The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is a dedicated quilting and sewing machine designed to handle medium to heavy weight fabrics. With a maximum sewing speed of 1,500 stitches per minute, this straight stitch machine is made for quilters looking to finish projects fast.

In this in-depth review, we’ll cover all the features and capabilities of the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW. Read on to learn why this high-speed quilting machine may be the perfect choice for your quilting and sewing projects.

Overview of the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW Quilting Machine

The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is a straight stitch sewing and quilting machine. It is capable of sewing up to 1,500 stitches per minute, making it Brother’s fastest home sewing machine.

This quilting machine is designed for advanced sewers and quilters who work with thicker fabrics like denim, canvas, and multiple layers of material. It’s also ideal for sewing home decor items like pillows and cushions.

Some of the notable features of the PQ 1500SL PRW include:

• High-speed straight stitch up to 1,500 spm
• Automatic needle threader and thread cutter
• Adjustable presser foot pressure and feed dogs
• Removable flatbed table and knee lift lever
• Sews medium to heavy weight fabrics easily

While it only sews a straight stitch, it’s incredibly fast, powerful, and designed for quilt piecing as well as free motion quilting. Keep reading for full details on the features and performance.

Image source: Brother

Technical Specifications:

Feature	Details
Machine Weight	24.2 lb
Dimensions	8.6 x 12.5 x 19.3 in
Presser Feet Included	7
Maximum Sewing Speed	1,500 spm
Built-in Stitches	Straight Stitch Only
Buttonhole Styles	0
Needle Positions	1 Center Position
Warranty	25 years Limited

{video of Brother PQ1500SL in action}

Now let’s look at some of the main features and benefits of this powerful straight stitch quilting machine.

Features and Benefits of the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW

High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing Up to 1,500 spm

The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW sewing and quilting machine is capable of sewing up to 1,500 stitches per minute. This makes it one of the fastest home sewing machines available.

Having a high-speed machine is extremely beneficial for quilters and sewers who work on big projects or need to get a lot of pieces constructed quickly. You’ll be able to save hours of time, especially when piecing together quilt tops.

This straight stitch only machine does not offer decorative stitches, so the speed is really best suited for basic construction and quilting. For applique, buttonholes, and embellishing, you may need a secondary sewing machine.

Convenient Automatic Needle Threader and Thread Cutter

Two of the most useful automatic features on this machine are the needle threader and thread cutter.

Having an automatic needle threader makes setup a breeze and saves time and frustration. Simply press the lever and the machine will thread the needle for you in seconds.

It also has a built-in automatic thread cutter. After finishing a seam or when you want to change threads, just press the button and both the top and bobbin threads are snipped. Then you can start sewing again right away without needing to pull up the bobbin thread.

Both of these functions help increase efficiency and make sewing faster.

Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure and Drop Feed Dogs

A common need when quilting is the ability to handle thick layers and stitch through multiple fabric thicknesses.

The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW allows you to adjust the presser foot pressure using a knob. Increase it when working with heavier fabrics or quilts, and decrease for delicate materials.

There are also 4 positions for the feed dog height adjustment. Having options for your feed dogs is especially important for free motion quilting so you can drop the feed dogs out of the way.

You can also engage the pin feed feature to only have a single pin extending up through the needle plate. This prevents any marks being left on your fabric. These adjustability features allow you to work with a range of fabric weights.

Large Extension Table for Big Projects

The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW comes with a wide extension table that provides 12″ x 18″ of added work surface. This gives you a nice large area for managing quilts and other projects.

Having ample space to the right of the needle is essential for quilting. You don’t want your fabric bunching up or constantly having to reposition. The removable extension table expands your work area for a smoother quilting experience.

You can also utilize the extension table for non-quilting projects like hemming curtains or sewing long seams on home decor items.

The extension table gives you extra large work surface.

Performance of Brother PQ 1500SL PRW for Quilting

Now that we’ve covered the main features, let’s look at how this machine performs for quilting and sewing heavier fabrics.

Straight Stitch Perfection for Piecing Quilts

Since the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is a dedicated straight stitch machine, you can expect perfect stitches every time. Having a straight stitch is essential for both piecing together quilt blocks as well as free motion quilting.

The PQ 1500SL PRW has an extremely high 1,500 stitches per minute maximum speed. So you can piece quilt sections together very quickly. The seam allowances will be nice and accurate when sewing at high speeds thanks to the straight stitching.

This makes the quilting process much faster, especially compared to traditional hand quilting. You’ll be able to complete even large quilts in a fraction of the time.

Quiet Operation Even at High Speeds

Even when running at full speed, this machine operates quietly. You don’t have to worry about it making a racket in your sewing room.

The quietness is partially thanks to the precision engineering. Even when sewing over 1,500 stitches per minute, the PQ 1500SL PRW operates smoothly without excessive noise or vibration.

Having a quiet machine allows you to quilt or sew for hours without disruption. You – and anyone else in your home – won’t be bothered by a loud sewing machine motor.

Handles Multiple Layers of Fabric with Ease

Thanks to the adjustable presser foot pressure and feed dogs, you can quilt through many layers of fabric without issues.

The strong motor and sharp needle allow the PQ 1500SL PRW to sew through thick quilts with 5-6 layers stacked up. It also handles heavy home decor fabrics like canvas and denim without slowing down.

You may need to engage the automatic needle threader more frequently when working through multiple fabric thicknesses. But otherwise, this machine can tackle thick layers without struggle.

Ideal for Free Motion Quilting

Free motion quilting is easy with the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW. Simply drop the feed dogs to move the fabric manually while the machine stitches continuous lines.

You’ll have complete control over the stitching using the foot pedal to adjust your speed from slow to fast. The extension table provides ample space to comfortably move the quilt while free motion quilting.

The included spring quilting foot is designed to glide smoothly over the fabric while free motion quilting. With some practice, you can create beautiful stitched designs all over your quilt.

{Video demonstrating free motion quilting on the Brother PQ1500SL}

Overall the PQ 1500SL PRW performs extremely well at all types of quilting. The precise engineering allows the machine to handle high speeds and skip-free sewing over thick layers. Next let’s look at some alternative machines to consider.

Alternative Machines Similar to the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW

The Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is a fairly specialized quilting and sewing machine. But there are a few other models that can handle thick fabrics at high speeds.

Juki TL-18QVP Quilting and Sewing Machine

The Juki TL-18QVP is a portable straight stitch machine designed with quilters in mind. Like the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW, it sews up to 1,500 stitches per minute.

It includes a bright LED light, needle up/down button, and knee lifter. The Juki may be a comparable alternative for those who want a speedy portable quilting machine.

Juki DDL-8700 Industrial Straight Stitch Machine

On the industrial side, Juki’s DDL-8700 is a premium straight stitch sewing machine. With an extremely fast 5,500 stitches per minute speed, it can plow through projects in minutes.

Of course, the Juki DDL-8700 costs significantly more than the PQ 1500SL PRW. But it’s a worthwhile machine to consider for sewing contractors or professional quilters.

SINGER 9960 Computerized Sewing Machine

The SINGER 9960 offers both straight stitching up to 850 stitches per minute plus decorative stitches and lettering. With 600 built-in stitches, it’s significantly more versatile than the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW.

However, the maximum speed is much slower. But it can handle thick fabrics and comes with an extension table. So the SINGER 9960 is a good alternative for those wanting decorative options in addition to quilting functionality.

There are certainly other computerized options like the Brother CS7000i that may interest quilters as well. But the PQ 1500SL PRW still reigns supreme for someone wanting a dedicated high-speed quilting machine.

Now let’s summarize the main pros and cons of this machine.

Pros and Cons of the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW

Pros

• Extremely fast straight stitching up to 1,500 stitches per minute
• Large extension table and workspace
• Adjustable presser foot pressure and feed dogs
• Automatic needle threader and thread cutter
• Powerful motor handles thick layers easily
• High precision engineering for skip-free sewing
• Relatively affordable price for a high-speed quilting machine

Cons

• Limited to only straight stitch
• No stitch selection or decorative stitches
• Manual thread changing between colors
• Not designed for lightweight or delicate fabrics
• Headspace is not as large as a long arm quilting machine

The PQ 1500SL PRW is clearly geared towards quilters and crafters working with medium to heavy fabrics. It likely won’t replace a computerized machine that can also handle detailed sewing and construction. But for quilting and adding accents like piping to home decor items, the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is hard to beat – especially given its reasonable price.

Conclusion

Finding the right quilting machine comes down to your particular interests and needs as a sewer. If you work exclusively with quilts and home decor items requiring a strong straight stitch, the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is certainly built to handle it.

This machine is engineered for high-speed quilting and sewing through multiple thick layers. The 1,500 stitches per minute capability plus features like an adjustable pin feed and knee lifter give you the functionality needed for quilting.

While it is limited to only a straight stitch, that also means there are essentially no limitations on the fabrics and projects it can handle. Anything requiring a straight stitch up to heavy canvas and denim is no match for the PQ 1500SL PRW.

The automatic functions like needle threading and thread cutting increase efficiency. And the large extension table provides sufficient workspace for managing quilts. Add in the quiet operation and reasonable price, and the Brother PQ 1500SL PRW is a serious contender for your next quilting machine.