The long arm quilting industry has grown so exponentially in the past few years that whether you’re a new or seasoned quilter looking for a machine, you have enough of a range to choose from. And these days, by browsing the net, you can also read long arm quilting machine reviews and decide which one to go for.
Long Arm Quilting Reviews
Here we present a series of long arm quilting machines for home use and those for professional use too. Choose the one that interests you.
If you’re used to working on a sit-down machine, the Handi Quilter’s HQ Sweet Sixteen is the best long arm quilting machine for your quilting projects.
Now that TruStitch is part of the package, you will be able to create the most unique quilts with beautiful designs and consistent stitches.
This long arm quilting machine comes with several impressive and useful features, such as:
Large Throat Space
With 16″ of throat space, you can now have all the space you need to quilt large projects, a king-sized quilt too!
Extendable Table
The table provides a lot of workspace for the quilter. Its dimensions of 36” x 30” are complemented by its height-adjustable nature, raising it from 26″ to 42″. The smooth surface of the table is useful in letting your fabric glide smoothly below the needle.
Stitch Speed
This computerized long arm quilting machine comes with a mighty motor that gives you a maximum of 1500 stitches per minute. You can also choose from three speed settings on the touch screen and allow the machine to save it in its memory.
Pros.
Cons.
This is an industrial workhorse, designed to quilt on heavyweight materials. Considering this, the machine has various stitch modes, among other features.
Large Throat Area
Its throat area is 14″+, which makes it ideal to sew larger blocks and patterns, apart from giving the quilter more working space.
Stitch Modes
There are four stitch modes here:
- Precise Stitch Mode: You control the stitch per inch setting for even stitches. The speed of the machine can also be regulated, and the machine stops stitching when the quilter stops moving.
- Cruise Stitch Mode: Here, you pre-set the stitches per minute and the speed of the machine. If you slow down the machine, it will continue to stitch at the minimum speed.
- Baste Stitching Mode: By pre-setting the basting edges, you can baste the edges of the quilt.
- Manual Stitching Mode: Here, the machine is operated free-style.
Large Throat Area
Its throat area is 14″+, which makes it ideal to sew larger blocks and patterns, apart from giving the quilter more working space.
One-Touch Controls
Convenient quick-access buttons for easy control of sewing functions.
Stitches Per Minute
This machine produces finely crafted 1,800 stitches per minute.
Pros.
Cons.
Perhaps you’re a beginner quilter. If so, a good quilting machine to start with is the Juki TL-2200QVP-S Sit Down Long Arm Sewing Machine. Or perhaps you’re a fan of the Juki series.
In that case, you really must go for this long-arm sewing machine as it is endowed with many excellent features that will make quilting easy for you.
Automatic Thread Trimmers
This feature is the USP of this sit-down long arm quilting machine.
Large Throat Space
Its throat space is an amazing 18″, facilitating more comfortable stitching experiences for you.
Expandable Table
Its table can be adjusted to a maximum of 50″ width on a metal stand of adjustable height. It has a wooden top and leaf on both sides. Its total depth is 30″. Its other features are:
LED Lighting
The LED lighting works in both directions, so you will always have sufficient light when working on this machine.
Pros.
Cons.
This is an ultramodern automated quilting system that gives you wonderful quilting pleasure thanks to the technology that built it.
Clearly, the best longarm quilting machine in its class, you’ll be overwhelmed by its leading features:
Quilting Software
It is the product of latter-day hardware and a powerful motor plate that controls the working of the machine. From pattern to finish, you have the advantage of this software.
Vast Pattern Library
QuiltMotion software provides a pattern library of over 200 patterns ready to quilt.
LCD Screen
This screen provides greater visibility in the work area, thereby negating eye strain.
QuiltMotion Placement Methods
With QuiltMotion, you can place your patterns on the quilt in the way you imagine, even if you want a change in the original pattern.
New Patterns From Photos
Trace new patterns from pictures with this software and create your own new pattern for your quilt.
Operating System (OS)
This software is compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8, and Vista.
Carriage Upgrade
Ensure you have an aluminum or steel carriage for better results. If you have a wooden one, opt for the Carriage Upgrade.
Pros.
Cons.
This quilting machine is endowed with multiple features that make it stand out in a tough market.
Being one of the best rated long arm quilting machines, it has many admirable features, such as:
Foot Controller with Thread Trimming feature:
By pressing the heel part of the foot pedal, you can trim the needle and bobbin threads automatically. The foot controller is large enough to control the starting and stopping of sewing.
Automatic Thread Trimmer
The automatic thread trimmer trims the threads of the needle and bobbin if you just press the push-button.
Even Feed Foot
This feature ensures that the machine produces perfect seams when working on velvet or georgette, or even leather.
Heavy Weight Materials
A microcomputer operates the speed control feature so that sewing takes place at low speeds. This gives perfect stitches irrespective of the layers of material used.
Speed Control
The machine has a slide knob with controls sewing speed between 200 and 1,500 stitches per minutes.
Pros.
Welcome to the next gen quilting machine. The features of the Juki TL-2000Qi9″ quilting machine are a mix of convenience, style and comfort.
Plus, you’ll get a lot of work done quickly and smoothly. Here are its top features:
Praised for its high performance and several accessories, the Juki TL-2000Qi is known as the dark horse of quilting machines.
It is generally considered to be the best long-arm quilting machine for home use.
It is endowed with features that elevate it into a class all its own, such as:
Industrial Built
Having an industrial build, it can easily work with several layers of fabric, particularly heavy-duty fabric, making it ideal for creating large-sized quilts.
Stitch Speed
It can comfortably produce 1500 stitches per minute.
Single Stitch
Such computerized quilting machines for home use come with a single needle and hence only do straight stitching. This makes it perfect for quilting, tailoring and dressmaking.
Foot Controller and Thread Trimming Feature
Pressing down on the heel of the foot controller helps trim the needle and bobbin threads. Here, the foot controller is large and easy to control for sewing and stopping.
LED Light
With sufficient light in the needle area, the fabric can be handled better while also reducing eye strain.
Portable and Lightweight
Made with aluminum die-casting renders it portable and lightweight, while also preventing any noise and vibrations during use.
Pros.
Cons.
Factors for Choosing a Long Arm Quilting Machine
Does this interest you in buying a long arm quilting machine? If yes, then you should know the parameters that make for an informed purchase. Here they are for you:
Easy to work with
If you love quilting and want your every experience with it to be a breeze, use one that has easy to use thread paths, good table design and one-touch controls. You’re sure to find this in a long arm quilting machine, so go for it.
Stitches
Find out about the total number of stitches built into the machine. Now, match that with your need for a long arm quilting machine.
Stitch regulator
By far the most sought-after feature of a long arm quilting machine, a stitch regulator provides you with consistent length stitches at several quilting speeds. If the machine you’re interested in has two stitch regulation modes, that’s fine.
Stitch control
Check out the extent of control you will need for the length and width of each stitch.
Throat space
The throat space of a quilting machine will determine whether you have enough room to sew on it at home or not. Another way to find this out is to check the machine’s table size.
Speed adjustment
The faster you sew, the more time-saving the machine is. So, before you buy a machine, check out its speed and whether that suits your needs.
Must Read This Article: How To Press Quilt Block Seams?
Weight
Look for lightweight machines as they are easy to carry around. If a machine is heavy, it will take its toll on your back, arms and neck. The weight should not exceed 30 kg.
Warranty
Find out all details concerning the warranty of these products, since they are expensive.
Cost
This is a highly ignored factor, but an important one because these specialty machines are costly. So, when you buy a quilting machine, check out long arm quilting machine prices and compare them with their peers.
Final Verdict
With a clearer idea of the features your quilting machine should have, you can buy a long arm quilting machine to suit your abilities.
With technology offering more features that help you and models becoming more and more feature-enabled, it pays to read long arm quilting machine reviews before making your final choice.
Worried About Your Quilts Wash! Check Out: How To Wash And Care For Your Quilts?