long arm quilter though I would love to if I could...
Last edited by SusanSusan33; 07-09-2013 at 07:12 AM.
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