Do you want to explore more and more in stitching and quilting, but the limited size, power, and features of your regular sewing machine always come your way? Then you need a proper quilting sewing machine that overcomes all the deficiencies of a traditional sewing machine and will complement your sewing & quilting skills.
Quilting machines have more working areas and enhanced features to accommodate versatile working and free-motion quilting over tougher multilayered fabrics. However, finding the best one for you becomes an expert’s job. Being a seasoned sewer, I have come across many sewing & quilting machines and have collected first-hand reviews from many users in my circle and online. So here are my top pics for some of the best quilting sewing machines.
If you are in a rush, here are some straightforward recommendations for some of the frequently asked quilting machines.
| IMAGE | PRODUCTS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 Best Over All
|
Siger Quantum Stylist 9960
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
#2 Best for Home
|
Brother CS6000i
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
|
#3 Best Advance
|
Juki HZL-F600
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
Best Quilting Machine Buying Guide & Recommended Options
Specifications:
- Stitch Speed: 800spm.
- Weight: 15.8 pounds.
- Built-in Designs: 37 Stitch Designs.
- Warranty: 25 Years Warranty.
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Automatic Thread Trimmer.
- Extended Table for Quilting.
- Free Arm for Hemming.
Starting with an economical quilting machine with a long arm and an adequate number of stitch designs – making it perfect to begin the list with.
The Brother XR3774 sewing machine possesses numerous features that every quilter should love. It has 37 stitch designs and a max speed of 800spm. Additionally, it has a free arm that helps users to sew in low spaces such as sleeves, legs, and cuffs when they aren’t working on quilting projects.
Then among all the accessories, it has a transparent plastic foot for quilting that allows sewers to see the stitches below. Its quilting feet also feature a spring-action design that allows the foot to raise and lower as it glides across different layers of fabric.
- Most economical quilting machine on our list.
- Extremely lightweight and portable.
- Extended table for large quilting area.
- Not have faster sewing speed.
- Noisy operation at higher speed.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
While all the specs of this machine seem to be average at first glance, the thing that makes it stand out is its insanely low price tag. Thus if you are looking for the best quilting sewing machine on a budget, then this is my top recommendation for you.
Specifications:
- Stitch Speed: 850spm.
- Weight: 10.1 pounds.
- Built-in Designs: 187 Stitch Designs.
- Warranty: 25 Years Warranty.
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Automatic Thread Trimmer.
- Extended Table for Quilting.
- Free Arm for Hemming.
Now moving to a more advanced quilting machine while staying in a lower price bracket, I couldn’t find any better than Brother HC1850.
I found its built quality, design, power, and sewing experience to be exactly the same as the earlier XR3774, but what’s improved is that it is a computerized quilting machine. This means that it has a much larger number of stitch designs (upto 185) and even has 5 built-in alphanumeric fonts for monogramming.
But what I like the most about computerized quilting machines is that their highly intuitive usage machine is a lot easier to operate with just a few clicks like start/stop sewing, backstitching, thread trimming, lifting presser feet, and selecting design through the navigational panel.
Here, you can learn to square up quilting blocks that will help you in your quilting project.
- Great value for money with large stitch options at an economical price.
- Lightweight and compact; make it portable.
- Higher speed of 850spm, which is comparable with many more expensive machines.
- Intuitive to use as it has a digital interface.
- Noise and vibrations at a higher speed due to their lighter weight.
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
If you are a beginner looking for the best quilting machine that has great speed, durability, and intuitive digital control and is yet highly economical in price, then this is clearly the best quilting machine I can think of.
Specifications:
- Stitch Speed: 850spm
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Built-in Designs: 60 Designs
- Warranty: 25 Years Limited Warranty
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Free Arm for Hemming.
- Automatic Thread Cutter.
- Extended Table for Quilting.
If you don’t have the space for crafting or attend many classes, or perhaps you can’t move your machine around easily. Thanks to its space-friendly design, you can easily transport your Brother CS600i without compromising functionality.
It is lightweight at only 13 pounds and has many desirable features. The machine comes with 60 programmed stitches, an auto needle threader, a protective case, and many other useful accessories. Brother offers 25 years warranty for to remove any doubts in the customers’ minds.
Additionally, the detailed function with LCD at a very minimal price makes it an economical choice. Moreover, provided supplies within the box are the perfect solution for beginners. Due to discussed features, it is the best quilting sewing machine for home use.
- Best value for money.
- Amazingly fast in economical price tag.
- Highly durable construction.
- Computerized quilting and stitching.
- Relatively more smooth and noiseless opeartion.
- Not the best workhorse for high-speed heavy-duty work due to noise and rare missing stitches.
- Fewer stitch designs for a computerized sewing machine, still more than enough for standard use.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
Domestic users need a machine with many features and an extended working area. The Brother CS6000i possesses all the features a beginner can wish for. Especially its built-in 60 stitches, an easy selection from LCD & buttons, and an extended table provide a chance to learn the enhanced features of quilting. Thus making it best for home use.
Specifications:
- Stitch Speed: 850spm
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Built-in Designs: 600 Designs
- Warranty: 25 Years Limited Warranty
- Extended Arm for Quilting.
- Free Arm for Hemming.
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Self-Adjusting Tension System.
Moving to a basic quilting machine to a more advanced and robust quilting machine, Singer 9960 is clearly one of the best quilting machines I have ever come across. This machine is more powerful than the previous lower price range machines on the list and has a very elegant design.
The best thing I liked about this machine is its 600 built-in stitch options which is the largest number of stitches available on my top list. So, if you are a sewing enthusiast, then this machine would be the right choice for you.
As I have a brief experience with this machine, I can say for sure that this machine has one of the smoothest sewing experiences in a standard quilting machine. It has adequate weight and sturdy construction that produces minimal vibrations while used, thus giving a therapeutic sewing experience.
Another outstanding feature I felt about this machine is its state-of-the-art self-adjusting tension system which automatically sets the appropriate tension in the thread, which is a critical factor while quilting on long projects.
You can adjust the speed control to set your sewing speed at a low setting, which we recommend for quilting. New sewers always face threading issues, but that becomes easy due to the drop-in top bobbin. Additionally, it makes it easy to see your work and monitor the overall machine functioning.
Lastly, another feature I felt amazing about this machine is its autopilot mode assists you in mirror image-stitching and further creative options.
- Extra Large throat area for large quilting projects.
- Convenient to use with its automatic assistive features.
- Large number of complementary accessories
- Largest number of built-in sewing and quilting designs.
- Highly elegant and attractive design.
- Smooth and vibrationless sewing experience even at high speed.
- Might be over-spec for traditional users.
- Same speed of 850spm as that of economical machines.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
You can’t deny the advance features of Singer 9960 for a quilting machine that has 600 built-in stitches, sturdy construction and numerous assistive features which would be overwhelming for a normal user, making it simply the best quilting machine for enthusiasts and a reliable quilting partner.
Specifications:
- Stitch Speed: 1500spm
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Warranty: 25 Years Limited Warranty
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Built-in Knee Lifter.
- Automatic Thread Trimmer.
When we talk about a professional quilting machine for commercial usage, almost every pro-quilter would recommend Brother PQ1500SL. It is a single-needle lockstitch machine, ideal for straight-stitch sewing, and with a lightning-fast sewing speed and robust piercing power, it is complete beats.
The most prominent feature that I found in this machine is its extra wide throat area which is incomparable to any other quilting machine on the list. Its throat area measures 8.5 inches by 5.9 inches in height and is a favorite feature of quilters. And with an extra large attachable extension table, it has some of the most generous quilting space.
Then I like its lightening fast sewing speed of 1500spm, which helps to complete the largest quilting task in minutes. and unlike other sewing machines, it does not compromise its heavy-duty piercing power at a higher speed that enables you to benefit from higher speed on heavy-duty tasks.
When compared to its traditional rival, Juki TL-2000Qi, it has more dog positions and has a larger number of additional presser feet, and a much heavier weight for a more premium sewing experience.
- Lightening fast speed of 1500 spm.Â
- Highly durable machine with lifelong reliability.Â
- Largest throat area and widest work space for large quilting projects.
- Adjustable pin feed for easy multiple-layer stitching.
- Free hands with a knee lifter.
- Large throat size with extended arm for convenient quilting.
- Suitable for commercial use only due to higher prices and lesser sewing features.
Here are our top picks if you want a long-arm quilting machine with a generous work area.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
Among two competing rivals (Juki & Brother) for the best commercial quilting sewing machine, the merit for selecting Brother was its lesser price, a number of sewing options, larger number of accessories, and greater weight for lesser vibrations and noise. Thus making it a comprehensive winner.
Specifications:
- Sewing Speed: 900spm.
- Weight: 33 pounds.
- Built-in Designs: 225 Stitch Designs
- Warranty: 5 Years Limited Warranty.
- Automatic Needle Threader.
- Free Arm for Hemming.
- Automatic Thread Cutter.
- Extra Extension Table.
- Knee Lifter.
Juki sewing machines have a reputation among the best and most durable brands of the current time. We selected different options to test from the 225 available stitches. The Juki HZL F600 can also adjust the cutting width. You can use the 16 professional buttonholes, four lettering fonts, and a wide range of accessories.
A one-touch selection of ten patterns is available, including applique stitch or blanket stitch. To make sewing more efficient, the Juki HZLF600 has a quick-thread Bobbin. You can also use the threading system, which speeds up the process. Additionally, an automatic needle threader offers the same feature with just one push. You can trim the top or bobbin threads with the help of just one button.
Juki HZL600 has many options for quilting, including the up/down position, program auto thread trimming, and program a single or multiple patterns for stitching. Additionally, programming the foot control trimming and changing the volume of the machine buzzer are other features to fulfill your need. Provided eight languages, you can choose from settings.
- Computerized commercial-level quilting machine – which is rare.
- Smoothes sewing machine on our list.
- Extra large throat and quilting area for large-size projects.
- Runs smoothly and makes less noise even at maximum speed.
- Great piercing power makes it suitable for heavy-duty work.
- Suitable for both commercial, domestic and semi-commercial usage.
-
Stitching speed of 900spm is comparatively lower against the price.
Why I have Recommended This Machine?
If you are a pro quilter and sewer, then clearly, this is the best quilting machine that you are going to get in the market. What I like the most about this machine is its highly smooth and noiseless operation, which gives a therapeutic sewing experience.
Then this machine is computerized and yet suitable for heavy-duty commercial usage, which is rare for a computerized machine. Thus it has taken a dominant spot on our top 7 list of the best quilting sewing machines.
Guide to Selecting the Best sewing Machine for Quilting
You must consider all the factors and buying criteria and look for them when selecting your desired quilting machine.
Utility of Quilting Machine
To select a quilting machine, first, you must understand your particular utility for the machine, whether you will use your machine for domestic or commercial usage and whether you need a manual or computerized machine. Once you have decided on the type of sewing quilting machine, this article will be a bible for you.
Piercing Power
The second most important factor in buying a sewing quilting machine is its piercing power. Of course, for heavy-duty work, you need a powerful sewing machine, but if you want a regular machine for off-and-on quilting, then a moderately powered machine will also be suitable.
For quilting, it would take a bit more power than a regular sewing machine, so this factor is kept in mind while short-listing the best quilting machines for this article.
Stitch Speed
This is the third most important factor that you must mind. A slower quilting sewing machine would be frustrating for larger projects. We recommend that for normal sewing & quilting projects, your machine must have at least 850spm stitch speed to get quick results, while for commercial usage, it must be over 1000spm.
Work Area
Large throat size and quilting table area is an important factor that helps you manage large projects. In my review, I have considered this point and shed some light on the machines’ sizes.
Brand Reputation & Warranty
On spec sheets often, sewing machines of different brands may look alike and somewhat similar, but from my experience, I can tell you that things like brand warranty, after-sales services, parts availability, and product reliability are the paramount factors that you must not overlook.
So we recommend you go for a well-reputed brand even if you have to pay extra bucks.
Price Value
It is an expert’s job to define the price value of a machine either by comparing it to others or by sharing deep insight into his/her experience with the machine. So you can rely on my evaluation of every machine I have reviewed.
Smoothness & Stitch Quality
This is another factor that can’t be expressed on the spec sheet and requires some experience. You should always prefer a smoother and quieter machine that has lesser vibrations and more comfort. Otherwise, the tinkering sound of the machine will be a frustrating experience. So, you must pay attention to our evaluation of the machine to select the best quilting machine for you.
Frequently Asked Question
Can a sewing machine be used for quilting?
Yes, a sewing machine can be used for quilting only if it fulfills some requirements. A quilting machine is just another type of sewing machine, but it has more power and speed with a larger work area due to added extension table. Also, a quilting machine mostly has more number of designs, but some industrial-level quilting machines have fewer.
Which is the best brand for sewing quilting machines?
If you are looking for a domestic-level quilting machine, then there is close competition between Brother and Singer, whereas, for industrial-level quilting machines, Juki clearly outstands.
Conclusion
I hope that you have gotten what you were looking for – the best quilting sewing machine, as per your particular requirement. I have categorized each product as best for peculiar usage, which may be for regular home use, advanced home use, professional use, commercial use, semi-commercial use, etc.
Also, I have placed a buying guide for you that discusses all the criteria – utility, power, speed, brand, warranty, price-value, etc, which will be a bible for you to select the best quilting machine on your own.
Hey, this is Jane, and I started sewing for myself in high school, which later took me to pursue a career as a seamstress/tailor. And I hope to share my experience and findings from my experience as a sewer to guide you in your sewing journey as well.
