Single straight stitch machine
 

If you had up to $600.00 for a single stitch machine with a large throat, which would you buy and why? Doesn't need all the bells and whistles but a good work horse for mainly piecing and straight line quilting. Will check back later and TIA. Karen

I wouldn't go straight stitch only ... except for a FW.

I like to use the wobble [skinny zigzag stitch] for machine applique. I also use a few of the fancy stitches, not many, but a few, for applying binding by machine.

I also like to be able to move my needle position at least a bit.

All this is available in lower priced machines by reputable manufacturers.

ali

I wouldn't spend that much for a machine that doesn't do much. I think I'd look for a good used machine.

Go for vintage. For a lot less than that you can get a 15-91, straight stitch only, harp space is large, great for FMQ, and you can buy attachments that will zigzag and do decorative stitches. It'll out perform and out last any new machine on the market.

Have you looked into a Juki? I've never tried one, but have heard great things about them.

look for an industrial machine. i have read they are good work horses. Large space opening

Mine is a Baby Lock Jane that I bought to put on a frame and also got a stitch regulator for it.
That is the only reason to buy a strait stitch machine.
It is very premative with treading, too complicated for me and I dont like the under the machine bobbin I prefer a drop in.
I have a computerized Viking for the rest of my quilting and love it.
My first machine was a Brother quilting machine that only cost $129 and it came with a walking foot and extension table, so you can get a basic quilting machine at a low cost. I still use it when my Viking is in for servicing. Its a great back up machine.

I recently got a Brother PQ1500s machine for $600, which is a straight stitch only mechanical machine. It is my second machine, though. I have a computerized Brother sewing/embroidery machine for the fancy stuff. The larger throat makes a huge difference when quilting. It has a walking foot, a FMQ foot, and a 1/4" foot (in addition to the regular feet). It also sews a better 1/4" seam than the computerized machine. I really love it for the purpose for which I intended it.

I just bought a Brother PQ1500s for 600 and I just love it....I wanted one just for FM sewing, as I have another machine for all the rest of the stuff!!! It's like sewing through butter. I guess I'm pass the stage of doing all the fancy stitches, just want to make quilts and donate them....

I have an old Pfaff 1196 with a 7 1/2" throat. Loved it, still do. Does zig-zag and a few decorative stitches. Sews beautifully and truly is a work horse. Got it used for $250 from a dealer. Made queen and king sized quilts on it.

TeresaH and bdschafer - exactly why I was thinking of this machine. I have a couple of the newer Brothers with the fancy stitches and all the feet that I just don't use. As long as I can get a 1/4", I'm good. After all, I only need a straight stitch to piece and a large throat for quilting. Thanks for the comments.

I have an older Juki TL98E. It is about 8-9 yrs. old, and I just love it! Bought it new for around $600, straight stitch only with a bit larger throat area than my other machines. I use it for piecing and fmq along with heavy bulky items. I cannot say enough about it!!! It is great! I would highly recommend it for what you are intending to use it for.

I am looking to upgrade my sewing machine. My primary desire is for a larger harp space so that I can quilt all of my quilt tops. I recently posted about purchasing a Husqvarna Sapphire 835 that I saw and test drove over the weekend. I have read sewing machine reviews until my head spins!!

I currently have a Janome 4800. Small harp space, FMQ very finicky. At first I thought I would go with either the 835 or Janome 6600. But honestly, all of the extra features - I'll likely never use them!!! And...my current Janome has all of those extra features, so I really don't have need of a machine with all of the bells and whistles.

Enter the Brother PQ1500s. Have seen some good prices on this. It is making me broaden my horizon on my choices.

Are you both still as happy with the PQ1500? Can I ask how long have you had your sewing machine? I would love a machine that is not so finicky with getting the tension correct for FMQ. I am really questioning whether one really has to spend upwards of $2,000 to get a larger harp space and a decent sewing machine. Especially if one doesn't need all of the additional bells and whistles! Sometimes I know you get what you pay for. But sometimes less expensive does as well or better than something with all the added bells and whistles.

I also have the Juki 98Q- 4 years this March. Love, Love, Love this machine! Workhorse is an understatement. Just clean it and oil every 8 hours and it purrs along.

I've quilted up to a king size on it with no troubles.

I would recommend this machine also...it is a semi industrial machine with all the good points of an industrial, but some of the benefits of a portable.

Try to find your self the viking mega quilter; it has a 9in throat, great machine for quilting, only goes straight, has needle threader, up/down button, well worth your money.

Hands down.....the Brother 1500......my girl is almost 10 and sews as perfectly as the day she came out of the box. have pieced and FMQ over 400 quilts and she has NEVER let me down. Paid about 650.00 for that machine and she has been worth EVERY penny.....will go out and buy another one when she dies.

jodi in leavenworth kansas

I have the Brother PQ1500s and it is perfect for what I need. I have mine actually set up on a frame and do my quilts with it. I can do up to a twin size on my frame with it. Nothing fancy. No problems with tension. Love it!!!!!!! I have another Bother machine I use for piecing. I have had my set up for about a year and a half now. Best money I have ever spent. It has paid for itself over and over again, without having to send my quilts out to a professional.

I love my Juki 98Q. Great machine for what you are wanting.

I have to agree with Charlee.. I have a Singer 66, and 99.. I love both.. I also have a Singer from the 1960's made in Great Britain that I use the zig zag for applique.. I wouldn't think of trading any of them in for a new machine.. I was in the Joann's store near me, where they have a section that is rented out to a sewing machine store.. I was impressed with the embroidery machine, but would not think of paying for a computerized machine..
Barri

I agree with Charlee, you can find them a heck of a lot cheaper than $600 and they'll last you forever. Then with the leftover money, you can buy more fabric. LOL

Try Sew & Vac Direct or AllBrands.com. They have great deals on what you are looking for.

There's a straight stitch Janome 1600 . If you looked around a bet you could find one for about $600. I would never buy a used machine. I've seen the ugly things people do to their equipment in sewing classes. I bought the 6600 and I feel foolish for buying all the bells and whistles I'll likely never use. If I had to do it again, I'd go with the 1600.

I bought the Brother Quilt Club whith the large throat and just straight sewing. I could have saved my money and just used my old singer for straight sewing as it is the best. The difference being that the Brother has a needle down position and a perfect 1/4 foot and it's very fast. It also has several different feet for other sewing.

Since you only want a straight stitch machine, you should go for a vintage Singer 15-91 (or Singer 15-90).
They are easy to repair and clean all by yourself. There are lots of tutorials that can be found on you tube on cleaning and maintaining the machine.
Price is cheap. You can find these machines off CLs for under $100 and in a cabinet.
The harp space is large for working a queen or king size quilt.
The feed dogs can be dropped for free motion quilting.
The machine is all metal; so, it will last a life time or two or three. No plastic parts that will break on you.
And best part, the money left over from purchasing a Singer off CLs is that you will have money left over from your $600 allowance to purchase fabrics for quilts and/or purchase a FW to take to quilting classes.

I'm new to quilting. I recently purchased a Brother CS6000i because it was "Sew Affordable" and I could learn free-motion quilting on it. After one project I decided that I wanted a bigger machine. I researched all the big name brands and have decided that I'm not ready to spend thousands of dollars on a sewing machine just yet. Maybe someday. So after all that researching, I decided to buy the Brother PQ1500S. I just ordered it today from AllBrands.com. It's almost identical to the Juki 98 and both machines have outstanding reviews.

I plan to use the straight stitch machine for piecing and free-motion quilting and have my CS6000i for fancy stitches when needed. I think the Brother PQ1500S is a great buy. I say go for it!

Agree with Charliee, just can't beat a Singer 15-91! They are the best and save the rest of your money! You won't be sorry! The singer 15 is my favorite machine ever!

I bought a Juki TL2010Q (newer model of the 98) this past November for $900. It is AWESOME! I made 10 rag quilts and pieced 2 twin size quilts for Christmas. There is no way I could have done all of that in such a short amount of time without the Juki. It is so smooth and so fast! I have yet to learn to FMQ now that the holidays are over. I was able to go there and try it out for 4 hours. I also tried the Janome 1600p, but I liked the Juki better for a few reasons...a couple being of them being I found so many great reviews on this board and other sites and I love the way it looks (metal as opposed to plastic..I know it sounds silly).

I would say your top 3 choices would be between the Juki TL2010Q, Janome 1600p, and the Brother PQ1500S. I am sure they are all comparable to each other as far as being great high-speed-straight-stitch machines.

I was ready to purchase my Juki on line, but then I found a place about 1 1/2 hours from me, so I took the drive. It was well worth it to see it in person and actually sew on it. Good luck in your search and let us know what machine you buy and how you like it!

Janome 1600 P-QC. It is my favorite machine i own! I would give up my tin lizzie before i would give it up. It will so anything! I even it had it on my DH tailgate sewing his boat strap last summer. :)
Oh and it wont sew if you forget to put yout presser foot down, has needle up/down and cuts your thread.

I absolutely love my straight stitch only Juki 98Q. I use it almost exclusively for piecing and FMQ. I paid a lot more than $600, but you could maybe get a used one.

I don't have a frame for my Jane, and use it all the time for piecing, for sewing jeans, I just made all my sewing machine covers on it (serger, Ellegante embroidery, the Jane, and my Cricut (awesome for applique fabric cutting). I had yards of light blue quilted fabric that I placed my lime green Kona solid fabric on and sewed over the quilted lines to make the quilted covers. That was after I embroidered sewing sayings and designs on one panel for the fronts of the machines. I have made bibs with the Jane, potholders, and a set of curtains for my cutting/ironing room. I have repaired blouses, scarves, and a coat using the Jane. My goal is to one day use the Jane on a small quilting frame, but right now, I use it all the time when my embroidery machine is going, and when it is not. The Jane has a walking foot, several other feet, and I got an adapter to put on it so I can use the straight stitch feet that I use on the Ellegante. I was used to the bobbin placement as all my other machines had this. I know one can do this all with other less costly machines, but I love the Babylocks.