Are You Looking For Best Sewing Machine For Free Motion Quilting?
Recently, many individuals have asked me what the best sewing machine for free motion quilting is. There isn’t a clear answer to this question. You can’t even blame the brand or model of a specific manufacturer.
The answer will depend on the budget you have and the features you want. It is possible to purchase an expensive sewing machine for more than a thousand dollars and perform free motion quilting. You can perform the same using a lower-cost home machine and be content.
The whole thing is dependent on your budget. “Money Decides!”. While budget is a major factor, it is important to ensure that the machine you purchase has important features that are required to allow free motion quilting, or quilting generally.
| Best Sewing Machines For Free Motion Quilting: | Details: |
| SINGER 9960 | Read More Below |
| Brother XR9500PRW | Read More Below |
| Brother PC420PRW | Read More Below |
| Brother DZ2400 | Read More Below |
| Janome 8077 | Read More Below |
| Janome MC-6300P | Read More Below |
| Juki HZL-F600 | Read More Below |
| Singer S18 | Read More Below |
Must-Have Features To Look For Best Sewing Machine For Free Motion Quilting:
Drop Feed Dog lever converts modern sewing machines to Free Motion Quilting Mode. Be sure that the sewing machine you purchase is equipped with this feature. If not, you’ll end up throwing it out the window.
Reliable Motor:
What’s underneath the hood is important, particularly regarding quilting. A strong motor capable of producing a significant number of stitches and working flawlessly over long periods is essential for quilting free motion.
High-speed sewing is the best in free-motion quilting. You can choose between two kinds of sewing machines in the United States. Some machines deliver 750 to 850 stitches per minute. Other free motion quilting machines can deliver 1,000 or more stitches in a minute.
Most sewing machines at home can produce between 750 and 850 stitches/min. This should be sufficient for most situations; however, for perfectionists who want to be the best, consider 1000 stitches per minute machines since they will give that perfect edge that provides an elegant finish to your quilts. The best free motion quilting machines will be listed at the bottom of the article.
Variable Speed Control:
The ability to control sewing speed may not sound important, but it does impact. While you may require the maximum sewing speed to do free-motion quilting, slower speeds are ideal for piecing.
Built-in Stitches:
A sewing machine that is capable of producing perfect straight stitches is a dream for a quilter. I’ve seen a few affordable sewing machines produce higher quality straight stitches than industrial ones.
Therefore, you must be selective. Zig Zag or Blind Hemstitches is both essential to use for machine quilting. If you’re a crazed person like I am, you might require several decorative stitches. Modern sewing machines are never deficient in decorative stitches.
Programmable Needle Up/Down:
It is a must-have feature for quilters. This feature provides you with an additional hand. You can set the device to stop the needle in either position when you press the button. The needle that is stopped in the down position secures the fabric in place for you, while the up position is useful when you remove the fabric.
Machine Throat:
This is the area to the right of the needle. The machine that has a bigger throat is ideal for quilting free motion.
Knee Lifter:
This lets you move the presser foot by using your knee. You don’t require a hand in this situation. You can lift and lower your presser foot with a single motion without taking your hands off the quilt.
Best Sewing Machines For Free Motion Quilting [2023 Reviewed]
1. Singer 9960 – Best Vintage Sewing Machine for Free Motion Quilting
- Maximum Speed Control
- 600 stitched-in stitches
- Needle up/down
- Sewing light
- Automatic thread-cutter
- Extension table
This is the most advanced sewing machine for free motion quilting. It is the highest quantity of features you can anticipate at this price point.
It’s a mouthwatering bargain for someone who loves to quilt like me, particularly considering the range of stitches available on the board. Straight stitches are as precise as you can find from any industrial sewing machine.
The main reason it’s included on the list is “Machines You Can Buy With Your Eyes Shut.” This is best domestic sewing machine for free motion quilting you should have.
Cons:
Bobbin jamming problems plagued the 9960 batch from the old days. However, Singer has solved the issue with an upgrade. This has proved to be a perfect machine for free motion quilting since then.
2. Brother XR9500PRW
- 850 stitches/minute speed for sewing
- Variable control of speed
- 100 stitches built-in
- Needle up/down
- Sewing light
- Table for quilting included
It is the second most effective sewing machine that can be used for quilting. The major advantages of this machine are its features as well as cost.
In reality, XR9500PRW is the least expensive sewing machine on this list. It’s also been voted as the top sewing machine. The stitch’s quality is top-quality, and you cannot expect more from a sewing machine. This is best home sewing machine for free motion quilting you should buy to use at home.
Cons:
The needle threader that is automatic needs some time to be familiar with. It doesn’t come with an automatic thread cutter that we mentioned as one of our favorite attributes, but it has a manual cutter available.
3. Brother PC420PRW
- 850 stitches/minute speed for sewing
- Control of variable speed
- 294 stitched-in stitches
- Needle up/down
- Sewing light
- Automatic thread cutter
PC420PRW is a top-quality, modern sewing machine manufactured by Brother. The most attractive feature of this model is the high quality of the stitches.
Cons:
The lighting in the work area is too dim for me. Many might think it’s costly, particularly when it is possible to get Singer 9960 at the same amount, and in some cases, even less. It’s missing tables, either.
4. Brother DZ2400
- 850 stitches/min sewing speed
- Control of variable speed
- 185 stitches built-in
- Needle up/down
- Sewing light
- Also, an extra wide table
If you’re searching for an affordable, advanced sewing machine, the DZ2400 is the machine to think about. It’s a value-for-money investment. The quality of stitching is comparable to any modern sewing machine for free motion quilting.
Cons:
Thread holder that looks a bit flimsy. DZ2400 isn’t equipped with an automatic thread cutter. This is reasonable considering the price. The hand-held thread cutter can be placed in an awkward position that isn’t the best to be comfortable.
5. Janome 8077
- Foot lift with extra-high pressure
- 30 stitches built-in
- Needle up/down
- Sewing light
Although the Janome 8077 may be lacking in attributes, it compensates for this in quality and endurance. It’s a tough and reliable workhorse.
Cons:
The absence of features is the primary factor in the direction of Janome 8077. The 30 stitches built-in to the machine may not be enough for all. Furthermore, it’s not equipped with a quilting table, or an auto-cutting thread.
6. Janome MC-6300P
- The sewing machine can handle 1000 stitches per minute.
- Variable control of speed
- 66 stitches built-in
- Needle up/down
- Knee lifter
- Sewing light
- Automatic thread cutter
- Extension Table
The MC-6300P is a dream for quilters. This machine meets all essential features for quilting in free motion. It is the most sought-after sewing machine used by quilters.
This is a high-end model, and it’s also a very durable model. You won’t find a better model with more durability. It features a 9”x5″ throat, the largest in the field. It has everything quilters require.
Cons:
A crucial point to remember is that to quilt free motion; you will require a specialized bobbin holder known as ‘Blue Dot, ‘ which is not provided in the package. The light for sewing is also dim.
7. Juki HZL-F600
- Control of variable speed
- Light Weight Material
- Needle up/down
- 8″ throat
- Extended Sewing Table
The machine made by Juki is a bit more expensive than the earlier Janome machine, but it has many built-in stitches. Straight stitches appear like they are straight and perfect. It works well when you have thick layers of fabric.
Cons:
The right tension is achieved through practice. The throat space is smaller than the Janome MC-6300P.
8. Singer S18
- Control of variable speed
- 400 stitched-in stitches
- Needle up/down
- Knee lifter
- Sewing light
- Automatic thread cutter
- Extension Table included for large quilts
Singer S18 for free motion quilting is the least expensive machine in this class. It has the most stitching stitches built-in on all three machines.
It has recently been awarded this year’s Women’s Choice Award 2014. The most interesting aspect is that Janome manufactures it for Singer. It is equipped with Janome accessories, too.
Regarding features (and cost-wise), Singer S18 is the trio’s top. However, considering the stitch quality and performance, the Janome MC-6300P and Juki HZL-F600 are slightly more advanced.
Free Motion Quilting Tutorial Series:
Video 1 – Set the sewing machine.
Video 2 – Beginner Exercises
Video 3 – Straight Stitch Exercises
Video 4 – Practice designs for Straight Lines
Video 5 – Stippling and meandering stitches
Video 6 – Learning curvy stitches
Conclusion [Best Sewing Machine For Free Motion Quilting]
The machines on the list are ideal for quilting free motion. After thorough research, our top pick was one of them: the SINGER 9960 Sewing And Quilting Machine. It’s the cheapest quilting machine for free motion quilting on the market. Sixty stitches are inbuilt, a large quilting table, and an LCD for this machine. The maximum speed for sewing is 850 stitches per minute. The auto threader and automatic cutter can also make it easier to save time.
It’s also recommended to look at the other options we have in our evaluation. Perhaps you’ll want to think about the affordable top quilting machine or one with features that are better for your requirements.
We hope that you can use the information we provide in our article to choose the Best Free Motion Quilting Machine to meet your requirements.
FAQs about Best Free Motion Quilting Machines:
Q: What is the top quilting machine for free motion quilting?
Due to the huge quantity of fabric required in quilting, Quilters may look for quilting machines with large throats and tables that extend. These features help quilters handle the heavy quilt material. In addition, quilters using free-motion sewing techniques may look for machines with drop-feed functions.
Q: What is the most effective length of stitch that allows free-motion quilting?
There isn’t a specific length. It’s all about the effect you are trying to achieve. I suggest you try experimenting with different lengths of stitches to determine which one you prefer for your particular project.
Q: What’s different between a normal machine for sewing and a quilting machine?
The distinction between a standard sewing machine and a quilting machine is that quilting machines can facilitate specific sewing techniques to make quilts. Parts that can be interchanged, like a spring-action quilting foot and an adjustable guide bar for quilting, help the quilter with their tasks.
Large throat space and an extension table with a large size offer the space required to handle large quilts. Also, quilters prefer machines with drop-feed functions to allow free-motion sewing.
Q: Is it possible to quilt free-motion with no special foot?
You can finish your free-motion quilting projects with any special or darning foot! The fabric can be moved in any direction during free-motion quilting, and you can control the speed of the stitch with your hands.
Q: What’s the price of the sewing machine used for quilting?
A sewing machine that can be used for quilting is priced as low as $150 to $200 or up to $2,000-$4,000. Quilters can search for a broad variety of machines that have different capacities and features.
Q: What additional items for quilting, other than the machine, will I require?
We suggest getting a quality pair of quilting gloves made of cotton, also known as Machingers. They’re also known as gripping gloves.
They are recommended to wear gloves when free motion quilting, so they can be used with your whole hand to control the fabric, not only your fingers. When you have greater hand control of your quilting, you’ll feel less strain, which will help prevent injuries from repetitive motion.
Q: Do you make quilts on a regular machine?
Quilting can be done with any regular sewing machine manufacturer like Singer and Brother. Still, it may not have sufficient throat space and worktable to manage the massive quantity of fabric required to quilt.
Handling the bulky quilting material on a standard sewing machine can be difficult. In addition, certain regular sewing machines aren’t equipped with the drop-feed feature that allows free-motion sewing.
Q: What machine is it that Suzy quilts with?
Suzy Quilts makes use of the BERNINA sewing machine. Suzy is an official BERNINA expert ambassador, and she blogs about instructions, quilt patterns, quilting machines, fabrics, and much more.
Q: What’s the purpose of the walking foot?
The walking foot, also known as the quilting foot, has many uses. It’s an excellent stabilizer for quilts. If you sew long straight lines across the entire quilt, along borders, or between blocks using an edging foot, it will help stabilize the layers, then you can proceed over the secured layers using more elaborate stitches.
Q: Do you require an extra sewing machine specifically designed for quilting?
It is necessary to have a specific sewing machine designed for quilting. Suppose you are planning to engage often and consistently in the art of making quilts.
For novices and casual hobbyists, it’s possible to quilt quilts using any machine. However, the machine might not have enough room to hold the bulky items. A variety of sewing machines can be used to sew clothing and other home décor things and to create projects and quilts.
Q: Do you think that you can use a mini sewing machine for free motion quilting?
Using a mini sewing machine to quilt is impossible because it’s too small to stitch through the numerous layers of fabric that make up the quilt. Furthermore, a mini sewing machine doesn’t have enough space to work with the massive, bulky components of the quilt.
Q: Can a bigger than my entire quilt be under the machine?
A wider throat is an excellent benefit for quilters who require more room for larger projects. However, it’s best not to simultaneously put the entire quilt in the machine. It’s not a good idea to do that as it could cause.
Begin working in one direction for the initial part of your quilt. Then, rotate the quilt and work in the opposite direction until you can complete the entire piece.
Q: What is a quilt sandwich?
A quilt sandwich is a whole quilt being put together before you begin sewing it. The sandwich consists of the upper part of the quilt, batting, and the back.
Q: Is Free Arm Necessary?
Yes. A free arm can help you easily maneuver fabric underneath and around needles. A free arm is placed in the lower part of the machine. It extends from the body to go past the needles and is used to feed the dog.
A free arm can allow you to stitch pieces together, particularly when you’re sewing different shapes or patterns to the fabric. It also helps you create a tight space while putting on the last finishes.
See Also:
- Best Serger Sewing Machine for Beginners
- Best Heavy Duty Sewing Machine for Beginners
- Best Sewing Machine for Buttonholes
- Best Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewers
- Best Sewing Machine Under 200
- Common Sewing Machine Problems and How To Fix Them?
- How to Clean Sewing Machine in a Smart Way?
- How to Sew a Bound Seam with a Sewing Machine?
- How to Gather Fabric with a Sewing Machine?
- How To Baste On a Sewing Machine?
- How to Use a Double Needle on a Sewing Machine?
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