Brother PQ1500SL Sewing and Quilting Machine, Up to 1,500 Stitches Per Minute, Wide Table, 7 Included Feet

The GoodThis machine is the home version of an industrial Juki in function. It even threads almost exactly like a Juki. I use industrial Jukis at school, and I wanted something similar for home, but without the mandatory table and vat of oil. I also wanted to be able to transport it for repairs when necessary. This machine suits my need for speed and a knee presser foot lifter. Machine uses industrial needles and bobbin. That means I already have accessories, because I have them for school.The Slightly AnnoyingThe caveat with the bobbin is that while it takes regular industrial bobbins, it needs the one it comes with, with the slot, to wind properly. If you use a sidewinder for bobbins, this won't be an issue. This machine is substantially heavier than a regular home machine, most of the body is metal. I looked inside and some of the gears are metal, some are plastic, so I don't know how this will work out over the long run.The really annoyingI despise the thread cutter. I'm hoping there's a way to disable it, even if I have to take it to a sewing machine repair place to do so. It cuts to close, meaning there isn't a tail left behind so you have to rethread the top thread and the bobbin. Also the thread cutter comes on when you are changing stitch length within the same scene, such as when you are doing a basting stitch for a zipper and then you change to a smaller stitch for the rest of the scene. This is a time I do not want the thread cut. I don't want to be interrupted have to rethread the machine then resume sewing.Still, this is a great machine, less fussy than an industrial, and cheaper than a similar model Juki quilting machine.

Very happy with this machine for quilting. Sews a perfect stitch for piecing. The extra table top is a plus. The walking foot works beautifully for quilting multiple layers including thick batting. Haven't used the free motion foot yet but have no doubt it will work fine. Threads like an old fashioned sewing machine which was fine for me since I have been sewing for 50 plus yrs and was familiar with that. The bobbin case is on the side and not as easy as a top loading but was also something I was used to. Love the automatic needle down feature. Use it constantly and the needle threader is really helpful though did take a learning curve but after a few tries now have it down. The book is not very helpful on that but a youtube video was and I figured out a few little tricks on my own. The needle threader on my Brother embroidery machine is super easy and works flawlessly, not sure why they don't use the same one on this machine. But all in all I am totally satisfied for what I bought it for which was piecing quilts and machine quilting. I will do some straight garment sewing on it as well. Anything that doesn't need zig zag or special stitches. Also, very happy with the responsiveness of the foot controller from extra slow to very fast.

I already own a Singer Quantum Stylist which has all the fancy stitches, automatic buttonhole, etc. It's a fine machine but I needed something with a lot more power and speed to it, as well as more room in the throat. I make weighted blankets to sell, and during the holiday season I'm sewing up to 12 hours every day at moderate to high speeds.This machine goes SO fast. At top speed, when I'm doing 2 yard straight seams, I can just put the pedal to the metal and it feels like I'm in an industrial sewing warehouse. It gets really loud at top speed, and the neighbor I share a wall with finally got what was coming to him after hearing him blast his EDM music at all hours of the night. Ha!For sewing other projects, it does a really great job going through thick fabrics, especially with the walking foot. I love the size of the extension table.Also I love that it has a physical pedal for the backstitching. I really really hate that all the digital machines have buttons for reverse stitching. I need to be able to grab the pedal without looking for a button on a panel of 10 other buttons.Cons:- bobbin case is side loading, and there's nothing that alerts you when your bobbin thread has run out. I did eventually learn that there's a different sound when the bobbin has run out, so I can tell just by that.- the top thread tension dial is kind of hard to see. The numbers are labelled on the top so I have to really lean over the machine and get at the right angle. It also took me FOREVER to figure out that the dial shows different numbers when you have the presser foot lever up vs. down.- After heavy use for 1 year it's gotten super squeaky, despite proper lubrication. I've even tried over-lubricating and nope, it's still squeaky as an old wagon.- the pin feed stopped working. When I use the feed dogs on the pin feed setting, the pin lever doesn't move up and down anymore. Not sure what happened there. It was nice while it lasted.- the needle threader is complete trash, but it's better than nothing.Overall, it's a really great machine for the price, and I would buy it again. Brother is a good company that I trust. My local sewing machine repairman says that Brother is the best company to purchase from as far as repair and support goes, and he says after all his years repairing machines, the Brother machines have fared the best. He did mention that I probably shouldn't have purchased the PQ1500SL through Amazon...something about more parts being made out of plastic than if I had purchased it directly from Brother, but I can't find anything that supports that claim.