The Best Sewing Quilting Machines 2024.

I have been selling and repairing sewing and quilting machines professionally for over fifty years.

In my time I have found key features that ring the bell for most seamstress that expect the best from their machines. Tops on the list is trouble free operation, no one likes a product that creates a lot of aggravation. Plastic body machines selling for under 500.00 will never make my list of best sewing quilting machines in 2024.

When choosing the best sewing and quilting machines, I look for features that appeal to people with advanced sewing skills. At the very least, I want to find machines that provide quality and encourage users to spend time learning and developing their skill set.

The key to avoiding issues is to demand quality of construction. Machines that feature metal skeleton and use ball bearings and larger motors will deliver performance that you want. A trade off, however, is the price, expect to pay more to get more.

You will not find these features on super budget machines found at large retail chains or online mass marketplaces. High-quality quilting sewing machines have extra features. These include larger throat areas, automatic thickness sensors, and walking or dual feed attachments.

These machines will feature higher stitch per minute motors and better piercing power. Modern machines have tutorials and extra memory storage. This lets you save different types of stitches and designs like stippling, monogramming, or embellishments.

These modern marvels automatically sense the proper pressure foot settings and adjust the tension settings on the machine. This list includes computerized sewing machine’s as well as a mechanical machine. All of the machine include a free arm feature except the Juki TL2010.

When buying a new sewing machine for quilting,

choose a well-known brand with a reliable dealer network for support. Consider quality, price, stitch options, variety of projects you are interested in and service network when selecting your machine.

The leading manufactures include Brother , Baby lock , Bernina, Juki ,Janome, Husqvarna Viking and Singer. Here are some mid-priced machines that I have used a lot and think are really good. I hope this list helps you.

Almost all these brands make low end mass market machines that masquerade as quilters. The major issue with them is in most cases short life spans and jamming or bird nesting (thread tangles in bobbin area). You may want to find the best sewing machines for quilting only or sewing as well as quilting.

Experiencing this issue often can be frustrating. In some cases, it can lead to complete user frustration. This can result in a loss of interest in the hobby.

– Juki HZL 5 sewing quilting machine.

HZL-DX5 super quilter comes with a multi-function foot control a feature not found on most non Juki brand machines under three thousand dollars.

To activate the programmable heel switch, simply press down with your heel. To activate the programmable heel switch, press down with your heel.

You can customize the heel switch to do different things. For example, you can use it to raise the presser foot for quilting. You can also use it to trim threads or lock in a stitch with reverse stitching. Additionally, you can control the stitch with single stitch mode.

DX5 model from Juki offers 185 pre–programmed stitches, encompassing both ornamental and functional stitches.

 HZL-DX5 sewing machine stands out from other brand machines due to its use of an industrial box feed mechanism. This feature is must have for quilt creators and pairs effectively with the included walking top feed attachment foot.

The knee raiser lever is inserted into the front of the machine. This tool elevates the presser foot using your knee instead of your hands. The knee lever provides a major feature for home quilting machines operators allowing faster quilt shifts and positioning.

1. Stitches Per Minute: 1,050
2. Automatic Thread Tension
3. Work Space: 8″ X 4.4
4. Walking Foot

5. Step Free Motion or Fine fabric Throat plate. Wide to zig zag or overlock ext or small for SS free motion just push a button. Eliminates screwdriver conversion of replacing throat plate.

Husqvarna Viking 650 Opal Sewing Quilting Machine.

This machine has a key feature called the Exclusive SEWING ADVISOR®. It optimizes your sewing experience by automatically setting the best stitch, stitch width, stitch length, and pressure foot settings.

• The selected stitch is displayed on the display screen. It shows the recommended thread tension, presser foot, needle size and type, and presser foot pressure as well. This speeds up your learning curve and improves your results.
• Includes 3 LED lights which reduce shadows while sewing as well as eye fatigue.
• The Built-in Needle Threader makes threading so easy and saves time.
• This machine can create a straight stitch in 29 needle positions. It is perfect for topstitching, edge stitching, under stitching, ditch stitching, or quilting. Ideal for adjusting correct needle position for large objects like a quilt.
• zig zag stitch, overlock.

The Husqvarna Viking OPAL™ 650 sewing machine has 4 permanent memories. Each memory can save up to 20 stitches or letters. This allows you to design custom embellishment’s and store them in to memory.

Key Features Include:

2)160 built-in stitches.

3) Winds bobbins from needle, eliminates rethreading machine. Great timing saving feature.

4) Electronic Speed Control, 5 speeds to extend the life of the motor and provide different SPM.

5) Large area to the right of the needle for ease of sewing, nearly 8 inches. zig zag stitch, overlock.

The Juki TL2010Q

The Juki TL2010Q is a single needle lockstitch mechanical machine designed for straight stitching, quilting, tailoring, dressmaking, and home decor items.

Constructed of aluminum die-casting to ensure industrial-quality sewing. The extra rigidity provides the stiffness to run at a very high SPM. Includes a Knee Lift and Hand Lever for Presser Foot Lift, Automatic Needle Threader.

The Juki TL series is the bar by which we measure all SS sewing /Quilting machines by. This machine is the favorite of many professional seamstress who lecture or teach all over the USA.

The Juki TL2010Q is a tabletop sewing machine that can also be mounted in a cabinet or used on a machine quilting frame. This machine is a mini industrial high speed machine that is the gold standard. This machine runs like a knife going through hot butter. Denim in multiple layers, leather, quilts, and Sunbrella.

Constructed featuring an aluminum die-casting to ensure industrial-quality sewing. All have Knee Lift and Hand Lever for Presser Foot Lift, Automatic Needle Threader.

  The Juki TL2010Q is a high-speed, lightweight industrial-type machine with an industrial box feed that promotes even feeding and more contact with your fabric.

Key Features include:

1500 spm Dimensions: 452 (W) x 350 (H) x 219 (D) (mm) Sliding Speed Control.

Sews heavy weight materials with ease Throat Area: 8.5(L)x 5.9 (H) inches.

Auxiliary table included: dimensions 590 mm x 277 mm (12 x 23).

1/5 inch Quilt (Also called “Free Motion” Darning Feet) Foot.

Walking Foot, Foot control w/ thread trimmer. zig zag stitch, overlock.

Brother Pacesetter NQ700 Sewing & Quilting Machine

Sewers and quilters who like to create custom projects all their own, the Pace setter exclusive Pro Series Machine PS 700 Sewing & Quilting Machine is a great choice.

180 built-in stitches, 40 of which are combinable. 10 distinct styles of one-step buttonholes and 5 gorgeous sewing lettering fonts perfect for monogramming gifts.

• Wide table, open toe foot, stitch guide foot, quilting foot, walking foot, and 1/4″ piecing foot are included.
• Longer feed dogs allow for smoother sewing and better control. Using a walking foot with your sewing machine helps you control fabric better. This is especially useful when working with quilts, thicker materials, or fabrics with designs.

The PS 700 features a larger frame as well 8.3″ FROM NEEDLE TO ARM. This Brother also features the jam resistant drop in bobbin design. My Custom Stitch Feature, Knee lifter, Stitches Per Minute) 850.

My Custom Stitch Feature allows you to create your own unique patterns. You can get very creative with your projects and create one-of-a-kind patterns. You can save these patterns in memory for future use.

Viking Husqvarna SAPPHIRE™ 930 Sewing Quilting.

The Viking Husqvarna Sapphire 930 is a super star machine. Large right of needle or throat space the sewing surface at almost 10 inch.

The sensor system in the machine can detect how thick the fabric is. It then adjusts the pressure foot and feed automatically. This helps prevent the stitches from stretching out.

Sewing Advisor feature finds best stitch, width, length, tension, pressure, and speed for you.  200 stitches and four font styles. SAVE TO “MY STITCHES” – 20 permanent memory slots.

BOBBIN WINDS FROM THE NEEDLE, Sensor Foot Lift • Presser foot lowers and raises automatically. There are four modes: lowered, swivel, raised, and additional lift. The feed teeth lower automatically to create more space for smoothly sliding bulky fabrics and quilts under the foot.

The Viking Husqvarna Sapphire 930 has three LED lights. These lights make sewing easier by illuminating the needle area and sewing surface. This helps reduce eye fatigue. It also has 29 needle placements, and you can wind the bobbin from the needle, which eliminates the need to rethread the machine.

• Automatic thread cutter, Electronic Self-Adjusting Thread Tension.
• Straight Stitch Plate with Sensor Technology.

Utility & Decorative Stitches 215.

• My Stitches Menu (permanent memories) 20 (800 total stitches).
• Mirror End-to-End / Side-to-Side.
• Electronic Speed Control 5 speeds.
• Bobbin Thread Sensor alerts to low thread.
• zig zag stitch, overlock.

JUKI DX-2000QVP Sewing Quilting Machine

This is Juki’s premier model before you move into the super frame class. The HZL QVP flagship model has a wide range of features and top-of-the-line attachments. The stitch quality is outstanding as is the durability.

Float Function Prevents Uneven Seams

1. By pressing the float button, you can sew with the presser foot slightly raised. By raising the presser foot to float you can sew fabrics without pushing layers or creating uneven seams. this is effective when quilting and sewing appliques. The height of the presser foot can be set from 0 to 2.5mm in increments of 0.1 mm.

Straight Stitch Slide Plate

Simply slide the front lever to switch to a single needle hole. Sew the lightest fabrics with perfect needle permeation.

Box Feed – JUKI Industrial Sewing Machine Technology

The box feed technology moves your fabric to allow you to create perfect high-quality stitches on all types of fabrics. The box feed system stays in contact with your fabrics longer for a consistent, reliable seam

Control System: Computer

Number of stitch patterns: 287

Number of available fonts: 4

1. Buttonhole: Automatic (sensor system) with clamping plate
2. Direct stitch pattern selection: 10 patterns
3. Maximum stitch speed: 1,050 SPM
4. Accessories Galore including the walking foot and muti use foot control.

Click on the product link to see all of them.

5. zig zag stitch, overlock.

So, those are my top picks. Please note that they are not ranked in any particular order as each machine has unique features that may be the standout feature you’re looking for.