Looking for a quilting machine
 

I have been using a Brother 1500 for doing my free motion quilting, but it just doesn't want to do the job. Thread breaking, stitch skipping, and doesn't like going over thick seams... So I'm looking for a machine that will do all of that. I don't want an embroidery machine and it seems that all the new machines are made for that!?!? I hope someone can guide me to a better machine...Thanks.

Have you checked out the Juki machines?

When I was looking for a machine, I told the salesman my budget and that I would be primarily be quilting but would also like a machine that could handle making drapes and pillows. He lead me to the Juki F600 and it spoke to me right away. He demonstrated some other well known brands but the Juki could sew through multiple thicknesses of denim and was so much quieter. I read every review I could find (because I wasn't familiar with Juki) and found wonderful reviews. I've never regretted my purchase. I got so many features with my F600 that would have cost lots more $$ on other brands. Check it out.

if i looked for a new machine every time my pfaff broke a thread, i'd be broke! LOL......i would change the needle....and make sure i'm using same weight thread on top /bobbin......but i guess if you're ready for a new one, i'd always go with a Pfaff....i would test drive all brands before choosing a machine to take home! have fun & hope you find what you are looking for.....

Thanks for the advice, I have done all the things I can think of, change needle, rethread, new bobbin, oil-oil-oil, change thread, worked on tension, Have I missed anything?? I've never sewn on a Jukis, but the machine looks like the bother 1500??!?!? So will hit the stores tomorrow. Thanks everyone...

I have a Brother, Laura Ashley Special Edition, Innovis-NX 2000 & I absolutely wouldn't trade it for anything!!! It sews over blue jean seams, has an 11" throat, 460 special designs on the machine, 30 more on CD, and you can program in more if you want. It came with 17 feet, including the walking foot & darning foot as well as the extra table to work with for more space. It makes the nicest satin stitch of any of my machines! It's really quiet when clean, so I can even sew at 2 a.m. when I get up & want to do something!! Check it out!! I'm not into embroidery either!

Maybe a tune up? Something doesn't sound right. I have this machine and it's a workhorse and makes beautiful stitches.

I agree, that machine is a workhorse, I had mine on a frame for a while and it ran like a dream. What size needle are you using? I found that I got better results when I went up to a size 16 or 18 topstitch. The size helps with the skipping, and the topstitch needle has a larger eye and longer scarf, which puts less stress and friction on the thread.

I believe that juki makes the brother1500/babylock jane

I have a Babylock Quilters pro which is the older model of the Jane. It is like the brother 1500. It FMQ like a dream when the tension is right. It can take a lot of adjusting for different threads.

I, too, have this machine and it is a workhorse as others have said. Maybe it's due for a cleaning?

If you are into vintage, I do all my free motion on a Singer 15-91 built in 1949. It is a straight stitch machine with about 9 inch harp and uses any thread I throw at it (except Isacord) and never seems to have a tension problem... But I know vintage is not for everyone, just a thought!

I understand the frustration of a machine that doesn't want to stitch correctly. But at the cost of machines today, I would certainly take it in for at the least a good cleaning and checkup by certified repairperson. So many issues can be very simple and cheap to fix, that you may decide to keep your current machine.

The Janome 6600 or the new 8900. I have both models.....love them for FMQ. You said you changed needles? You didn't say what size needle.....for Fmq you need a 90/14 topstitch....let us know If that helps. Also check your thread and thread path to see if there are any hang ups or burrs.

I quilt on either a Juki or Babylock Jame. My Daughter uses the same Brother you have. All of them are great at FMQ and straight line quilting. If My seams are real thick I just make a circle around the intersection.

Both my machine are Viking..I love them..I learn the hard way..sometimes it isn't the machine..but the person running it..doing just some little thing wrong..question to ask ur self..did it always do this..if answer is no..then as said it may need a over haul by someone school in it..must cheaper than a machine..if after u do that..it still has trouble.and u are sure it isn't u..then look into a new one..it really does take a lot to wear out most machine..if u need an excuse to ease ur mind for a new one..lol.go for it..

I have this same machine & it is actually very good at all those things. Your machine might need servicing but the most common reasons for it to misbehave is dull or bent needle, needle not in properly, something not right with the threading.
I have found it does best with a Stretch Needle (it has a longer scarf), make sure the needle is placed in the right direction and when threading thread through all 3 holes & have that extension wand at 1 st all the way up & loop directly over the thread spool.
When ever mine starts skipping I change the needle & check threading, it returns to doing well.

I had trouble with my 1500. I did have it serviced by a Brother dealer, and it came back worse. The tech knew nothing about the 4 feed dog positions and had the cam set so you couldn't use the pin feed. I had the manual and got help to fix it. (I can't undo tight screws) Got it fixed and it took an immediate dislike to good thread - Superior for one. I have no idea as to whether the tech futzed with the thread feeding system or not.

I finally had it and traded for a Juki. We'll see how it does.

I'm not brand loyal, I just want something that works. I normally won't touch Brother machines as they support Disney on the embroidery machines. I hate ESPN (Disney owns it)

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Have you had this machine serviced lately? I have the Juki TL98Q which is very much like your Brother 1500 & it is a workhorse and FMQ's beautifully. Have you cleaned the tension disc's, may have lint or a tiny piece of thread behind the disc's, this will cause thread breaking, skipping, etc. If your needle is the wrong size for the material that might cause the issue with going over thick seams. I mended jeans recently that were ripped alongside the back pocket. The Juki darned over the pocket seam, the denim patch, & the jean material with nary a hitch. Was going through probably 8 layers of denim and never broke a thread. Yours should do the same. I know it is very frustrating to mess with a machine when it is not working properly but this sounds like a mechanical issue, could be the timing is off, too. But if you just want another machine,( been there, done that), still wouldn't get rid of my Juki, like it much better than my Bernina, & is equal to my Janome 6600P, just doesn't have all the features. Good luck!!
:)

I have one of the older Singer Black Model 15-91 which I use for FMQ and it is wonderful. I simply would not be without it. It is a very heavy duty machine and will sew thru most anything.

I have the brother 1500 as well and I've been loving it for FMQ! I agree with experimenting with needles/thread and adjusting tension. I always have to do a little practice when I get going to make sure it's adjusted correctly. Even if I'm working on the same project, every time I start for the day I do a test. I also just got a cone of superior 'omni' thread and it seems to really work nicely on this machine. :)

Thread breaking and stitch skipping sounds like a problem with the tension disks. My singer 15 was doing this until I took the tensioner apart and cleaned 75 years worth of lint out of it. My Brother embroidery machine was breaking thread every few stitches. Turns out Brother was using a problematic arm assembly that burred easily (plastic). My local repairman replaced that part with an all metal part and it works great now. As far as going over seams, if that is a recent problem then replacing the arm assembly may correct that also. If you really want a quilting machine, have the space, and can afford one, look into the Babylock Tiara II or the HandiQuilter 16. These are quilting machines only as they have no feed dogs and the presser feet do not lower for general sewing. Pfaff makes some wonderful machines that do not have embroidery attachments. I have a Pfaff Quilt Expression that is my champion for piecing, and I used it for fmq (it has an 11" harp) until DH bought me the Babylock for Christmas. If you want a machine with the very best price and absolutely no fancy stitches that will sew through multiple layers of denim seams, look for an old Singer machine.

I had this problem with thick seams. After trying changing needles & thread several times, still same trouble with thick seams. In frustration I lengthened my stitch length. I use a stich regulator, usually set at 3 I went to 5, guess that's stitch length. It seems to me that adjusted my hopping foot.

I just got a Baby Lock Crescendo, no embroidery module. Sews great over everything I've tried it on. 11" harp space is wonderful (it's a great place to keep your pin container when you're not quilting). I think it's going to be a great all-purpose machine for me. That laser light, which I thought was a little gimmicky, is so useful for all kinds of things. Saves a bunch of time not having to mark.

I have the Brother 1500 and I don't baby it. It sews like a champ. I don't use the three hole bar at top for anything but one hole for a thread guide. Those holes will mess up tension in a heartbeat and break thread everytime. Don't use it.

I've been told that new Pfaffs aren't nearly as good as old ones. The ones made in Germany were wonderful - my 7570 was the last model made in Germany before they were bought out. My present mechanic recommends the Brother and Baby Lock as the most reliable being made now. I also have 2 Brothers which I love, a CS6000i, and a SQ9185. They both are great.

I agree--changing up to a larger needle will help with both skipped stitches and thread breaking. also, maybe slow down some?

Juki makes your Brother 1500s machine. I think it is a fantastic quilting machine. Perhaps you need to check whether you have threaded it correctly and make sure the needle is put in sideways and not front - on to you? If you do all of that and it still causes a problem perhaps a service is needed. It has an excellent stitch and I use mine far more than the computerised one. Give it an oil every now and again as well. Good luck with it.

I too am looking for a sewing machine that will be used for piecing quilt tops among other things. I am seriously considering the baby lock. Am waiting for a sale at Jackmans. I want to appliqué on it and the baby lock has the automatic needle down and then raising the foot so you can turn the project. It's not cheap but I don't want to embroider on the machine.

I think you should measure that machine again.

I use a titanium top stitch needle by Superior 90/14 or 16/100 for machine quilting. I find I get less thread breakage and better stitches. I also only use quality threads, I like King Tut,YLI Aurifil 40wt threads.
I've been machine quilting with domestic sewing machines since 1992.
Sharon in Texas