CaleyH

Since coming to quilting about six months ago, I've had nothing but lots of fun. While our hobby is time consuming and tedious, it still remains fun. Maybe it's my old age that gives me lots more patience. :-)

So far the only quilting I've done is straight lines. It's the only thing I could do with my Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, because that machines throat is just so small. I really do like the Singer. It's very easy to use, now that I've learned its little quirks.

But I really would love to try something other than straight line quilting. I've attempted free motion quilting, but I just don't have the coordination to make things look nice. I tend to be all over the place when trying to do loops and squiggles.

I am seriously looking into template/ruler quilting, but my little Singer just doesn't have the room for such. So I am trying to discover a machine that is user friendly, especially since I am so relatively new to quilting.

I've looked at the Juki TL-2000Qi, which has a throat size of about 8 inches, not too much bigger than my singer. The only thing that scares me is adjusting the tension on the Juki. I've never figured out how to adjust tension very well. I seem to tend to do things backwards, and make things worse, even when I look at a video on how it's done. I hear the Juki is a really good machine, but not sure, as a beginner, it is right for me.

There are some nice computerized machines line the Janome MC6650, but that is very expensive. It had good throat space at around 10 inches. Not sure how powerful it is, or how reliable.

I would like to find a machine with about 9+ inches of throat space, but not sure there is anything under $1000. I'm hoping the threading is fairly easy, as well as the needle threading. I could live with a mechanical machine, if I can get some help setting it up from those here on the Forums.

I was kind of hoping I could purchase this for Cyber Monday, if I can find one that is on sale.

Peckish

I have a Brother PQ1500, which has a 9" harp (throat space), is a straight-stitch only machine, has a needle-threader, thread cutter, etc. It's usually about $700-800 from retail outlets, although there seems to have been a run on sewing machines lately. I bought mine used for $400. It's a wonderful machine, my favorite. I used to own 7 machines and came to realize that if it ever died past being repairable, I would buy another one, instead of pulling out a backup machine. So I've been selling and gifting my other machines.

It is a mechanical machine and very easy to use. I did use it for quilting for a short time, then my husband bought a longarm for me for Christmas.

CaleyH

Peckish, So happy your Hubby got you a longarm. I look at those and drool. Just don't have $3K+ for such

I looked at the Brother PQ1500. I saw it pictured right next to the Juki TL-2000Qi, and thought it might be the same machine, with only small differences. You're correct that this particular machine seems to be scarce. Still haven't found one for sale.

pocoellie

You might look for a vintage machine, like the Singer 201, which has a fair amount of throat space and you can easily drop the feed dogs for FMQ. It's a all metal machine and in its day, was top of the line for Singer.

Peckish

Check markets other than retail. Ask your local dealers if they have one (or can get one) used. Some times people have trade-ins, and a dealer might be more willing to accept a 1500 as a trade-in if they know they can clean it up and sell it immediately. Put the word out in your community - ask your local quilt shops, guilds, quilting groups, church groups, etc, let them know you're looking for a used one. Someone might be thinking about upgrading and you might push them over the edge into selling their 1500.

IceLeopard

I like my HandiQulter Sweet 16, but that's way past your price range, unless you can get one used .

Quiltah Mama

Have you looked at the Ever Seen line, Sparrow sewing machines get good reviews, their X2 is a very nice machine with good throat space in your price point.

CaleyH

Pocoellie, Based on my experience with just about everything I have purchased used, I am leery of buying anything like that, especially from EBay.

I don't have a local sewing shop. Nearest one is at least 60 miles away. Thought I had two retailers locally, but they are only mail order fabric shops. I will look on the local ADS, though most things I see locally are priced almost like brand new. I think it's just because things are so very difficult to find out where I live, meaning people will ask what the market will bear.

CaleyH

IceLeopard, Wow! What a machine! Is this one of those computerized models that you just program, set your quilt up, and then let it quilt by itself? I've heard there are such machines, just never seen one in operation on YouTube.
Quiltah Mama, They are nice looking machines, though they don't have the throat space I need.

Right now I think I am priced out of a bigger quilting machine. I probably will have to stick with straight line quilting. Of course, there is the piece together the smaller blocks approach. Make smaller sections, quilt, then try to put them together. I may have to research that, and see if it is another way to go.

mindless

It looks like this is a good time to be looking for a sewing machine. There are lots of sales going on this weekend online.

Last year, I bought an Eversewn QE like this one online from amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Eversewn+...f=nb_sb_noss_2
and I love it. So far, I haven't had any problems with it at all.
There is a nice shop that works on my machines very close by me, so I don't have to worry about shipping it anywhere.


This Baby Lock Jazz II is on sale here: https://www.qualitysewing.com/babylo...SABEgIC4vD_BwE

and there are lots of machines on sale here:
https://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/q...+Ready+to+Ship

WalMart has this with free shipping: (It looks very heavy)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/sewing-ma...423310&veh=sem

and at amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Brother-PQ150...32664571&psc=1

But, if you buy online, I don't know where you go if you need help and/or servicing for your new machine. You may have to save your boxes and ship it somewhere to get it worked on.

here are some reviews:
https://romneyridgefarm.com/best-lar...-for-quilting/
https://www.seworbit.com/guide-to-fi...-for-quilting/
https://www.sewathomemummy.com/2016/...g-machine.html

and there are older reviews right here at QB too.

good luck! please let us know how it goes.....