Juki TL2010Q Review – An Industrial Quality Sewing Machine At Home

All There Is To Know About It

What makes a sewing machine great?

Is it its speed, durability, versatility, or perhaps something else?

I say that the greatest machine is the one that suits your needs.

I’ve a lot of time trying to find be-all-end-all sewing machine before I realized that there is no such thing!

Obviously, some models are (objectively) better, and some are worse, but in the end, it’s all up to you and your preferences.

Given that you’ve come across my article, I assume that you’re looking for a sturdy yet simple machine that’s going to stand a heavy workload. If yes, I’m happy to say that Juki TL2010Q could be the end of your search.

This model is not going to give you a lot of versatility, as it can only do straight stitches, but it’s perfect for free-motion sewing and can handle a high-volume (which is ideal for those who run a mini-business from home).

Did I mention that it’s really fast?

Now that you’ve got an idea what I’ve prepared for you today, I’d like to invite you to read on and find out more about this incredible product.

Juki TL2010Q Key Features Preview

Here’s a brief look at all the crucial features and what I think about them:

Not too shabby, huh? If you like what you’ve seen in the table above, you can read about why it got those grades in the following sections.

Taking a Closer Look at Juki TL2010Q

After using (and abusing) this model for some time, I’ve formed a clear opinion about it, and now I’d like to present it in detail.

Design and Construction

At first glance,  Juki TL2010Q doesn’t look that much different than any old sewing machine, except that it’s bigger than most. However, when you try to lift it, you’ll learn that it’s a lot heavier than it looks, which is always a sign of quality.

Here’s a demonstration of what it can do:

To be more precise, its dimensions amount to 25.7 x 18 x 14 inches (65.2 x 45.7 x 35.5 cm), and it weighs 38 pounds (17 kg) so be careful when lifting it!

As you can see, it is definitely not the lightest or most portable model out there and is perhaps best for stationary use.

So, I’ve already mentioned that this is a heavy-duty sewing machine, and now we’re going to see what makes it so:

• Its entire frame is made from metal, giving it the sturdiness and durability.
• It has a powerful motor that can reach a maximum speed of 1500 stitches/minute. This is really important when it comes to high-volume jobs because they’ll get finished faster.
• It can handle all kinds of fabrics from fine materials like silk, to thick stuff like leather, reptile skin, or multiple layers of denim.

The machine has a very spacious working area with around 6 inches in height and 8.5 inches in width. This is a great advantage for quilters and those who intend on working with bulky materials.

When it comes to bobbins, this machine is side-loading, and you place the bobbin in the case next to the needle. The bobbin case is situated left from the needle, which is unlike many contemporary machines which have it on the front. Also, the case lid is not transparent, which I personally don’t like because I can’t see how much of the thread I’ve got left.

Following that, we have a large stitch length dial with six steps which faces the sewer, so it can easily be spotted. Of course, having mentioned that this is a straight sewing machine, there are no other stitch patterns to choose from.

Other adjustments that you can make include thread tension and stitching speed. The former is controlled using a dial on the head of the machine, while the latter can be set with a slider located on the bottom right. You’ll recognize the slider by the cute turtle and rabbit images printed next to it.

The automatic thread cutter is another excellent feature, and you can use it by pressing the button with a scissor print on the side of the machine or rocking your heel back on the foot control pedal. Simple as that!

Advice for first-time users

Like I’ve said earlier, one of the main benefits of TL2010Q is how easy it is to operate, so you shouldn’t have problems with this regardless of your skill level. Now, I’d like to offer you some useful tips and specific things that set this model apart from others in terms of usage.

Like many other sewing machines, this model has a built-in LED light which turns on when you flick the power switch. Unfortunately, the light is quite weak and won’t help you much in the dark, so I would advise you to buy an LED lighting kit if you lack natural light in your working space.

Here’s how an LED strip looks like:

What’s important to know about this one is that (once again) the stitching speed is not controlled by how hard you press the foot pedal, but using a slider, which can be both good or bad depending on what you need.

TL2010Q is exceptionally good at two things – straight, high-speed sewing, and free-motion sewing, but you need to know which settings to choose to do both optimally.

There are two factors at play here, and they are the feed dogs height and needle position. If you want to do some free-motion stitching, make sure that the feed dogs lever is on the left, and that the needle is in the up position. The needle position is set by pressing a button under the stitch length dial.

Threading isn’t too complicated, but there are no guides printed on the casing that can help you with the process. Instead, you’ll probably have to rely on YouTube videos for information, and luckily there’s plenty of good ones out there.

Take a look at the threading process:

Reverse stitching is done in the same way as with any other machine – by pressing down the reverse sewing lever and holding it for the time that you need this function.

If you’ve never worked with a semi-industrial sewing machine before, you might be surprised to find out how “thirsty” they can be. By this, I mean that TL2010Q will require a lot of oil and you’ll have to oil it up yourself relatively frequently.

I can’t tell you how often you’ll need to do it as it depends on the frequency of use. It’s best to consult the salesperson from whom you buy the machine as well as the manual. Take this seriously because if you fail to oil it regularly, it might lead to damage and expensive repairs.

Here’s a tutorial on how to oil it up:

Along with the machine, you will get an extension table, which is a handy and neat accessory, especially when sewing bulky things like quilts. Before setting the table (which is super simple), you’ll want to place the bobbin in its place, because it’s going to be harder to do with the table attached to the machine.

The table is going to block your approach to the bobbin case, and you won’t be able to see what you’re doing clearly. This won’t be an issue once you get some experience with this machine, but it could be very annoying at first.

The bobbins that you get in the package are designed for Juki machines, so it wouldn’t be wise to use other ones. They are made from metal and will last you a lifetime.

Another cool trick that this machine allows you to do is to use larger thread cones as they can easily fit on the thread pin.This is great for those who work a lot and use up loads of thread because buying bigger cones pays off in the long run.

Bobbin winding:

What Makes TL2010Q Worth Considering?

This section covers all the essential features that this machine has. Let’s take a look at them.

I’m going to start off by mentioning again that this model can only do straight stitches.

That means no zig-zags, decorative patterns, or any of that stuff. However, its stitches are impeccable, they never tangle, nor form bird’s nests, all of which might happen with a more versatile machine.

A thing that goes hand in hand with the abovementioned is its remarkable sewing speed that can go up to 1500 stitches/minute. This allows you to go through pieces of fabric in no time and really skyrocket your productivity levels.

One could say that its lack of stitching variety is compensated by the number of presser feet that it has, and they are:

• General sewing foot
• Zipper foot
• Blind hem foot
• Piercing foot
• Walking foot
• Two darning feet

Check out the darning foot in use:

Automated features such as the needle threader and thread cutter are a big plus, as they will enable you to create a steady workflow.

Besides straight sewing, this model is also optimized for free-motion stitching so quilters will probably enjoy working with it.

Included Accessories & Enhancements For Your Convenience

When it comes to accessories, the most important one to mention has to be the extension table. It will significantly extend your working surface and give you a lot of flexibility, which is very useful when working on large pieces of fabric.

In the box, you’ll also find a semi-hard cover that’s going to keep your machine safe from dust and the elements when it’s stored away.

The sewing essentials included in the package are four bobbins, needles, and a spool cap. Other neat additions are, of course, the manual, two screwdrivers, oil dispenser, and a lint brush.

Let’s sum up both the good and the bad:

Conclusion – What Do I Make Of TL2010Q?

Juki TL2010Q is, without a doubt, an excellent piece of machinery. It’s made for a narrow and (relatively) specialized use, and it does what it’s supposed to do exceptionally well.

This product is quite pricey, so this might be a big turn-off for many people. However, this price is justified by its build quality, excellent stitching, and high-speed performance. Also, the company offers a 20-year warranty, just in case, something goes wrong.

If you are a quilter or a sewer who does a lot of straight sewing at a high volume, I believe that you will absolutely adore Juki TL2010Q sewing machine.