I'm wanting to quilt my own pieced quilt tops so want and/or need only a straight stitch machine. I have a Janome with lots of stitch patterns I seldom ever use. Should I buy a 5-year old Babylock Quilter's Choice Professional for $450 or a used in good condition Brother PQ 1500S for $500? Like what I read about each of them but am leaning toward one of those choices...... so bless your hearts, I'm passing the buck to ya'll.

I would think your Janome would be fine for piecing tops. It has a straight stitch doesn't it? Plus you can use some of the decorative stitches for embellishment.

I bought a Brother XR9000 at Costco for under $175. It has about 88 stitches, is light weight and I LOVE it.

I have never used Babylock, but have a brother that I like.the one I use most is my Singer401A i BOUGHT NEW IN 1958 AND STILL LOOKS AND SEWS LIKE NEW

I agree - use your Janome.

Did not mean to yell, had my cap lock on and did not notice until I sent it.

Why use anything else? Your Janome will easily do the job for you, won't it?

I use my Janome.

I'm looking for a machine with a larger harp area than what is on my Janome, Elna or Brother machines - which the Babylock and the Brother PQ 1500 have. I'm not wanting any more decorative stitchs as I have them on both my Janome and older Brother machines. I'm wanting something I can use for FM quilting. Sorry I maybe didn't mention that earllier. I've spent two days window shopping onine and I'm as pooped as if I had actually been out shopping.

I have a babylock and love it. I think there is 9" of throat space with the babylock quilter's choice professional. I have the babylock quilter's choice and it has 7" of throat space. Greatest amount of throat space would be deciding factor for me!! Wish I had known this when I first started quilting. I would have gotten the professional one.