Which Straight Stitch Sewing Machine is Right for Me?

Looking for a straight stitch sewing machine?

     For those of us that are quilters, we have some basic needs when it comes to sewing machines. We at Pink Castle Fabrics absolutely love our Janome straight stitch machine; it's fast and easy to use!

     Today I’m going to compare three of the top straight stitch sewing machines on the market: The Juki 2010Q, Babylock’s Jane, and, last but certainly not least, the Janome 1600P-QC. All three of these machines are fast and user-friendly, making them perfect for getting quilts done within a short amount of time. However, each has some difference between them.

     Let’s take a look at each machine on its own, shall we?

Juki 2010

     Let’s start with the Juki 2010Q. In my experience of talking to other quilters, this is probably the most well-known. It features:

•  8.5” of throat space
• an LED light for seeing your work clearly
• an automatic thread cutter switch. 
• Sews 1,500 stitches per minute. 

Babylock Jane

     Babylock’s Jane (BL510A) is comparable to the Juki 2010Q. It has:

• 9" of throat space
• a built-in lamp 
• an automatic thread cutter switch
• boasts the same 1,500 stitches per minute that the Juki does.

     The Janome 1600P-QC is another top-of-the-line straight stitch machine. The Janome 1600P-QC out stitches both of its competitors with the following features:

• 9" of throat space
• a built-in lamp to see your work clearly
• an automatic thread cutter switch with the ability to hook up a thread cutter foot pedal
• includes a darning plate for a quick switch-over to free motion quilting
• an independent motor for bobbin winding
• an extra-high presser foot lift
• an amazing stitching speed of 1,600 stitches per minute!

Janome 1600P-QC

     Think of how quickly you’d be able to finish a quilt top!  At that speed and the ability to free motion quilt on the Janome 1600P-QC, you can finish an entire quilt quicker than ever before! It's the perfect sewing companion for all quilters, professionals and hobbyists alike. The Janome 1600P-QC is also great for other projects that you want to be able to turn around quickly, such as bags and purses! It's the perfect sewing machine for any project you use a straight stitch for. 

     I've had the opportunity to talk to a couple well-known ladies in the quilting and fabric industry about how they have found their Janome 1600P-QC:

Carolyn Friedlander, designer of the fabric lines "Doe", "Carkai", and the upcoming "Euclid", has been using her Janome 1600P-QC straight stitch machine to create her pattern "Envelopes" as well as the sham covers titled "Hesperides". These patterns are available for sale on Carolyn's website.
     Carolyn says: "I love that it's a work horse ready to tackle whatever I throw at it. Also, now that I've rigged up a foot-pedal-controlled thread cutter, I'm in heaven."

Sunset Strip Quilt made with One Room Schoolhouse Fabric

Brenda Ratliff, Pink Castle's own Queen and designer of the fabric lines "Pie Making Day" and "One Room Schoolhouse", also owns a Janome 1600P-QC. It's the only sewing machine she's been using, that's how much she loves it! Her latest projects include a Sunset Strips quilt made with her newest fabric line for Spring 2016 Quilt Market, as well as many other projects you can find on her blog, Just A Bit Frayed.
     Brenda enthuses: "This sewing machine is my favorite! I've been able to cut my work time in half by using the 1600P-QC!"


The Janome 1600P-QC is available at Pink Castle Fabrics both online and in-shop. Stop on by during retail hours to take it for a test drive! If you have questions, comments, or concerns, e-mail Molly@PinkCastleFabrics.com.