Best Sewing Machine Upgrades for Experienced & Advanced
26th Feb 2021
As with any craft, a quilter eventually reaches a level where they're only as good as their tools. Many casual quilters report that they start to bump up against the ceiling of their current machine's capabilities as they become more proficient with the craft and more ambitious with their designs.
If you find yourself reaching the skill ceiling on your hardware, it's time to upgrade to a better sewing machine for quilting. To help expert quilters like yourself search for a brand new machine, we've assembled this guide to the best sewing machine for quilting experts. The guide is broken into three separate sections based on price point, but each machine represents a significant upgrade for most home quilters.
Budget Sewing Machines for Quilting (under $1,000)
These machines represent a perfect entry point for newer quilting aficionados. While they do not have quite as many features as the mid or higher budget options, these are a major upgrade over your more basic sewing machines.
Juki HZL-LB5100 Computerized Sewing Machine
$349.00
Juki sewing machine Information
Why We Love This Machine: The Juki HZL-LB5100 is a perfect entry point into the world of more serious quilting. It even works well for newer quilters. For an entry-level machine, this Juki sewing machine offers a wide range of features. You'll find a high stitch speed, a helpful LCD display, a seven-point feed dog, an auto needle threader, 100 stitch pattern options, and more on this powerful machine.
Juki Exceed HZL-F300 Home Deco Computerized Sewing Machine
$599.00
Juki sewing machine Information
Why We Love This Machine: Juki continues to deliver top-of-the-line quality and power in an easy-to-use format. If the HZL-LB5100 isn't quite powerful enough for your needs, the Exceed HZL-F300 packs a significantly more impressive set of features for a mere $250 more. Juki designed this innovative machine to be easy enough for an amateur and powerful enough for a pro. Juki knocks it out of the park with features that include a foot controller, automatic needle threader, and computerized sewing options that increase your customization and control capabilities.
Janome 3160QOV Sewing and Quilting Machine
$599.00
Why We Love This Machine: This machine and its Quilts of Valor edition bonus bundle are the perfect option for someone who wants to turn their crafting output towards quilting. Boasting 60 stitch types, six one-step buttonholes, an LCD display, and a helpful stitch type reference printed directly on the machine, this powerhouse quilting machine will take your work to the next level.
Juki TL2000Qi
$699.00
Why We Love This Machine: Much like the above Janome machine, the Juki TL2000Qi is specifically designed for quilting, though it can perform all of your basic sewing needs. The signature element of this machine is a knee lift lever that allows you to raise and lower the presser foot without using your hands. It also boasts a drop feed, making it easy to work along curves and with delicate fabric types. Despite all this power, the machine is surprisingly quiet and won't disrupt others in your home. No wonder people consider the Juki TL2000Qi the Rolls Royce of home quilting machines!
Mid-Budget Sewing Machines for Quilting ($1,000 - $2,999.99)
Our mid-budget selections offer a wider range of features than our smaller budget options for a price that still won't break the bank. If you're the type of quilter who wants to knock out multiple projects in a week, or start a smaller home business, each of these machines has a lot to offer.
Juki Exceed HZL F600 Quilt Pro Special Computerized Sewing Machine
$1,049.00
Juki exceed sewing machine details
Why We Love This Machine: This all-in-one machine specializes in quilting but is more than capable of handling all your sewing needs. Quilting experts love the foot controller, which comes with its own thread trimmer. This allows the quilter to focus on their LED illuminated project while they trim and cut threads without having to take their eyes off their work.
Bernina Bernette B77
$1,299.00
Bernia Bernette sewing machine specs
Why We Love This Machine: The Bernette B77 trades being a generalist for a clean focus on sewing and quilting. When you use the B77, you'll quickly see why that was the right choice. It has an intuitive computer interface that allows you to choose from 500 different stitching patterns. Add to that the semi-auto needle threader, programmable foot controls, plus a load of featured accessories, and you've got one of the best machines on the market.
Those who love what the B77 has to offer but want a bit more in terms of features and power should consider the Bernina Bernette B79 as another mid-budget option.
Juki TL2020PE Platinum Edition
$1,599.00
Juki sewing machine information
Why We Love This Machine: This portable quilting and sewing machine features a gorgeous retro look and dozens of powerful features. Here are some of our favorite features on this limited edition machine:
- Thread tension scale
- Automatic thread trimmer
- Maximum speed control (choose anywhere from 200 to 1500 stitches per minute)
- Bright LED project illumination
- Free motion quilting
Add those features to the impressive limited-edition design and you've got a machine anyone would be happy to have.
Janome MC9850
$1,899.00
Why We Love This Machine: Sitting at the top of our mid-budget selections, the Janome MC9850 is an all-in-one magic solution to all your creative pursuits. With 200 built-in stitches, six one-step buttonholes, a seven-piece feed dog, free arm, and full color LED touchscreen, no project is out of reach. This edition of the machine comes with 10 different feet and two separate hoop sizes, meaning you can unbox and start quilting right away!
Top-End Sewing Machines for Quilting($3,000+)
These machines may be more expensive, but if you've gotten to the point where you're planning on starting a home business or have an entire room dedicated to quilting, then you can't beat the power and features that these sewing machines offer.
Juki DX-4000QVP Kokochi 12" Arm
$3,999.00
Juki DX-4000 Kokochi 12” arm details
Why We Love This Machine: While the Kokoichi may be more affordable than other professional grade machines, it certainly doesn't lack anything in performance. The longer arm allows for greater freedom of movement when you’re working on quilting projects, and the 7" color touch panel is simple enough that even an amateur could use it. It also offers stitch storing and recall, a bobbin thread sensor, Juki SmartFeed (built-in dual feed), and presser foot lifting functions. Once again, Juki's impressive list of features make it feel capable of anything and easy to use.
Grace Q'Nique 15 + Cutie Frame and Bonuspack
$5,142.72
Grace Q’Nique 15 Sewing Machine Information
Why We Love This Machine: The Grace Q'Nique 15 provides amazing value for price. It boasts a mind-bending stitch speed of 2000 stitches per minute, so you can complete quilts at home faster than ever. Grace has also equipped the machine with easy thread tension adjustment. And as a midarm machine, it's far easier to quilt large surface areas thanks to its ability to move freely above the quilting frame. The Cutie Frame and Bonuspack edition sold on Premier Stitching provides you with everything you need to make amazing quilts.
Grace Q'Nique 19 Long-Arm Quilting Machine
$6,799.00
Grace Q’Nique 19 long arm quilting machine information
Why We Love This Machine: This long-arm quilting machine bridges the gap between an easy to use short-arm and a professional quality long-arm. The simple, approachable design makes it the perfect long-arm machine for first timers. To make things easier on the user, the wide range of features on this machine can be accessed from its handles. It's even compatible with Quilter’s Creative Touch Software, which makes it possible to turn the Q'Nique 19 into a computer automated quilting system.
Grace Q'Nique 21
$7,399.00
Grace Q’Nique 21 machine information
Why We Love This Machine: The Q'nique 21 features all the same things that expert quilters love about the 19 and 15 and adds even more controls and conveniences. Of particular note is the new handle design. The 21's handles can be adjusted to nearly any position, allowing you to find the ergonomic setup that's right for you. Finally, the machine features standard stitch regulation, which is often found in only the most high-end industrial long-arm machines.
Juki Miyabi J-350QVP Long-Arm Quilting Machine
$8,999.00
Why We Love This Machine: Once again we come back to Juki. This quilting-focused sewing machine holds on to features like Juki's SmartStitch and direct drive motors and adds some impressive updates that make the machine easier to use than a majority of long-arm quilting machines. A large 18" x 10" throat space makes it easy to work on quilts of any size, and the high-end touch screen allows you to control everything from stitch speed and needle length to LED light settings. Few machines are as pleasurable and easy to use as the Juki Miyabi J-350QVP.
Ready to Buy Your New Quilting Machine?
If you're ready to buy a new sewing machine to improve your quilting output, you've come to the right place. Click "See Details" next to any of the machines that interest you to see a full list of features and pricing options. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us! One of our helpful customer service agents will assist you with your inquiries.