Struggling with an inadequate throat area while using your sewing machine for quilting? Scroll down!
We have selected the absolute best large throat sewing machines for quilting in the following chart.
And feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section.
Long Arm Quilting Machine Comparison Chart
Let’s compare the best quilting sewing machines with large throat space.
*Speed Per Minute: referring to the number of stitches a machine can perform in a minute.
The 9 Best Long Arm Quilting Machines Reviewed
As you become more confident with your sewing and quilting skills, you’ll naturally want to push the limits of your skills to new horizons with larger and more complex projects—including with bigger quilts. Consequently, you start dreaming of a machine with larger harp space and more piercing power.
Nevertheless, many new quilters realize after doing some research that they don’t really have room for an 18” long arm quilting machine (and the additional space required for the larger frame) in their home, which is why I’ve added some great mid-arm quilting machines to this list.
Oh! And if you’re a tall person, you’ll enjoy sewing much more with any of these machines as they are huge.
1. Juki TL-2010Q Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: No
- Harp length: 9″
- Shank: High Shank CRF Foot
- Speed per minute: 1,500
- Motor Power: 1.4A
- Weight: 25.4lbs
- Included Feet: Standard, Zipper,Even Feed, ¼ Quilting.
Even though the Juki TL-2010Q is what you’d call a midarm quilting machine, it comes with a big 23″ total extension table. Of course, you’ll find machines with larger harps on our list, but this model deserves a spot as it can expertly hold even bigger quilts in place while always delivering a great straight stitch under its high shank. You can even use it with a frame or while standing up so it might just be all you need.
In addition, the Juki TL-2010Q comes with everything you could possibly need, including a wide extension table and several presser feet, unlike the Janome 1600P that you’ll find below.
A funny fact is that to design this machine, Juki used the previously mentioned Janome 1600P as a model and improved upon it in many ways. At some point, Brother also decided to enter the competition and manufactured another model you’ll see below, the PQ1500SL.
Seeing as how the three machines have similar feature sets, including a 9” wide throat, we’ve broken them out for comparison in a mini-review that you can find at the end of this article.
- Built for quilting.
- Lock stitch feature.
- Instant needle up and down, no waiting for the next stitch like the Brother PQ1500SL.
- A perfect machine for users who don’t want or need any decorative stitches and would rather have a machine with excellent straight stitching capabilities and superb stitching quality.
- Multiple thread-cutting options such as an on-machine button or on the foot pedal.
- It can be tricky learning how to use the automatic needle threader but once you get it, it works great.
- No zig-zag nor decorative stitches, straight-stitch only.
- Juki doesn’t make an open-toe walking foot, but instead, you can get Janome’s High Shank walking foot.
2. Brother PQ1500SL Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: Yes
- Harp length: 9″
- Shank: High Shank CRF Foot
- Speed per minute: 1,500
- Motor Power: –
- Weight: 24.2 lbs
- Included Feet: General Purpose, 1/4 inch, Concealed Fastener, Flex Reaction, Walking Foot, Quilting, Zipper.
What makes the Brother PQ1500SL unique is the Pin feed mechanism, which uses a small pin on the bottom feed to help feed the fabric. This feature can also be easily turned off if you don’t want to use it or have no need for it.
Even without a dedicated speed control slider, the responsive foot pedal offers users the complete control to shift from full speed to single stitching, all while maintaining a flawless feed and fine stitch finish.
Furthermore, the machine comes with a brilliant 1/4″ piecing foot and very clear markings on the stitch plate, all of which help you to consistently get the perfect 1/4″ seam, ergo a great option for piecing. Likewise, this machine is great for sewing through even eight layers of fabric and batting, proving this sturdy model simply delivers great quality in anything you need while remaining fairly quiet.
- The precision pin feeding system is able to move all layers of a quilt (or even delicate velvet) without leaving feed dog marks in the nap.
- The feed dog height is fully adjustable, allowing for a free range of motion when working with a variety of materials.
- Its weight keeps it suctioned in place while quietly sewing large projects, even at full speed.
- The pedal foot is very responsive and easy to control, which makes changing stitch speeds a delight.
- Built-in Knee Lifter leaving both hands free for fabric handling.
- It comes with a wide extension table.
- No Free Arm.
- The needle up and down feature stops working on the next stitch, instead of immediately.
- Only straight stitches, no zig-zag nor decorative stitches.
- The needle up/down button works by leaving the needle in either an up or down position at the end of a seam.
3. Janome 1600P-QC Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: No
- Harp length: 9″
- Shank: High Shank CRF Foot
- Speed per minute: 1,600
- Motor Power: –
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Included Feet: Straight Stitch..
The Janome 1600P is a workhorse, a solid machine that sews a beautiful straight line as fast as you want to go.
This machine is super heavy at 32 lbs, with many perks and few downsides when compared to the weight of other machines. On one hand, it won’t move while you’re quilting heavy-duty projects and will remain super stable. On the other hand, if you need a portable machine to take with you to lessons or sewing circles, the lower weight of Juki 2010Q or of the Brother PQ1500SL could be a better fit for those purposes while still offering you similar capabilities overall.
As for this straight stitch machine, yes, the quality is indeed superb.
However, when you compare this model to others on the market, such as the Janome MC6650 we will look at below, you’ll likely notice Janome’s MC6650 offers options for various decorative stitches—which can help improve the aesthetic of your quilts at a similar price point to the 1600P-QC. But if what you simply need is one great straight stitch, the Janome 1600P delivers an outstanding result.
In the end, there is a reason why this machine is the number one choice for so many people.
- Instant needle up and down, no waiting for the next stitch like the Brother PQ1500SL.
- Its weight keeps it in place while quietly sewing large projects.
- Extremely heavy-duty, it sews through canvas seams and strapping like butter.
- Very well made and with metal chassis for longer durability and endurance.
- The pedal foot is very responsive and easy to control, which makes changing stitch speeds a delight.
- Built-in Knee Lifter leaving both hands free for fabric handling.
- Feed dogs can’t be dropped, instead, you can use the included cover plate for free motion.
- Only straight stitches, no zig-zag nor decorative stitches.
- Bobbin could be larger as it’s only regular size and this machine sews on an industrial level.
- Presser feet must be bought separately as the machine only include a straight stitch foot.
- No extension table included.
- No Free Arm.
4. Janome MC6650 Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: Yes
- Harp length: 10″
- Shank: High Shank
- Speed per minute: 1,000
- Motor Power: –
- Weight: 24.25 lbs
- Included Feet: Blind Hem, Buttonhole, Zipper, Darning, Free Motion Holder, Free Motion Zig-Zag, Open Toe Satin Stitch, Overedge, Rolled Hem, Satin Stitch, Zig-Zag.
The Janome MC6650 is perfect for free motion quilting and has the largest throat are of any machine in its price range that we’ve found for home use.
It sews everything from very light fabric to heavy denim. The machine’s metal body gives it enough heft to stay in place no matter the size of your project. It’s also a good option for those that want a quilting machine that can create straight stitches along with other decorative stitches options such as alphabets and even zigzags.
Other great features that help this machine stand out are its start/stop button, monograming capabilities, lock stitch options, and the many additional feet that are included.
- The great 10″ throat space for bulky projects and big quilts.
- The amazing lighting capabilities this machine offers.
- Has bigger bobbins than other machines, this allows you to load more thread and thus change bobbins less often.
- It comes with a lock stitch feature.
- The bobbin is slightly larger than usual so it holds longer pieces of thread that will help you keep quilting for longer.
- You need to buy the Even/Walking Foot and ¼” Foot separately.
- No Knee Lifter Included.
5. Janome 8200QDP Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: Yes
- Harp length: 11″
- Shank: High Shank
- Speed per minute: 1,000
- Motor Power: –
- Weight: 26.5 lbs
- Included Feet: 1/4″ Seam, Blind Hem, Feed Holder with AD, Button, Darning, Closed Toe, Open Toe, Free Motion Zig-Zag, Open Toe Satin Stitch, Overedge, Rolled Hem, Satin Stitch, Zipper.
The Janome 8200QCP offers everything any quilter would ever need in one machine, adding to the equation plenty of quilting and free-motion presser feet, decorative stitches, AccuFeed, adjustable presser foot pressure, the option for sewing by finger control instead of by foot, thread cutter, and even auto-tension.
Oh! Let’s not forget that 11″ bed space that fits the bulkiest of quilts.
If you’re on a budget, the only downside might be the 8200QDP’s price. But if you’re out there looking to upgrade to one great machine and never look back, this Janome is, without a doubt, an amazing option to consider.
- You’ll love the knee lifter bar.
- It comes with a straight stitch place, great to piece quilt.
- The 5 LED lightning is amazing making the sewing surface shadow-free.
- It has a thread cutter near the bobbin winder, a small great detail.
- It offers you a Start/Stop button + Speed Slider, perfect for hand-free quilting.
- The lock stitch feature which ensures you’ll never backstitch again.
- You can pre-program a set of decorative stiches for the machine to follow automatically.
- Although it is pretty much standard nowadays, you may not like the horizontal thread delivery system.
6. Juki Kirei HZL-NX7 Quilting Machine
- Budget: $$$$
- Our rating:
- Free Arm: Yes
- Harp length: 12″
- Shank: Adaptable Shank
- Speed per minute: 1,050
- Motor Power: –
- Weight: 32.1 lbs
- Included Feet: Standard Presser, Buttonhole, Blind Stitch, Zipper, 1/4″ Guide, Straight Presser, Manual Buttonhole, Quilt Presser, Patchwork, Open Toe, Overcasting.
The Juki Kirei (kee-ray) NX7 is currently the top-of-the-line machine for home models and intuitive enough that any user, no matter your skill level, should be able to use it straight out of the box.
It comes with all the features a quilter could ask for including a great straight stitch, the speed slider, start/stop button, needle up and down, or the automatic needle threader… In addition, the machine is loaded with extra features that will check all the boxes for advanced bells and whistles you may have. For example, it has an automatic pivot function that is intuitive to use and works great.
Overall, you get a 12″ throat machine that delivers fine stitches thanks to its smooth feeding process and robust piercing power.
- Option to change the feed dogs.
- This machine offers 37 different needle positions and 351 decorative stitching options.
- The needle threader works flawlessly.
- The throat area is big enough to fit all of your designs—just like a shelf—even while actively sewing.
- Includes a massive extension table, a quilt guide, a substantial knee lifter, a straight stitch needle plate, and straight stitch feed dogs.
- The multi-function foot control can be programmed to raise or lower the presser foot.
- Probably best not to move it around often as it’s quite heavy.
- This machine is a bit noisier than average.
Juki TL-2010Q vs Brother PQ1500SL vs Janome 1600P – Which to Buy?
At an economical price point for most users, each of these mid-arm models can fit even the bulkiest quilting under their harp to sew.
The three machines have very similar features like the needle up and down feature, a knee lever, and 9” of throat space. Additionally, they all can use industrial presser feet, which will help save you money over the long run. (Especially when compared to the cost of most home machines’ presser foot prices.)
Both the Janome 1600P-QC and the Juki TL-2010Q include a pre-tensioner before the tension dial and instant needle up and down, meaning that they both stop the stitching the moment you lift the foot from the pedal, unlike Brother PQ1500SL that waits until the next stitch. This small difference can have a huge impact when sewing into tight corners and it’s an important thing to consider.
Also, while the Brother PQ1500SL is lacking the speed slider controller that the other two offer, it’s the only one out of the three that has a Pin Feed System (see video), a brilliant feature that helps you sew consistently on tricky materials such as velvet or heavy wool. Like the Juki, it comes with an extension table that the Janome is lacking.
The true differentiator between these machines is that the Janome 1600P can’t drop the feed gods. This is because it uses a cover plate for free motion quilting that can sometimes introduce wiggling. This simple fact, together with the non-existence of its extension table and lack of included additional presser feet, will make the Janome the least desirable option for many.
As for choosing between the Juki or Brother machines, this is a choice that will largely come down to one’s budget, as the machines are very similar otherwise. The Brother machine is cheaper, of course, but if money is no object we would go with the Juki a million times over.
Some other articles you can read:
FAQs
Which sewing machine is best for quilting?
There are many sewing machines that are prepared for quilting. However, we have selected the best sewing machines for quilting on the market for you. Check them out!
What is the best sewing machine for free-motion quilting?
There are several very good options and every quilter has its own needs, which is why we have prepared a list of the best free motion sewing machines available today so you can decide for yourself.
What’s the difference between a sewing machine and a quilting machine?
Basically, a quilting machine is also a sewing machine with some added features and capabilities that increase the ease of use when you’re creating a quilt. Feel free to read more about the best sewing machines for quilting.
I was doubting whether to get the Juki or the Brother and this was just what I needed… Thank you!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Thank you!!! Found what I needed!
Thank YOU for reading! 🙂
This is a interesting article by the way. I am going to go ahead and save this article for my sis to read later on tomorrow.
That’s so nice to hear Nate, I hope she finds it helpful. 🙂
Very helpful.
Super happy to hear that Lynn 🙂
Thank you!