New Machine: Juki TL-2010 Q
Yes, I’m switching from a machine with an 11 inch harp space down to a machine with a 9 inch harp, but the visibility gained is absolutely worth it.
I encourage you to pay more attention to the position and angle you have to sit in at your machine, especially when free motion quilting. How contorted do you have to be in order to see what you’re doing?
That angle of your neck might feel okay for the hour of quilting, but what long term damage is it doing? I’m only 30 and I’ve been going to chiropractors for 3 years that say my neck feels like it has whiplash trauma. I’ve never been in a car accident in my life, so it’s pretty obvious where this is coming from.
Why do I think this Juki will work so much better?
I actually started this blog using a Juki TL-98 QE and actually quilted far more back then and never experienced this type of pain or headaches. So switching to the updated Juki TL-2010 Q just makes sense!
So that’s my new machine update! Yes, I will be posting more about machines and reevaluating my list of what to look for in a machine. Yes, my opinion about longarms might even be changing because what matters most is your body and health. I’ve been very critical of longarms in the past, but the newer, more affordable table mounted midarms are definitely worth checking out.
Clearly visibility is far more important than I realized before, and I hope this post and video helps you not make the same mistake I did. Sometimes a big harp and tons of stitches aren’t all they’re cracked up to be!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Yeah!!!! I love love love my Juki!!
I'm surprised, I thought you had problems with your TL-98. I just bought 2 weeks ago the Juki 2010. And the visibility is really great. And the quality of stitches… It looks like I've upgraded to a stitch regulator. And the power of this machine… I was quilting over a lot of seams and I was always waiting for my machine to do a big noise. Not at all. This machine sews like butter over anything. Now I need to get used to that bobbin case on the side. It sometimes take me 2 times to have the bobbin inserted properly.
I totally agree with you, and purchased a Brother PQ-1500S (pretty much a twin to your new Juki) about eight months ago – it has made all the difference in terms of reducing shoulder and neck strain – and an added bonus – it has the best straight stitch I've ever seen! Happy quilting!
Can you link to the lightstrip you use on your machine? Thanks.
I bought this machine last year Leah! Thank you so much for the video! I too hate the foot hopping, so I will give your modification a try. I need those lights too! I have only used it to free motion some lap quilts, but will now give piecing a try as well.
I have a strong suspicion that Juki is in product development for a sitdown, midarm machine. Would you ever consider something like that?
Yes, to be very honest my physical issues with quilting have convinced me that if you can afford it, it's worth having a bigger machine. I might not film on it all the time, but I will definitely consider a sitdown midarm.
Yes, I did have some thread feeding issues with the TL-98, but after discussing it with Karen Pharr, I think the reason was the flimsy generic bobbins I was using. Now I ONLY use Juki brand bobbins because they are made of quality metal and the stitch quality is great.
Yes, the lights are definitely worth it. They are Ecolux LED lights that plug in. I believe I'm using a 6 light set, but you could put a longer strip in and bend it up around the arm of the machine. There's definitely space for more!
I totally agree. I got rid of a Brother QC1000 quilting machine with a big harp because I could not see around it! I purchased the very same machine you got at the Paducah show last spring! I love it!
Visibility is the reason I've switched from my Pfaff 4.0 to my beloved 1938 Singer 201 for free-motion work. I had to give up several handy features such as needle up/down and the low bobbin warning, but now I can see what I'm doing without slumping! Enjoy your new machine!
Thanks for your reply. And for your advice. I'll be precautious about that.
I have been quilting on a Bernina 550 with BSR and have recently switched to a Handiquilter Sweet 16. It has great visibility and the Trustitch regulation does not interfere with my vision
I have the same machine and I love, love, love it! I wouldn't trade it for anything! Congrats and welcome back!
I have to say I am happy you discovered this before early next year when I had planned on purchasing a Janome for quilting. I have severe problems with fibromyalgia and if I can do things to alleviate pain, I am all for it. A dealer of Juki is fairly close by so I will stop by and check them out. Then I can order my table from you for my babylock and put my new machine in my Koala table. I have also done some other searching of reviews for the Juki, and I find very little negative comments. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the information, Leah. This machine has been on my wish list. Can you post a video showing how you quilt a larger quilt on the Juki?
I've been using the Juki 2010Q for about 6 months now. I'm so happy to see you are using it too. I love it. I too made the LED modification. Thank you for sharing the hopping foot modification. I will need to do that. I look forward to seeing you "quilt it up" on your new machine!
Great suggestion Sharon! I'm actually working on a new DVD that will teach exactly that. It will hopefully be ready for release in early 2015.
I'm so glad you are doing something to fix this situation for yourself… I've watched almost all your videos and seen over time you mention a few times about having to bend your neck, etc. I have learned so much from you about quilting, but about 1/3 of the way through my first throw sized quilt on my DSM, I said, "Nope, there is no way I'm going to keep quilting like this. I either need a different machine, or I won't be quilting." I have RA and I decided that having to push the quilt around would eventually be too difficult for my hands, so I went with a long arm and frame…. pushing the machine around on the gliding wheels is much easier on my hands. And really… everything I learned from you about FMQ on a domestic machine, really just transferred right over and it's so much easier on me physically. I also have back and neck problems. Wish you all the best!
That's pretty great to see this nice post here. I'm agreed with you, currently I don't have any machine to sew my own quilts but hope I'll be buy soon. This information might be helpful for me. Thanks for sharing this post.
This is a great machine, and a really good value. I love mine and I have other high-end machines. I think this is an awesome machine for piecing and especially free-motion. And for people who want to free motion without a super expensive machine, a good choice.
So, it isn't just me! I've had all kinds of neck and shoulder problems since buying the Janome Horizon 7700 four years ago, and have struggled tremendously with ridiculous posture in order to see under and around that fat machine-head. Same with the Horizon 8900. Grrrrrr. I love everything else about the Horizon machines, but this is a big deal. What I'm doing now is lowering my chair more than I should and using a slight 'chicken-wing' arm position, BUT bracing my elbows on the table when I do. It has helped a lot, but I know that's not really proper posture and could probably cause its own issues down the road if I do it too much. Anyway, thanks for telling us about the switch and why you made it. I had thought maybe my bi-focals were the problem.
Wow, I'm so excited that you got a Juki! 🙂 I just noticed your comment in the Craftsy FMQ a Sampler class that I'm re-watching. I have the same machine and for the most part, I love it. I had made your generic FMQ foot modifications to a plastic foot I used to use on my previous machine, but I never thought about trying to modify one of the Juki's metal feet. I have often wished for an open toed foot for it. When I first got the machine I tried a couple of open-toed generic feet for it, and I had problems with my thread breaking. It seemed like the thread was somehow hitting the edge of the open C of the foot and shredding, so I figured that maybe this machine doesn't work with an open toe foot. Have you had any problems since modifying your foot? I want to do it now, but I'm scared! 🙂
I modified the metal darning foot by filing off the front working from the inside to the outside. Using a file rather than clippers will result in a smoother finish, but if you do end up with burrs that snag just spend some more time smoothing it out with a nail file. The Juki I have actually came with 2 darning feet so if you break one, you've always got another!
I am also looking at the exact model, would you ever consider ordering from a on line distributor? their prices are much more affordable, but don't know about servicing the machine.
That is the dilemma of purchasing machines online. I would encourage you to check in your area for dealers or machine repairmen and ask if they would service your Juki. I would also encourage you to have it serviced and the timing checked after you receive it. Weird things can happen during shipping!
I am so glad to see this video. My Singer has become temperamental and will no longer stitch from right to left, so I am finally moving up to a dedicated machine for quilting and piecing. It was a toss up between the Brother PQ-1500 and this Juki TL 2010Q. I am looking forward to making this purchase and I'm sure it will make a huge difference in my quilting. Keep up the good work, Leah, you are very talented.
Yesterday I saw your newsletter come in with the heading "Leah's Quilting With a Walking Foot?" and had to read it. I've been wanting to learn to do more than just ditch quilting and straight lines with the walking foot. Watching the video I noticed you were sewing on a different machine so I had to find out why. When the Janome Horizon 7700 first came out I ran to the store and bought it. Honestly I wondered if I was the only one that couldn't see behind the foot. I tried lowering my chair but it didn't make much difference and that really bothered my legs. Every time I tried twisting my head to see around the bulk of the machine head I'd sew a squiggly line. I've been trying to learn free motion quilting and have done a few quilts but only with much frustration. My poor husband has been having to endure listening to my complaints after spending a large amt of money for the Horizon. I watched your video and had my husband watch it last night and we decided a Juki was in order. I am happy to say that I just got back from my dealer with a brand spanking new Juki TL 2010Q! The dealer also told me the Janome free motion foot fits the Juki as does their open toe walking foot (not what came with Janome). Now I just need a new plexie glass for my Horn cabinet and I'll be off and running and hoping my stitches improve. Thank you Leah for your honest appraisal! Let keep quilting!!!
I visited a Juki dealer today and she had a great price on Leah's machine.
Thank you Beth for your comment on the great price at Sew Suite Studio's Juki TL2010Q. We appreciate your business and support!
I've had this machine for almost two years and I love it. Leah, what is the desk that fits with your Juki? I just got a new sewing desk for free from a friend, and my Juki fits inside the nook, but it's too far over to the left and it's uncomfortable. Your desk looks like it's got a good setup.
I'm using the Affordable Sewing Table you can find on my website and a custom cut insert to fill in the gaps between the machine and the table opening. http://www.leahday.com/shop/product/affordable-sewing-table/
I saw a lighting strip that could actually be used for 2 machines.. comes as 24 inches…
I was also wondering by you don't lower the feed dogs?
Thanks,
Kimberly
I found the 6 LED strip fit this machine perfectly. No, I don't lower the feed dogs when I quilt because it seems to mess with the tension of my machine. You can learn more about this by taking any of my classes on Craftsy or workshops at LeahDay.com as I explain this thoroughly every time I teach a new class.
I just purchased one of your classes today! 🙂
I am 65 and have arthritis in my neck 2-6th vertabreas, but I have used my Pfaff 2040 and I purchased a Brother Isadore which I love, it has a large harp too. The one thing I noticed is I can't handle a large quilt, so I now quilt all my quilts a block at a time. I learned how from Georgia Bonesteel's lap quilting books. This has saved my neck. Make sure you take frequent breaks, it is not good to hold your shoulders and neck in one position longer than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. This sewing combination works for me. Just thought I would share. Proper ergonomic positioning at you machine and the height of you machine and chair makes a world of difference too. I also have a small flex arm LED light I set up to give more light too. Leah took your class on Craftsy, great class.
Where can I find the piecing foot? I just bought this machine and that foot wasn't included.
I tried to do the same to my foot as you did in the video and set my my juki 2010q the same but it wont sew. I have no stitches or very long skipped stitches. I put the metal piece back on the foot and it sews great. What am i doing wrong?
Thank you
Wendy
Hi Wendy – Do you mean the metal piece on the top of the foot? Most likely your foot is now resting too low or too high on the quilt. Make sure to wrap the rubber band around a few times, then test it until you find a height that allows the quilt to slide under the foot, but not so much space that it bounces around.
Hi Leah. My friend just bought this Juki too and I have the similar Brother 1500PQ machine! I was wondering if you can tell me the difference between the 1/4" free motion foot and the 1/5" fmq foot? I mean besides the size difference, which one do you prefer quilting with and why? I would like to buy one for my Brother machine, but am uncertain which foot will work better or what difference in quilting it makes. I will either alter it to make it open toed too, or purchase the new open toe fmq foot they just came out with. Also is that 1/4" piecing foot a compensating foot? When i try to find one online, they either are compensating to the right or to the left and I am not sure if it is a 1/4" foot or not, since they look the same. Hard to find genuine Juki feet when searching . Most come up generic. Thanks for your help!
I believe the main difference between the darning feet is the opening in the base. One is slightly thinner than the other so it's easier to see the needle. That's pretty much the only difference.
For the patchwork foot, I really struggled to use any of the 1/4 inch feet on this machine. I found no matter how I pieced, the seam always came out a bit big. My preference has always been the very slim and easy to see Bernina patchwork foot so when I had this machine I always pieced on the Bernina and quilted on the Juki. I'm really not sure what a "compensating" 1/4 inch foot means. I'm sorry! I hope that helps!