Best Sewing-Quilting Combo Machines
Many home sewists enjoy expanding their creative skills into the quilting field. Whether you’re new to machine quilting or are already experienced, using a traditional sewing machine isn’t always the easiest piece of equipment to quilt on. Most machines provide you with a short arm and an even smaller throat area.
The sewing industry took notice of this and several popular manufacturers designed sewing and quilting combo machines that provide home sewists and quilters with the best of both worlds. The following machines all have several things in common: they function beautifully as both sewing and quilting machines. All have expansive removable or fixed arms and large throat areas. No more rolling that quilt to be able to work on it! All the machines on our list range in price, features, technology and versatility. Enjoy!
Brother HC1850 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine
This high-performance machine from Brother includes 130 built-in stitch options, 55 alphanumeric stitches, 1 monogramming font and 8 different buttonhole options. It features a well-lit, good sized display panel that allows you to quickly choose each stitch and settings and a handy flip chart featuring every stitch on the front of the machine. A sewing speed control lever is conveniently located on the front of the machine and it has a top sewing speed of 850 stitches per minute. The range of automated features make this a great sewing and quilting machine for beginners or experienced sewists. Included among the 7 presser feet are a zipper foot, a monogramming foot, a quilting foot and a button sewing foot. The light weight of the machine (17 lbs.) may cause some vibration at high speed.
| Brother |
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| Brother HC1850
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Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist Computerized Sewing Machine
This computerized sewing/quilting machine by Singer includes an impressive 600 built-in stitch options, 13 one-step buttonhole choices, 5 alphanumeric fonts and a stunning 18 presser feet. Its heavy-duty metal construction ensures stability, even at the top speed of 850 stitches per minute. The display panel offers you one-touch stitch selection, and the automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin make setup a breeze. The Quantum Stylist also includes the option of using twin needles with electronic stitch width settings for all stitches other than the straight stitch. An extra-wide removable extension table ensures you have plenty of room for large sewing or quilting projects. The only drawback is its somewhat hefty price.
| Singer |
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| Quantum Stylist 9960
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JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
This solidly built, high-speed (1,500 stitches per minute) model from Juki includes advanced technology and some great features. The 9 inches of throat space and a 13-inch long extension table provide plenty of room for the largest sewing or quilting projects. It also features a convenient knee lever which allows you to raise or lower the presser foot at will. The drop feed feature ensures you have the option to create beautiful top-stitched freehand designs on your quilts and garments and the multiple LED lights keep the work area well lit. There are a couple of important limitations to this expensive machine’s capabilities, including only one stitch option and a manual tension control dial. It does, however, produce high-quality stitching on all fabric types.
| Juki |
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| TL-2000Qi
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Brother CS6000I Sewing Machine
There are plenty of reasons why this simple, yet very efficient multi-purpose model from Brother won the 2020 Women’s Choice Award for Sewing Machines. It’s easy to setup and operate but it consistently delivers impressive results. It also includes some impressive features that will come in handy when designing your quilting projects. In addition to featuring 60 built-in stitch options and 7 one-step buttonholes, the CS6000I includes an automatic threading system, a brightly lit, intuitive LCD display panel and an adjustable sewing speed lever on the front of the machine. The oversized work table can be removed so you can take advantage of the free arm option – a must when working on smaller or more intricate sewing projects. The only drawback to this affordable, lightweight (13 lbs.) machine is its tendency to vibrate when operated at its highest speed of 850 stitches per minute.
| Brother |
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| CS6000i
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Brother SQ 9185 Sewing and Quilting Machine
This amazingly priced Brother model includes an impressive 130 stitch options, including 55 alphanumeric stitches and 8 different auto-sized buttonhole choices. Some of the features include an automatic needle threader and handy top-loading, drop-in bobbin. The large, back-lit LCD display panel makes choosing your stitches and setting quick and easy, and the large detachable work area gives you plenty of room for big projects. The stitch length and width are both adjustable; stitch width maximum is 7 mm and the stitch length maximum is 5 mm. You can hone your creative free motion stitching skills by taking advantage of the drop feed feature and the LED light provides great illumination on the work area. The drawback is the lack of a presser foot pressure adjustment feature.
| Brother |
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| SQ 9185
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Janome MC 6300P Professional Sewing and Quilting Machine
Both the construction and the price on this computerized Janome model are healthy, but this manufacturer is renowned for its quality products. It includes 66 different stitch options, 4 buttonhole choices and a whopping 14 different presser feet. The automatic needle threader and top-loading bobbin make setup quick and easy, and the knee control instantly lifts the presser foot. The speed control slider on the front of the machine will make learning easier for beginners and the bright LED light will keep the work area well lit. The LCD display screen is small but bright enough to easily read stitch options and settings. This Janome includes 5 built-in memory banks so you can store your favorite stitches and settings. The only drawback is its weight. At nearly 40 lbs., it might be difficult for some owners to move.
| Janome |
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| Memory Craft 6300P
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Brother PQ1500SL High-Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine
This multi-purpose machine by Brother is extremely fast and powerful. It’s top speed of 1,500 stitches per minute is blinding and it can easily handle the heaviest sewing and quilting projects. It includes a huge 12-inch by 18-inch extension table that accommodates large projects with ease and can be removed so you can use the free arm function. The drop feed option makes freehand stitching a breeze. Features include the F.A.S.T. needle threading system, a knee control lever for the presser foot and full range foot pressure adjustment control. The LED light is bright enough to keep that huge work area well illuminated. Like the Juke model above, the PQ1500SL is limited to a single straight stitch option and is more expensive than more versatile models.
| Brother |
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| PQ1500SL
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Singer ONE Vintage-Style Computerized Sewing Machine
This affordable Singer model is designed to be far more than a conversation piece. It includes a spacious 14.7 inches of work space, perfect for large sewing and quilting projects. It includes 24 built-in utility, basic and decorative stitch options and 2 automatic one-step buttonhole stitches. The heavy-duty metal frame keeps noise and vibrations down, and the automatic needle threader and drop and sew bobbin speed up setup. Three LED lights keep the work area brightly lit and the One Touch stitch selection window on the front of the machine automatically sets optimal stitch settings for you. The touch of a lever automatically drops the feed dogs for freehand sewing and online support can help you with any questions. The low resolution on the LCD panel can be a drawback for those with poor eyesight.
| Singer |
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| ONE Vintage-Style Computerized Sewing Machine
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Singer Confidence Quilter 7469Q Computerized Machine
This reasonably priced Singer is packed with features and designed to please sewists of every level. Along with 98 stitch options and 7 one-step automatic buttonholes, it includes adjustable stitch length, 4 quilting feet and electronic twin needle control. The drop feed function makes freehand stitching a joy and the programmable needle up/down function is a priceless feature when piecing together patchwork quilts. The drop and sew bobbin system and 13 available needle positions make setup fast and easy. The large extension table gives you plenty of work space and the sturdy construction keeps noise and vibrations to a minimum, even at its top speed of 750 stitches per minute. The only downside is the small display panel.
| Singer |
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| Confidence Quilter 7469Q
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Baby Lock Jazz II Sewing and Quilting Machine
No sewing machine list would be complete without a Baby Lock model, and this mid-range multi-purpose machine brings it all. In addition to a generous, foot-long throat area to the right of the needle, the Jazz II includes an automatic needle threader and bobbin winder, a quick-set top loading bobbin and a large reverse stitch lever on the front of the machine. The knee-activated presser foot lever always keeps your hands free. With 28 built-in stitch options and a top speed of 1,000 stitches per minute, you’ll fly through any size sewing or quilting project. The free arm function makes working on smaller projects easy and the presser foot pressure control helps control heavier fabrics. This machine also offers you an adjustable stitch width of 0.0 mm to 4.0 mm and a maximum utility stitch width of 7 mm. Even a mid-range model like this one may be too expensive for those on a budget.
| Baby Lock |
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| Jazz II
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Whether you work on large sewing projects or have a love for machine quilting, investing in a versatile machine with an expanded work area is always a great decision. Who can’t use the extra room?