tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post3076269522859414311..comments2023-07-25T11:48:39.285-04:00Comments on The Free Motion Quilting Project: Quilting Machine ConundrumLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-69975327720799125732017-10-02T12:37:13.380-04:002017-10-02T12:37:13.380-04:00If I didn't know better, I'd think I wrote...If I didn't know better, I'd think I wrote this myself.Happy Internet Marketer Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03637042655199858287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-30165243511669232722017-10-02T12:35:33.708-04:002017-10-02T12:35:33.708-04:00Rowan, I own the Juki DDL 8700-7 which is the most...Rowan, I own the Juki DDL 8700-7 which is the most popular industrial sewing machine for regular sewers, and it has the same lever on the front of the machine that allows it to go in reverse. It also has literally hundreds of presser feet you can use with it. It has up/down needle control, knee lifter, a silent motor, and you can sew lots of different fabrics and items on it, like bags, etc. The presser feet make things like sewing bias strips a piece of cake. It makes cakes, too! Just kidding--just wanted to see who is paying attention. Seriously, it is a great machine. I think it is more intimidating than regular domestic machines but once you get used to the great stitch and the super fast stitch (you'll never the whole thing but you will go faster than your regular machine by far) you won't want to go back to a regular, S-L-O-W sewing machine. Plus the throat size is awesome. The manual isn't great, and I'm used to learning from manuals having done so with computers when they started in the workplace back in 1979. Happy Internet Marketer Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03637042655199858287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-845680369660353012017-10-02T12:22:13.882-04:002017-10-02T12:22:13.882-04:00No one will probably read this far down, but if th...No one will probably read this far down, but if they do, know this: Leah's dream machine was the Juki DDL 8700 which now comes with the features she really wanted and that we all want for quilting: up/down needle, knee lifter, almost silent engine, tons and tons of feet, 11" space, super fast sewing that you wont use all of it but you will use enough that you cant go back to the slow domestics anymore. Plus less than $1,000. Comes with a table. Get the model DDL 8700-7. That's the one with the best features and awesome stitch and tension. Happy Internet Marketer Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03637042655199858287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-82957741611960726212017-04-04T22:01:23.026-04:002017-04-04T22:01:23.026-04:00What foot do you use to FM quilt on your old singe...What foot do you use to FM quilt on your old singer?Lisa Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17657900907983310041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-88213430932081571442015-03-12T23:50:09.465-04:002015-03-12T23:50:09.465-04:00So comprehensive & so enlightening. Thank youSo comprehensive & so enlightening. Thank youPetahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01780784818382353696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-14805977746506773662014-12-06T19:09:32.722-05:002014-12-06T19:09:32.722-05:00Hi Jamie - It's interesting how time changes p...Hi Jamie - It's interesting how time changes perspective! In 2009, I couldn't possibly spend $1800 on a sewing machine. Now in 2014 my limit is around $6000. So in the time since I quilted on 2 Horizons (7700 and 8900) and then switched back to Juki with the TL2010Q. I found over time that the horizon machines are nice, but the extra space does not make a big difference when the machine itself is so bulky you can barely see around the front of it. I found myself really craning my neck and back around to see, which over time created a lot of neck and back issues.<br /><br />So these days, I would advise to go as big as you can afford, even if that means moving to a table mounted midarm like the HQ Sixteen or Babylock Tiara. It's not so much the space as the VISIBILITY these machines allow all around the needle and good lighting to see what you're doing.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-64912288434401921352014-12-06T07:03:08.269-05:002014-12-06T07:03:08.269-05:00Hi Leah,
I read your review about the Horizon and ...Hi Leah,<br />I read your review about the Horizon and was wondering, is that a machine you'd recommend for piecing AND fmq? This post said you wouldn't spend more than $1800 on a machine but I can't seem to find a price for the horizon anywhere online. I think it might be in the $4000 range but I don't know. I have a Janome 6600 that's about 8 years old and has been skipping stitches. I had it serviced twice this year but it still skips periodically so it's time to get a new machine. Would you go with a Juki or Horizon? I kind of think my biggest consideration should be how much harp space I can get for the money. 11 inches sounds good. Thanks,<br />Jamie✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾https://www.blogger.com/profile/07208832897656210176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-27714189901246731852014-06-12T12:39:24.984-04:002014-06-12T12:39:24.984-04:00Leah - I know this post is old, but it sounds like...Leah - I know this post is old, but it sounds like you would love the Juki DDL8700-7 - it has a servo motor and has programmable needle up/ down, back tacking, auto-thread cutter etc. It also still fits within your price range :-)<br /><br />This is what I am considering, but was having a hard time finding out if it would take a darning foot (which is how I ended up stumbling across this post).<br /><br />Just throwing it out there :-)Kristianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10327840114670601552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-16866270573403863462013-09-30T01:51:48.267-04:002013-09-30T01:51:48.267-04:00Thank you very informative. Thank for your tutoria...Thank you very informative. Thank for your tutorials as well, you tube is my friend for all of those. My machine that I love is Pfaff 7550. Love it totally. Throat area could be larger, but I guess there is not any perfect machines out there, unless one orders one to their specs.. Now there may be an idea. Thanks!! Nancynannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13248402726306219601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-25251053948149409372013-07-23T14:36:27.999-04:002013-07-23T14:36:27.999-04:00Rowan - I'm sorry, but I honestly don't kn...Rowan - I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know. I was considering that machine at the time, but never ended up investing in it due to lack of information. I'd continue researching and maybe call Juki to find a dealer in your area you can talk to.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />LeahLeahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-19393507013365965962013-07-22T19:14:39.668-04:002013-07-22T19:14:39.668-04:00Leah, please help! I'm loving the look of the ...Leah, please help! I'm loving the look of the ddl 8700, and it's within reach for me price wise, just! I need it to do double duty though, free motion and also normal straight line or in the ditch quilting, not with a free motion foot. (I presume it will be able to piece as well, but if it can't I have back ups that I'm happy with) <br />Is it capable of this? Is it possible to fit it with a walking foot? <br />I really want a machine which is basic but gives me the maximum amount of space possible!<br /><br />Thanks. <br />Rowan :-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-43849545643127121222013-07-22T19:10:16.571-04:002013-07-22T19:10:16.571-04:00Hey, I'm considering investing in a ddl 8700 a...Hey, I'm considering investing in a ddl 8700 and I'm wondering how it will cope with regular, non free motion quilting? Could I fit a walking foot or similar? Any help would be great, I am too poor to make an ill thought out purchase! :-)<br /><br />Rowan Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-67087085821990394012013-07-16T19:28:04.605-04:002013-07-16T19:28:04.605-04:00Well, that was a lengthy post and definitely a hea...Well, that was a lengthy post and definitely a heads up and just what I needed to know with y secret wonderings about my quilting conundrum! I have a lovely baby lock machine and I love quilting when I making little things but a baby quilt is a big thing on this machine and I was having a horrible time!! My daughter asked if I liked quilting why was I cursing so much! LOL. Not bad cursing, I'm not a sailor! : D Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09287324870474130323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-30125283446992803242013-04-17T09:22:41.233-04:002013-04-17T09:22:41.233-04:00thanks for the scoop leah! I'm considering th...thanks for the scoop leah! I'm considering the juki 8700, just not sure if I want to make the commitment to it. I'm also looking at the juki 2000 semi industrial. Have you purchased an 8700 yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10317576044901684848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-65646855148764607632012-11-25T00:11:16.229-05:002012-11-25T00:11:16.229-05:00Leah, thank you so much for the article and video ...Leah, thank you so much for the article and video for the best machine to buy/use for free motion quilting that's under $500! Now I know what to tell my husband to get me for Christmas!! Was looking at the computerized kind with all the extra stitches, and saw how you recommended that it wasn't such a good idea because all that sewing/quilting will eventually burn up the circuit boards. You just possible saved me a bunch of money! Thanks!<br /><br />Theresa M<br /> TheresaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01894014015689728196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-26319697864170393912012-11-25T00:07:35.856-05:002012-11-25T00:07:35.856-05:00Leah, thank you, so much for this article and your...Leah, thank you, so much for this article and your video about the under $500 machine, the Janome HD1000. Now I know which machine to ask my husband to get me for Christmas!!! <br />TheresaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01894014015689728196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-86117262188238887222012-05-22T15:06:46.429-04:002012-05-22T15:06:46.429-04:00JeanAnn - I also had a similar problem with a Bern...JeanAnn - I also had a similar problem with a Bernina Record 830. Yes, a compatible pedal can be found that works. You'll need to order it from a Bernina dealer and yes, it will be expensive ($200 - $400).<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />LeahLeahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-78081378563545829352012-05-22T14:20:24.657-04:002012-05-22T14:20:24.657-04:00I have the Bernina Record 830. I am burning holes ...I have the Bernina Record 830. I am burning holes in my floor with the foot pedal. It just gets blazing hot after FMQ for only 30 mins. I have had the pedal and machine serviced by my local Bernina Dealer. The capacitor was removed from the foot pedal.<br />I purchased an after market pedal that was supposed to work with my machine but it did not work even though it plugged in just fine & dandy.<br />Please respond with HELP!JeanAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06875791958792210829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-16078619474334066152012-03-17T00:16:37.744-04:002012-03-17T00:16:37.744-04:00I tried Free Motion on my juki DDL 8700 tonight! ...I tried Free Motion on my juki DDL 8700 tonight! At first it was horrible... but a few minutes later the stitches were more even and nice. I was doing loops and it's going to take some practice. The worst part was that the thread kept breaking! But I will get some better thread in there and try again. If I can resolve that this will be a nice machine to work on!Heyjamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09649270087660868500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-26956782822628649492012-02-14T00:04:11.560-05:002012-02-14T00:04:11.560-05:00I have a Juki-DDL8700 and you have inspired me to ...I have a Juki-DDL8700 and you have inspired me to order a high shank FM foot. I'll let you know how it goes! I see someone posted a video on you tube showing them using their juki ddl-8700 to free motion. I've been frustrated with my Featherweight (the only machine I've quilted on thus far).Heyjamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09649270087660868500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-20449412366940396682011-08-26T14:36:43.073-04:002011-08-26T14:36:43.073-04:00Ha! Like everyone else, I have multiple machines. ...Ha! Like everyone else, I have multiple machines. Right now I have a Bernina 440 which I love but don't really care for the stitch regulator. For quilting I use a HandiQuilter 16 sit down. Love it! Study and easy to use. It has a table specially built for it. I'm fortunate enough to have recently claimed two rooms! One for sewing and one for quilting because they really are very different activities and require different set ups! Have a Janome for traveling because its lighter. These machines absolutely do everything I might need to do, but the problem is my susceptibility to advertisements and love of gadgets. I see the adds and think I could do even better with a bigger long arm, stitch regulator, etc, when what I know I really need is practice, practice, practice. Have done about 20 quilts on my HQ now and can see such a difference between first and last quilts. I don't think a stitch regulator is necessary at all and they probably cause more problems than they are worth.LateBloomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15566411377321208878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-47664177020174703472010-11-12T13:57:13.322-05:002010-11-12T13:57:13.322-05:00Interesting reading of the saga of sewing machines...Interesting reading of the saga of sewing machines! I had a Stylist as well - bought it to do draperies and it was a good machine for heavy duty. I started with a Featherweight given to me as a wedding present (1968) and I sewed kids clothes and curtains with no problem and I loved it. After my divorce in 1993m I treated myself to a Viking215 and have used it for piecing but no heavy duty. I now have a Viking Sapphire for quilting and so far so good; haven't used it much so can't report on it's ability.<br />Glad to hear that quilting is doable with a regular machine and the Juki sounds intriguing. I would think an industrial machine would be the ticket with a large throat plate. Thanks for such an interesting blog!<br />SandiSandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149177714031115046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-23650449096883342412010-11-08T17:33:05.785-05:002010-11-08T17:33:05.785-05:00Hi: I'm contemplating a Juki TL98Q, so I'm...Hi: I'm contemplating a Juki TL98Q, so I'm interested in what you have to say with it. I agree that some machines are great for piecing and others for free motion. My old Elna SP can sew through anything, but it is terrible at any sort of quilting, no matter what I try. I had better success with free motion on my test drive of the Juki than all my years at the Elna. where is the link to modifying the Juki foot?Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09029115839076216849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-23891869372056950012010-10-24T10:44:04.652-04:002010-10-24T10:44:04.652-04:00Wow, look at all these long comments. You really h...Wow, look at all these long comments. You really hit a nerve with this post!<br />I have the Juki 98Q and I love it. It doesn't do fancy stitches etc, but it is fast and powerful and does a great job for me. It's exactly what I wanted. I bought it online (no tax, no shipping fee) about 5 years ago for $800. The throat size is good, but the bigger the better. Thanks for this post.Selvage Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830455480591075005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-87703170354095873332010-10-19T19:41:12.816-04:002010-10-19T19:41:12.816-04:00I just ran across your blog,very interesting. I h...I just ran across your blog,very interesting. I have been looking at buying the Brother NX2000 (Laura Ashley). I loved the way it sewed when I tried it out but of course that was only on a sample. I loved the scissors that cuts your threads but I just realized after checking it only has an 8-inch throat. What are your recommendations now for a machines? Did you go ahead and purchase a new machine as I noticed you said in about June I think? Anyway just wondering as I think maybe this is not going to be as good an idea as I originally thought. I would love some feedback.<br /><br />Joyce NJoycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696994687793672277noreply@blogger.com