5 Best Sewing Machines for Quilting, Tried and Tested
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, these machines will help you create the quilt of your dreams.
Expert consulted: Emma SeymourTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
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Technically, you can quilt on any sewing machine, but some sewing machines have special features and included accessories that make it much easier to create large quilting projects. Plus, sewing machines for quilting offer a nice middle-ground option for those who only have the storage space for one machine or beginners who are unsure whether they prefer sewing or quilting. That way, you can test the waters for both without choosing a machine that's best suited for one activity.
To find the best sewing machines for quilting, our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab considered top-performing models from our most recent testing. These long-throat sewing machines make quilting a breeze with features like a quilting bar, free-motion quilting foots, extension tables and more.
Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Computerized Sewing Machine
Pros
- Includes a quilting bar and extension table
- Easy to pivot fabric at the corners of quilting squares
- Manual-speed controls
- Auto-adjusting tension
Cons
- Some online reviewers reported difficulty with machine repair
WHY WE LOVE IT: Making a blanket is a breeze with this sewing machine that includes tons of automatic features that are easy to use and accessories specific to quilting. The machine includes over 600 built-in stitch applications and you can choose one of 13 buttonhole style options programmed into the machine by selecting one on the LCD screen.
We particularly love this sewing machine for quilting purposes because it includes a quilting bar, which is an additional tool that helps you sew equally spaced, parallel lines — a skill needed for grid quilting. The machine also has a needle up/down button that makes it easy to rotate quilting fabric squares at the corner as you stitch together a blanket, tote bag or anything your artistic mind can dream of.
Plus, the extra-wide extension table allows you to place big pieces of fabric down on a large, flat surface, which may come in handy with oversize quilts.
IN OUR LAB TESTS: This sewing and quilting machine's easy-to-use features include an automatic buttonhole function and the ability to automatically adjust the tension with each new stitch you select. Of course, it's not all automatic: This machine's manual-speed controls and the start-stop function (which allows you to sew without a foot pedal) are excellent if you're a beginner or if you struggle with keeping even pressure using a foot control.
While Singer machines offer top-notch quality, be sure to take good care of this machine; some online reviewers reported difficulty repairing faulty parts.
| Type | Computerized |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs |
| Built-in stitches | 600 stitches and 13 buttonholes |
| Bobbin type | Drop-in |
| Speed | 850 stitches per minute |
Pros
- Sews through thin and thick fabrics
- Easy to use
- Budget-friendly price
- Wide extended table
Cons
- Need to use a spool cap
WHY WE LOVE IT: Ranked by our pros in the Textiles Lab as the best overall sewing machine, this pick has excellent sewing and quilting capabilities at an amazing price.
IN OUR LAB TESTS: We found this machine had tons of extra features that were easy to use, including a clear LCD screen, needle up/down button, an extended wide table for large quilting products and an automatic needle threader. In our tests, this machine easily sewed through thick and thin fabrics — so, you'll be able to sew denim or quilt medium-weight fabrics.
The adjustable speed control is excellent for those who want to take it slower or if you're a pro who can handle fast stitching. While this machine is overall easy to use for beginners and advanced quilters, we advise using the spool cap every time you sew or quilt because we found the thread tended to slide off without one.
Keep in mind that you can technically quilt on any sewing machine (in other words, you can find even cheaper models than this), but the large working area and helpful features of certain machines like this model from Brother make quilting much easier. Associate Director of the GH Institute's Textiles Lab Emma Seymour was impressed by this machine in her evaluations. "Even after testing multiple different machines, I continue to reach for this Brother machine for most of my at-home sewing projects," she says.
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| Type | Computerized |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs |
| Built-in stitches | 102 sewing and quilting stitches, 55 alphanumeric stitches and 8 buttonholes |
| Bobbin type | Drop-in |
| Speed | 850 stitches per minute |
JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
Pros
- Automatic thread cutting
- Free-motion sewing capabilities
- Large table accomodates big quilting projects
- Durable and sturdy
Cons
- Large size makes it hard to transport
WHY WE LOVE IT: This sturdy machine has excellent features for quilting like free-motion sewing, automatic thread cutting and it has a great amount of space for large quilting projects.
IN OUR LAB TESTS: With a durable aluminum die cast frame, this is the kind of machine that will last you for years. However, because it's so heavy duty and bulky (weighing more than 25 pounds), it's best to keep it in one spot rather than trying to move it from one place to the other.
Beyond it's sturdiness, we also like the included extension table that is perfect for extra-large quilting projects like big blankets. It's also stable when sewing, with smooth, fast, quiet piercing.
In general, Juki is a great brand that offers superb sewing and quilting machines, but this is a good option for quilters looking for an upgrade that isn't too expensive. It's a step-up from a beginner option (a Juki machine was actually what one of our GH analysts used to learn how to sew!). That said, it's still under $1,000, unlike many advanced machines.
| Type | Mechanical |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs |
| Built-in stitches | 1 stitch |
| Bobbin type | Front loading |
| Speed | 1,500 stitches per minute |
Singer 7285Q Patchwork Quilting Machine
Pros
- Automatic needle threader
- Can use a start-stop button instead of the foot pedal
- Manual-speed control
- Large extension table
- 12 presser feet
Cons
- Not the best pick for thicker fabrics (when sewing, not quilting)
WHY WE LOVE IT: This sewing machine has features that make quilting just a little bit easier — especially for beginners.
IN OUR LAB TESTS: There's a lot of small details required for quilting, so it can seem overwhelming to keep track of every step when you're first learning how to quilt. We found the features of this sewing machine are excellent for beginners at quilting.
"During testing, we found that using the automatic buttonhole function was a breeze," Seymour said. She also reported that the automatic needle threader was easy to use and the quick-snap design made changing the presser foot much simpler.
You can use one of the 12 included presser feet or (if you're not a fan of pedals) you can use the start-stop button to sew without foot control. As you sew, the tension is automatically adjusted and the manual-speed control helps you maintain consistent pressure, which some beginners can struggle with while using a traditional foot pedal.
However, one online reviewer reported that they had difficulty sewing through thicker fabrics with this machine, but that it was otherwise great for quilt piercing. And it's at an excellent price point for someone looking to buy their first machine.
| Type | Computerized |
| Weight | 16.31 lbs |
| Built-in stitches | 100 stitches, 15 quilting and 7 buttonholes |
| Bobbin type | Drop-in |
| Speed | 1,000 stitches per minute |
Bernette B79 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Pros
- Can save custom stitch settings
- 5-inch touchscreen
- Can draw embroidery designs
- Automatic tie-off function prevents the seam from unraveling
Cons
- Pricey
WHY WE LOVE IT: This top-of-the-line machine is a triple threat: It features superb sewing, quilting and embroidery capabilities.
IN OUR LAB TESTS: This model has all the bells and whistles for advanced quilting, sewing and embroidering projects. "We were blown away by the innovative features like automatic thread cutting, a thread tie-off option (no back stitching necessary) and the ability to draw your own stitches on the 5-inch touchscreen with the included stylus," Seymour says. Whether you want to embroider your name, a logo or a doodle of a dog — this machine is up to the challenge.
For quilting projects, the extension table offers plenty of space and there are 35 quilting stitches among the 500 built-in stitches. Plus, this machine allows you to create and save your own individual stitch settings for specific fabrics in its short- and long-term memory.
It also easily pierced through all sorts of thin and thick fabrics in our tests, including wool and silk chiffon. And while it's the most expensive pick on our round-up, advanced sewing, embroidery and quilting machines can go for a few thousand dollars, so this one is reasonably priced in comparison. We wouldn't recommend splurging this much on your first machine, but it's an amazing pick if you have some experience with quilting and sewing.
| Type | Computerized |
| Weight | 47 lbs (with embroidery table) |
| Built-in stitches | 500 stitches, 35 quilting stitches and 17 buttonholes (ability to create custom stitches) |
| Bobbin type | Drop-in |
| Speed | 1,000 stitches per minute |
How we test sewing machines
Our pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested dozens of sewing machines over the years. In our most recent test, we evaluated 13 machines from top-of-the-line brands in our Lab. To choose the best sewing machines for quilting, we considered which of our top-performing machines had special quilting capabilities.
Here are some of the key factors we look out for in our tests:
✔️ Ease of use: Our pros evaluate how easy it is to set up each machine is and whether or not the instructions are simple to follow. We also consider the difficulty of changing the pressure foot, how easy it is to maintain speed and whether there is enough space for large quilting projects.
✔️ Features: When testing sewing machines, we are always on the lookout for additional features that make sewing easier, faster and better. We also consider the extra quilting or embroidery features, such as speed control, automatic thread cutting, type of feed dog and more.
✔️ Performance: Lastly, we rate the performance of each sewing machine, considering how well they sew or quilt with different types of fabrics. We test with natural and synthetic fabrics like lightweight cotton, jersey cotton, denim, polyester satin, wool and upholstery grade fabric. After making a basic and zigzag stitch, we rate how well they perform and grade any imperfections. We also sew through multiple layers of each fabric and create buttonholes.
What to look for when shopping for the best sewing machine for quilting
First and foremost, choose a machine that is within your budget and experience level. Beginners do not need to shell out more than $1,000 for their first machine, but it is still important to consider a few features and accessories that make a machine long lasting and great for quilting products.
You can check out more general tips in our shopping guide for a sewing machine, but here are some features to look out for if you want a machine with quilting capabilities:
✔️ Large throat space: Quilting projects are typically larger (just compare a quilted blanket to a skirt). The throat space is the area to the right of the needle. The longer the throat space, the easier it is to quilt because you have more room for larger piece of fabric.
✔️ Free-motion quilting foot: This accessory allows you to stitch in any direction (a.k.a. freehand quilting). This means you can sew the fabric in intricate, wavy designs rather than only a straight line. This is useful if you want to do more quilting projects beyond grid work. You can always separately purchase a free-motion quilting foot to add onto your machine. Just make sure it is compatible with your machine.
✔️ Walking foot: When quilting, you need to sew together three layers of fabric. A walking foot feeds multiple layers of fabric evenly through a sewing machine for straight-line quilting. It's also a great accessory to have on a sewing machine if you're a beginner.
✔️ Feed dogs that drop: The feed dog on a sewing machine is the toothed metal bars in the needle plate that pull fabric back after each stitch. A feed dog that drops can be disengaged, allowing for manual stitching and free-motion quilting. Without one, you'll be stuck with only straight-line quilting.
✔️ Extension table: Some machines include removable extension tables, which are attached to the machine and provide extra space to the left of the needle. This is great for large quilting projects to have more space to lay the piece flat, rather than hanging off to the side.
✔️ Speed control: Some machines offer manual speed control, which can be preferable for beginners. This means the speed of your stitching will remain at the same pace without the need for applying consistent, even pressure to a foot pedal.
✔️ Needle up/down button: Seymour is "obsessed with this feature" on her favorite quilting machines. A needle up/down button makes it much easier to pivot the fabric at the corners of quilting squares for grid work.
✔️ Automatic cutter: Machines with automatic thread cutting helps prevent tangles, keeps the work neat and saves thread from going to waste.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Isabella Cavallo is the assistant commerce editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Cavallo has tons of experience reviewing all sorts of products. Plus, she's learning how to sew this summer.
To write this article, Cavallo consulted Emma Seymour. She is the associate Textiles Lab director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees in-Lab and consumer tests for all sewing machines. In our most recent testing, Seymour evaluated each machine in our Lab and utilized knowledge from her degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University. Beyond work and education, she's an avid sewer and loves to update her thrift-store finds.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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