Hi
Ive got a little gracie arriving from the UK on Sunday, its a crib to queen size. Ive done very little free motion on my Memorycraft 10001 but can manage it. The lady selling has said she'll sell me her brother PQ1500 but it isn't really something i've budgeted for. The whole lot will be 1200$ roughly. I'm loathed to put my MC on the frame as I use it for piecing and embroidery and don't want to flog it dead... problem is will I buy the PQ1500 and then think I needed even longer throat space and not be able to afford to upgrade, it looks like the largest throat is the horizon at 11" but its way out of my price range without selling my MC too which I don't want to do... the PQ1500 on its own is 600$ which I might be able to get most of it back if I decided to sell it, especially in France where machines are generally more expensive.... think I've just persuaded myself to buy it actually.
terribly nervous, haven't got much idea where to start either :O)

Go for it if you can afford it. The PQ1500 and similar machines are about $600 at the lowest here. It'll be worth it to keep your main machine set up to sew and embroider whenever. Plus save your back, time/energy, and the risk of dropping it! You could probably resell with little to no loss. Enjoy!!!

I have no advice I'm sorry....but have fun with your new toy :)

Don't know about which machine you should get but when you have it all set up sit back, practice and enjoy, it really is fun!

The Brother PQ1500S has a 9 inch throat. I have quilted a jumbo queen on it without a frame.

I also can't help -but congrat on your new baby

I started with juki TL98Q (9 inch harp) on a table top type frame. I was glad I started with a smaller machine. #1 I didn't invest so much $. In case I didn't like machine quilting, I could use that machine to just sew with. #2 I liked practicing with a smaller machine. I DID upgrade to an HQ16 about 2 yrs later, but I was ready then and knew I was going to keep machine quilting. Get the best you can afford and don't beat yourself up when/if you are ready to upgrade. Its a journey!

I have quilted queen size quilts on my frame with my Juki (9 inch throat.). It can work.