Looking for sewing machine to do free motion quilting?
 

So I having thinking of getting a new sewing machine for a while know that can do free motion quilting. But I have a budget of about 500 dollars, the brands I like are Bernina, Brothers, Janome. I would like to know what model is best and if there is anyway to buy something like within my budget?

I just got a new Bernina 530 as a back-up machine. When I was at the dealer, I didn't see any Berninas less than about $1,000. The Babylocks looked nice and not as expensive. The best thing to do, I think, is go to a dealer that has used machines. You can get nice machines for a lot less money.

What kind of sewing machine do you have now?

You could also consider the Juki 2010 or the Brother 1500 (I know that there are letters with each of these machines but can't think of them ) anyway these 2 machines don't have any fancy stitches only straight stitch for FMQ. I believe the Juki is up to $1000 but they have different models that are less and the Brother is about $600. I love the Juki because it's a workhorse but I have used Brother machines for years without any problems.

For that budget I would get a straight stitch Brother PQ1500S or similar juki model, the juki's are more than 500 though but I believe they have a few extra features. I think janome has a similar model, not sure of the Bernina's but I don't think you will find a decent harp size in your budget

I should keep saving, then you will have a wider field to look at. Look carefully at the throat size. The bigger the easier it will be to free motion.

i agree... i had a juki tl98q and it was a wonderful machine [i sold it with my quilt frame when i moved]

What about a vintage machine? The Singer 301 is supposed to work well for FMQ. It has a vertical bobbin casing.

~ Cindy

I wasn't aware of any Bernina that are in your price range unless they are being sold as used. I have had my Bernina since the 90s and I wouldn't give her up for anything unless she rolled over and died. Then I would be up a creek without a paddle!! She was the top of the line in her day and she cost me $1,000. YIKES!! I have seen the prices on current machines and it just makes my blood run cold. So much money !!

My machine has a 10 inch throat space but it still is not big enough for a bed size quilt. Its a Viking Sapphire.
Since I don't make large quilts anymore it is fine.

I use a vintage singer 15 to FM. They are a dandy machine. Also use a vintage 403 Singer for that as well. I have a Janome that does free motion as well. I have done queen size on them and going to try a King size next.

I have the Brother PQ1500S and it was a bit over $500 and I got it from Ken's Sewing Machines online. I haven't learned to FMQ on it yet but love the big throat area. I also have a Singer 301A and use it for FMQ. I love how easy it is to use and it sews a pretty stitch but anything larger than a 70x70 is hard for me to FMQ.

I have an Mega Quilter that I bought used for $500 it has a 9 inch throat plate, only straight stich 3 speeds and the free motion is great I have only had for a month and I have not done a large quilt on it, but I did 2 kings size quilts on my designer 1 so it can be down, watch some of Leah Days u tubes videos on how to do on small machine.I would ave love to get one with a larger throat aa but ils had a 50 limit I suppse I could have soldmy Rosebut I did t want too.Keeploking

I have a singer 5050C I have tried to free motion on it and the stitches are too long and look weird. I can't find any videos on how to free motion on it.

I have basic 100 basic janome $250.00 added the darning foot $50.00 Canadian price. It does quilting for baby quilt at that price large quilt doesn't fit in arm.. When I get better at it, look for bigger and higher price. I hope to make/sell to cover cost of this machine.

So I looked at a baby lock and can't find anything on it, any place that I want to order it from says I have go pick it up at the shop and can't get it online. I even thought about doing a payment plan and still can't find anything.

Have you considered a Juki that does only straight stitch. With a budget of $500 you might consider Craigslist.

Indeed a vintage Singer might be the most affordable and works really well plus you'll have a super big throat opening.

I have a Brother Nouvelle 1500s which is excellent for fmq. I have quilted king size on it. It has a 9.5'' throat. It is a straight stitcher and not computerised. The needle is inserted sideways to the sewer and thread left toright as opposed to front to back. I think that makes a difference to te stitch as that, coupled with the single hole plate, makes for a professional appearance. I have also sewn through thick layers of denim with it.

In doing some research on the Juki 2010 and the Brother 1500, the Brother is made by Juki but has less features. If you do a search for Juki 2010 you will find a couple places thar offer a payment plan. Allbrands is one that comes to mind. Also I've seen advertisements right here on the Quilt Board. If you do a search here on the Board there was a recent thread discussion on the Juki. Good luck on your search.

there are a lot of new machines under 500 that can FMQ. Amazon has quite a few, they have a Juki that was 899 for 349 now and brothers marked down a lot. maybe you can go to a local shop that carry different brands and test drive them?

I agree with Dottiemo, you may want to save your pennies a little longer to get a machine you will truly be happy with. I purchased a Janome 6600 about 3 years ago (about $1000). While I am just learning to FMQ, it is a wonderful machine with a 9-inch throat and easy to maneuver.

I have a Janome 6600 Professional and do my own FMG and I do all size quilts - queen @ king. It has a 9" harp space that helps a lot. It takes a little practice but is very doable. Good luck.

I agree with this, the Brother PQ1500s has a 9 inch harp, great for quilting & free motion and could be found for about $500 or so, do a google search. I've had mine since 2001 and it is still going strong.
I've heard good things about the Juki that is similar, and also a Babylock that is similar, can't think of model numbers.

Brother and Janome are made by the same company. Differences are in the materials used in the making and others I don't recall. Bernina, in my opinion, are the Mercedes of sewing machines. I own 3 Brother models. 1 mechanical, 1 digital and 1 higher end digital with embroidery. And I own 1 Bernina 153 Virtuoso. They are all great machines but once you sew on Bernina you will appreciate the difference among the machines. Get what you can afford and have fun with it. In the end, that's what matters.

When you are at the dealers, be sure to ask if they have any gently "used" machines. My friend got one for a very reasonable price, and has enjoyed it for a long time now.

As long as you can drop the feed dogs, a machine can accomplish FMQ. That is all you really need from a machine. The machine you currently use may already have that ability. Get the instructions out and check. If you have lost the manual that came with the machine, you can find most of the free online by putting " your sewing machine name, model, and the word manual" you should find a source for free manuals.

I suggest Pfaff, I have two and love them both. Able to do FM with 5.0.

I have decided that I am going to buy a Juki 2010! and look at all brands and some places to see what sounds best to get one.

I have a janome and really like it because of it's big throat and lots of quilting stitches.

This might be a dumb question but what are quilting stitches? I'm looking at new machines, mostly for piecing, but would like the ability to learn to FMQ. Do I need ​quilting stitches? Thanks!<script type="text/javascript" src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/f81c71f0/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js"></script>

Are you sure about that? I think you're confusing Janome & Babylock. Babylock and Brother are built in the same factory and have a lot of very similar machines. As far as I know, Janome isn't associated with either.

Sewing machine prices.... Yikes!

I haven't paid attention for a while but in Joann's one day I peeked at the sewing machines and some of them cost more than my car did!

If I ever have to get a new one it will have to be a Brother from wallyworld

Several people mentioned vintage machines and they are wonderful. I have a 201 and I'm sure it can FM but more work to get the feed dogs down. I think the 301 is much easier and the vintage are so much cheaper than the newer machines and will last forever if taken care of. They are a good all around machine and investment.

Julie, you don't need quilting stitches but if you do applique, the buttonhole stitch is very good to have and i like the feather stitch and have begun to use it a lot. many are using the serpentine stitch to quilt whole quilts with..that one is very nice especially if length is adjustable. On any machine with hundreds of stitches, there's usually at most 6-8 that are nice to have (and that I do use) but definitely none of them necessary for quilting.

I have the Brother 1500 Nouvelle. I use it for machine quilting. Was $1500 when first sold and now about $500 or so. It was marketed as a machine to use on a frame . It is an excellent piecing and machine quilting machine. It comes with all the feet needed for quilting.

I upgraded about 6 months ago from my £75 Brother LS14 to a £750 Singer 9800 Quantum and had massive panic attacks about spending that much money! But then I discovered that I loved quilting much more than tailoring and Im so glad I spend the extra money on it as I will never have to upgrade again, as it does everything and more. I would marry that machine if I could! And Im seriously considering selling my creations on Etsy in my spare time, if only to fund my addiction... I mean hobby...

Another vote for vintage. I use one of my vintage Singer machines for most FMQ, the 301a and 500a both do a great job and produce a beautiful stitch. Anything short of a King sized quilt has been done successfully on both. I've used my Brother Quattro for 2 120" square quilts with fairly dense quilting. the Juki 2010 or Brother 1500 are also great choices.

I have tried that also and it did look odd to me too. That's what made me look for a different sewing machine.

Yes I've have considered getting one with a payment plan so that I can get one. I'm all about hand quilting but when I'm desperately trying to get projects done faster. I want to be able to free motion quilt them.

My Brother PQ1500S is a dream for FMQ, and super fast and reliable for piecing, too. I was lucky enough to get mine for $300 from a Craigslist seller who decided after one seam it wasn't the right machine for him. There wasn't even any lint and his test bobbin was full.

It only has a straight stitch but except for piecing batting scraps I don't need any other stitch. I just pull out my trusty 1990's Singer when I need the zigzag.

Good luck!