Quilting refers to a method used in sewing together different fabric layers for the creation of a warmer and thicker piece. It is normally split into the quilt top, the wadding, and the backing. Different analogies are used, but the most common is the quilt sandwich, in describing the setup.
Using sewing machines for quilting is a faster method to stitch quilting layers together. A standard sewing machine can also be used for quilting although the process is more tedious.
| Product Image | Product Name | Product Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JUKI TL-2000Qi | 17.8 x 8.6 x 13.8 inches | Check Price |
 | Janome MC6650 | 26.2 x 21.5 x 15.9 inches | Check Price |
 | Brother XL-3750 | 15.4 x 6.7 x 11.5 inches | Check Price |
 | Janome 3160QDC | 18.58 x 14.69 x 11.5 inches | Check Price |
 | SINGER | Legacy C440 | 20.16 x 9.49 x 12.1 inches | Check Price |
 | Juki TL-2010Q | 25.7 x 14 x 18 inches | Check Price |
 | EverSewn Sparrow 30s | 16.5 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches | Check Price |
 | Juki HZL-LB5100 | 19.02 x 14.49 x 10.51 inches | Check Price |
 | SINGER | Quantum Stylist 9960 | 17.25 x 8.25 x 12 inches | Check Price |
 | Janome MC-6300P | 13 x 26 x 18 inches | Check Price |
Quilters need to invest in a good quilting unit. Here are some of the best sewing machines for quilting:
JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
It is one of the sewing and quilting machines that makes sewers and quilters’ dreams come true. With the JUKI TL 2000-Qi, you are guaranteed to boost your skills. It comes updated with LED lights and it is a single pedal operation that sews up to 1500 stitches per minute. It can be used for home décor as well as quilting apparel.
JUKI TL 2000-Qi offers straight stitches. The most interesting part is the automated needle threader. It comes with a bed for low vibration work with a cast arm that is made of aluminum. Also, it comes with an extension table that is intended for quilts and larger projects. The only disadvantage of this machine is that some users experience issues with the bobbin case as well as a bobbin.
Janome MC6650 Sewing and Quilting Machine
It has a memory craft that helps sewers and quilters to complete their projects fast. It has a 10-inch all-metal seamless flatbed that helps to make the machine durable. It also offers a great workspace for either small or large projects. It offers a speed of 1000 stitch per minute.
It comes with 170 stitches and 2 alphabets. Also, it comes with a one-push needle plate conversion with 2 plates that are included. It has a Start/Stop button that helps in fingertip control of stitching. You can also set it to default at any time.
Brother XL-3750 Convertible 35-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine
It is the best lightweight sewing machine for quilting from a brand that can be trusted. This model is convertible and offers 35 stitches using a speed of 800 stitches per minute. It weighs only 12 pounds and comes with a 25-year limited warranty. It comes with additional features for those who want to use heavier duty quilting tasks.
It offers an automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, automatic bobbin winding motion, and a one-step auto-size buttonhole. It also allows reverse stitching using a simple push-button action, making it easier for you to be in control of the length and width of the stitches. It comes with extra accessories such as user manual, 7 accessory preset feet, a case for carrying clothes, and a quilting table.
Janome 3160QDC Computerized Sewing Machine
It is one of the best-computerized sewing machines that will enable you to finish larger projects such as quilting. It comes with an in-built automated needle threader and 60 in-built stitches. It is very easy to use and has an easy control panel that makes work easy.
It also comes with a jam-proof easy set top loading system. This makes it easy when you want to change the bobbin. All you need to do with Janome 3160QDC is follow the track and the device will bring the bobbin thread up automatically. Also, it has a handy function as well as different quilting accessories. It comes with an instruction book making it very easy to use.
The disadvantage of this machine is that it is not portable and some users find issues with the bobbin.
SINGER| Legacy C440 Computerized Sewing Machine
It has 250 in-built stitches that include decorative, basic, stretch, and buttonhole stitches that offer different projects such as a quilt, home décor, fashions, and crafts. It also comes with an automatic needle threader that prevents straining of the eye or frustrations.
It has extra-large sewing space, 3 LED lights, twin needle sewing, LCD touch screen, mirror image, programmable needle up/down, and adjustable stitch length, width, and density. It has a maximum speed of 800 stitches per minute, meaning that work can be done faster.
It comes with different accessories such as all-purpose feet, overcasting foot, zipper foot, satin stitch foot, blind hem foot, button sewing foot, embroidery foot, straight stitch foot, open toe foot, quilting bar, parallel sewing foot, buttonhole foot with underplate, screwdriver, spool pin felt, thread spool net, bobbins, lint brushes, a pack of needles, seam ripper, auxiliary spool pin, and thread spool caps.
Juki TL-2010Q 1-Needle, Lockstitch, Portable Sewing Machine
It is a great choice for heavy-duty sewing and quilting. It is very popular in the market. It offers modern features and professional-looking results. The frame for the sewing machine is made of aluminum, which makes it very durable.
It features an additional high presser foot lift and an adjustable pressure foot control. The workspace can be adjusted and expanded for larger projects such as adjustable stitch length, quilts, manual thread control, and knee lift lever. It sews up to 1500 stitches per minute.
The disadvantage of the machine is that it is expensive and the automatic needle threader can be hard to use.
EverSewn Sparrow 30s Sewing Machine
It weighs 17 pounds with a speed of 850 stitches per minute. It contains 310 stitches with each stitch width of 7mm. The machine has 15 needle positions and comes with a 10-year limited warranty. It has a beautiful and decorative design. It is a great choice for beginners’
It has a great memory function that can be accessed at any point. This makes it easy to save any individual stitch combination that you create when working over some time. It comes with 7 pressers and an extension table that is essential for larger projects.
Additionally, it has an automatic thread cutter, automatic needle threader, and a drop in the functionality of the bobbin. It has an easy to view LCD screen that offers its ergonomic design. You can use the pull-out stitch library that helps in finding your specific stitch pattern.
Juki HZL-LB5100 Computerized Sewing Machine
It measures 19.02 by 14.49 by 10.51 inches and weighs 18.11 pounds. It is one of the affordable computerized sewing machines in the market. It is lightweight and compact. It is very easy to use and comes with plenty of features, this makes it a good choice for both beginners and advanced sewers. The disadvantage of this machine is that the bobbin winding is slow.
SINGER | Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Portable Sewing Machine
It offers the best sewing as well as quilting experiences. It is a portable sewing machine that offers a large selection of stitches, where you can find a stretch, basic, and decorative stitches. You can do anything with this machine. It comes with a font selection that will help you to add a personal touch to your crafts and projects.
The automatic needle thread is one of the unique features as well as the advantage of this machine. It comes with 600 in-built stitches and additional 5 alphanumeric fonts, 13 in-built stitches, 1-step buttonholes with an exclusive buttonhole underplate.
Another great feature of this machine is mirror imaging. It sews 850 stitches per minute, making you work faster especially in cases of a professional quilter. It is one of the popular models in the market, which means that it is easily accessible.
Janome MC-6300P Professional Heavy-Duty Computerized Quilting Sewing Machine
This is a great choice for those who want to be professional quilters. It can withstand a heavy workload. It has 66 stitches and 4 buttonholes, knee lift, and drop feed control, which makes it a great machine as it can handle different quilting tasks easily.
It has an automated thread cutter and a needle that is memorized for up/down movement necessary for quilting. It can sew very fast, with the ability of sewing about 1,100 stitches per minute. Also, Janome 6300P has an automatic bobbin winding, automated thread cutter, and an automatic thread tension controller. This means that these features dictate where and when the thread needs to cut.
It has an easy to view LCD screen that indicates the stitches as well as other notifications. It has buttons below the LCD screen that are used in adjusting the length and width of the stitches. It comes with an extension table that helps in the maneuvering of the quilts.
Additionally, it comes with a knee lifter that is very important for any quilter. This helps in the raising and lowering of the feet without the need to use hands. It allows you to work on your quilt with no interruptions.
How to Set Your Sewing Machine for Quilting
Different steps ought to be followed when you want to set your sewing machine for quilting. These steps will ensure that the machine is set correctly and you are guaranteed to get the best results. These steps are as follow:
Oiling your quilting sewing machine: Oiling helps in getting smooth work as it makes the machine smoother. Some machines will only require you to pour oil in a hole. Also, other machines will demand separate oiling of each moving part. Regular oiling of your sewing machine and maintenance is very important.
Finding an appropriate place for the sewing machine: You should ensure that after oiling, the machine is placed in the right place. It can either be set in a corner or next to your window. Regardless of the place chosen, ensure that it saves space for you and it is in a comfortable position.
Lowering the stitching/minute rate: Stitching per minute rate should be lowered especially in cases where a regular sewing machine is used for quilting. Most sewing machines for households tend to have a high stitching per minute rate, which is not good for quilting. You should thus ensure that you either purchase a quilting sewing machine or lower the stitching per minute rate when you use household sewing machines.
Picking a foot: You will need a special foot for quilting because it is done on thicker fabrics. The most favorable foot to be selected and set up is either the ‘hopping foot’ or ‘free motion foot.’ These are preferred because they move in the same direction as the needle when quilting.
Reducing the feed dog: When you have a new sewing machine since you will need to use a lever. On the other hand, an older machine will need a cover. Reducing the feed dog means that the cloth will be kept in place and this will boost the quality performance of the sewing machine for quilting or a normal sewing machine.
Dropping the stitch length: It is wrong to think that a large stitch is likely to improve the appearance of the quilt and make it look better. On the contrary, you are likely to get worse results since the large stitches will fail to stick to the fabric. Therefore, ensure that the stitch length is reduced to ensure that there is effortless quilting.
Shutting off the thread cutter: Thread cutters are helpful when you are working on garments. However, when quilting, it is bound to get worse. Hence, ensure that trimming the thread is done after completion. The recommendation is that you should stop the thread cutter for quilting to avoid possible difficulties as well as mistakes.
Stopping down the needle: This ensures that the machine will stop while the needle is into the quilt.
Picking stitch plates: It is important to note that not all stitching plates are suited for quilting. Ensure that your selection is towards the plates that have a single hole since you will not require multiple needles. The single hole is the most suitable plate for quilting.
Decreasing the pressure of the foot: This is not considered an essential step. Nonetheless, you may be required to reduce the foot pressure as per the thickness of the fabric and the chosen foot. Additionally, ensure that the fix stitch function is disabled. Quilting with a domestic sewing machine will create knots in the thread.
Buyer’s Guide
When you want to purchase a sewing machine for quilting, there are different things that you ought to consider. Here are some of the features that you should pay attention to:
The functionality of the Stitch
A good stitch function will guarantee a better and complex design. There are high-end machines with 100 stitch functions. Beginners can opt for a lower stitch function and as you advance, you can choose a higher stitch function.
Also, ensure that you consider the width and length of the stitch. It means that you should check if the machine offers an option for stitch length if the one present is extensive. You should also consider the font function because it helps in adding a personal touch to the designs and creation.
Rate of stitching
High rate stitching may not be a good option when quilting because of how the lines appear to be curved mostly. However, ensure that you look for a sewing machine that has a high stitching per minute rate as it will bring swiftness when bordering the quilt and working on your garments. For beginners, it is important not to focus on models at a higher rate. However, advanced quilters should go for a machine that has a high stitch per minute rate.
Table and Free Arm Area
An important feature is ensuring that you have free arm space and table light. Since quilting is done on thick clothes, it is not possible to fit them in a tight place under the arm. Buying a machine that has a short table makes it hard to work on heavier pieces. You should choose a model that has a wide arm space and a larger table.
Cost
High-end quilting machines are more expensive when compared to low-end machines. One thing that will dictate your choice is your level of skills. Experts in quilting tend to gravitate towards high-end sewing machines. However, ensure that you compare prices in the market before purchasing a machine.
Vibration
The quilting environment does not require vibrations. Nonetheless, some sewing machines make circular movements when you change them to 2 directional movements and produce vibration. However, purchasing heavy metal frames significantly reduces vibration. Therefore, ensure that you buy heavier and less portable machines.
Size and weight
The area intended to place the sewing machine dictates your purchasing decision. With an extra extension table or wider arm length, there may be a need to increase room for movement. However, it is essential to ensure that the surface required to place the sewing machine can hold the weight of the chosen model, and this should be done safely.
Controlling
Controlling is a very important feature to consider when buying a sewing machine for quilting. Without a good controlling system, the sewing machine can be very difficult to use. A good controlling system offers a smooth and fine finishing design.
Warranty
Buying a costly machine, or one that you want to use for a longer period will dictate that be careful in considering the warranty for the product. This will ensure that you will additional peace of mind if you are bound to encounter any problems or if some parts are faulty and need to be replaced.
Conclusion
Every quilting sewing machine has features that each quilter requires. As a beginner, ensure that you opt for the low-end quilting machine. On the other hand, expert quilters can go for high-end machines even though they are costly.
The buying guide above should help you choose features for your sewing machine for quilting.
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