PQ1600S High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing & Quilting 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!

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

I am a very novice sewer and I got this machine to do quilting. I have not taken a sewing class yet, and have taken only 2 quilting classes just so you know.I have only made napkins before... I got this machine just 2 days ago and love the features. I have used an $800 Husqvarna (spelling?) in class and like this so much better. I think it is very intuitive, easy to thread, love the knee presser foot lever and the reverse which is so easy. The bobbin winder was easy and I used it right out of the box. Getting the bobbin seated correctly was a little challenge but it just took practice. You need to make sure it "clicks" in. I am working on the automatic needle threader and I get it threaded about 15% of the time but have only tried this feature for about 20 minutes and I am getting the feel of it, having never used an automatic threader before. I also love the "thread cutter" button! Goodbye scissors! Only negative so far is that I bought the cheap thread on the large cone for about $4 and I kept getting nests of thread underneath the material. This went on for two hours even though they had sent a piece of material with perfect stitching. I changed the needle, the tension, the feed dog height and finally the thread. That was what did it. I went to a smaller spool. After having read other reviews, I am going to try the cheaper thread again but thread it over one and then three holes on the front of the machine (I have it now threaded with two holes) to see if that makes a difference. I think most would be very happy with the machine and if I can use it, anyone can! Update- I have had this machine for about a month and am still extremely pleased! I have figured out the needle threader, although it doesn't work as well on the cheaper threads it does work well with the smaller spool threads. I did run out of bobbin thread once and it would be nice to be able to see the bobbin, but that is a very minor issue. I still feel this machine is very intuitive and easy to thread and use and I am getting close to finishing my first quilt with it. Update: I’ve now had this machine for 6 months and STILL love it! I am more experienced now (having completed 2 quilts and a 4 piece quilted placemat set) and only find that the thread cutter leaves it a bit short ( but don’t usually have to retread) and the needle threader is a little difficult. But the positives outweigh the negatives and you can get this machine for about $60-100 less than what I paid. Highly recommend!!!

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.

The Good This 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 Annoying The 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 annoying I 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.

This is a fast, industrial machine for the serious sewer wannabe. It runs parallel to my 4 thread Juki serger...varooom! Threading is pretty straight forward with one VERY important step that is not mentioned in the manual but mentioned multiple times on the internet when I desperately searched how to avoid upper thread getting stuck in the tension Nob. The magic is in the foot lever. Thread with the foot lever up. This separates the tension discs and allows the thread to fall easily between the disc. Then when you sew, avoid using the knee lever to halfway raise the sewing foot to slide your fabric from under which is tempting. Instead whether using your hand or knee to raise the sewing foot, raise it completely at its full up position. Why I didn't give the machine 5 stars even after troubleshooting the above. The auto Thread is poorly constructed. I am not sure why Brother doesnt use the same technique as it's other models. On this model you really need to watch a video to understand what to do. And when you have figured out and understand how to slightly pull the thread with your left hand to catch the thread on the threading teeth somewhere hidden in this small claw looking thing, when the gadget does its magic it somewhat shreds the thread in the process. Not sure how this performance passed quality inspection. Like other reviews, the thread cutter does cut too short and so you half to rethread. If the thread is just about to unthread from the needle you can sometimes save it by once again raising the sewing foot completely up to open the tension disc and the pull the thread through with a tweezer. I also prefer a drop in bobbin. You just can't see What's going on with the side bobbin. And there is no indicator of when you have run out of thread. 0verall though after troubleshooting the tension, I am happy with the machine. It is a great addition to the Juki server and Brother embroidery machine that has all the fancy stitches.

Love this machine. It is a straight stitch ,so if your looking for more then that, then this isnt it. But it has handled my king size quilt and smaller ones with ease. Highly recommend.

I bought this machine several months ago, but wanted to use it for awhile to write a review to be more fair. So far it got me through all the stages of making quilts several times. I don't know how I managed all these years without a needle-down feature! I love all the feet that come with it, but I had to order a ruler foot - ruler quilting is what I was most excited about. I do wish the free motion quilt didn't have the plastic in it though. I also love that it comes with an extension table. I tried using a slip mat on it (for free motion quilting), but discovered that the machine doesn't seem to like it; but I think the slip mats are overrated and not needed, as least for this machine which has enough slickness to it that I find I don't need a slip mat. One minor complaint is that the needle plate is not flush with the machine. It creates a ridge and my seams get caught on it when I am piecing. Sometimes this causes a wonky seam and other times it causes my seam to turn the wrong way. The other thing I don't like is the thread cutter. It cuts the bobbin thread too short, and the top thread comes out of the needle, so I never use it. I also never use the needle threader because it was shredding my thread. (maybe I was using the wrong kind of thread?) But these are minor complaints and not worth any significant whining. The machine is awesome and I'm glad I bought one!

Es excelente Máquina portátil para el hogar.

I thought the price was great and so was the product. You get numerous accessories and even a walking foot! The automatic threader works great! I know a few people said they found it hard to use but I don't know why? It works great for me; Perhaps because I watched a video and read a couple pointers that other people on-line pointed out. The only negative thing I can think to say is that, I wasn't fussy with the closed toe plastic covered free-motion foot that is included with the machine! I would think that most free motion quilters use an open toe foot without the plastic. I ended up ordering an open toe foot which cost $40.00 CAD. All in all though, it's a great machine!

Ha sido mi mejor compra!! La amo

I've only had this machine for a few days but what a work horse! I've done some small quilting and the 1/4 " foot is great. I used the walking foot to repair the canvas cover for my husband's boat and it didn't bat an eye at it. Strong, fast and surprisingly quiet. I'll update when I've used this a little more but so far I'm impressed. I'd read some reviews and it takes a bit of getting used to the threading and bobbin on this machine. This is definitely not a beginner or entry level machine. Also the needle threader is probably the most pathetic thing I've seen, but so far that's the only drawback.

Me encanta mi nueva máquina de coser! es cómoda, practica, robusta, sencillamente maravilloso precio-calidad!