Brother PQ1600S: High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing & Quilting Machine: Full Review

The Brother PQ1600S is a high-speed, straight stitch sewing and quilting machine designed for advanced sewers, quilters, and crafters. This lightweight model offers precision stitching up to 1,600 stitches per minute, making it Brother's fastest home sewing machine.

With a focus on speed, the PQ1600S strips away extra features to provide straight stitching power for efficient garment construction, quilting, and decorative work. Its simple controls and operation allow sewers to achieve expert results quickly. While this single-purpose machine lacks the decorative stitches and convenience features of computerized machines, its optimized design provides professional-quality performance.

Overall, the Brother PQ1600S aims to increase productivity for sewing and quilting enthusiasts who want rapid straight stitching without the bells and whistles of fancier models. Its combination of speed, reliability, and simplicity make it a great choice for sewists seeking specialized straight stitch ability.

Specifications

The Brother PQ1600S is a lightweight, compact machine that takes up minimal space. It measures 15.7 x 6.7 x 11.7 inches and weighs just 13 pounds, making it easy to store and transport.

Despite its small footprint, it can sew at impressive speeds up to 1,600 stitches per minute. This makes it great for sewing long seams or completing big projects quickly. It's equipped with a powerful 110-volt motor to handle high speeds.

The PQ1600S is designed specifically for straight stitching and quilting. It comes with a single needle and offers 57 built-in utility and decorative stitch patterns. You have options for basic straight stitches, zigzags, blind hems, and more. It does not offer any alphabet monogramming stitches.

There are 6 quick-change presser feet included: zigzag foot, zipper foot, blind stitch foot, buttonhole foot, button fitting foot, and overcast foot. These provide versatility for installing zippers, hemming, and finishing fabric edges.

An automatic needle threader is also built-in for convenience when changing threads and needles. The PQ1600S uses standard home sewing needles.

For those looking for a machine with versatile features, consider the Brother Strong & Tough: 50 Built-in Stitches. This model includes 50 different utility and decorative stitch patterns, making it suitable for a wide range of projects. It is engineered to handle heavy fabrics reliably, offering durability without compromising on stitch quality. You can explore more about the Brother Strong & Tough model here.

Build Quality

The Brother PQ1600S high-speed sewing machine is built to last with its sturdy metal interior frame and rigid metal needle plate. The exterior is made of high-quality plastic that feels solid and durable.

The machine weighs in at around 26 pounds, giving it a nice heft that helps minimize vibrations during sewing. All the knobs and dials have a premium feel and smoothly adjust settings.

The interior metal parts like the hook and feed dogs are heavy-duty and can stand up to high-speed sewing. The needle plate has etched guidelines to help keep your fabric straight.

Overall, the PQ1600S has excellent build quality with metal parts where it counts and quality plastics on the exterior. Everything feels solid with minimal flexing or movement while sewing. This gives you confidence that the machine can hold up to regular use for many years.

Additionally, the Brother sewing machine range offers a variety of options, including the Brother: 37 Built-in Stitches model. This model features 37 built-in stitches that cater to a wide array of sewing needs, from basic stitches to decorative ones. The versatility and ease of use make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced sewists. The combination of high-speed performance and a variety of stitches enhances the overall sewing experience.

Ease of Use

The Brother PQ1600S is very easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced sewers alike.

Controls

The machine has a simple control panel with easy-to-understand buttons for selecting stitches, adjusting settings, and more. Many frequently used functions like start/stop and reverse sewing have dedicated buttons to make operation seamless.

LCD Screen

It has a backlit LCD screen that clearly displays your selected stitch, stitch width/length, and other settings. The screen is easy to read in any lighting.

Threading

Threading the machine is very straightforward with easy-to-follow guides. There is a handy threading diagram right on the machine to help you thread the needle effortlessly. The automatic needle threader does the tricky work for you with just the push of a button.

Bobbin Winding

The built-in bobbin winder makes winding bobbins quick and simple. Just place your spool on the spool pin, thread through the guide, and press the bobbin winder lever. The machine winds the bobbin automatically and stops when full. A very convenient and hassle-free system.

Stitch Quality

The Brother PQ1600S produces beautifully even and consistent stitch quality right out of the box. The machine allows for precise stitch width and length adjustments, with settings ranging from 0 to 7mm for width and 0 to 5mm for length.

The built-in walking foot ensures smooth feeding of the fabric layers without shifting or puckering on all types of materials. You can achieve perfectly even seams when piecing quilts or sewing apparel. Adjusting the stitch length and width allows you to customize settings for different weights and types of fabrics.

The needle position can also be adjusted to the left or right for precise topstitching, edge stitching, quilting or adding zippers. With the ability to fine-tune settings, sewers can achieve professional, consistent stitching for any type of project. The stitch quality rivals more expensive machines.

Special Features

The Brother PQ1600S comes with several handy special features that make it easier and more convenient to use.

Knee Lift

One of the most useful features is the knee lift, which allows you to raise and lower the presser foot with your knee, keeping your hands free for handling the fabric. This makes it much easier when pivoting, turning corners, or manipulating bulky fabric. The knee lift has 6 height options so you can adjust it for comfort.

Extension Table

The machine includes a wide extension table that provides extra workspace around the needle, allowing you to manage large quilts or home decor projects. The sturdy table is easy to attach and remove. With the extension table on, the total workspace measures 16 inches to the right of the needle.

Speed Control Slider

You can use the speed control slider to limit the maximum sewing speed from slow to fast. This gives you more precision and control when sewing delicate fabrics or doing detailed work. The maximum speed of the PQ1600S is 1,600 stitches per minute, but the slider lets you easily adjust lower speeds when needed.

Noise Level

The Brother PQ1600S operates quietly, especially for a high-speed quilting and sewing machine. The precise stitching mechanism produces very little noise even when running at top speeds.

When sewing lighter fabrics like quilting cottons, the noise level is minimal. You can carry on conversations, listen to music or TV, or take phone calls while quilting without the machine noise being distracting. The noise increases slightly when sewing thicker fabrics like denim due to increased resistance, but remains at reasonable levels.

Some user reviews mention the PQ1600S makes a high-pitched whining or whistling noise sometimes. This seems to occur if tension is too tight or bobbin case needs lubricating. Properly maintaining the machine prevents this occasional whistling sound.

Overall, the PQ1600S runs smoothly and quietly for a 1600 SPM machine. The noise levels are lower than you'd expect for the speed and power. This makes the Brother PQ1600S a great choice if you want a fast, high-quality machine that won't disturb your family members or sewing circle.

Accessories

The Brother PQ1600S comes with a variety of accessories to get you started sewing and quilting right away.

It includes 7 presser feet: - Zigzag foot - Buttonhole foot - Zipper foot - Blind stitch foot
- Button fitting foot - Monogramming foot - Overcasting foot

Having multiple presser feet allows you to tackle different sewing and quilting techniques without needing to purchase additional accessories.

The machine also comes with: - 3 bobbins - Ball point needle set - 4 spool caps - Twin needle - Screwdriver - Lint brush - Scissors - Extra spool pin - Spool holder - Dust cover - Foot controller - Power cord

With the included bobbins, needles, and thread spool accessories, you have everything you need to thread up and start sewing right out of the box. The handy dust cover helps keep the machine clean when not in use.

Overall, the accessory package provides a versatile range of presser feet, needles, bobbins, and other handy extras to start sewing and quilting projects with the PQ1600S. Experienced sewers may want to purchase specialty presser feet over time, but beginners will appreciate having the key accessories included.

Maintenance

The Brother PQ1600S is a high-speed, heavy-duty machine built for frequent use. Proper maintenance will keep it running smoothly for many years. Here are some tips for caring for your PQ1600S:

Cleaning - It's important to keep your machine free of lint and stray threads which can build up inside. Clean the bobbin area, feed dogs, and shuttle regularly with a small brush or compressed air. Wipe down the machine body as needed with a soft cloth.

Oiling - The PQ1600S requires oiling to lubricate the moving parts and prevent wear. Consult your manual for oiling points and use only light sewing machine oil. Oil the needle bar, hook race, and any points specified in the manual. Apply only 1-2 drops of oil at a time.

Servicing - For optimal performance, it's recommended to have your PQ1600S professionally serviced every 1-2 years. A technician will thoroughly clean, adjust, lubricate, and inspect components. They can also replace worn parts and perform any needed tune-ups. This preventative maintenance helps avoid unplanned downtime on intensive projects.

Following the manufacturer's recommendations for regular care and servicing will help ensure your Brother PQ1600S continues to deliver reliable, high-speed stitching for many years. Proper maintenance maximizes the machine's longevity and performance.

Pros and Cons

The Brother PQ1600S High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing & Quilting Machine has many positive attributes but also some downsides to consider.

Pros

• Extremely fast sewing speed of up to 1,600 stitches per minute
• Powerful motor can handle thick fabrics and multiple layers
• Large work area and extension table provide ample sewing space
• Easy to thread and comes with a built-in needle threader
• Drop feed feature for free motion quilting
• Comes with 7 presser feet for various techniques
• Lightweight and portable at just over 10 pounds
• 25-year limited warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

• Only does straight stitch, no zigzag or decorative stitches
• No automatic thread cutter
• Presser foot pressure is not adjustable
• May be too fast for beginners learning to sew
• Noise level can be loud when running at full speed
• Lacks some convenience features of more advanced models
• Manual threading can be tricky until you get the hang of it

The Brother PQ1600S is an excellent choice for quilters, sewers and crafters focused on straight stitching at high speeds. It's a powerful, no-frills machine optimized for speed, but lacks some of the features and versatility of full-sized sewing machines. Considering its strengths and limitations will help determine if it's a good match for your sewing needs.