Hi, Im Joanne, And am very new to this website.I'm looking at aPfaff Grandquilter 1200. I would like to know if any one has one. I need to know the pros and cons on this machine before I purchase it. I do see on this web site that alot of quiters have them. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can give me any in put. Thankyou...

I bought one from a person on Ebay to put on my NG frame. So far, I like it! It is a very sturdy machine.
I don't know how I would like it for general purpose sewing, piecing, etc...
K

I went in and did a google search "Pfaff Grandquilter 1200 reviews"....I found this web page. http://products.howstuffworks.com/pf...ine-review.htm

The Grandquilter has been discontinued.....consider this before buying!! I have a larger Pfaff Grandquilter 18.8 and it seems to be a good workhorse....it does my longarming.

I have it and use it on a frame. I have only had mine for a few months and have quilted about 6 quilts so far from crib size to queen size. I have enjoyed mine very much and do not have any major concerns with its performance so far. I am finding that there is a real difference in how much lint certain fabrics and threads generate and I try to keep a close eye on the bobbin area and clean it out everytime I change the bobbin. I only thing I wish it had would be a bobbin thread monitor. My other Pfaff machine has this feature and I have come to depend on it. If you have any specific questions let me know and I will pass on any information I can. Good luck with your search.

Welcome from Ireland. I have the machine and am very happy with it. If you go to search on the top of this page and type in GrandQuilter 1200 lots of posts will come up.

Thankyou K.....Im putting the machine on a little gracie frame. The dealer told me that it was made for that frame in mind. So, Lets how it works...I also keep reading that the thread brakes often. Do you have that problem? How much do you use it and long did it take you to feel comfortable or master the art of quilting. Thanx Joanne

HAve not mastered it at all yet.

It is a mechanical machine that only sews straight, but it does so very fast.

It needs a lot of oil - regularly!

It takes a bit to get the sweet spot between tension and speed.

Mine likes to have the thread go thru only 2 of the tension holes but that is just me.

I've heard that it is unhappy with some threads.

It takes a special needle.

There is a tool that helps guide the bobbin in the slot.

It does not drop the feed dogs - uses a cover plate instead.

There is a yahoo group online for the GQ.

The Grandquilter is the same machine, with different labeling, as the Husquvarna Megaquilter and the Janome 1600P (think that's the correct number.

All three are industrial-strength machines made, IIRC, by Janome. They're great, heavy duty, fast machines that do what they're supposed to do really well. Properly maintained they should last for a very very long time.

Cindy uses the Megaquilter version of this machine for piecing and FMQ'ing and loves it, has all the features you need and not a lot of frills, and a reasonable price as well.

I think you'll love it!

LOL!!

I have the GQ1200...and I like it! Would like to have a larger harp, but this is a nice machine. I use it on a frame for quilting. You do have to adjust to the machine, it's got some quirks...it doesn't like Connecting Threads thread, it's not fond of speed on curves, hates a dull needle, those kinds of things...

But it's a good machine.

We also have the Pfaff Hobby GQ 1200 with Qbot, stitch regulator, and Imperial frame. We have had some tension issues, but when we got through those we have been very pleased with the results on our machine. We have quilted 14 quilts so far; 12 lap size and 2 queen. The stitches are beautiful and consistent in length.

I have learned to be diligent about cleaning the lint out of EVERYTHING: bobbin case, bobbin area, needle area, tension disks, and as much of the innards of the machine as I can reach with a pipe cleaner. Any tiny spec of lint in the wrong place can drive you to say things you don't want anyone else hearing.

PM me if you have any specific questions. I am by no means an expert, but I'll be glad to help if I can.

Darren