Summary [ Click On Topic To Jump To It ]
Quilting is extremely popular in the sewing world. In fact, it’s one of the most common uses for sewing machines. That being said, with its popularity, you would expect that most sewing machines would be made to handle large quilting projects.
You would be wrong.
You’d be surprised at how many sewing machines made even today are not equipped to handle large projects such as quilting. This is why it’s important to do your research, especially if you’re interested in using your sewing machine to make quilts.
The Importance of a Quilting Machine
To make quilts, it requires a lot of time, certain techniques, and a lot of fabric. Technically you could make a quilt from just an everyday, standard, mechanical sewing machine, but it’s not ideal.
Space Required
Quilting is a large project and if you don’t have the space to work on the quilt, your quilt won’t turn out as nice. It’s important when looking for a sewing machine that it has a larger workspace or bed and therefore can handle larger amounts of fabric.
The workspace available or the “throat” of the machine, as it’s typically called, directly determines the length of the machine. The longer the machine is, the wider the throat is considered to be, and therefore the larger the work area.
Quilting Features
Quilting sewing machines have a lot more add-ons or capabilities that really make your life easier when it comes to quilting projects.
Feed System
Looking for features that help avoid bunching or puckering is especially important when it comes to large quilting projects. A lot of quilting machines specifically have feed systems that help prevent bunching or other issues from occurring and will help save you a lot of time and frustration when it comes to quilting.
Foot Options
There are a few different foot options preferred for quilting. There’s the Walking Foot or the Even Feed Foot, the Darning or Free-Motion Foot, or the Quarter Inch Foot. All of these foot options are ideal for quilting and it’s important that your sewing machine has them included.
Decorative Stitches
Although decorative stitches aren’t completely necessary for quilting, it does take most quilts to the next level and therefore preferred in most quilting machines.
Some quilting machines have hundreds of built-in stitches already which will not only make your quilts look more professional but also a lot more exciting.
Stitching Speed
Quilting projects are large projects that can take a really long time. Machines that are more high-speed when it comes to stitching are more ideal for quilting projects. Higher the speed, the more powerful the machine which is a good indicator that the sewing machine will be able to withstand any large quilting project you throw at it.
Now that we’ve been over the important factors that you should look for in a quilting sewing machine, it’s time to find the perfect quilting sewing machine for you. Below we’ve listed some of our favorite machines that are perfect for your next quilting project!
Best Quilting Sewing Machines
10. Bernette 77
This Bernette 77 sewing machine is a great machine. Especially when it comes to quilters, the 500 included stitches and 17 different buttonholes is a great addition and will make the sewing process so much easier.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for Quilting | A Little Pricey |
| 500 Stitches Included | |
| 17 Buttonholes |
Our Rating:
3.5 out of 5.0 stars9. Janome Magnolia
If you’re a beginner sewer in the market for a good, standard sewing machine, you should definitely consider the Janome 7330 Magnolia. It has a fun design of Magnolia flowers on it and gives you the same functionality and features of most other computerized sewing machines. It’s easy to use and a little simpler than other machines which are another reason why it’s so great for beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 30 Built-in Stitches | Fewer Features to Comparable Models |
| Great for Beginners | |
| Fun Design |
Our Rating:
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
8. Brother ST371HD
One of the rare sewing machines that are designed with upholstery in mind, this Brother ST371HD sewing machine was voted the 2018 Women’s Choice Award for 9 out of 10 Customer Recommended Sewing Machines. This machine was built for versatility and being able to handle a wide variety of fabrics of all thicknesses and weight.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the Best at Auto Upholstery | Not as Heavy Duty as Expected |
| Well Priced | |
| Built to Last |
Our Rating:
4.0 out of 5.0 stars7. Brother CS5055PRW Electric Sewing Machine
This Brother sewing machine is definitely geared towards beginners, which is great. If you’re a beginner looking for a fool-proof sewing machine, this is a great machine for you. However, a lot of beginners have the desire to grow and expand their sewing skills overtime. If that’s the case for you, this sewing machine may seem rather limiting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| LCD Screen | Limited Features |
| Award-Winning | |
| Beginner Friendly |
Our Rating:
4.0 out of 5.0 stars6. Brother XR3774 Full-Featured Quilting Machine
This Brother XR3774 Full-Featured Quilting Machine is one of the more affordable quilting machines available. It’s also one of the easiest ones to operate, making it great for sewers of all levels. It’s very highly reviewed on Amazon but it does have a few downfalls of this machine which may be a dealbreaker to you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made for Quilting | Small Number of Built-In Stitches |
| Highly Reviewed | |
| Easy to Use |
Our Rating:
4.5 out of 5.0 stars5. Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing Machine
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced quilting sewing machine, this one from Brother is a great option. This Brother HC1850 Computerized Quilting and Sewing Machine deliver on all the capabilities you would expect from a computerized sewing machine, but with the versatility to handle larger projects it makes a great machine for quilting as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for Quilting | Difficult for Beginners |
| Brother Technical Support | |
| Reasonably Priced |
Our Rating:
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
4. Brother XR9550PRW Computerized Sewing Machine
Beginner sewing machines are sometimes…just clearly for beginners and easily outgrown. This Brother XR9550PRW sewing machine was meant for beginners that are looking to grow with their sewing skills. Since it’s a computerized sewing machine, it has a lot of basic and decorative stitches to choose from.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for Beginners Wanting to Learn | Some Beginners Find It Difficult |
| Wide LCD Screen | |
| Brother F.A.S.T. Threading System |
Our Rating:
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
3. Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist
If your budget is $300 and under for your next sewing machine, look no further than the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist Computerized Sewing Machine. This machine has over 4,000 positive reviews on Amazon and we’re not surprised. It is honestly an amazing sewing machine that can sew just about anything.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Under $300 | Some Difficulty with Operations |
| 600 Built-In Stitches | |
| Quality Built | |
| Accessories Included |
Our Rating:
5.0 out of 5.0 stars2. Brother CS6000i
One of the very few sewing machines that get a perfect five-star rating, this Brother CS6000i is not only an amazing quilting sewing machine but a great sewing machine for beginners as well. There’s a lot that makes this Brother sewing machine a five-star machine. It’s usability, price, and additional features, all make this sewing machine one of the best out there.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 60 Built-In Stitches | Some Technical Issues |
| Accessories Included | |
| 25 Year Warranty | |
| Beginner Friendly | |
| Affordable Price |
Our Rating:
5.0 out of 5.0 stars1. Singer 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
You can’t really go wrong with either the Singer 4423 or the Singer 4452. Both are incredibly similar, high performing, heavy-duty sewing machines that can handle just about any size project you throw at it. At a reasonable price, this sewing machine is stronger than most others, comes with a large number of accessories, and is extremely durable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 60% Stronger Motor | Fewer Stitches Than Comparable Model |
| Best Selling Sewing Machine | |
| Many Accessories Included | |
| Heavy-Duty |
Our Rating:
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
