Quilting Machine Guide: Find the Right Machine for Your Projects

Reviews and comparisons of 10 quilting machines across 9 brands, with specs checked against manufacturer data

Our Top Picks

Category	Machine	Price	Best For
Best Overall	Bernette b77 Bernette	$1,700 - $2,250	Quilters upgrading from a beginner machine who want Swiss quality without the Bernina price tag
Best Budget	Brother CS7000X Brother	$250 - $300	Beginners and budget-conscious quilters who want quilting feet and a wide table included
Best for FMQ	Juki TL-2000Qi Juki	$900 - $1,100	Serious quilters and professionals who want semi-industrial performance for piecing and free-motion quilting
Best for Beginners	Baby Lock Jubilant Baby Lock	$700 - $800	Beginning quilters who want a forgiving, easy-to-learn machine with good dealer support

Browse by Brand

Juki

Est. 1938

Juki is a Japanese manufacturer with deep roots in industrial sewing equipment. Their domestic quilting machines inherit that industrial DNA, deliveri...

2 machines reviewed$350 - $2,400

Janome

Est. 1921

Janome has been a trusted name in sewing since 1921, and their quilting machines consistently earn top marks from quilters at every skill level. Known...

1 machine reviewed$200 - $3,000+

Brother

Est. 1908

Brother offers one of the widest ranges of sewing and quilting machines on the market, from budget-friendly starter models to high-performance quiltin...

3 machines reviewed$150 - $1,500

Singer

Est. 1851

Singer is the most recognized name in sewing worldwide, and for good reason. While their heritage stretches back to the 1800s, their modern quilting m...

1 machine reviewed$100 - $800

Bernina

Est. 1893

Bernina represents the pinnacle of Swiss sewing engineering, and quilters who invest in a Bernina rarely look back. Every machine is built with meticu...

1 machine reviewed$1,000 - $5,000+

Baby Lock

Est. 1968

Baby Lock has built a loyal following among quilters and sewists who value ease of use and thoughtful design. Their machines feature innovations like ...

1 machine reviewed$250 - $3,000

Pfaff

Est. 1862

Pfaff is a German brand with a devoted following, particularly known for their IDT (Integrated Dual Transport) system that feeds fabric evenly from bo...

0 machines reviewed$300 - $4,000

Husqvarna Viking

Est. 1872

Husqvarna Viking combines Scandinavian design sensibility with serious sewing performance. Their quilting machines feature the Exclusive Sewing Adviso...

0 machines reviewed$400 - $4,500

Bernette

Est. 1986

Bernette is Bernina's more affordable sister brand, offering Swiss-designed machines at accessible price points. While manufactured overseas rather th...

1 machine reviewed$200 - $2,300

Buying Guides

Best for Free-Motion Quilting

Free-motion quilting (FMQ) demands a machine that responds precisely to your hand movements, maintains consistent stitch...

Best for Beginners

Starting your quilting journey with the right machine makes all the difference. The best beginner quilting machines bala...

Best Quilting Machines Under $500

A limited budget does not mean limited quilting. The right machine under $500 still offers genuine quilting capability, ...

Best Quilting Machines Under $1,000

The $500-1,000 range is the sweet spot for quilting machines. This is where you start getting features that genuinely im...

Best for Thick Quilts

Quilting with thick batting, multiple fabric layers, or heavy materials like denim and flannel demands a machine with se...

Best Portable Quilting Machines for Retreats

Quilting retreats, guild meetings, and sewing classes require a machine that travels well. The best portable quilting ma...

Best Computerized Quilting Machines

Computerized quilting machines offer precision stitch selection, memory banks for custom settings, and features like aut...

Best Machines for Longarm-Style Quilting at Home

Not every quilter has the space or budget for a dedicated longarm machine. These domestic machines deliver the closest e...

Brand Comparisons

Juki vs Janome

Juki excels with industrial-grade stitch quality and straight-stitch dedication, while Janome offers broader versatility, wide workspaces an...

Brother vs Singer

Brother offers more quilting-specific machines with higher performance ceilings, from the budget CS7000X to the straight-stitch PQ1600S. Sin...

Bernina vs Baby Lock

Bernina is the choice for quilters who demand the absolute best in stitch quality and engineering, while Baby Lock excels in user-friendline...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best sewing machine for quilting?

The best quilting machine depends on your skill level and budget. For beginners, the Baby Lock Jubilant offers excellent ease of use with dealer support, and the Brother CS7000X is the best value under $300. For intermediate quilters who want one machine for everything, the Bernette b77 combines a built-in dual feed, a knee lever and a 9-inch workspace for about $1,700; the Janome MC-6650 adds an inch of workspace for about $2,100, though its knee lifter and extension table are sold separately. For serious quilters focused on free-motion quilting, the Juki TL-2000Qi delivers semi-industrial performance.

Do I need a special machine for quilting?

You can quilt on any sewing machine with a feed dog drop feature, but machines designed for quilting make the process significantly easier. Quilting-specific features like wider throat space, walking foot compatibility, knee lifters, and higher stitch speeds make a real difference in both comfort and results.

How much should I spend on a quilting machine?

A capable starter such as the Brother CS7000X costs under $300 and includes quilting feet. Dedicated straight-stitch quilting machines like the Brother PQ1600S and Juki TL-2000Qi cost about $900-1,100 and add knee lifters, automatic thread trimmers and 8.5 inches or more of throat space. Full-featured computerized machines with wide workspaces run about $1,500-3,000, and a machine that supports a stitch regulator, like the Bernina 570 QE, starts around $5,000.

What throat space do I need for quilting?

For baby quilts and small projects, 6 to 7 inches is adequate. For bed-size quilts, aim for 8.5 inches or more. The Janome MC-6650 offers 10 inches of width, but at 4.7 inches high its harp is lower than straight-stitch machines like the Juki TL-2000Qi (8.5 x 6 inches), and height matters when you roll a large quilt through. Throat space directly affects how comfortably you can maneuver large quilts.

Should I get a straight-stitch or multi-stitch quilting machine?

If quilting is your primary focus and you already have a machine for general sewing, a dedicated straight-stitch machine like the Juki TL-2000Qi or Brother PQ1600S delivers superior stitch quality and speed. If you need one machine for everything, a multi-stitch machine like the Janome MC-6650 or Bernette b77 is more versatile.

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