Will more throat space really make a difference??
11-17-2019, 08:20 AM
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,229
Yes it will make a difference. I have a Brother PQ1500 and I love it. It takes any thread for FMQ. I like that it is high shank so easy to see where I am quilting. I don't seem to need a stitch regulator but then again, I quilt for my own pleasure and my stitches are even enough for me.
11-17-2019, 09:41 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: lexington ky
Posts: 1,418
Yes, the throat space will make a difference. I suggest you look at all three of the straight stitch machines, and test drive all of them—the Brother 1500, Juki 2010, and Janome 1600. See which one you like the best. Right now, the Juki 2010 is very well priced and at two vendors includes the walking foot.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 11-17-2019 at 09:44 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
11-17-2019, 01:18 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South West Ontario
Posts: 2,237
11-17-2019, 01:54 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: O-H-I-O
Posts: 1,586
I have been a faithful Bernina girl for decades-still use my 930Record. But I wanted a larger harp/throat, and the Bernina’s were out of my budget and had way more features than I want/ need. I purchased a Janome 8200 about 5 years ago, and it is exactly what I needed. I FMQ and use a walking foot (accufeed) for straight line quilting. That extra throat space has made a huge difference for me. You really should be able to purchase the 8200 or 8900 for less than what you stated in your post. Good luck!
11-17-2019, 06:30 PM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 156
Y more throat space is always better, but watch the throat height as well. A large throat space with little height is not a good trade off. I would also say a machine with a large throat but frustrating tension is worthless. I have a brother 1500 for about 4 yrs. never been to the shop, don't adjust the tension much and it will eat any thread I feed it. I can quilt with one color thread on the back and another on the top successfully and often do. For the price you can't go wrong.
11-18-2019, 09:16 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,184
I am thinking of purchasing a second machine. I have a Bernina Activa (ten years old or so) with 6 1/4 inches to the right of the needle. I like this machine - my only complaint is that it is small. So I am considering a Juki 2010 to use for the quilting part of quilting, and keep the Bernina for piecing and regular sewing. The Juki seems popular, but I have heard that tension can be tricky to get just right with this type of semi-industrial and that a bigger Bernina or Janome might be a better way to go. But then $$ comes into play. The Juki is 9 inches of throat space (plus a taller throat) and $1000, and I can get a Janome (8200/8900) with 11 inches of throat space for about $3500 - $4000. I love Bernina but to get 10 inches of space (the 790) the price is $6500.
My questions for you wonderful quilters are: Will more throat space really make a difference? Will it make the process more enjoyable? How much throat space do I really need? Do you use one machine for piecing and another for quilting??
Thanks for sharing you insights and experience!
My questions for you wonderful quilters are: Will more throat space really make a difference? Will it make the process more enjoyable? How much throat space do I really need? Do you use one machine for piecing and another for quilting??
Thanks for sharing you insights and experience!
I speak from experience on buying another machine for some small item. I purchased a 9mm because I wanted larger specialty stitches than the 6mm that I had. Guess what....I still rarely ever use the speciality stitches! :-/
11-18-2019, 09:17 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hernando FL
Posts: 1,662
I have a Janome 8900 and a 9400 (two houses, two machines). Both have the large harp/throat space and that is primarily why I bought them. The price you quote is high for the 8200 and 8900 machines. When they were new models they were around that price. I would not pay that price for those machines. I paid $3000 out the door a few years ago for a 8900 which at the time was the latest model. The 8200 was about $1,000 less at the time. I got my 9400 with an upgrade (comparable to9450) used (had been used a few months and traded in on an embroidery 15000) for $2,100. Shop around if you are interested in those machines. I love mine.
11-19-2019, 04:12 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milton DE
Posts: 3,189
I just bought an Epic Designer which has a 12.2 space...And yes, larger Harp space does make a world of difference when quilting w/emb machine or any type of FM or line by line...No more Wrestling with the alligator!
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