monkeymoto
Member since 4/13/08
Posts: 42 |
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Date: 9/6/12 11:15 AM I have been thinking about sewing machines with bigger harp sizes as being best for quilting, but after spending several hours fmq on my bernina 530, what I've found most problematic is not the 7.5 inch harp but the limited visibility of the quilting area. The design of the machine just isn't well suited to being able to see a decent area of the quilt and I have a hard time seeing where I'm at if that makes sense. It's not a lighting issue but an issue of there bein not much visibility when looking at my work. Are there machines with better visibility? I wonder if a higher throat would help? |
Julkane
 
Intermediate
PA USA
Member since 9/14/07
Posts: 442 |
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Date: 9/6/12 11:37 AM About a year ago I got the Elna 740 and have just started FMQ with it. It has an 11 inch harp and 3 LED lamps. I had been quilting with my Janome 4900 but find it much easier with the Elna. As usual, the best way to know what is better for you is to take some quilt sandwiches to the various dealers and see how it feels for you. ------
Elna Excellence 740, Pfaff Quilt expression 4.0, Janome 300E, Brother 8500D, Janome 900CPX CoverPro, Brother 5234 Project Runway Serger, Singer Treadle
http://juliannasjourney.blogspot.com/ |
LynnRowe
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BC CANADA
Member since 3/9/09
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In reply to monkeymoto <<
Date: 9/6/12 11:43 AM I am going to make a quilt (first ever...maybe last ever, lol!) but no way am I doing FMQ! So instead, I purchased a FMQ embroidery design, and plan to let my Pfaff do the FMQing. I'm sure it'll do a far better job than I ever could! 
Good luck and have fun with your search! It's so much fun playing with different models.  ------
I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock!
Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you. |
sewplenty
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WA USA
Member since 4/1/12
Posts: 154 |
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Date: 9/6/12 1:27 PM A larger harp area would help. Also, a large extension table. I used to do FMQ with the HD110 that had a very large acrylic extension table and it worked very well. More of the fabric could be seen so I could see where I was going. The Pfaff quilt expression had a quilting kit you could by with a large extension table also. ------
Brother PC420
Brother 1034D
Singer SESQ6700
Singer Signature (New One)
New Home Combi DX
Singer 319
Singer Featherweight 221 |
pknord
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 9/1/11
Posts: 513 |
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Date: 9/6/12 2:30 PM I love my Singer 15-88 treadle for free motion work. ------
Pat in Rockport, TX
"As ye sew, so shall ye rip."
http://community.webshots.com/user/pknord
http://www.quiltingthoughts.blogspot.com/ |
sew2006
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ON CANADA
Member since 6/24/06
Posts: 1704 |
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In reply to monkeymoto <<  1 member likes this.
Date: 9/6/12 6:50 PM I have the Brother PQ1500S a straight stitch machine and the needle position is closer to the edge of the machine and the head isn't bulky leaving better visibility. Responds very well, both for smootly moving fabric and stopping the needle. As others suggested try out a few machines. ------
Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900. |
Babe B
Intermediate
MA USA
Member since 10/4/04
Posts: 262 |
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In reply to monkeymoto <<
Date: 9/7/12 7:53 AM Are you using the clear FMQ foot? |
monkeymoto
Member since 4/13/08
Posts: 42 |
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Date: 9/7/12 11:19 AM No, the open toe darning/embroidery foot. |
Bobbinnoli
Intermediate
MD USA
Member since 7/13/10
Posts: 73 |
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Date: 9/7/12 8:41 PM I'll second the Brother PQ1500 for fmq. It's not too expensive, is really durable, and produces a great stitch. |
Betakin
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AZ USA
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7279 |
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In reply to monkeymoto <<
Date: 9/8/12 6:07 AM I have several machines of different brands that free motion well but I think that several years ago when I tested the Pfaff Grand Quilter it was wonderful. I don't see well and I had no problems and the space was very nice and the machine was smooth and stitches were lovely. There is a Pfaff GQ website that you may wish to check out if it is still on line.
I also will second the Brother 1500 lol.
I could not make up my mind between the two machines and ended up not getting either one..but still would love one of them. I really decided it would probably be the Brother or similar Babylock because of the reasons I have given in other threads but I never really FM'd on the Brother.
I think Janome made the Grand Quilter for Pfaff and at the time they also made the Mega Quilter for Viking and I think both require a cover plate not having a drop feed where the Brother has 4 positions of drop feed plus pin feed, a long 7mm stitch and they also sold a felting attachment for it.. That GQ is really smooth though.
One of my machines is a Brother Quilt Club model with a larger harp than most and came with an extension table, auto cutter and knee lift that I use for my quilting and it has a double light over the needle. This was an odd rare model with silvery blue highlights and discontinued now but when I purchased it on line the price was half of what dealers were selling it for at that time.
I did find one dealer not on line that had one machine like mine left as a floor model in a state in the east. and I am in the west. and she wanted more than double the price.
I really like my machine but couldn't recommend to buy one cause you just cannot find them even on eBay. Babylock had a similar machine and I think it also had the longer bed.
I am still open for donations..for a Brother 1500 too if somebody wants to toss one my way but I will settle for a GQ lol.
-- Edited on 9/8/12 6:39 AM -- |
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