good machine for free motion quilting
 

I've decided that I have to give up on my lemon of a machine and invest in a new one. I have a Featherweight and a 201 which will take care of piecing, so the focus is on FMQ, as this is where my current machine has failed most dismally. I'm considering a Janome 6600 or 7700 (the latter is the absolute top of my budget) and have had plenty of feedback on those. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has another currently available machine that has proved to be good for FMQ. A couple more pieces of info - Bernina is out of my price range, and I don't come across very many second hand machines, though I do look.

I don't know anything about the new machnes and FMQ, but I noticed you have a 201. I've used my 201-2's for FMQ.

It is my opinion that most newer machines are about the same mechanically. So.......go for space and get one thagt has the largest open space.

Hi Little Surfer. I bought the 201 for FMQ, but so far am not having a lot of success. For one, thing, machine quiltng threads won't go through the tension discs - just the same problem as on my modern Janome! What threads do you use?

The viking mega quilter or mega quilter 18. I have the mega quilter w/9in harp; it's great and not finicky with thread even though mostly I use Aurofil. It runs around 1000 brand new. I also have a new Ruby w/a 91/2 throat but havn't tested the FMQ out yet on it. Good luck on your search. The mega quilter is really nice though.

Thankyou. Viking is Husqvarna, isn't it? I was thinking of paying my Pfaff/Husqvarna dealer a visit.

I use my Featherweight for FMQ and it does a VERY good job. Only problem it has is that the harp is small so you have a rough time moving anything larger than a double bed quilt through it. Since I do predominately smaller quilts, I'm happy with it. Nice thing, the machine is all metal and doesn't fall apart like the bigger, newer machines.

I have newer machines (including a 2005 White from my mom) but this old machine does a far better job than the other ones.

I totally love my FW, and I'm sure it would do good FMQ, but I've assumed that the harp is too small. I can't imagine getting a double bed quilt through it - I have enough trouble with my bigger machine! But maybe I should give it a try.

I'm seriously thinking of getting the Brother PQ 1500s for free motion. I already have 6 other machines for piecing and the Brother PQ has a 9" throat. Allbrands has them for 599.00.

I also saw they had it for $699 and you got a 100 pkg. of Organ needles, thread etc.

The Janome 7700 is amazing. I really enjoyed testing it. In the end, I went for a Bernina 430, which free motions like a dream. You said Bernina is out of your budget, but it was $1000 less than the Janome (which doesn't do embroidery, I got that thrown into the deal with the Bernina as an incentive).


I also highly recommend looking at the brother NX 2000- I think it was less than the Janome, but had the harp space. It also seemed to come with A LOT more accessories. Plus it does directional stitching, which I think is really cool. I regret not looking at it more (I was entranced by the Janome's beautiful color.)

This is the machine I have and used for all my FMQ until I bought my HQ16. I still use it to free motion small items, like tote bags etc. I almost sold it once, but now it is a keeper. (along with my other 6 machines).
You will not regret getting this machine; it is a work horse.

I have a Brother Innovis 2000 - Laura Ashley edition for the past year. I am very happy with this choice. Here is a link to the website. It has so many features for the price. I know it isn't a Bernina, but I think of it as a souped up Kia vs a stripped down Cadillac.

http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewin...X2000Microsite

Yes it is. I read on here that some machines are made in Sweden and some in China (I think) and the ones from Sweden are the best. I'm not sure about that. I just know that the Mega quilter is made for quilting; it does no fancy stitches. It has needle up/down, needle threader, auto tack. It is so easy to use. It goes so fast but I keep it on the slowest speed possible because I can't go that fast. I've never had tension problems with it. I use mostly Aurofil thread on it which Viking recommends. Test drive a few to see what seems to fit you.

At the moment, with an offer on the Horizon, I think it's about the same price as the 430 in the UK. The latter was my dream for quite a while, and perhaps I should revisit it (or has it been replaced now?). Though the bigger harp of the Horizon appeals.

I'm pretty sure the Brother PQ 1500 isn't available in the UK, sadly - I've looked online and have never found a UK stockist.

Is Juki available in the UK? They have the 98PQ or the 2010? that is a 9" throat.

Viking doesn't make the MegaQuilter anymore. It and the Pfaff Grandquilter are awesome for FMQ, all metal, fast,heavy duty. A friend just bought one on ebay for $650.

Juki seem to be beginning to come into the UK, though I don't think there are many places that sell them.

Another vote for the Viking Megaquilter. I've been taking FMQ classes on our Megaquilter and it's awesome -- all the features you need and none that you don't. It loves Aurifil thread, and it also loves being cleaned and oiled frequently.

The Megaquilter 9", the Pfaff Grandquilter, and the Janome 1600P are all the same machine and are all made by Janome -- excellent build quality, very heavy duty, high-speed near-industrial machines.

Interesting -I've wondered about going down the Janome 1600P route, rather than the 6600 or Horizon, as what I'm primarily looking for is a machine for FMQ.

I have been doing FMQ on a Singer 15-91 and I really like it. The harp area is large and a lot of the comments say it is the best machine for FMQ. Granted it is one of Singer's older top models. I have several older Singer models and I use them all. I keep my Singer 201 set up with the walking foot, the Singer 15-91 with the darning foot or FMQ foot and the FW and both 301s I use for piecing.

I haven't found any 15-91s here in the UK, though it was on my list of possibles. The 301 wasn't sold in Europe, so I settled for a 201, which I haven't had for very long. My first attempts at FMQ on it weren't too successful - King Tut thread wouldn't go through the tension discs, which is one of the problems with my Janome. But I must do some more work with the 201, as if I could get it FMQing, rather than buying a new machine, my bank balance would be very happy!

Can you use the offer to try to bargain with the Bernina dealer? "Here is what Janome is offering me, what can you do better?" type thing.

Our Bernina dealer didn't seem willing to bargain at all, but maybe yours does.

Then, just go with lower price. I thought I wanted the larger harp, but am glad I went with the machine that can do embroidery. I had no idea I wanted embroidery, but I've fallen in love (and it can quilt in the hoop for me- very fancy looking).

The horizon sure is a gorgeous machine though. The Janome dealer was going to throw in a second bobbin case, so I could set tensions for FMQ- try to get that thrown in, I think it was like an extra $50.

Lots of people say Bernina feet are expensive, but I found the Janome feet to be pretty expensive too (though of course, more come with the machine.) I do wish I had a thread cutter like the Janome has. The memory function of the Janome is also much better, if you find that you want to sew out phrases with your alphabet. The Bernina is seriously lacking there (though with embroidery, I find it is a moot point- I can sew in any font I want, anything I want.)

I have the Janome 1600P (same machine as the Megaquilter & Pfaff Grandquilter) & I love it. I really wanted a machine with a bigger throat space for FMQ - I already have a Pfaff with all of the bells & whistles & didn't need another machine with all of the fancy stitches. It is a straight stitch machine, very heavy duty & a real workhorse. My FMQ has really improved with it.

I just got a Juki it is a straight stitch only. But man does it fly. I stipple quilt all my quilts myself and I almost can't keep up with it. Check it out the Juki tl98q and the new one is out now and it ranges 1200$ to 1400$.I got the last TL98q at the local quilt shop for 900$

if you get a regular machine just be sure the motor is fast enought to stipple. My singer was not fast enought to stipple very good.
good luck to you

I have the Horizon 7700, and I love,love,love this machine for quilting !!! You have LOTS of room because of the BIG throat for your quilt , and I have done some King size quilts with no problem. It does really good FMQ to. This machine is for QUILTERS !!!! I also love all the decorative quilting stitches. I think you can't go wrong with this machine. I also heard they was on sale for $1999.00 to so, you might check that out !!! Hope this helps.

they might not make the 9in throat mega quilter but the do still have the 18 in; check it out on their site, it has stitch regulator, ect on it.

I have the 7700 and love it for everything I've asked it to do. I'm doing my first FMQ now and am very satisfied. the only complaint I've seen is that its start up (when pressing the foot pedal) has a little hesitation. I've seen people selling theirs to upgrade to the new Janome 12000 so there might be some good deals out there on used machines.

Make sure to test drive whatever you're interested in. Good luck in making a decision.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm hearing very good things about the Horizon. The 1600P looks like another avenue to try as well. Tonight, though, I've been working on my 201, to see if I can get myself up and running with FMQ on that. Would be a much cheaper option!

You might should take this with a grain, but a dealer told me the 6600 was a more sturdy/hardy machine than the 7700 with better (stronger) components inside. Who knows, but I thought that was an interesting comment bc this was told to a couple looking to buy a machine for quilting and making bags. They re-directed them to the 6600 even though they were very interested in the Horizon.

Interesting. First time I've heard this - must ask some questions if I go shopping! Thanks.

I know you're looking for other opinions, but I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and wouldn't trade it for the world. The 11" throat space is amazing, and with the acrylic extension table it makes larger quilts a breeze. I use my Horizon on my frame as well (with a few modifications) and she works well as a frame machine as well. (I added a Grace speed controller)

That's the machine I got for FMQ, purchased it for $600 from Ken's Sewing in Alabama, shipping was free. I love it and if I have a project where all I'm doing is sewing a long straight line, it does it in half the time! The Juki TL98Q is comparable. I got the Brother because I'm just partial to Brother machines.

Thanks - I also want to hear that people love their Horizons!

I have a Brother Nouvelle 1500s which is also marketed as PQ 1500 and I've seen the same machine as a Baby Lock and a Juki. Juki made them for the other companies, I think. It is the best machine I have for quilting. It is a straight stitcher only, has a 9" throat and a wide, flat bed with an extra extension table and the pressure on the foot is adjustable. You can also buy an embellishing attachment to fit the machine. The stitch is very nice. I suggest you have a look at it.

I have a Baby Lock Quest and Viking Sapphire, both are EXCELLENT for FMQ.

I just bought a juki yesterday and can't hardly wait to play. bought it from a lady who only used it 2x and had surgery and doesn't use it anymore. orginal price on reciept was 1399 and I paid 350 and very happy with the purchase. alot of the stuff was still in the package so was like getting it new and opening everything up.

I have the BabyLock Seranade for FMQ. I have been really pleased with it. I also have the Viking Designer 1 which is an older machine. Both do great with free motion quilting. One of the reasons I bought the Baby Lock is because it has a larger bed on the machine to manuever the quilt easier. Another choice is the Viking Sapphire which has a larger bed too. Both the Sapphire and Babylock are in the $1000 to $1200 range in the US.

I've just arranged to go and test drive the Horizon next week, while it's still on offer. In the meantime, I'm going to try the 6600, and also visit the Pfaff/Husqvarna dealer. And keep working at FMQ on my 201, in case that can solve my problem without further expense.