Quilting Sewing Machines

The best sewing machines for quilting offer generous throat space, an even fabric feed system and an extension table. A standard-size machine with around seven inches of workspace and a walking foot handles most quilting, including full-size quilts. Free-motion quilting capability is also important, look for a machine with suitable feet, drop-feed functionality and enough space to move the quilt freely. You'll need quilting accessories and feet too so check what is included or available in the box or as an optional accessory. Some machines offer features such as a knee lifter, programmable needle positioning or specialised quilting stitches that can make the process easier.

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Quilting machines are designed to handle the bulk of a layered quilt sandwich. A larger throat, meaning the workspace to the right of the needle, gives you room to manoeuvre a rolled quilt as you work. An even feed system, whether a walking foot or built-in dual feed, keeps all three layers moving together so your rows stay straight and pucker-free. A machine with drop feed dogs for free-motion sewing and space to fit a walking foot will still handle cushions, table runners and lap quilts perfectly well.

Throat space is the working area to the right of the needle. It's a really important consideration as it determines the room available to manoeuvre bulky quilts and larger projects as you sew. Seven inches suits most quilters and handles everything from piecing and cushion covers through to full-size quilts. Ten inches and above earns its keep if you make bed-size quilts regularly, because there is more room to hold the rolled bulk, which means fewer stops to reposition as you work. A smaller workspace will limit the size of quilt you can make so it is worth considering the size of projects you intend to create when buying a sewing machine for quilting.

A walking foot moves the top layer at the same rate as the feed dogs move the bottom layer, so all three layers of the quilt sandwich travel together and your rows stay straight. Some machines build this in: PFAFF's IDT system, BERNINA Dual Feed and Janome's AcuFeed Flex all do the same job without fitting a separate foot. Free motion quilting works the other way round. The feed dogs drop, a free motion foot goes on, and you steer the quilt by hand. Our guide to quilting on a sewing machine walks through both techniques.

Prioritise throat space, a walking foot or built-in dual feed and an extension table. The table widens the flat surface around the needle, so the weight of the quilt is held up rather than dragging on the seam you are stitching. A knee lift raises and lowers the presser foot with a nudge of your knee, which means both hands stay on the quilt while you pivot. Drop feed dogs are worth checking for too, since free motion quilting is not possible without them. Our quilting accessories range covers walking feet, quarter-inch feet, free motion feet and extension tables.

No. Quilters have been finishing full-size quilts on domestic machines for generations. A long arm machine suits quilters working at volume or piecing very large tops but a domestic quilting machine handles most projects.

Our range covers quilting machines at every level and budget. Janome's QDC and QCP models, including the 5270QDC and the Memory Craft 9480QCP, are firm favourites with quilters for their workspace and dependable feeding. The PFAFF Quilt Ambition 635 has PFAFF's built-in IDT dual feed system, so all three quilt layers move together without fitting a separate walking foot. BERNINA's Quilter's Edition models, including the 475 QE and 570 QE, pair Swiss engineering with quilting-specific feet. We also stock Brother and bernette machines with quilting features.