Juki TL98Q feedback wanted
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 6:20AM Now everyone knows I am a die hard Bernina girl, and in fact it was Bernina adding dual feed to their 8 Series machines which started all this! I adore my Bernina 830, it’s the best thing ever and I sew on mine so much I’m afraid I’m going to wear it out!
There’s a whole lot of features on this machine that I have come to love, but mostly, it’s the dual feed that has me mesmerized. I just can’t function without it anymore.
But I want a separate machine for my business. It absolutely must have dual feed! There are other features I’d like, but that’s the biggie. A knee lift, needle up/down, thread cutter would be nice… and I want it under $1000.
The Juki TL98Q is the only machine I’ve found so far that seems to fit the bill. So I would love some feedback on this. I will mainly be using it to piece quilts and sew on binding.
Will it even come close to sewing like my Berninas? How good is the dual feed system on it? Or should I just put a walking foot on my Bernina 630 and figure out a way to get a good quarter inch seam that way?
Created by CJ
Thank you everyone for your emails about the Juki. It sounds like a terrific machine, but it seems it does NOT have dual feed, I guess I misread the description on it.
That’s non negotiable for me, I never thought it was a big deal until I got my 830, but in my opinion it’s the single most important feature on the machine, and I won’t ever buy another sewing machine without dual feed, I LOVE it!
Reader Comments (12)
CJ,
I'm looking for the same thing to go with my Aurora 440. I have not been able to find a Juki on a showroom floor to test. I did join the Juki Yahoo group to try and learn more.
I have also looked at the Brother PQ1500/Babylock QC Pro. They do not have the foot pedal scissors like the Juki but are very similar. There is no dual feed but it does have a "pin system". There is a video on the Babylock site. I was impressed when I tried the Brother machine. My dealer quoted $899 as a start (no negotiating yet since I just started looking).
The other machine I want to check out is the Janome made one marketed as Janome 1600/Pfaff Grand Quilter/Viking Mega Quilter.
CJ, have you looked at the Janome 6600? I have no idea where that fits in with your price point, but it might be something to look at. I have no experience with the Juki, so can't help you there. I had a Janome 6500, which my mom now uses, when I got my Berninas, and it is a great machine, and I would go back to it in a heartbeat for general sewing, but I only have so much space to have machines up and working and I love my 830 and 440. - Billie
CJ, I have had a TL98Q for over 4 years now and wouldn't trade it. I don't own a Bernina but a Viking Designer 1. I love my D1 but use my Juki for all piecing and putting on binding. It is a wonderful machine. I started out using the even feed foot when putting on binding but don't even bother anymore. It's a very heavy duty machine and well worth the money.
I've had the TL98Q for about 3 years and LOVE it! No worries about computerized stitches, just straight stitch. I didn't know what I'd use the foot pedal cutter for before trying it, but now I couldn't live without it. It's great for freemotion, and piecing. It's responsive and powerful.
CJ -- That's the machine Amanda Jean (Crazymoms quilts) uses.
I considered it for a 2nd machine, but decided against it because she mentioned it is kind of loud. That wouldn't bother me at home but my goal was to get the 2nd one to keep on the motorhome. I'd love that thread cutter and definitely like the extended arm for stippling quilts.
She has some comments about it on her FAQ page.
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/12/faq.html
Hi CJ - TLJuki 98P (here in Oz) is what I am purchasing- replacing my Bernina..........but I understand it doesn't have dual feed. The new Babylock has that and it hasn't arrived in the shops here yet!! Sharon Schambers uses the domestic Juki - lots of videos on it. Have only heard raves about Juki FM qualities - don't know about piecing.
AB
I have a Bernina 1090 (which I absolutely adore and hope never breaks down) and a Juki TL98e. I just sold my Brother PQ1500 which only had about 10 hours of sewing time on it. I personally liked the Juki better than the Brother. The Juki is wonderful for piecing, attaching binding and I even machine quilt on mine. It's fast and easy!
Hi CJ, I did own that machine I gave it to my daughter. It would be great for for just straight seams and its a workhorse..and its fast and uses industrial needles well thats what it is. i loved it but she says she needed a machine and has never used it she's not a sewer I should go get it...I love it...its identical to the Quilters Choice..same machine.
CJ, Have you looked at the reviews at PR? I think the Juki is well regarded there.
Cj,
Just read about this place on the yahoo HQ forum-Bayside quilting. Selling their demo Jukis. Thought you might like to check it out.
https://www.baysidequilting.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=3142
No affiliation, in fact I don't know anything about this company but thought it might be worth checking out or find out what Juki is coming out with that this place is selling their demos.
Just a thought
Sorry about above post. Forgot to read the big red print that says, "In Store pickup only". I tried (of course, it's because I'm cheap that I was trying to get a good deal!). Please forgive me!
The only machine I really know that does this is the Janome 6600/6500. Even if it's not your first choice, check it out. I own one and while it's not my favorite machine for personal reasons, it does have several dual feed feet to work with, ie open toe, SITD, 1/4 inch foot and a regular foot. You can adjust the feed like you can on a surger as well.