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- Best Overall
- Brother CS7000i Sewing & Quilting Machine
- Comes with 70 stitches
- Cuts thread automatically
- Comes with accessories
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- Premium Choice
- SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960
- With an extension table
- Computerized machine
- Portable design
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- Great Value
- Brother HC1850 Sewing & Quilting Machine
- With 185 quilting stitches
- LCD touchscreen
- Needle-threader Automatic
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If you are an avid fan of quilting, then you know that a quilting machine is quite an expensive investment and it also takes up a lot of space inside your house. In addition to that, you have to work while standing with pushing and pulling motions with an enormous quilting machine.
With this type of working condition, it can lead to your body feeling tired and exhausted. This is one of the reasons why most people use a traditional sewing machine designed for households instead of a quilting machine.
The great news is that technology has evolved more and more, and high-end sewing machines are now available for quilting at home. So, if you’re looking for the best sewing machine for quilting, keep on reading, as we have a list of phenomenal quilting machine reviews just for you!
Top 6 Sewing Machines For Quilting
We have gathered the top 6 sewing machines that you can use for quilting. These machines listed below are handpicked to match your budget, so they are not so expensive without compromising the quality of the machine.
Brother CS7000i Sewing and Quilting Machine
If you’re looking for an entry-level sewing machine, then we’re happy to tell you that the Brother CS 7000i Sewing and Quilting Machine is one of the best machines you can get. It is not surprising that this machine has continued to be an Amazon bestseller for years because of its affordability and extensive features.
As a matter of fact, reviews are saying that the Brother quilting machine is most suitable for people who are just starting out on quilting. So, even when you try to make thick quilt designs, you won’t have a hard time learning the various techniques using this machine.
It also comes with a quilting guide that can be very handy for newbies. This will ensure that you are using proper techniques and even spacing throughout the project. This reliable machine is also computerized, making every quilting session much more fun. Simply put, if you’re asking “what is the best sewing machine for quilting?” this is it, right here.
- Comes with 70 stitches
- Features a needle threader with automatic functions
- Cuts thread automatically
- LCD screen with touchscreen functions
- Comes with accessories
- Free technical support online
SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960
For some people, looking for the best sewing machine for quilting under $500 might be a tough job. But, you don’t have to look any further because the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is here for all your quilting needs. It is very user-friendly and it comes with an automatic needle threader for your convenience. In fact, it’s probably the best sewing machine for home quilters.
With over 600 stitches available, you will surely master any quilting technique in just a few days of using the machine. There are also 5 available fonts included on this Singer quilting sewing machine, in case you want to try practising monogramming so you can have a personal touch on your own creation.
To give you a better idea about the feel of this Singer quilting machine, it is geared up with heavy-duty materials to put up with all of your quilting demands. You also have control over the speed of the sewing to give you a more precise creation. Aside from the speed level of the stitches, you also have control over the length and width of your stitches.
- Features built-in 600 stitches
- Needle threader comes with an automatic function
- With an extension table
- Computerized machine
- Portable design
- With 13 button-hole designs
Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine
We have talked about the Brother CS 7000i, and if you’re looking for a higher variant of this model, you can check out the Brother HC1850 sewing machine for quilting and embroidery. You can expect advanced features from this machine, so expect that the price is higher, too. Hint – it’s totally worth the extra $$$. Here’s why:
Since this is computerized, you have the convenience of choosing what type of stitch would you like to have through the touchscreen LCD. It comes with built-in 185 quilting stitches, 130 sewing stitches, and 8 styles of buttonholes, so you would never run out of ideas to have when creating your next quilting project.
This sewing and quilting machine is not only perfect for quilting, but you can also enjoy sewing and embroidery depending on your mood. You can also create decorative stitches to finish off your pretty quilted project.
- Comes with 130 sewing stitches and pattern designs for embroidery
- With 185 quilting stitches
- Features a wide sewing table
- Needle-threader has automatic functions
- LCD touchscreen with backlit
- Sewing speed can be adjusted
Also check out: the best leather sewing machines
Brother XR9550PRW Sewing and Quilting Machine
If you’re looking for high-end and industrial quilting machines, we highly recommend the Brother XR9550PRW Sewing and Quilting Machine, which is truly remarkable for its price. You can easily choose your stitches and other machine settings easily through the LCD screen.
You also have a handy guide on the body of the machine, making it easy to follow your next quilting stitches. It also comes with over a hundred stitches, so you will never run out of designs to make for your quilt. These stitches also include some decorative and heirloom ones. Plus, you have the advantage of using automatic-sized buttonholes.
If you’re creating large quilting projects, then you will benefit from high end sewing machines like this which come with a large table. This quilting and embroidery machine also features a free arm area to make you even more comfortable as you quilt. With the automatic needle threader, you can finish your creations in no time.
- Comes with embroidery and decorative stitches
- With 110 sewing stitches
- Needle threader has an automatic feature
- With 8 buttonhole designs
- With free arm area
- Features a wide-area sewing table
Brother XR3774 Sewing and Quilting Machine
For some quilters, features and accessories are some of the things they look for when choosing a sewing machine. If this sounds like you, then you’ll appreciate that the Brother XR3774 comes with an extensive amount of features and styles you can use for your sewing or quilting project.
This affordable machine prides itself on its 800 spm to help you get the job done in no time. The backlit LCD screen also makes it easier for older people who need help in checking how many stitches they have already done.
We love that it has a modern design and it doesn’t take up much space around the house. The automatic needle threader also comes with a jam-resistant feature to ensure that nothing will stop you from creating more and more quilts. All in all, it’s a good sewing machine for quilting.
- Comes with 37 stitches
- Features decorative stitches
- With 74 functions for specialty stitching
- Comes with an automatic-size buttonholer
- Features side support
- With monogram designs
Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
For a sewing machine, it matters that it comes with a user-friendly design, always. If you’re a newbie especially, you won’t want to spend so much time figuring out how the machine works. The Janome 2212 Sewing Machine makes all your quilting projects run like a breeze.
This beginner quilting sewing machine features only 12 stitches, which is just enough for starters. Yes, it might have fewer stitch styles than the other machines we have reviewed but that doesn’t mean that its quality is in any way compromised. In fact, the performance of this Janome quilting machine is also superb, even if the number of stitches is limited.
Truth be told, you won’t be needing a hundred stitches for one project. You might only be using one to three stitches, especially if you’re just new to the game. You also have the option to adjust the dimensions of your stitches. Plus, the reverse lever of this machine helps to lock the stitches easily too.
- Comes with 12 stitches
- 860 spm
- With free accessories
- Features a drop feed mechanism
- The bed comes with a free arm area
Related read: the best knitting machines in 2021
How does a sewing machine for quilting work?
To give you an idea of how a quilting machine works, the fabric is inserted into the machine and is pinned before making the first stitch. If you’re ready to start, you can now remove the pins one by one as you sew the fabric. And, if your machine allows you to make 4 to 6 inches of blocks in a matter of minutes, then you know that your machine is very efficient.
That’s what we need for a quilting machine – precision and efficiency.
The best machines for quilting are the long-arm ones. If you’re making large quilting projects, this type of machine helps you move your arm and piece freely. The tables of these types of machines are usually 1o to 14 inches wide.
Click here to learn about the differences between quilting and knotting (and other stitches).
What To Look For In A Quilting Sewing Machine
If you are very interested in quilting but you don’t know what to look for in a sewing quilting machine, we’ve got you covered. That’s why we have created this guide to help you get a suitable machine according to your budget and skill levels.
Throat Space
A large throat sewing machine allows you to reposition, reroll, or fold your creation much easier. When looking for a quilting machine, you should take into consideration how wide the throat space is. The wider it is, the better. You can check out this information below for reference:
- Short-arm – 12 inches or less
- Mid-arm – 12 to 17 inches
- Long-arm – 18 inches or greater
Responsiveness
As long as you have tight control on your stitching speeds, you can expect a great response from your machine even without using a stitching regulator. On the other hand, these regulators give you extra control and responsiveness on your stitching speeds. So, having a machine that gives out an excellent response on every stitch is always recommended.
Needle Speed
Most of the quilting machines that we have reviewed have adjustable speed controls. This feature allows you to get a more precise quilting design, and you don’t have to rely on the foot pedal or walking foot so much. When quilting, precision is more important than faster stitches per minute (SPM), especially if you’re doing an intricate project.
Thread Path
Now, let’s talk about the thread path. While we want our machines to have high-end features, we want to keep the thread path as simple as possible. This will ensure that you can thread and re-thread faster.
Free Arm and Table Area
Comfort is also important in quilting, so make sure that your sewing machine has enough free arm space and a table area. If you’re making wide and large quilts, having a wider space for your project can make you more comfortable on quilting. There are some machines that offer table extensions too, making it a great accessory for your home quilting sewing machines.
Vibration
You might notice that older versions of sewing machines produce uncomfortable vibrations. These vibrations can make your quilting less precise, and we don’t want that to happen. When choosing quilting machines for beginners, you must take into consideration how much vibration the machine produces.
Self-threading and Winding
Automatic threading functions can greatly impact the convenience a sewing machine can offer you. It is always best to get a machine that comes with automatic bobbin winding features to save precious time and effort. These features can make your work faster, especially if you’re working for batches.
Final Thoughts
Before choosing the best sewing machine for quilting, it is vital that you check all the features that the product has to offer. Make sure that it comes with an adjustable speed for stitching to give you better control over your creation.
Also, check for reviews if the machine produces so much vibration so you know if you need to purchase a separate vibration pad. The bed space should also be adequate enough to give you a comfortable working area. Lastly, always check what types of accessories are included with the machine.
