Brother PQ1500SL Review – A Quilting Machine of Your Dreams

Become a Sewing Expert with Minimal Trial and Error

Quilting is an excellent way for you to express your creative potential.

You get to pick the colors and fabrics you like and create a pattern as wild or sleek as you want it to be. There are no rules- the world is your oyster!

Once you finish your first quilt and hold that beautiful creation in your hands, you are sure to feel proud, and that is why quilting is not only fun but also rewarding.

Even if you feel you lack your own ideas, you shouldn’t give up! The internet is bursting with pictures of beautiful quilts that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

All you need to become a successful quilter is a bit of inspiration and a little bit of time to learn the proper technique.

You’ll be making a full-size quilt in no time at all!

Of course, you’ll be needing a proper quilting and sewing machine as well!

Luckily for you, I have spared you some trouble and found a great quilting machine – Brother PQ1500Sl! It will help you put your quilting skills to good use. Soon enough, your hand-made quilts will become your trademark gift for people you love!

Brother PQ1500SL is advertised as a “ dream quilting machine” for a good reason – it is undoubtedly one of the best quilting machines you can find on the market, so stay tuned and find out more!

Brother PQ1500SL Summarized

The easy-to-follow table that is in front of you is sure to give you a quick insight:

If this short overview has sparked some interest, find out more about this Brother machine by continuing to read all the way to the end of my full, and utterly honest, review of this model.

This video can help you learn about the features to look for when buying a sewing machine for quilting:

A Detailed Review that Will Not Leave You Feeling Overwhelmed

Detailed reviews can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, am I right?

Well, do not fret; my review will be straight to the point and easy to read. It will still provide you with all the essential information that will help you decide whether this quilting and stitching machine is right for you or not.

The Looks & My First Impressions

The one thing you are sure to notice at first glance is the huge throat space (about 9 inches wide) which defines this machine as a quilting unit. You will definitely not lack any room to work on and will be able to roll up the considerable amount of your quilt material in there.

The large throat and extra-wide table provide you with better control over your fabric as well and will thus have an impact on your performance too. The handy ruler is also there to make sure you always measure out your fabric with precision and without any fuss!

I also liked the fact that the bobbin case is not on the top of the machine, as it is often the case, but on its side. Why is that good? Well, you can change the bobbin without having to move your fabric.

If you are a night owl like me, you will be pleased to know that a bright LED light is there to make your night-time sewing adventures possible.

When speaking of the actual look, my impression is that PQ1500SL is a modern and sleek sewing machine that has no bells and whistles that often confuse the users rather than attract them or make their life easier.

Clutter-free surface features only a couple of simple dials (the color-coded presser foot pressure dial, thread tension dial, and feed dog adjuster) and practical guides that help you master the basics.

Do not let the unpretentious look fool you, though; this machine is actually packed with numerous useful features that will help you complete your sewing and quilting projects quickly.

In numbers, this machine measures exactly 25″ x 11.8″ x 14.8″, and weighs 33.4 lbs. It is a bit on the heavier side, but with all the space it offers that does not come as such a big surprise, don’t you think so too?

However, if you’re looking for a portable machine, walk away from this model right away – it is not for you!

You win some; you lose some – the story of our lives!

The Beneficial Features

Thanks to the Presser foot pressure dial, the feed dog adjuster, accurate tension control, and super-fast needle threading your sewing & quilting days are to become a lot less stressful. Moreover, you will be able to work on all types of fabric, even those that are known to cause troubles, such as velvet and heavier garment fabrics (denim, cotton duck).

The Brother’s Pin Feed system will make sure that your good results are consistent regardless of the fabric thickness.

Features such as the removable knee lift and the quick bobbin system with built-in thread cutter are also there to speed up the process and make everything a lot easier for you. Just a touch of a button will leave your thread perfectly cut and your machine ready for the next sewing operation.

Here’s how to thread a bobbin:

The automatic needle lowering a feature is a cherry on top of the cake as it allows you to preprogram the needle up/down position for your utmost convenience

The Usage & Performance

Will you have trouble using this machine?

That greatly depends on you and your level of experience, but I will share my story as it might help you paint a greater picture and get to know what you can (or cannot) expect from the Brother PQ1500SL machine.

Before we start, I have an advice for you.

First off, read the manual and then sit down and try out foot pressure as well as adjusting the fabric and thread tension. I did that, and after some practice, I was able to achieve a close-to-perfect stitch we all crave for.

The automated features do make things easier, but you still have to make an effort and learn how to use them all properly. Although this machine is not designed for beginners, I believe that even newbies can learn to use it in a reasonable amount of time.

If you are a newbie and wish to learn free motion machine quilting quickly, I recommend watching the following video:

Once you cover the basics and fine-tune your sewing and quilting abilities to match this machine, you can start taking advantage of its breathtaking speed. Indeed, at 1500 stitches per minute, the speed of this Brother machine is tough to beat.

Surprisingly, regardless of its thundering speed, the quality of the stitches remains consistent, and the machine does not jam often. Such stitching performance cuts down the time you need to finish your sewing and quilting project significantly.

Even more surprisingly, the machine is quite quiet even at the top speed.

There are numerous other features of this machine that will help save your precious time as well. We have already referred to most of them, but I think that a super-simple bobbin winding process deserves to be mentioned as well.

It might be too early to say this- but I think that this machine is built to last. Most parts are made from metal (that’s why it’s so heavy!) and will not break any time soon. If you consider the quality of making and durability, the price tag is more than reasonable.

Are Accessories Worth The Money Too?

The value of accessories you receive with this unit is exceptional as well and accounts for almost half of the actual price you need to pay. Besides the straight stitch sewing foot, the PQ1500SL comes with a rolled hem foot, invisible zipper foot, adjustable zipper foot, quarter-inch foot, walking foot, and a spring action quilting foot too.

The list of accessories goes on to include the following items as well:

• Seam guide
• Foot control
• Fabric separator
• Accessory kit with needle packet
• Ballpoint needle
• Spool cap
• Spool cushion
• Five metal bobbins
• Cleaning brush
• Screwdrivers
• Power cord
• Owner’s manual

On top of that, The Brother PQ1500Sl comes with a 25-year limited warranty that accompanies all the Brother company products as well as lifetime technical support if you ever encounter an issue you cannot resolve on your own.

Is Brother PQ1500SL Perfect?

Of course not – nothing is.

Although there is more to commend than complain about, it is only fair to mention the negatives as well.

I have already warned you that this is not a machine that you can take out of the box and immediately use it as you please. It requires a learning curve if you want to get all the adjustments right and use it to the best of its possibilities.

If you do not spend enough time getting to know all the functions and acquiring the needed knowledge, you will not have good results and might even end up blaming the threader or the cutter instead of realizing that the problem is in the way you use them.

I agree that some features such as needle threader or cutter take quite some time and effort to adjust, especially at first, but the manual can be really helpful in this regard as well as numerous videos on YouTube that deal with most features you need to get acquainted with.

This video might help you resolve the threading problem:

If you continue to run into problems with the thread cutter (your thread is cut too short, or the needle ends up unthreaded) the troubles you are experiencing might have to do with the brand of the thread you are using. If the thread is wound up too tightly, you can try to ease the winding tension, or, if that does not work, purchase and use the separate thread stand.

If changing the thread brand and the tips I have offered do not help, contact the support, I am sure that they can help you get around this issue and enjoy the PQ1500Sl and all its features to the maximum.

Brother PQ1500SL – Yay or Nay?

Before you make your final decision, let me recapitulate on all the things in favor and against the Brother PQ1500Sl machine…

Conclusion – The Final Wrap Up

Brother PQ1500SL is not a sewing machine for just any kind of user- it has been specifically designed with quilters and garment makers in mind. If you want a portable unit, or wish to use your machine right out of the box, you should better look for your sewing companion elsewhere.

This particular model requires you to go through a few learning curves, but you will be greatly rewarded for your trouble. Besides the thundering speed, you will be able to enjoy a plethora of useful features and years of use.

If you are a heavy quilter, do not hesitate. You can hardly find a better machine for your needs, believe me. After all, it does not cost a fortune as some competition does, and comes with a 25-year warranty for your peace of mind- what more could you wish for?