If you are a sewist handling complicated sewing projects, you may need a sewing machine that has more advanced features.
A regular sewing machine will not do, for it may lack certain features, like an adequate working area, speed, stability, or presser foot options.
Examples of sewing machines with far more advanced features are embroidery machines and quilting machines.
Embroidery machines can put embroidery designs on a sewing project.
On the other hand, quilting machines are sewing machines used for quilting, with a far wider working area to sew on, and are more suited for large sewing projects.
Each quilting sewing machine is different; some exhibit far more advanced features than others.
So what is the best sewing machine for quilting beginners?
Here, we will make a rundown of some of the best sewing machines for quilting.
These are the ones that can give the sewist much comfort and convenience, allowing for excellent, most exemplary sewing projects.
The Best Sewing Machine For Quilting: Our Top Picks
1. Brother XR3774: Best Price
If you are working on a budget but need one of excellent quality and great serviceability, this one from Brother will suit you.
Brother XR3774 is a mechanical sewing machine with an extensive working area and excellent features like a quilting foot for free-motion sewing.
Weighing nearly 16 pounds, it has an excellent walking foot designed for feeding fabric smoothly and has 37 built-in stitches, including a one-step buttonhole.
It has an automatic needle threader and a perfect bobbin system that allows you to save time.
This sewing machine has an LED light for greater visibility and eight presser feet for various functions.
Pros
- It has an excellent quilting foot that allows free-motion sewing.
- It is effortless to use and operate.
- It has a large extension table.
- Its automatic features like needle threader and bobbin system save time.
- It has 37 built-in stitches
- At $159, it is very affordable.
Cons
- It not computerized
- It is not heavy-duty and not as sturdy as others.
Verdict: The best thing about this Brother sewing machine is that you can get a lot for so much less. Due to its excellent working area, it can handle various sewing projects of different sizes.
It may not be as durable as others and does not possess the advanced features of a computerized sewing machine. Still, it performs excellently well and can do the task you want it to do.
In short, it has everything a beginner operating on a tight budget would want from a mechanical sewing machine.
2. Juki TL 2010Q: Best Heavy Duty
Beginners usually do not handle complicated sewing projects, especially in large volumes. But this one is best if you want one that can take complicated ones and deal with many fabric types consistently, with great efficiency and speed.
Juki TL 2010Q is an absolute powerhouse, but its automatic features allow any sewist, much more a beginner, to sew comfortably.
It can do up to 1,500 stitches per minute, which is very fast, but that should pose no problem because the sewing machine has a speed regulator.
One of its better features is that it can handle genuinely thick fabrics and heavy materials; the presser foot has a clearance of 12mm.
You can only imagine the variety of materials it can take, but this machine can easily handle any fabric.
But this would not be perfect for quilting if it does not have an extended working area. It is nine inches long and has a vertical clearance of nearly seven inches, an extensive size to operate.
So with Juki TL 2010Q, you can deal with large sewing projects and fabric. And it comes with a lot of accessories too.
Pros
- The automatic features it has are all excellent and save time.
- It can handle large sewing projects due to a higher vertical clearance and wide throat.
- It can take thick fabrics and heavy materials and manage them easily.
- It has a speed regulator that allows you to control speed.
- It has a knee lifter.
- It can sew in reverse without you stopping sewing.
- Very durable and sturdy.
Cons
- Not computerized
- Everything is excellent except the tension thread, but decently working too.
Verdict: The minor downside only highlights the excellence of this sewing machine, from power and speed to excellent stitching capabilities.
A beginner can efficiently work with complicated, large sewing projects if he has Juki TL 2010Q.
The excellent features notwithstanding, this one still stands out because of the length, throat, and vertical clearance. That is, after all, what you need when you are quilting.
3. Brother HC1850: Best Inexpensive Computerized Sewing Machine
Beginners would most likely benefit from a computerized machine simply because it presents features that make it easier for them to sew, especially one as complicated as quilting. And the Brother HC1850 might have the best price while having the best features.
It is a very long machine, about 19 niches, so you can deal with large projects.
Unlike others, however, this one is considerably lightweight, at about 10 pounds, making it ideal for sewing classes, seminars, and workshops.
It offers 185 built-in stitches, quite a viable stitch option for beginners, but also possesses excellent automatic features, like an automatic needle threader.
It includes some accessories, like eight presser feet, but the extended table is the most important of them.
Its advanced technology features like LCD screen and LED lighting make for superb operability and visibility.
The DVD instructional manual is also helpful in guiding the beginner in operating the quilting machine.
Pros
- Easy to use and operate
- The advanced technology features are excellent.
- The user has many options due to its 185 built-in stitches.
- The extended table is a great advantage.
- Its automatic features, like the automatic needle threader, are excellent.
- It has an online customer care service available.
- It is very light and suitable for sewing classes.
- Very affordable
Cons
- The throat is not as large as others.
Verdict: It would have been better if Brother HC1850 had an even larger throat, but all things considered, this one is the best, most inexpensive, computerized machine for a quilting beginner.
It employs advanced technology that makes it easy to use and operate and has automatic features that save time.
It comes with accessories too and an instructional DVD. If things worsen, you can avail of their customer care service online.
4. Juki HZL-F600: Best Computerized Sewing Machine
This one is probably the best-computerized machine due to outstanding advanced technology, excellent features, and almost limitless options it provides the sewist.
It has an excellent throat, 8 inches long and nearly four and a half inches tall, but it also has a very long table, perfect for any large sewing project.
The box feed technology is excellent and can handle all fabrics, from light to heavy ones.
It has impressive advanced technology, a large LCD screen for easy navigation and operation, and two LED lights for better sewing visibility.
The automatic features are impressive, from the automatic needle threader to the bobbin system, and have options that include more than 200 stitch patterns.
It also comes with many accessories, like ten presser feet, a knee lift lever, four bobbins, a seam reaper, and twin needles. The most important, of course, is the extended table.
Pros
- It has excellent automatic features and advanced technology.
- It provides superior quality and consistent stitching.
- It is easy to use and operate.
- It has a very accurate feeding system.
- A silent operator.
- It comes with a lot of accessories.
Cons
- At more than a thousand dollars, it is pretty expensive.
Verdict: This is the best-computerized sewing machine for beginners and has all the goods to show.
It has excellent advanced and automatic features, provides many stitching options for the sewist, and is very durable.
It comes with many accessories essential for better sewing, and finally, it provides an extensive working area and has a vast throat, which is necessary for quilting.
It may be pricey, but you sure get your money’s worth with all those features.
5. PFAFF Passport 2.0: Best for Quilting Beginner
Suppose you are a beginner at quilting and need to participate in classes or workshops; having this PFAFF Passport 2.0 may do the trick for you. It is the quintessential, portable quilting sewing machine for the beginner.
This one may be small and light, but it can provide excellent performance and great stitching quality. Its 70 built-in stitches offer you some options, while its automatic needle threading can make things easy.
It has many accessories, like six presser feet, a hardcover, and an extension table.
Pros
- The machine provides excellent quality stitches.
- Very lightweight and portable.
- The simple features are suitable for the quilting beginner.
- It comes with a lot of accessories.
- It has a perfect design and a large throat for a small sewing machine.
Cons
- Considering what it offers, it is pretty expensive
Verdict: This one is the ideal machine for the beginner for the simple reason that it is fit for those who are still learning and attending classes.
If you are one of those still trying to learn the art of quilting, having this sewing machine suits you best.
Things You Need to Consider
A Sewing machine for quilting is different from an ordinary sewing machine, so you need to look at some things.
The Working Area
An excellent working space for quilting separates a regular sewing machine from those we reviewed here. But not all have the same working area; some have longer ones, while some have smaller ones, others have a large throat, and others are considerably smaller.
If you are doing large quilting projects, you better have a machine suited for it.
Added features
Look for a machine with features that can make your quilting far easier. Examples would be stitch regulators necessary for creating accurate spacing for stitches.
Some can expedite the activity or save time with features like an automatic needle threader and thread cutter.
The Price
Quilting sewing machines are usually expensive due to having other features and accessories, like an extension table. But there are very affordable ones.
When choosing the best sewing machine, try to balance the quality, your need, and the price.
Try to look for some features and accessories, and decide whether they are essential or if you can do away with some freebies.
In that case, you can choose a cheaper one without sacrificing quality and performance.
Conclusion
As we show in this sewing machine review, having the best machine for quilting beginners is not that difficult and complicated.
All you have to do is find a quality one, see if it fits with what you need, and see if it fits your budget.
Having the most excellent one could be pricey, but not a problem if you are willing to spend.
But there are many options available which are of good quality but inexpensive, whether a mechanical machine or a computerized one.