Janome 3160QDC-G vs Brother PQ1600S: Which Should Quilters Buy?
Buy the Janome 3160QDC-G, about $749, if you want one portable machine for quilts, garments and buttonholes: 60 stitches, 12.6 lbs, SFS+ feed and a bonus quilt kit. Buy the Brother PQ1600S, about $900, if you want a dedicated quilter with a 1,500 SPM straight stitch, 8.7 inch arm space, knee lifter and pin feed.
Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine $749.00 Check price on Amazon 
Brother PQ1600S High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing and Quilting Machine $899.99 Check price on Amazon The verdict
These are different kinds of machines, so the right answer depends on whether this is your only machine. The Janome 3160QDC-G is the better only machine, because it sews zigzag, decorative stitches and buttonholes as well as quilts. The Brother PQ1600S is the better quilting machine, because it trades every stitch but straight for speed, room and quilting features.
The Janome 3160QDC-G is a computerized, top-loading bobbin machine with 60 built-in stitches, a 7 mm maximum stitch width and Janome's Superior Plus Feed System. At 12.6 lbs it is easy to carry to classes. The Brother PQ1600S is a straight-stitch-only machine at 1,500 SPM with a 5.7 x 8.7 in needle-to-arm space, a pin feed that can replace the feed dogs to move layers together, a knee lifter, a push-button thread cutter, and adjustable presser foot pressure.
Janome 3160QDC-G vs Brother PQ1600S: side by side
| Feature | Janome 3160QDC-G | Brother PQ1600S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $749 | About $900 |
| Machine type | Computerized sewing and quilting | Straight stitch only |
| Built-in stitches | 60, including one-step buttonholes | Straight stitch |
| Work space | 6.8 x 4.5 in | 5.7 x 8.7 in needle-to-arm |
| Feed | Superior Plus Feed System (SFS+) | Feed dogs or pin feed |
| Knee lifter | Not listed in the specs we verified | Built in |
| Thread cutter | Automatic | Automatic, push-button |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs | Not listed in the specs we verified |
| In the box | Extension table, hard cover, bonus quilt kit | 11.1 x 23.3 in wide table |
Is a straight stitch machine better for quilting?
For piecing and machine quilting, usually yes. A straight-stitch machine has a needle plate with a small round hole, so thin fabric and points of triangles are not pushed down into the plate, and the mechanism is built for one fast motion. The Brother PQ1600S adds two quilting-specific tools: a knee lifter so both hands stay on the quilt, and a pin feed that moves all layers together when you stitch precise seams.
The trade-off is everything else. No zigzag for applique edges or knits, no buttonholes, no decorative stitches. If this is your first and only machine, those limits will show up quickly. The Janome 3160QDC-G covers them, and its SFS+ feed and automatic thread cutter make it a capable quilter for throws and baby quilts.
| Task | [[janome-3160qdc-g]] | [[brother-pq1600s]] |
|---|---|---|
| Piecing blocks | Good | Excellent, fast straight stitch |
| Straight-line quilting | Good on throws | Better, 8.7 in of arm space |
| Free-motion quilting | Possible on small quilts | Better with more room and speed |
| Zigzag and applique stitches | Yes, up to 7 mm wide | No |
| Buttonholes and garments | Yes, one-step buttonholes | No |
| Carrying to classes | Easy at 12.6 lbs | A larger machine with a wide table |
Which step up should you consider instead?
If you like the PQ1600S idea but want a more established quilter's workhorse, the Juki TL-2010Q adds a 200 to 1,500 SPM speed lever and four included feet for about $1,199. If you like the 3160QDC-G idea but want a machine that can do everything for years, the Janome Skyline S6 AE has an 8.3 in bed, 196 stitches, 9 mm width, built-in AcuFeed Flex dual feed and a knee lifter for about $2,099.
A common and budget-friendly path is two machines: a straight stitch for quilting plus a small computerized machine for everything else. Before choosing, check how big your quilts are with the quilt size calculator and how much harp you need with the throat space calculator.
Choose Janome 3160QDC-G if
- This is your first or only sewing machine.
- You sew garments, bags or buttonholes as well as quilts.
- You carry your machine to classes and retreats.
- You make throws, baby quilts and table runners.
Choose Brother PQ1600S if
- You already own a machine for zigzag and buttonholes.
- You want 1,500 SPM speed for piecing.
- You want a knee lifter and pin feed for precise seams.
- You want 8.7 in of arm space for larger quilts.
Our picks for new and growing quilters
Janome 3160QDC-G Sewing and Quilting Machine
$749.00A portable 60-stitch quilting bundle with extension table, hard cover and quilt kit.
Check price Brother PQ1600S High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing and Quilting Machine
$899.99A 1,500 SPM straight stitch with pin feed, knee lifter and wide table.
Check price
Juki TL-2010Q High-Speed Sewing and Quilting Machine
$1,199.00The value straight-stitch workhorse with speed lever and four feet.
Check price
Janome Skyline S6 Anniversary Edition Sewing and Quilting Machine
$2,099.00One machine for everything: 196 stitches, AcuFeed Flex and a knee lifter.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
This comparison is drawn from published specifications, owner manuals and the consensus of verified owner reviews, not side-by-side testing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Janome 3160QDC-G good for quilting?
Yes, for small and medium quilts. The Janome 3160QDC-G has Janome's Superior Plus Feed System, an automatic thread cutter and memorized needle up/down, and it ships with an extension table and a bonus quilt kit. Its 6.8 x 4.5 in work space makes queen and king quilts cramped, which is where a larger machine starts to pay off.
What is the pin feed on the Brother PQ1600S?
Brother describes the pin feed as an alternative to the feed dogs: a single pin extends from beneath the machine and moves all layers of fabric together. That helps keep multiple layers from shifting when you sew precise seams. You can switch back to regular feed dogs, and drop them for free-motion quilting on the Brother PQ1600S.
Can the Brother PQ1600S sew zigzag?
No. The Brother PQ1600S is a straight-stitch-only machine. That is what lets it sew up to 1,500 SPM with an even stitch, but it cannot sew zigzag, buttonholes or decorative stitches. If you need those, choose a computerized machine such as the Janome 3160QDC-G or keep a second machine.
Which is more portable, the Janome 3160QDC-G or Brother PQ1600S?
The Janome 3160QDC-G weighs 12.6 lbs and comes with a hard cover, so it is the one designed to travel to classes. The Brother PQ1600S is a larger straight-stitch machine with an 11.1 x 23.3 in table, built to stay put and sew fast. If you carry your machine often, check the listed weight before buying and consider a rolling case.
Should a beginner buy a straight stitch quilting machine?
Only if they already have, or do not need, a machine for other sewing. A straight stitch is excellent for piecing and quilting, but beginners often discover projects that need zigzag, like applique edges, knits or buttonholes. For a single first machine, a computerized quilting bundle such as the Janome 3160QDC-G is the safer start.
Sources
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.