Which Home Machine is best for free motion quilting?

[Paula D.]

Which brand do all of you prefer for a good quality home machine to do free motion quilting on? I don't do embroidery so that is one option I do not need on a machine. I just want a good solid machine for piecing, the occasional simple decorative stitch maybe, and for quality stitches while doing free motion quilting which I love to do. Please let me know. Thanks.....NM Sue

[Renee H.]

I have used my Bernina 1630 for almost 15 years for MQ and sewing. I have taught MQ to sewers using many different brands of machines. I think the most important factor is using a machine that is regularly serviced and with which you are comfortable adjusting the tension settings.

For my machine, I have purchased a second bobbin case which is calibrated looser than the "factory setting". Some machines operate better using the same
weight thread top and bottom. If you're having problems with good-quality thread, you may have to use a lighter weight thread in the bobbin.

Renee

[Janet S.]

I love my Janome 6600. It has a 9" harp space and many decorative stitches. I tend to free motion at a slower speed and you can easily regulate the speed with the machine. There is also a 3 piece FM foot you can buy that doesn't "hop" like most free motion feet. You can set it at whatever height your quilt is and it glides above the surface instead of hop. Also very user friendly!

[Margo C.]

Whatever kind of domestic machine you decide to get for free-motion quilting, you will be able to do better quilting if you have the machine set down in some kind of a cabinet with lots of support around the needle for the weight of the quilt. It will put less strain on your body too!

[Margo C.]

This is going to sound like a dumb answer, but I would say any machine that likes doing it. I've met great machines of all brands that worked and equally ones that didn't of all persuasions. It can just be down the the timing being a bit looser on some machines that makes them skip stitches, but there are others that just don't seem to like the game.

Personally I use a Husqvarna Sapphire. I like the extra space it has and the finish on the bodywork helps the quilt move freely. I've also discovered I really like my free motion foot to float not hop. There are a few machines that do that and for me that would now be a must have, along the the thread cutting button. I had a lot of Brother machines and they all had this feature so I expect it to be there on every machine now.

Ferret

[Alex A.]

Oc course I love my new 830 - but that is like the Cadillac of all. the other Bernina i really love is the 630 - it doesn't come with the BSR (Bernina stitch regulator / although you can purchase it) - but by the sounds of it, you are over the hump of the training wheels they provide.

[Susan K.]

I love my Bernina 440 (Quilters Edition). I like to free-motion with and without the BSR, and the quilting looks very nice. The only thing I don't like is that the harp area isn't any bigger than for a "non" Quilting machine. If you do a lot of large quilts, you might want to look at one with a larger harp space.

[Susan K.]

I love my Janome 6600. . There is also a 3 piece FM foot you can buy that doesn't "hop" like most free motion feet. You can set it at whatever height your quilt is and it glides above the surface instead of hop. Also very user friendly!

I just got this machine and have been drooling over the different feet available. I hadn't seen this one, do you have the part number for it?

I've only had my machine about 3 weeks but I love it so far.

Sarah

[Susan K.]

Love my Bernina 440 with BSR

[Susan K.]

I wouldn't change my Janome 6500 for anything!!! Well, except maybe a longarm. But since that isn't happening, I'm very happy with what I have. Don't even know if you can get one anymore. Let us know what you decide!

[Susan K.]

I too have a Janome 6600 which I love using, especially for FMQ, I also have the convertible FMQ feet which are very good, especially the round see through one with markings for easy lining up when shadow quilting. Just have to spend the next few years practising!!!!

Jan in NE Scotland

[cathy p.]

I love to free motion quilt with my Elna Quilters Dream 2...I purchased a special bobbin case for special threads in my bobbin and the free motion embroidery foot that has a cover for the feed dogs...my feed dogs are left up and I have better control...lots of special feet that you can buy. PETEY

[Janet S.]

I just got this machine and have been drooling over the different feet available. I hadn't seen this one, do you have the part number for it?

I've only had my machine about 3 weeks but I love it so far.

Sarah[/quote]

Sarah, the part number is 202001003. You can see it on Janome's website. http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines...8High_Shank%29

[Janet S.]

I have a BERNINA 440 Q with BSR. I LOVE IT. ( $3500)

I also tested the Janome 6600 and would have bought that machine if I had trusted the lady demonstrating the machine. I had a MEOMORY CRAFT / NEW HOME / aka JANOME for over 25 years and loved it. I had planned to buy the 6600. Good stiches, decorative, great button hole $2000 with table. BSR could be purchased seperate from another company (GRACE). ( JANOME now has THEIR OWN VERSION OF BSR for the newer machines) I know the repair guy at this shop was good but his shop lady turned me off the machine. She was just pushy and I did not want to deal with her. Since she owned the shop I just did not see myself dealing with her.

I think you need to have trust in the shop you are buying the machine from and trust your repair person before you buy any machine from anyone. This is not to say that you will need a lot of repairs but with the modern machines it is a good idea to take the machine in one a year for cleaning and service.


Lady Rags

....

[Janet S.]

Thanks for all the great info so far. Seems like overall most folks enjoy the Janome 6600 or a Bernina.