If you’re thinking of quilting, consider getting a sewing machine. It is obviously possible to quilt by hand. However, the best sewing machine for quilting will make the process easier, faster, and pleasurable.
Of course, finding the best sewing machine for quilting is easier said than done. There are so many sewing machines on the market today. Some people think the Brother XR9550 is unrivaled in the field. But fans of ‘Singer’ will argue passionately in favor of the 9960.
If you’re overwhelmed by the notion of having to sift through all the options to identify the best one, you could simplify the process by choosing from this list.
10 Best Sewing Machine for Quilting
1. Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine
The Brother CS6000i is simple. It won’t take you long to master all the features provided. You get a stitch speed slide that gives you control over your sewing speed.
There are diagrams all over the machine designed to show you exactly where you can place the thread.
The LCD Display is 2 inches x 0.7 inches, more than wide enough to see the information displayed as you select the stitch type you want. The table is wide and well lit, and there is an inbuilt free arm that will simplify the process of sewing cylindrical clothing items.
Pros
- The machine is quiet and non-disruptive
- The table is wide and the light provided is bright enough to illuminate your work.
- Threading the needle and bobbin is so easy.
- You get an automatic buttonhole maker that is easy to use.
- The machine is light
- You can adjust your sewing speed.
- You can use the inbuilt free arm to sew cylindrical items like cuffs and sleeves.
Cons
- The fastest speed isn’t very fast.
- Some customers have complained about tension issues.
Don’t Miss To Read: Best Quilting Rulers – Top 7 Models Reviewed
2. SINGER | 7258 100-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
The SINGER 7258 100-Stitch Sewing Machine is strong, boasting a heavy-duty metal frame that will stand the test of time. When you buy it, you also get 100 stitch options that come built-in and which you can access via an LCD Screen.
That same screen will enable you to adjust parameters like the stitch length and width which, in turn, will enable you to perform customized projects at a faster rate. People use this machine for everything from decorative sewing to quilting, crafting, fashion sewing, etc.
You don’t have to worry about running out of thread in the middle of a seam, not when the drop-in bobbin is so easy to see and thread.
Pros
- You can create one of six different styles of buttonholes with relative ease.
- The LED light provided to illuminate your work is supposed to last a hundred thousand hours.
- Because the cover is clear, you can keep an eye on the bobbin thread supply. The fact that the bobbin loads from the top make its insertion easy.
- The threading diagram with its instructions, is printed on the machine. You also get an automatic sewing needle threader. This allows you to thread the entire machine with ease.
- You can program the position of the needle when the machine stops, whether up or down.
- The bobbin is programmed to stop automatically when completely filled.
- The screen provided allows you to select the stitch you desire with the press of a button.
Cons
- For some people, the light isn’t bright enough.
- Some customers also found the machine to be quite loud and clunky.
- The power cord isn’t long enough.
3. Brother XR9550PRW Computerized Sewing Machine
Brother XR9550PRW Sewing Machines have a reputation for being simple, efficient devices, and this one is no different. The backlit LCD screen is large and easy to navigate.
There are over a hundred built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader that you can maneuver with a simple touch of the lever provided and 8 different buttonhole styles.
The hard protective case will extend the life of the machine. The wide sewing table provided should adequately accommodate any large sewing projects you might have in mind. The people who have used the machine say that it works with upholstery fabrics and sews through denim.
Pros
- There are eight quick-change pressure feet included blind stitch, zipper, button, sewing, etc.
- You can choose from one of 8 buttonhole styles and 110 inbuilt stitches.
- You can push the thread through the eye of the needle with the touch of a lever.
- The LCD Display is large and intuitive.
Cons
- The machine isn’t designed for sewing thick heavy-duty fabrics
4. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
This machine was made with beginners in mind. This is why you get a free arm that is easy to use. A reverse lever for locking stitches that is also easy to maneuver, 12 inbuilt stitches that you can access with a labeled dial and a mechanism that allows you to customize the length and width of your stitch.
You can also look forward to a dial pattern selector, speeds of up to 1000 SPM, a four-step buttonhole maker, front-loading bobbin, a light, a manual thread tension adjustment mechanism, and snap-on pressure feet.
Pros
- This is an entry-level sewing machine. So beginners will find it easy to use.
- You can adjust the stitch length and width with ease.
- At 14 inches x 17 inches x 9 inches and 16 pounds, the machine is a decent portable size.
- You get 1 inbuilt stitch and a stitch dial selector.
- The product has a 25-year warranty attached to it.
Cons
- This is a 110-volt machine that can only be used in the US.
- Tension Adjustments have to be done manually
- The stitch options are few.
- There is no automatic needle threader
5. Brother PQ1500SL Quilting and Sewing Machine
This Brother machine was crafted with professional sewers in mind. Standing at 7.9 inches x 12.6 inches x 19.3 inches and 33.5 pounds, this is a heavy-duty machine with a durable and stable build.
The LED light provided is bright enough to simplify any work you have to do on dark material. You will find an automatic thread trimmer you can control with a button.
The FAST advanced needle threader simplifies the process of loading the needle. You can expect to sew up to 1,500 stitches every sixty seconds. The control you have over your fabric is augmented by the 4 feed dog settings and the pin-feed mechanism.
A bed extension is provided for quilting, not to mention a knee lifter, foot pressure adjustment mechanism, and a fabric separator.
Pros
- The thread tension control tool will deliver accuracy and convenience.
- The integrated thread cutter and bobbin system make changing the bobbins quick and easy.
- With the automatic thread cutter, you can instantly cut and reset threads.
- This is one of the most high-speed sewing machines in its field.
- You can lift the presser with your knee which is convenient when you have to sew large items. It leaves your hands free to work.
Cons
- The machine is heavy.
- You cannot monogram.
- You need some talent and plenty of practice to master this machine, especially when it comes to making adjustments.
6. Juki HZL-F600 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine
At 14 inches x 23 inches x 16 inches and 33.4 pounds, the machine is heavy, boasting box feed technology, a wide sewing space (8 inches x 12 1/4 inches) and the capacity to work on both light and thick material.
You can use the 225 stitches provided to create a variety of decorative and utility sewing patterns: you get four fronts. At 33mm x 66mm, the LCD screen is quite large. You can use it to browse through the 16 buttonhole types.
Pros
- You get an automatic needle threader and bobbin winder.
- The LED Lamp will enable you to keep working in low light conditions.
- You can control the presser foot using a knee-lift lever. You also get a foot controller that enables you to adjust your speed.
- You can sew up to 900 stitches each minute.
- The machine is compatible with both sewing and quilting.
Cons
- You need to be an advanced sewer to use this machine.
- The learning curve is quite steep.
7. Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine
This machine is multi-purposed. It will quilt and sew. The people who purchase it will appreciate the 130 stitches it offers, the one-step auto-size buttonhole system boasting 8 different styles, a table that you can detach, and free motion quilting that offers more flexibility.
There is also the spring action quilting foot to consider, on top of the 8 specialty sewing feet Zipper, monogramming, buttonhole, zigzag, etc.
A stitch reference flip-chart is provided for guidance. You can sift through the stitches on offer using a push-button selector.
Pros
- The backlit LCD screen simplifies the process of choosing your stitches.
- An LED light is provided to illuminate your work.
- You can adjust the sewing speed using a slide
- The automatic needle threader makes threading easy. Setting up the bobbin is equally simplified.
- At 16.3 inches x 7 inches x 12.5 inches and 17.5 pounds, the machine is light and portable.
- You get an inbuilt monogramming sewing foot.
Cons
- Some people think the machine is too flimsy.
- Monogramming options are limited.
8. SINGER | Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine
The singer 9960 has a lot going for it. Most machines have a little over a hundred inbuilt stitches. This one has six hundred. You can choose between the stretch, basic, and decorative options, not to mention quilting, crafting and fashion sewing.
It is possible to personalize your projects using the five fonts provided. The automatic needle threader makes threading the needle so simple, working in tandem with the easy threading system to enable you to thread the entire machine with very little effort.
The bobbin loads from the top and the cover is clear so that you can keep an eye on the thread supply. If you need to quilt, the extension table included will provide you with a larger working space.
You can look forward to stitching elongation options, a buttonhole underplate, a thread cutter, mirror imaging, and stitch editing. The LCD screen allows you to view and control the tension settings, stitch length and width, recommended presser foot and the position of the needle.
Pros
- There are 13 integrated buttonhole styles that you can deploy with a single step.
- The machine has a heavy-duty metallic frame 17.2 inches x 8.2 inches x 12 inches and 20 pounds that brings stability.
- You have 600 inbuilt stitches to choose from. You can reach them via a panel on the machine’s front.
- The electronic twin needle settings are convenient.
- A pair of Stay Bright LED lights light the workplace
Cons
- The machine is heavy
- The machine is not suitable for embroidering.
9. JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
This Juki quilting machine is powerful. You can see this in the aluminum die-cast frame that keeps the vibrations low despite the 1500 SPM. You can look forward to an auto thread cutter, an auto needle threader, LED lights to illuminate your workstation and a pedal that gives you control over the speed.
At 17.8 inches x 8.6 inches x 13.8 inches, and 37.8 pounds, the machine is quite heavy but that also makes it more stable, especially when you are working with thick material.
Pros
- This product comes with an extension table (13 inches) that increases the size of your workstation.
- The heavy frame of the machine increases stability.
- Threading and sewing are made easier by the automatic threader and cutter.
- The machine works fast and precisely.
- You can expect a straight stitch, quilting, walking, and free-motion foot
Cons
- The machine has a steep learning curve.
- You only get one stitch. There are no computerized controls, hence the complaint that it isn’t very versatile.
10. Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter
This machine offers you 98 integrated stitches, 7 one-step buttonhole styles, a needle whose position you can program and four additional quilting feet (darning and embroidery, walking, open toe, and 1/4-inch foot for piecing quilt blocks).
Naturally, the auto needle threader provided will make threading easy. The drop-and-sew bobbin system is equally simple to utilize. The frame is metallic and heavy-duty 17 inches x 8 inches x 12.5 inches and 22 pounds.
Pros
- The heavy-duty frame is going to provide stability
- The stitch length and width are adjustable. This will augment the strength of your seams, preventing bunching.
- The extension table provides a larger workstation.
- The bonus quilting feet make the machine more versatile.
- The LED lights provided will illuminate your workstation.
- You get an extra high-pressure foot lifter that will allow you to work with thick fabric.
Cons
- You can only use the machine in the United States and Canada.
Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Buying Guide
Choosing the best quilting sewing machine isn’t easy. Even if you have narrowed your options down to a particular brand like Singer and Brother, there are still quite a few models under each individual brand to consider.
Try to keep these factors in mind before making a selection:
Rate
You need to think about the number of stitches per minute your machine can sew. They call this SPM. The best sewing machine for quilting doesn’t necessarily have the highest SPM.
There are plenty of decent sewing machines with less impressive SPM. However, the SPM of a machine is going to impact the rate at which you will work, especially if you are a professional.
Stitches
Sewers always pay close attention to the stitch functions a machine has to offer. The higher the number of stitch options, the more complex and sophisticated the designs you can make.
Some quilters don’t care about the variety of stitches because they always use the straight stitch. Others care more about the presence of a stitch length and width adjustment option than they do the variety.
You also have a few that prioritize machines that offer stitch font functions.
Build
The build of a machine matters because it will affect the vibrations. The work a sewing machine does produce vibrations. But vibrations are quite disruptive to sewing and quilting work.
So you have to find a machine whose frame is strong and stable enough to reduce these vibrations.
Hard Space
This is the gap between the needle and the section of the machine where the sewing motor is housed. The hard space must be large enough to cater to the thickness of whatever fabric you need to sew or quilt.
Money
Your budget will determine the functions you can expect to receive from your machine. A machine with a knee lift and mechanisms to control the speed, the position of the needle and the presser foot pressure is going to cost you a lot of money.
But most beginners do not require all those functions. Sewing machines with a multitude of features are designed to cater to professionals with hefty workloads.
So the amount of money you spend on your machine should be determined by the features you actually need for your work.
Verdict
Before you decide to throw your money at the best sewing machine for quilting, make sure you actually need to sew and quilt. There is no point in buying a machine that quilts when you only sew.
When it comes to choosing a sewing machine, the brand matters, names like ‘Singer’ and ‘Brother’ have garnered strong reputations for a reason. Trust the goodwill they have earned.