“A few main features I would look out for is a machine with a large throat space, the ability to lower the feed dogs, stitch speed, and an automatic thread cutter,” says craft blogger Jeni Baker. This will ensure even beginners can make beautiful quilts. If you’re looking for a sewing machine for quilting projects specifically, here are the best ones on the market today. To quickly find your desired stitch, you can utilize the handy push button stitch selection feature. While the machine is already set with the optimal settings for length, width, and tension, you can adjust the settings as needed. One user noted that it easily sewed through four layers of denim with interfacing, an impressive feat for models in this category. The singer 7258 is a sturdy, dependable machine, backed with a 25-year limited warranty. Dimensions: 14.5 x 7.5 x 12 inches | Weight: 14.8 pounds | Included Stitches: 100 | Accessories: Automatic needle-threader, top drop-in bobbin, snap-on presser feet | Power Source: Electric It weighs just 13 pounds and contains all sorts of desirable features. It has 60 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, a protective case for when you’re on the go with the machine, and several helpful accessories. This machine also comes with a 25-year limited warranty. Dimensions: 11. 4 x 6.7 x 16.1 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Included Stitches: 60 | Accessories: Automatic needle threader, oversized wide table, 10 presser feet | Power Source: Electric
This mechanical machine is easy to use and suitable for piecing and other quilting tasks. With the Janome 2212, you can drop the feed dogs if you need, too. It’ll handle thick quilting material, although note that it won’t provide the workspace necessary for a big quilting project (like, say, a quilt for a king-sized bed). Dimensions: 15.2 x 11.6 x 6 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Included Stitches: 12 | Accessories: Four-step buttonhole, snap-on presser feet | Power Source: Electric This machine can sew through multiple layers with ease. And while it offers a lot of features, picking up on how to use them is relatively easy, compared to other, more complex computerized sewing machines. This is a sturdy, dependable machine from a well-renowned brand—while it’s ideal for any sewing project, the throat space and other features make it particularly ideal for quilters. Dimensions: 19 x 12.5 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 22.5 pounds | Included Stitches: 170 | Accessories: Automatic thread cutter, memorized needle up/down, built-in needle threader, buttonhole stabilizer plate | Power Source: Electric It offers 37 built-in stitches, eight sewing feet (including walking and quilting feet), an automatic needle threader, and plenty of helpful accessories, including an instructional DVD to help get you started using the machine. Dimensions: 10.5 x 18.0 x 15.0 inches | Weight: 12.3 pounds | Included Stitches: 37 | Accessories: Automatic needle threader, 8 sewing feet, instructional DVD | Power Source: Electric The Brother PQ1500SL is ideal for quilters who’d prefer to use a mechanical machine: Not only does it offer a large extension table, making for a big workspace, but it has a built-in knee lifter, an automatic thread cutter button, and sews up to 1,500 stitches per minute. It also comes with a quilting foot and a detachable wide table to extend your workspace. Dimensions: 12.6 x 7.9 x 19.3 inches | Weight: 24.2 pounds | Included Stitches: Not listed | Accessories: 7 presser feet, extra-large wide table, automatic needle threader | Power Source: Electric This Juki TL-2010Q comes with more than 8 inches of throat space—some machines offer more, but this one comes with an extension table, which leads to a large work area that’s ideal for quilting. With the extension table attached, the work area is nearly 2 feet wide. The machine is portable. It offers several quilter-friendly features, such as several feet for quilting, an automatic thread trimmer, and the ability to determine if the stop position of the needle is up or down. Dimensions: 17.75 x 9 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 25.4 pounds | Included Stitches: Not listed | Accessories: Several presser feet, automatic thread trimmer, needle up/down control, extension table | Power Source: Electric It offers 80 embroidery designs, 103 sewing stitches, and software to design fonts, and has a good-sized work space for both quilting and embroidery. There are the seven easy-to-swap sewing feet, which include overcasting, monogramming, and blind stitch. This ensures any project, whether sewing, quilting, or embroidery, comes out beautifully. Dimensions: 21.18 x 16.54 x 15.51 Inches | Weight: 26 pounds | Included Stitches: 103 | Accessories: Not Listed | Power Source: Electric Once your skills develop, you can begin to look at more expensive options with more advanced features and accessories. Williams suggest visiting a sewing machine dealer (where you can get your machine serviced) and ask professionals for advice in the important purchase. Luckily, there are a wide range of machines available at various prices to fit whatever your budget is. Baker knows it may be tempting to purchase a cheap option from a big box store, which may be a perfect option for a first-timer. “However, if you plan on making more than a few things, I believe it’s worth it to invest in a more substantial machine. I’d start looking in the $500 range,” she shares. Writer and craft blogger Carole Carter recommends buying the best machine you can afford to have the best quilting experience. “It is worth the money to not be frustrated with a throat size too small, or the inability to do what you wish because of not having the right feet or accessories to make the process fun,” she says. “Sewing and quilting should be a joyful experience.”
Features and Accessories
Having specific features can make your quilting experience easier, whether you’re a pro or beginner. Carter believes that the two main features to look for in a domestic sewing machine for quilting is throat size and the ability to drop the feed dogs for free motion quilting. “However, do be aware that not all machines do well with free motion, particularly curved lines, sometimes resulting in ladder-looking stitches or loopy stitches on the backside of your project,” she cautions. Also, an automatic thread cutter saves time. The quicker the stitch speed, the quicker you will be able to complete a project. Beginners may additionally want to look for a machine with a lot of included stitches to increase the testing and learning that occurs. Other convenient things to look for include a carrying case, specifications for portability, and whether the machine is computerized or not.
Skill Level
Baker recommends that beginners look for machines with just a few basic features. “Specifically, look for a 1/4-inch seam foot, a walking foot and a free-motion quilting foot,” she says. As you advance your skills, you can move onto a more complex machine, perhaps one with a computerized display that can also embroider and sew beautifully.
Why Trust The Spruce Crafts?
Madeleine Burry has written for The Spruce Crafts since 2019, covering pets, crafting, and helpful home and kitchen products. Previously, she’s written about the best sewing machines for beginners. To assemble this list, she consulted customer reviews and third-party websites for insight. She also considered the features she appreciates the most when using a sewing machine. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more. Expert advice was provided by craft blogger Jeni Baker, owner of Suzy Quilts, Suzy Williams, and writer and craft blogger Carole Carter.
