Quilting has changed over the years. You no longer need an expensive long arm quilting machine to create fabulous quilts. This is great news because these machines are not only expensive, but take up a large amount of space. More people now use a regular sewing machine because these machines are considerably less expensive, easier to use, take up little space and are perfect for quilting in your home.
Which Are the Top Sewing Machines for Quilting?
It is tough to recommend any one machine; there are so many quality quilting machines to choose from with various features at many different price levels. The best quilting machine can be different for each person so the first thing you should decide is what your budget is.
If you aren’t going to be using your sewing machine very often then an entry level quilter would be a fine choice which you can find for under $300. If, however, you are going to be using your machine often and for bigger projects, then you may consider choosing one in the intermediate to advanced range. These ones are, of course, more expensive, but these machines are worth it. You can also check out our Juki HZL F600 review by clicking this link: https://grandmalikestosew.com/juki-hzl-f600-sewing-quilting-machine-review
For more information on what I think is the best sewing machine for quilting, continue reading my reviews below…
Top 3 Quilting Machines for Beginners (under $300)
These sewing and quilting machines are perfect for the beginner or someone who is wanting to do a moderate amount of quilting as well as wanting to use a full-featured sewing machine. These home quilting machines are inexpensive and have many of the features that the average quilter would desire. Here are my favorites in this category:
[go_pricing id=”quilt_beginner_https”]Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter
The Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter is a very good machine for those who are just starting out. It is very beginner-friendly, meaning it is easy to set up and and easy to use. You can thread this machine in a few minutes and the drop-in bobbin and bobbin winder are both super easy to use.
It may be a less expensive machine but does include essential features like needle ‘up and down’ which is essential for any quilter; as is the large work-table.
It comes with a lot of great accessories like an all-purpose foot used for piecing, closed-toe darning foot, the even-feed foot, 98 built-in stitches and programmable needle up and down plus much more than I can list. This machine does a really nice job of stitching, is quiet for the price and is an overall good buy.
Brother HC1850 Computerized Machine
The HC1850 Brother quilting machine is another great buy in this category. It comes with 130 stitches as well as many great accessories and features. The computer is very easy to use and will have you sewing, making quilts and embroidering with abandon.
One thing that I was surprised about was how light this machine was. It doesn’t weigh much more that ten pounds which makes it easy to transport or pack away, but depending on the project you may want your machine to be a bit more sturdy so that it stays in place while working on bigger items. However, for this price it is an exceptional machine that does everything really well.
Click here to purchase the Brother HC1850 on Amazon
Laura Ashley Limited Edition CX155LA
(#1 Entry Level Machine)
I have to say right off that I was quite surprised that I liked this machine so much. The Laura Ashley quilting machine (made by Brother) is amazingly efficient, is very powerful and can go through many layers of fabric with ease. It comes with 150 stitches, large LCD screen, 11 presser feet, extension table, variable speed control and so much more. The stitching quality is excellent and general ease of use make this one the winner for me in this category. This is also a good one for beginners (grandmalikestosew.com) as it has the features to support that need.
The Laura Ashley CX155LA was able to handle everything that I tried and passed with flying colors. In this price category you won’t be disappointed with this machine.
Best Value Machines – Intermediate ($300 to $600)
The machines in this category have more features and are more durable than the machines in the entry level category. If you are going to use your machine often, it really is worth it to spend a bit more if you can afford it. The following two machines are excellent choices if you are looking for something a little more robust or a machine with more features.
[go_pricing id=”quilt_int_https”]Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist
The Singer Quantum Stylist comes with 600 built-in stitches and also includes 13 fully automatic one-step buttonholes and 5 different fonts styles. Needless to say, there are a ton of possibilities with this machine. This machine is a dream to use.
One of the features I really liked was the self-cutting option where you simply press a button and finishes a seam for you – very cool! The programmable patterns are a lot of fun and the endless numbers of stitches are great to try out too. You can usually find this machine at just over $300 and at that price it is a steal.
You can read my full review of this sewing machine here.
Brother pq1500s High Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine
This beauty is a step up from all of the previous machines. The main reason for that is the speed and durability the pq1500s has. This machine can sew 1500 stitches a minute. If you are a serious quilter or want to sew as part of your career then this machine would be a great choice. Because it can sew at such great speeds the machine is very sturdy and built to withstand the speed of the motor. This machine is a real workhorse and accomplishes everything you throw at it with ease.
If you are a serious quilter or want to become one then you should seriously consider a fast machine like this one. It is the best sewing machine for quilting in this price range. If you can afford it and are looking for something that will last you years and years you should consider the Janome 1600p in the “Hard Core” area below. That machine is a step above this one and is well worth the extra investment.
Quilting Machines for Advanced Quilters ($1000+)
If you are a hard-core quilter or want to become one then you should consider one of the two following machines. Janome is a brand that is known for quality and each of these machines definitely follow that description.
[go_pricing id=”quilting_advance_https”]Janome 1600p-qc High Speed Quilting Machine
The Janome 1600-qc is another high speed sewing heavy duty sewing machine that was made for the serious quilter. For quality and durability it really is a huge step above the Brother pq1500s and worth every extra dollar spent. This machine is guaranteed to give you zero headaches and will last. You can stitch up to 1600 stitches per minute with layers of fabric and not cause any problems with this machine. It runs smooth and quiet and will exceed your expectations.
I highly recommend the Janome 1600p if you are looking for the best sewing machine for quilting.
Janome New Home MC7700QCP
This is by far the best machine I’ve ever owned, but it is expensive so it does not suit everyone’s needs. If you sew for a living or just want the best of the best, then this is the machine to get.
To see why I think this is the best sewing machine for quilting, go here to read my full review. If you already know that you want this machine you can find more information about it at Amazon here.
Jessie has spent her whole life sewing and crafting. Her passion is to teach others to sew, especially her grandchildren. She currently lives in Washington State and loves to spend time with her family and enjoy the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.
I have my own business selling equestrian saddle pads. I am currently out sourcing all of my pads so am looking for a machine I can use to make some my self. I am a competent sewer and have a good budget but to buy a good machine. I am worried the above machines cannot adjust the foot height for thicker wadding. Quilting techniques is very similar to making basic saddle pads but they are thicker than your average quilt. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank you
Hi Gemma,
I suggest that you take a look at the Juki TL-2010Q
. It can raise its sewing foot up to 12mm. I’m not sure how high you need to lift it for saddle pads though. I hope that helps.
Jessie
I make quilts for my grandchildren (15 and counting) . I want to expand and make more quilts. I need a quilting machine not to expensive but tough enough for making multiple quilts. And have some decorative stitches to embellish the quilts!! Any advice would be appreciated!
I’m not too sure what you consider expensive, but the Laura Ashley has a wide selection of stitches and is well below $300. It does a great job at that price range as well. If you can afford it, the Singer 9960 is the next best selection for you. I hope that helps!
Jessie
I see the brother pq1500 is a work horse. I have an issue with the throat clearance. I make t shirt quilts that have a lot of quilt patterns involved around the t-shirts and sometimes use hockey jerseys that have large patches on them. This makes it hard to roll the quilt tight to feed it through the clearance space. What would you reccommend for a quilting machine. I dont want to break the bank but I also am tired of dealing with not enough throat clearance to quilt without frustration
I don’t think that should be an issue with the pq1500. I don’t own this machine, but throat space is advertised as 6 inches and should be plenty of room to feed a quilted t-shirt through. I’ve read many owners who claim to be able to fold up their quilt and can still feed it through with ease. I hope that helps.
Jessie
I’m a grandma who loves to sew too. I have a forty year old Kenmore that I’ve seen quite a few projects on. I would love to purchase a new machine, and I’m torn between all the bells and whistles on some I’ve seen and buying one that just gets the job done. Singer, Janome, Brother. Which should I choose?
Hi Wendy!
It can be an overwhelming experience looking at all of the different sewing machines available. I really love the Janome machines, but if you want something with a lot of bells and whistles, that is reliable and inexpensive then a good choice is the Singer One Plus. I review that one here. I hope that helps.
Jessie
I haven’t used a sewing machine for a good 15 years but am looking to get back into sewing again. I had only made one quilt in my life, most of my sewing was making clothing. But now, I really want to get into quilting as well as other sewed home crafts. I’m searching for the best machine, I am a novice, but would like the best available machine that will be easy to use and can easily multitask. I want it to be my lifetime machine that I can grow into. Suggestion?
Based on what you have mentioned I would recommend the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. It has a lot of features, you can quilt on it and it has a lot of great reviews. For more information you can find my review of it here.
I want a machine that has the pivot feature, the walking foot built in or EASY to change, and I want to repurpose clothing so not sure if I need the open/free arm. I want to do applique quilting, free motion, and re-purpose clothing which includes heavy denim and pieces of lighter fabric. Any help would be appreciated.
Grandma,
What are your thoughts on the Brother Innov-is NQ900PRW for quilting? A friend of my, who is a quilter, is considering this machine. I am a beginner quilting but know that this will be a lifelong hobby. I know that the Brothers make the Baby Lock. I’m looking for a machine that the mechanics is metal and not plastic. So what are your thoughts?
I’ve never had a chance to use that model before so I’m not sure. I’d ask your local dealer if you have one. I’ll post a review or update if I get a chance to try it out.
I am just curious, why is it that sewers only look at the Juki 2010Q and not at the Janome 1600P, which does the very same thing? T
I actually love the Janome 1600p. I’m not sure why you find more reviews of the Juki. It might be because it is a more popular machine, but I’m not sure. Both are excellent in my opinion.
I have a 40 year old, top of the line back then, Bernina. Looking to update. Need something versatile for sewing and quilting. I’ve never machine quilted before but want to. Heard Janome is a good brand but there are no dealers near where I live. Have a Bernina dealer nearby and have loved my Bernina. Any thoughts?
Bernina are nice machiness too. I would go into your local dealer and try them out.
I have a 20 year old Bernina Artista which I’ve just dusted off to start quilting — a new passion. The store I am taking my quilting lessons from only sells Elna & Janome machines. I have heard that Juki 2010 (one straight stitch) or the Juki F600 is the way to go. However, if I’m in a pinch the folks at the shop which sell Janomes will be there for support. What’s your best guess for quilting: my Bernina, a Juki or a Janome? Thanks.
They all make good quilting machines. If you have someone available who can help you though, I’d go with a Janome. It’s always nice to have some support with a new machine.
I love to quilt and I sew just about everyday, my machine is currently a brother se400 combo which worked well when I only made one or two quilts a year and was really learning the basics. Now it just makes me frustrated becuase of all the small little problems that pop up. What machine would be best, as I don’t just make quilts I do many different projects. Also I am quite young so I am looking for something that will last but not spend more than $1800. Thanks