Hello. I am a "quilter" (piecer is more appropriate) in the market for a new machine. I was originally planning to just get a standard Singer or White machine to replace the one I currently use for piecing my quilts. However, in my online research I discovered the Juki machines. They seem to get good reviews in all the sites I've visited. Right now, I send out all my quilts to be machine quilted by someone else since I don't have the proper machine to do it myself. The Juki intrigues me. I am considering getting the TL98Q. Initially at least, I would be using it only for piecing since my confidence and ability in machine quilting is non-existent. Is this a good machine for piecing? Does the standard presser foot have a 1/4" guideline? (One of the reasons I want to replace my current machine is that the presser foot edge marks a 3/8" seam and I can't find a decent replacement foot.) Thank you. Stacie
Stacie, yes the Juki TL98Q would be the best machine for piecing because it has the best 1/4" seam foot included, trims the top and bobbin thread automatically at the end of each seam, so you don't have to chain off and use scissors to cut between the pieces, stops with the needle down if you need to pivot or turn corners, raises the needle automatically when you trim threads at the beginning or ending of a seam, and has the knee lifter for presser foot lift when inserting or removing fabric under the foot. So, you never really have to turn the handwheel and never have to raise the presser foot with your hand unless you just want to. That saves a lot of time and makes it more fun to do piecing. John Douthat, owner and tech.
What are the best needles to buy for the Juki TL98Q?
Organ Regular Sewing 15x1 Sharp or Ball Point in larger sizes at the
Organ 15X1 Page
Organ Regular Sewing Titanium Coated Sharp or Ball Point last three times longer at the
Organ Titanium Page
Organ Regular Machine Quilting needles in larger sizes with larger eye at the
Organ Quilting Page
Schmetz Jeans/Denim size 16 and 18 are best for Free Motion Quilting with cotton quilting thread at the
Schmetz 130705H-J Page
Schmetz Leather Needles with wedge point at the
Schmetz Leather Page
What are the differences between the new Juki TL98Q and the old TL98E?
The new Juki TL98Q "quilting" machine
has many improvements over the old TL98E "tailoring" but keeps all the features of the TL98E.
-2 heavy duty quilting feet 1/4" (for straight-line channel quilting) and 1/5" (for free motion quilting and embroidery). Measurements are from needle to outside of metal ring and have greater visibility.
-Built-in Automatic needle threader: push lever threads the needle eye for you.
-Heavy duty, metal arm Even Feed Walking Foot attachment is less apt to break than the earlier plastic arm model.
-Telescopic Thread Stand antenna allows height adjustment for threads and quilting frames (especially the Grace whose foot control table on top ran into the fixed height thread stand antenna on the TL98E).
-Thread cutting Knife Safety to prevent the thread trimmer arm from coming in contact with the needle which could cause breakage.
-Reduced thead trimmer noise (the clicks you hear when pressing the button on the machine or depressing the secondary thread trimming red foot control)
-Improved feed dog up/down control mechanism. Less apt to stick in the upper or lower position. More control in the knob.
-Parts availability increased for interchangeability without complete sub-assemblies.
All this for the same price that the TL98E sold for. Hope this helps. Thanks.
John Douthat, AllBrands.com Owner & Tech.
Will the Juki TL 98Q sew several thicknesses of leather as in a coat or purse-leather, not belt-leather? And, will it use heavy-thread suitable for the leather? Will the pressure foot lift high enough to place the already joined seams under it?
The Juki TL98Q will sew GARMENT leather with Organ 15x2 leather point needles up to size 18, located at
Organ leather point needles.
Thread size should not take up more than 1/2 the size of the needle eye, so you can use thread up to that size depending on the needle size (larger needles have bigger eyes and allow thicker apparel thread, but not upholstery thread).
Since the presser foot lever lifts 9mm and the knee lever lifts 12mm, it will generally sew whatever apparel fabric is under the foot regardless of the number of plys, but not hard leather, vinyl or upholstery fabrics.
To reduce ply slippage or uneven feeding on garment leather use an optional high shank screw-on Superior roller foot R2 or Teflon coated foot MT1. The heavy duty walking foot included with the TL98Q is primarily for softer fabrics than garment leather. Hope this helps. John Douthat, Owner & Tech
I would like to know the difference between the Juki Q and the Juki QE. I need a machine to use on a Pennywinkle quilting frame and a Juki was recommended because it has a larger throat area for the quilt. I would appreciate any help you could give me. Thank You
Kathy, the Juki TL98Q at http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08115.html has automatic underbed thread trimmers for top and bobbin threads, whenever you jump from one pattern or position on the frame t another.. It eliminates having to use scissors over the quilt to trim threads before moving the machine or after finishing a line of stitching. It also eliminates having to bring up the bobbin thread. The Q also has automatic needle threader, and a large extension table to use wheneve the machine is off the frame. The QE does not have these features. John Douthat, owner and tech.
P.S. Grace Speed Control 3-way Control Box at http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp14731.html allows you to control start/stop, speed and thread trimming from the box which can be mounted on either end of the machine. Grace Sure Stitch at http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp10526.html or Quilters Cruise Control at http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp09265.html allows you to maintain consistent stitch length regulation regardless of how fast you move the machine head over the quilt.
Juki 98Q My Juki worked great for piecing two quilts. I have the smaller one mounted on a Flynn multi-frame. The needle thread continually breaks as I free-motion quilt. I have tried several needles, adjusted the tension, re-threaded and even tried different threads. Any ideas on what the problem could be? Free motion quilting and piecing were the reasons I bought this machine. You have no idea how frustrating this is! Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Catherine, have you tried all the suggestions we have on the FAQ section of our Juki TL98Q page http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08115.html
If you have any burr on the rotary hook and/or hook point, foot, needle plate hole, or bobbin case that is hanging up the thread, it must be polished off first with fine Crocus cloth from the hardware store. We use Schmetz Jeans needles size 16, A&E Signature cotton quilting thread. uniformly wound bobbins, fabric flat against bed, pressure at 1/2, tension at balance sew test, and higher speed to make sure the needle does not bend going into our out of the fabric, which can cause skipping or breaking needles. After servicing TL98Qs, putting in the new needle and running fast over tautly held fabric, we never have a problem with skipping, shreading or breaking thread. If the Juki is working fine for piecing, it should work just as well on the frame if all the other free motion variables are under control.
