Best Sewing Machines For Quilting
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When it comes to shopping for the best sewing machine for quilting, you're going to come across many different brands and models. Everyone you come across will claim to be number one, so it's easy to become overwhelmed or confused by the wide variety of options.
You want to make sure that you find the perfect machine to fit all of your quilting needs and perform as it should. To make this a bit easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive buyer’s guide to give you some valuable information and introduce you to some of the best machines available.
Sewing Machine | Summary |
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This high-tech, computerized sewing machine offers a wide range of features and settings. It’s brightly lit and easy-to-use, making it ideal for novice and experienced quilters. | |
This award-winning machine offers 110 different built-in stitch options and gives you plenty of room for creativity on your quilts and other projects. An oversized table makes quilting easy and comfortable. | |
Let your creativity run wild with 600 built-in stitch options and speed control. A built-in needle threader helps you thread the needle with ease. | |
Enjoy quick and easy stitch selection with just the touch of a button. Customize everything from stitch length and width to maximum sewing speed. | |
The specially designed quilting foot and even feed foot make this machine perfect for quilters. An aluminum die cast inner frame helps to minimize vibration and create clean, accurate stitches. |
Our Top Picks For The Best Sewing Machines For Quilting
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More About The Brother CS6000i
This machine is an excellent choice for quilting and more. Its computerized sewing machine capabilities offer a variety of automatic settings and features such as the free motion sewing table that makes starting projects quick and easy. If you're still learning to use a sewing machine or are new to quilting, you can stick with these automatic features. However, there are also many advanced options and features you can slowly begin to incorporate over time.
The machine features an easy-to-read LCD display screen and an automatic needle threader that makes setup quick and easy. It also has a very bright light to ensure you're able to clearly see and make more accurate stitches per minute even on darker fabrics.
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Shop Related Products | |
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Brother Project Runway CS5055  | SINGER | Heavy Duty 4411  |
SINGER | 7258  | Janome JW8100  |
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More About The Brother XR9550PRW
Here’s another one of the best sewing machines for quilting by Brother that’s great for making quilted stitches. It’s a winner of the 2018 Women’s Choice Award and is a limited edition machine inspired by Project Runway.
Aside from its excellent reviews and awards, it features 110 built-in stitches and a large, easy-to-read LCD screen for making selections. An automatic needle threader makes threading the needle quick and simple, and the quick-set bobbin feature helps prevent jams. This machine is extremely durable and has a very wide table for working on large projects such as quilts.
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Shop Related Products | |
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Brother Project Runway CS5055 | SINGER 4411 |
SINGER | 7258 | Janome JW8100 |
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More About The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960
You can customize quilts to your exact specifications with this computerized machine by Singer. There are 600 different built-in stitch options at your fingertips. You can even get really creative by elongating or mirror imaging the stitches. The speed control feature allows you to speed up to make long seams quickly and slow down for more detailed areas and designs.
Even large quilting projects will be done much faster with time saving features like the thread trimmer button and top drop-in bobbin. It boasts an impressive 850 SPM maximum sewing speed. It also allows for quick, direct selection of the most common stitches.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Brother Project Runway CS5055 | SINGER 4411 |
SINGER | 7258 | Janome JW8100 |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The SINGER 7258
This Singer sewing machine allows you to set everything to your exact needs. Choose from 100 different stitches with easy-to-use buttons and LCD screen. It features controls for setting maximum speed so you can sew as fast or slow as you need to. You can easily thread the needle in just seconds with the built-in needle threader. The clear cover over the bobbin makes it easy to monitor so you never run out of thread.
Another great feature on this machine that makes it one of the best sewing machine options for quilting is the programmable needle. This makes it quick and easy to remove the fabric and is very helpful for quilting projects.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Brother Project Runway CS5055 | SINGER | Heavy Duty 4411 |
SINGER | 7258 | Janome JW8100 |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The JUKI TL-2000Qi
This innovative machine is designed specifically with quilters in mind. It features LED lights for optimum visibility and accuracy and can be operated with one simple pedal. It offers a powerful motor with 1500 SPM to help you get projects done quickly. The extension table can easily be used to accommodate larger quilts.
One really impressive feature of this sewing machine is the low vibration aluminum die cast frame. This ensures your stitches are extremely accurate and seams are crisp and straight. You’ll be quicker and more efficient thanks to the automatic speed controller, built-in needle threader and thread cutter.
Shop Related Products | |
|---|---|
Brother Project Runway CS5055 | SINGER | Heavy Duty 4411 |
SINGER | 7258 | Janome JW8100 |
Factors to consider when buying a sewing machine for quilting
There are some machines that will save you a lot of time when it comes to quilting. They work fast and are easy to use for high-quality stitches. Other machines may work just as fast but produce something of lower quality. Before you choose from one of our options above, check out these factors to find a machine for quilting that works for you.
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Quilting Capabilities
Be sure that you’ve bought a sewing machine that has a quilting option. The greater the number of quilting stitches, the more choices you’ll have later with your sewing. Some of the best sewing machines for quilting have around one hundred stitches. When you’re still a beginner, however, you don’t need nearly as many stitching options.
Stitch Width
Make sure that you can adjust the length and width of the stitches, regardless of many stitching options you have. Width can be anywhere between 5mm and 7mm on some models, which lets you create even more unique designs.
Stitch Rate
If you’re a beginner, you may not want a machine that has a high stitch per minute rate. If you’d like to quilt with speed though, a high rate will let you work on the quilt and bordering quickly. Remember that higher rates tend to create lines that are more curved.
Quilting Table
Stitches aren't everything, though. You'll want to look for a sewing machine with a quilting table included. The quilting table provides you with more surface area so that you can work comfortably without your fabric spilling out awkwardly. Some of the better options will have a detachable extension table. This allows you to switch between quilting and other sewing tasks and provides you with easy storage.
Vibration
You’ll always experience vibration when you’re sewing. But depending on the frame of the machine, you can reduce the vibration. A heavy metal frame will reduce the impact you feel, meaning that you’ll be able to sew for longer. Of course, this means that the sewing machine will be heavier and won’t be a great option if you need to transport it.
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Control
Whatever machine you have, make sure that you’re able to control it. A speed controller will ensure that you complete the project at your own pace without having to go back and undo stitches. The right speed with a good thread tenstion controlling system will make everything go much more smoothly.
Decoration Options
Some of these machines allow you to do some embroidery work (without have to use an embroidery machine), adding some design and beauty to your current project. You may also want a font option on your machine for quilted stitches that let you make your quilt one of a kind.
Ease of Use
The best quilting machines should be easy to load and reload with a top loading bobbin. You’ll only need to slip it in and thread the needle to be ready to start sewing. You might even be able to get a computerized sewing machine that includes automatic bobbin winding and needle threading system to make your life even easier. A machine with a clear base will be incredibly helpful too, since you can see right through it to see the bobbin and know how much thread is left.
Sewing Machine Maintenance
No matter which machine you choose, you need to know how to take care of it. Maintaining your machine properly will mean it lasts for longer in the long run.
Oiling Your Machine
Sewing machines need to be oiled regularly to work at their peak capacity. How often you oil yours depends on how often you use your machine. If you quilt every day, oil your machine once a week to keep it running properly. If you sew maybe once a week or less, oil the machine every one to three months.
All you need to do is place two or three drops of sewing machine oil in the bobbin case area, on the needle bar, and where the handwheel meets the side of the machine. Then just stitch on a piece of scrap fabric to get the oil out.
Good Needles and Thread
You may want to save a little money on thread, but it's best to get high-quality thread instead as this will also help when you thread the needle. This thread shouldn’t be waxed or glazed since it will wear down your machine. Don’t use dull or bent needles either. It’s actually best to start with a fresh needle every time you start a new quilting project. This will help to ensure that you won’t skip stitches and will penetrate the fabric quickly.
Regular Cleaning
Clean your machine often to remove thread bits, dust, or lint that stop it from working correctly. Avoid using canned air, since this will add moisture and defeat the purpose of cleaning your machine in the first place. Instead, brush with a nylon brush every time you change the bobbin. Make sure your machine is unplugged and your needle is removed before you begin.
Conclusion
There’s a sewing machine out there for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, one of these sewing machines will be perfect for you. Just check to see if it has the features you need, if the price works for you, and if you think your chosen option will help you create the stunning piece you have in mind.
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