Brother PQ1600S High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing Machine

I have been using this for a year, so it is time to write a review. Like many other reviewers, I needed to upgrade my equipment for quilting after spending many years using a cheap Brother, which still runs great and which I still love. I got this one because of the brand, the good price, the large work space, and importantly, the lack of computers. As others have pointed out, it is very heavy and it does only one thing, which is to sew a straight line, but it does that one thing flawlessly. I have not had many of the problems others have mentioned. Yes the bobbin and threading mechanisms are fiddly, but you get used to it. The automatic thread cutter is amazing! The only problems I have ever had with stitching have been due to user error during the learning process, and I find it easy to control the speed with the foot pedal. For perfect stitching on a solid machine, especially on large projects, this model can't be beat. While I have another machine that does fancy stitches, I did not realize how much I would miss a zigzag. I sew a lot of linen, which unravels very easily, and it would be nice to be able to do some stabilizing zigzags with this machine rather than set up the other one. The 1600s does not come with a walking foot, which is a bit unfair, since most people buy this for quilting. It took me quite a while to find the correct one - the Brother website is no help. Eventually I got one at Sewing Parts Online (Walking Foot, High Shank #XA7253001). It cost $70 and comes in an unmarked plastic bag so it does not seem to be an official Brother part, but it works. I have not tried free motion quilting yet, but it comes with a free motion foot, and the big workspace and detachable table give you lots of room for that. No regrets!

I previously owned the predecessor to this machine, and sadly during a studio remodel it got dropped and the drop destroyed the machine. So, I opted to get this newer version and I could not be happier. I have been a professional seamstress and quilter for over 50 years. A good high speed straight stitch machine is an absolute necessity in my studio. I am very pleased with my PQ1600S. The stitch quality is perfect and the machine is a solid work horse. I can put this machine through hours and hours of constant use and it never hiccups, it never skips a stitch, it's not as loud as my old brother high speed, it fills a perfectly balanced bobbin, it flies through even the thickest quilts and heavy home dec fabrics with ease. I have had several Brother machines over my sewing decades and to be honest, I have never had a bad brother machine. Every one has been a reliable workhorse with no drama.

Have had this machine for a week and already LOVE it! It’s easy to to get up to speed with, threading is pretty easy, is quiet, sturdy, stitches nicely… The only negative for me would be that the location of the bobbin is a little awkward.. a very nice utility and quilting machine! From a sewist of 40 years

The machine performs as expected, it’s a Brother top user friendly best performance machines. However I was disappointed that for the price point of this machine I didn’t get a walking foot. It wouldn’t been nice

This vendor upgraded me to a brand new machine at no additional charge. I threaded and love the machine works great. Highly recommend brand and this seller.

I’ve had nothing but problems with the tension. I wasted my money on something I thought would be a beautiful thing for the rest of my life.

My review is not going to the product itself because i know for a fact that is an amazing machine. My review goes to the item listed as “used -very good” . I have bought this option and i had to returned. From the beginning i knew something wasn’t ok, The condition of the intern packaging was terrible. The machine brought several pieces and accessories broken. One of them was the Feet dog adjuster knob. Don’t buy this option unless you don’t care to keep it this way.

For me, this machine is perfect for the home sewing that I do. Outdoor fabrics , upholstery fabrics, cosplay, and hemming jeans. I have always liked Brother machines. They make high end machines for advanced Sewists and affordable beginner machines that are easy to figure out. This machine has a nice wide work area for the heavier fabrics I work with. Very heavy solid machine. I am sure it will last a long time.