the story of my Juki
Once upon a time I made a list of sewing machine suitors, all with generous harp space for quilting at home. Juki was on that list, but sadly my dealer didn't stock Juki and neither did anyone else within driving distance. It seems to be a common scenario... interested in Juki and no where to shop locally, right?
Well after having so many problems with my Pfaff, which were mostly computer-related problems, Juki's non-computerized TL line sounded better and better. Plus, when I talk to you guys, soooo many of you sew on a Juki TL98 or the newer TL2000 or TL2010. You report that these machines are heavy-duty, reliable and awesome for freemotion quilting. With a 8.5" x 6" harp space, there's room to maneuver large quilts. When I fretted about not being able to buy one with a local shop to service it, you said I wouldn't even need it. I mean, for real? So... I almost bought one without ever trying it!
And then at QuiltCon there he was, the machine of my dreams, all set up for a test drive! I met Cristy of PurpleDaisies who sells many FMQ supplies and was using a Juki TL2010Q for demo work. It's the machine she recommends, don't ya know.
Girls, the machine was perfect. Perfect! He starts and stops on a dime with no computerized delay. I was actually on a break from a FMQ class in which we were using Janome's top-of-the-line quilting machines, when I came across the Juki in the vendor exhibits. In comparison to the Janome, the Juki rocked, at least in my eyes. I'm pretty sure there was a blissful smile on my face as I stitched some FMQ doodles. I knew then and there that this was The One.
Juki's TL line is "non-computerized" but not totally. Let's explain. These machines only do a straight stitch. That's it. (I'll be using my old Kenmore for special stitches like zigzag for binding.) There is no screen or computer inside for selecting stitches, since there aren't any. There's no auto-tension (thank goodness!), no programmable stitch sequences, etc. But there IS a lot of good stuff that you probably do want on the Juki TL2010Q: needle up/down (defaults to needle down.... yay!), knee lift, feed dog drop lever (conveniently located at last!), reverse sewing lever (not a button - easier for me!), presser foot adjuster, speed control and, drumroll please.... auto thread cutter. I believe the needle up/down and speed control are not mechanical, so you should realize you're not buying a 100% mechanical machine. But every bit less computer you get is a bit less computer that can go wrong, in my book.
The auto thread cutter is my hero. It engages with an immediate "ktch" that sounds deliciously powerful. My Pfaff's auto thread cutter always took an annoying moment or two to fully run through. It was a 2-step sound, even though you just had to push one button. Sometimes I wondered if cutting the threads myself would be faster? When the Pfaff auto thread cutter un-threaded my machine (which was often), it definitely would have been faster to do it myself!
Anyways, the Juki thread cutter can be activated by pushing a button, or - and this is Much Better - by tapping your heal on the foot pedal. Combine that action with the knee lift, which lifts the presser foot, and you can do everything without missing a beat. It's awesome. Completely awesome. And by the way the knee lift is very ergonomically placed - not at all hard to reach like some knee lifts. I did wonder if I might accidentally cut the threads with the foot, but that hasn't happened yet and I've been sewing all week. Also, the auto thread cutter has not un-threaded the needle - not once!
Yes, indeedy, this seems to be the machine for me. The only thing I've found fiddly is using the needle threader. It works, but not easily. Maybe with practice?
So, back to my story. I almost bought the Juki at QuiltCon, but held off because it’s such a big decision. I needn’t have hesitated. The Juki TL2010Q is the ONE for me. I ordered mine from an online store and have absolutely no regrets.
Ok, so that's my story! I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my Juki, so I'll have to report back after getting to try some FMQ. If there are any hiccups in the machine's performance you can bet I'll share those here. I know that shopping for a sewing machine is stressful and high-stakes, and that a good machine can make all the difference. I'm hoping to be part of the solution!
Thanks so much for all your help along the way!