Trying to decide if a Brother PQ1500 or similar Juki, Jamome would be a good idea
 

Hi all,
I'm doing all my fmq on a brother PC420PRW with a 7.6" throat space or on my elderly Brother VX560 with a slightly smaller throat space. I've been contemplating getting either a brother PQ1500SL or the comparablly sized Juki or Janome since they have a larger throat and are within my budget should I decide to buy a new machine.

My question is whether there is enough of an increase in the size of the throat space to the right of the needle to make it worth my while. My understanding is that the PQ1500 has 8.6 to 9" depending on who you ask and the Juki and Janome straight stitch machines are about the same.

It seems to me that 1 to 11/2 inch longer throat may not make much difference when it comes to quilting anything larger than a lap quilt. These machines do all have more space from the bed to the top as well, but that is also only 1 to 2 inches max and I'm not sure that the height matters that much since I tend to puddle my quilts rather than rolling them when I fmq.

The largest quilt I've FMQ with my current PC420 machine is not quite queen sized and I am managing that by splitting my batting (but not the top and backing), it is still in progress and I have to admit is not being much fun due to the sheer amount of bulk. Has anyone put anything larger than a lap quilt through the PQ1500 or the similarly sized Juki and Janome?

Thanks in advance

I have a Janome 6600 and the throat space is 8-3/4"...depending on needle position....and I make lots of quilts that are 100" x 100", doing either fmq or straight line quilting on my 6600 ....I have found that the biggest help for me is to find extra table space to the left of the needle to support the quilt (I use my ironing board or cutting table)....any time the quilt drags against the needle, the fmq is more difficult.

I have a Brother PQ1500 and would not trade it for the world. I had originally purchased it along with the original Grace machine frame & Pattern Perfect templates. With those, I was able to quilt up to queen size and used that set-up for a good 9 years making many quilts.

My generous husband purchased the Innova 18" for me a few years ago, so I use the PQ1500 strictly for sewing. I was extremely happy with my set-up and would still be using it if I had not received the Innova.

P.S. Anyone interested in purchasing my original Grace machine quilting frame and Pattern Perfect boards...please PM me. Thanks

The Janome 8900 has 11" throat space. Been coveting that one for a while.
It may not sound like much but I'm sure you will notice the difference once you try it.
Go to your nearest dealership and try different machines.

I have the Juki 2010. It isn't only the throat width, it's the height. I got a real taste of small when I tried to batten down sashing strips on the Pfaff 2170. I wanted a decorative stitch which let FMQ and straight stitch out. The middle of the quilt is just slightly larger than crib size, and it was a fight.

I started with a PQ1500. It was tight....I quilted a full size. Still have it and love it. My frame has a built in stitch regulator.

Bettia

I'm a Pfaff girl.

I had the same Brother machine and loved it for all kind of sewing task. I made a couple of crib, lap and even a twin quilt with it, but only with the walking foot. Free motion was too hard to manage. It was ok but not fun :-) Then I bought a second hand Juki Tl-98 ( older model of the 2010) The difference was unbelieveable! It's not only the space (and yes, the height is higher, it's not only the larger throat) it's the speed AND the power! It took me to another quilting level. I bought a midarm set up a few years ago but I'm still quilting on the Juki when the design is not convenient to a row by row quilting. They will bury me with it :-) I recommend it strongly if you can afford the expense. Every one loves the Juki, you can't go wrong with it.

If your budget will allow it, I would go with a machine that has a larger throat than those you've mentioned. Even if you have to spend a little more and plan to do a lot of larger quilts, it will be worth it if you can quilt easier. I love my Juki F600 but I do struggle at times doing lap quilts ... but maybe it's just me.

If FMQ is your interest, I would buy the Janome 8900. I have had mine for a couple of years, and it does a wonderful job on quilting. It is big, heavy, and has an 11 inch harp. It makes quilting a breeze!