A year with the Juki TL2010Q
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:58AM ;)
I’m about a month shy of my one year anniversary with my Juki TL2010Q and my initial review of the machine, and since I still get many emails asking me about this machine, I thought I’d talk about it after sewing on it for a year.
Let me just start with…
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!
In case you didn’t get that… I love this machine. Let me also state for the record, a year later and I have never changed the presser foot, the stitch plate, or anything else after making my initial adjustments to set the machine up for piecing quilts. That is all I use this machine for, and it makes the most perfect, exquisite patchwork seams. It easily does every bit as nice a job as a dual feed machine or a walking foot. Because the feed dogs are so narrow, the fabric does not “swim” as you feed it through either.
When you get to the end of a seam, you will never find your seam wandering off to the right. It just won’t happen!
I never made a square quilt before I bought the Juki. Honestly. I don’t even measure my quilt tops anymore before cutting my borders and applying them, whatever the dimension should be, it is. I design all my quilts in EQ7, and simply cut my borders to the size EQ tells me to.
I do not work for Juki, I do not get any kickbacks for raving about this machine, I am simply telling you how absolutely wonderful it is for piecing quilts. I’m not going to tell you anything else about the rest of the machines abilities, because I’ve never used them.
There are still a couple of things that are lacking on this machine. The threader is abysmal compared to my Berninas. The lighting, while good, doesn’t compare to my Berninas. I haven’t a single other complaint about it.
One thing I REALLY like that I may have left out of my original review is the thread stand. It’s built in to hold two cones. I only ever purchase large cones of thread, whether it’s piecing thread, embroidery thread or quilting thread for my longarm, as it’s more economical that way. With the Juki, I don’t have to use the stand alone thread stand (there’s one behind the machine in this picture). I always have two cones up there, one I’m sewing with and one for bobbin threading.
In fact, I’m so impressed with the machine that I am considering purchasing a Juki Exceed F600. It’s about the same price range as the TL2010Q, but is a zigzag machine with a decent feature set on it. Nope, it doesn’t have anywhere near the features my Bernina machines have, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the price tag either. I don’t really care about the features, but I do care about quality and capability. I’m thinking it might make a wonderful class machine… especially since it comes with a hard case and would fit in my Miata!
Reader Comments (13)
CJ, what is the price range for your Juki if you don't mind my asking. I am going to be teaching my niece how to make quilt tops soon and she doesn't have a good machine right now to use. She obviously won't want to spend thousands of dollars on one until she knows if she will really likes quilting so she would like to get a good but inexpensive model. What do you suggest?
Thanks so much for the for the follow up. I have been looking at this machine and read your original review. I am hoping that Santa brings me one for Christmas this year! Thanks again!
Ashley
Always appreciate honest reviews. I'm beginning to think the same great reviews are in order for the little Bernina 831 that I recently acquired. She sews like a gem.
Thanks for the update. I've been wondering if you still like the machine and voila, an update! :-) So I still want this machine, since I ALWAYS have creeping when I piece...if this machine will eliminate it...I will make room for it!!
I certainly can echo CJ's appraisal of this machine. Upon seeing the eval a year ago, I made the call and purchased one. It came-3 days later all the way to SE Minnesota!!!-and sewed like a dream right out of the box! Would highly recommend this model to everyone. The F600 has the additional stitches but I already have the Bernina 440QE. Unlike CJ I have used the machine for piecing (wonderful!), FMQ, and clothing alterations. Would probably not purchased the Bernina if this would have come along first (I do have an Elna, another Bernina and a small White for workshops). The straight stitching, tension, and feed are perfect.....again, PERFECT! Am now going to do some sewing, knowing that at least that portion of the process will present no problems! LOL
Great 'follow-up', CJ!!!!!
Appreciate the reviews and comments on these machines. Am looking for a class machine. Have learned the hard way that Bernina is only as good as the dealer it is purchase from. There is not a Juki dealer in my area so am wondering if the same is true. What dealer are you using?
I have the same question as Marla. What is the price of this machine. I currently sew on a Bernina that I LOVE, but have considered the JUKI for machine quilting,as it has the larger harp opening. I don't have a desire for a long arm, and I've heard others rave about using a JUKI for machine quilting. Thanks for the update.
What is the noise level compared to your 630? I currently have a 1600P Janome which makes my ears ring after a session with it.
How is it for straight line quilting or in the ditch quilting?
I had a Janome 6500 that was miserable for straight line quilting. The top layer pushed ahead and I could not do cross hatch quilting no matter the setting.
I would like a little more room for moving the quilt around, even though I love my Bernina 630 which is fabulous for all things....
Thanks for sharing your review on this machine after one year. I've been thinking about getting one just for piecing. It seems like everyone that has a Juki is quite satisfied with the perfect straight stitch.
Hi CJ, I had a Janome 6500 that was oh so heavy and I never really bonded with it. The thing always had to have a leader/ender piece of fabric to not eat up my little quilting squares. I ordered a JUKI 2010 today from Ken's Sew and Vac in Alabama. I paid $799.00. It was a classroom model (less than 10 hours on it) and free shipping. I thought that was a great deal. I am so excited to get this machine and start sewing. I have a Bernina 430 that I love for buttonhole stitches, etc. I also have a Pfaff 2034 that is easy to take to classes/retreats and it sews a wonderful 1/4 inch. My question, what additional feet did you purchase? Did you buy a 1/4 inch foot? Thanks for your great review and follow up. It really did help me go for it!!
Hi, can you tell me please if the 'compensating presser foot' that came with my TL2010Q Juki is for 1/4 inch piecing? regular 1/4 inch presser foot was not included with the machine?
thank you
I have always struggled with the lighting on my beloved Bernina 170 and my HQV D1...older machines that I like but which were made in the days before good LED lighting on sewing machines.
This week, I found a FAB solution! I bought adhesive lighting strips from EcoluxLighting.com . They come in either 3 light or 6 light strips that stick onto your machine. For my machines, I splurged and put two 3 light strips on each machine, one strip on each side of the needle. No more shadows, no more flexi light bumping me in the nose!
BTW CJ, thanks for the review. I think I will be buying a Juki 2010Q as my free motion machine (my Bernina 170 is a great piecer).