Before I got my new brother 1500, I was using a Singer 201, which I also love. I do mostly SID and the Singer had an underarm of about 8inches, and the Brother has 9, but the arm is a little higher, I really dont see that much difference trying to muscle a king size quilt through the arm. I do however piece and quilt in units anywhere from 20 x 20 up to 30 x 95, and that makes it so much easier, you just have to plan for the seams on the back and it takes a little more fabric. When I get the time I will post the 20x20 which was done on the 201, and the other qayg which I gave to my son, so I will have to go there to photo as I forgot to take a pix before giving.:)