The Best Quilting Machines for 2024

Are you searching for your first or next quilting sewing machine? I get it; the market can be overwhelming! That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive guide to finding the best quilting machines for your specific needs. 

Whether you’re brand new to quilting or you’ve been a quilter for years, this post will help you decide what to look for and how to choose a quilting machine. Then, I’ll show you some of the best quilting machines available online. 

FAQs Surrounding Quilting Sewing Machines

Before we hop into the list of quilting machines, I want to answer some of the FAQs I see and hear about sewing quilting machines. If you already know what you’re looking for, you can skip this section!

What Is a Quilting Machine?

We need to clear up this question. What is a quilting machine? A quilting machine is a sewing machine that you use to make a quilt! The machine doesn’t have to be titled a “quilting machine” to be able to make a quilt with it. 

A common misconception about quilting is you need a fancy (and expensive) machine to make beautiful quilts. I’m here to push back on that rumor and let you know you can make a gorgeous quilt with a machine that costs less than $300. Would it be nice to have one of those $2,000+ quilting machines? Of course! But it is NOT necessary to be a quilter. 

What Is the Difference Between a Sewing Machine and a Quilting Machine?

 The difference really is the project you are working on. Yes, there are sewing machines made specifically for quilting (we’ll discuss those in detail soon), but as I said earlier, you can make a quilt with a regular domestic sewing machine. Which, in turn, then allows you to call your sewing machine a “quilting machine,” right?

Certain features are built into quilting machines that some sewing machines do not have, such as a larger throat space and the capability to lower the feed dogs. However, even if a sewing machine does have these features, it doesn’t mean you can’t quilt with it. 

My first sewing machine had a tiny throat space and no way to lower or cover the feed dogs, but I was still able to make several quilts with it!

Do I Need a Special Machine for Quilting?

I’m sure you’re sensing a theme by now, but I truly believe ANYONE can quilt with ANY sewing machine. The best machine for quilting is the one you can afford and makes the most sense for your needs. 

Now, if you want to do fancy Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) on queen-size quilts, then yes, you’ll probably need a quilting machine that has a large throat space that will accommodate a larger quilt and FMQ.

But let’s say you want to sew your own clothes, some home decor pieces, and maybe a few small quilts for friends and family. You do not need to buy a separate machine for quilting. 

What Brand Is the Quilters Choice Sewing Machine?

This is kind of a funny question, because if you ask ten different quilters this question, you might get ten different answers! There are many excellent quilting machine brands to choose from. Here are the ones I’ve heard of that are well-known and respected:

• Juki
• Janome
• Bernina
• Babylock
• Singer
• Brother
• Eversewn
• Pfaff
• Husqvarna

I’m sure there are other brands as well that are great. My best advice when it comes to brands is to purchase a brand you’ve heard of AND purchase from a reputable source. A quilting sewing machine is a big investment, so you want to make sure you’re making the best decision for yourself and your wallet.

How Do I Choose a Quilting Machine?

Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. What features should you look out for when choosing from the best sewing machines for quilting? Please keep in mind this is from my own personal experience and opinions. If you have differing opinions, that’s totally okay!

Throat Space

If you plan to make several quilts, and you want to quilt them yourself, I highly recommend finding a quilting sewing machine that has a good-sized throat space (harp space.) The throat space is the space between the needle and the body of the sewing machine.

Most domestic sewing machines have a throat space of around 3”-4”. However, I would recommend looking for a machine with at least a 6” throat space. This will give you extra room to move the quilt around during the quilting process. 

Stitch Options

Do you want to use decorative stitches on your quilts? Or do you plan on doing a lot of machine applique? If so, you need a zigzag stitch. I will say that is one feature I wish my machine, the Juki TL-2010Q, had for applique. I have to use my older machine or hand stitch whenever I do applique work. 

Also, many sewing machines have features like an automatic buttonhole maker, so if you know you would like that, add it to your “must-have” list. Decorative stitches can be a fun and easy way to add extra detail and design to quilt blocks, borders, and binding. 

Stitch Speed

Let’s be honest here: sometimes, piecing blocks can take FOREVER! Wouldn’t it be nice to cut your time down by having a faster machine? For some quilters, this is an important “must have”, so make sure you check that out when shopping for your quilting machine. 

It’s also important to note if the machine has speed controls. Sometimes, you want to go fast, but sometimes, you want to slow it down. It’s good to have options.

Feed Dog Controls

Feed dogs are the little moving “teeth” under the needle that feed the fabric through the machine evenly. If you plan to do FMQ, you probably want a machine that allows you to lower the feed dogs. Don’t just assume every machine has this handy feature.

My first quilting-specific machine did not, but it did come with a cover for the feed dogs. That worked pretty well, but it was a bit of a hassle since the cover would sometimes pop off and get in the way. 

Maintenance

Before you purchase a machine, you should be aware of the potential maintenance you will need to perform on the machine. Some machines are self-oiling. Others you will need to oil yourself. 

I know it’s tempting to buy fancy computerized quilting machines, but it’s extremely important to note that these machines can fail because of the computers inside them, and repairs can cost a pretty penny. They also need routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure they work properly. 

A mechanical quilting machine may not have all the bells and whistles of a computerized machine, but it will need less upkeep and could potentially last decades longer. 

Included Accessories

Once you’ve narrowed down what machine you want, the fun begins to find the best deal! Part of the hunt should be to see what accessories come with your quilting machine. 

Many companies that sell different sewing and quilting machines will include different accessory packs at different price points, so keep an eye out for that while you shop, too!

Some accessories you will want for quilting are:

• Free motion quilting foot
• Ruler foot for FMQ (if you want to use rulers for FMQ)
• Extra bobbins
• Cleaning supplies
• ¼” seam allowance foot

The Best Sewing Machines for Quilting in 2024

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Now, let’s check out the best quilting machines. These are in no particular order, and I’ve done dozens of hours of research to make sure I am recommending great products!

Juki TL-2010Q

Okay, I know I said these are in no particular order, but I had to put the Juki TL-2010Q as #1 because it is the machine that I’ve had for the past 6+ years. This machine is the best quilting sewing machine, with a large throat and all the necessary features to make beautiful quilts. 

It is a mechanical quilting machine and stitches like a dream. It is also one of the best rated sewing machine for quilting because it is budget friendly, fast, and makes gorgeous professional stitches. You can do the entire quilt-making process with this machine. 

You can read my full review of this machine here. 

Janome MC6650 Sewing and Quilting Machine

Here is another quilting machine with a large throat space. Janome is a popular quilting machine brand, and this is one of their best quilting machines. It is computerized and boasts 170 stitches, including two alphabets. 

It has a top-loading bobbin, which is a big deal to some quilters, and lots of LED lights to help you see your work from all angles. The Janome MC6650 comes with a plethora of sewing machine feet for all kinds of sewing projects, so if you want to dabble in a wide variety of sewing types, this might just be the best choice quilting machine. 

Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist

This is one of the best sewing machines for quilting beginners. Singer is a well-respected sewing machine brand that makes excellent beginner-friendly quilting machines. My first two quilting machines were Singer. 

This machine has a surprising 1,000+ stitch catalog, which includes five alphabets. I’ve heard from several people who have this machine that it is fantastic and works great for quilting. 

You will receive a large accessories pack with this machine that includes everything you need to quilt, clean your machine, and make other projects like clothing and home decor. It also has an automatic thread cutter which is a huge bonus for quilters!

Janome MOD-50

Here is another Janome machine that is budget-friendly and great for beginner quilters. This machine has 50 built-in stitches, a top-loading bobbin, speed control, and the ability to lower the feed dogs. If I was brand new to quilting and on a budget, this is the machine I would choose. 

It doesn’t have the largest throat space, but it’s a good size for a beginner. You can also use this machine to do all sorts of other sewing projects. I wanted to include this in the list of best sewing machines for quilting to show you that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to be able to be a quilter. 

Juki HZL-F300 Sewing and Quilting Machine

The Juki HZL-F300 is another excellent budget-friendly sewing and quilting machine that you can use to make all kinds of quilting and sewing projects. It has 106 built-in stitches, three alphabet fonts, an automatic thread cutter, a top-loading bobbin, an automatic needle threader, and speed control.

This is another excellent contender for beginner quilters. Even if you end up getting a machine with a larger throat space, you’ll find yourself coming back to this machine to piece your quilt tops because of its beautiful stitches and smooth sewing. 

And there we have it! Five of the Best Quilting Machines for 2024! I didn’t want to overwhelm you with a huge list of machines. You can’t go wrong with any of these machines, and there is an option for every skill level and budget. 

What’s your choice for the best quilting sewing machine? Let me know in the comments!