High-speed straight stitch
Brother PQ1600S — harp space & quilting specs
High-speed straight stitch from Brother. Updated successor to the PQ1500SL. Below: the claimed harp dimensions with sources, how it ranks against 30 other machines, and what to verify before buying.
Specifications
| Harp space (claimed) | 8.7″ × 5.7″ Awidth × height; source |
|---|---|
| Harp space (community-measured) | not yet verifiedown one? submit a measurement |
| Max speed | 1,500 SPM A |
| Dual feed / walking foot | check kitShips with a 7-foot kit; Brother's list does not break out a walking foot for this model — confirm kit contents. |
| Extension table | YesExtension table 11.1″ × 23.3″ included. |
| Stitches | Straight stitch only |
| Frame compatible | No |
| Type | High-speed straight stitch |
All figures are manufacturer or retailer claims (graded A manufacturer, B dealer/retailer, C community). Community-measured values appear here once verified — we never substitute guesses.
How much room is that, really?
The Brother PQ1600S's claimed 8.7″ harp width is wider than 6 of the 30 machines with published widths in this database (median: 11.3″). Within its class — high-speed straight stitch — the average published width is 8.5″.
Height matters as much as width when half a quilt is rolled in the harp: at 5.7″ of claimed vertical space, a rolled queen is workable with good basting and a pool-noodle roll.
Spec note: Brother publishes a 5.7″ × 8.7″ needle-to-arm space — fractionally wider on paper than the PQ1500SL it replaces.
Worth knowing
- Updated successor to the PQ1500SL
- Slightly larger published needle-to-arm space (8.7″)
- Automatic needle threader, side-loading bobbin
Compare
FAQ
What is the harp (throat) space of the Brother PQ1600S?
The claimed harp space is 8.7″ × 5.7″ — published by the manufacturer. Brother publishes a 5.7″ × 8.7″ needle-to-arm space — fractionally wider on paper than the PQ1500SL it replaces.
Is the Brother PQ1600S big enough for quilting a queen or king-size quilt?
It is workable for throws and twins; queens and kings mean wrestling the roll through a 8.7″ opening. Many owners do it — but space, not skill, will be your bottleneck.
Does the Brother PQ1600S have dual feed or come with a walking foot?
Ships with a 7-foot kit; Brother's list does not break out a walking foot for this model — confirm kit contents.
How fast is the Brother PQ1600S?
Maximum published speed is 1,500 stitches per minute.
Sources
- A https://www.brother-usa.com/products/pq1600s — Needle-to-arm 5.7″ × 8.7″, 1,500 SPM, included 11.1″ × 23.3″ table
Spotted an error, or measured your own Brother PQ1600S? Tell us — community measurements (with a photo of the tape measure) are how the “measured” column gets filled.