10 Best Quilting Machines 2025 in the United States

The Janome Continental M6 is designed with serious quilters in mind, offering a spacious 17.8-inch throat space that provides plenty of room to maneuver large quilt projects comfortably. Its impressive 1,300 stitches per minute speed and built-in stitch regulation features allow for smooth, consistent stitching, which is essential for quilting precision. The machine includes 400 built-in stitches, including alphabets and specialized quilting functions like rulerwork mode and stitch tapering, giving you a wide range of creative options.

Ease of use is enhanced by a 7-inch color touchscreen with onscreen support, full LED lighting in multiple locations for excellent visibility, and a streamlined profile that offers a broad viewing area of your sewing field. The inclusion of 18 presser feet and multiple needle plates—plus the professional-grade AcuFeed foot from the bonus kit—makes handling various fabrics and techniques much easier.

Durability is well-supported through a robust all-metal flatbed design and quality construction, promising reliable performance over time. The machine comes with handy extras like an extra-wide extension table, accessory storage, and magnifiers, which add to its value and convenience. With its extensive features and professional accessories, it is best suited for experienced quilters or those ready to invest time learning the machine to fully benefit from it. At 38 pounds, it is on the heavier side, which could limit portability. For those seeking a powerful, versatile quilting machine that supports advanced techniques and a larger workspace, the Janome Continental M6 represents a strong option. Beginners might find it a bit complex at first but will appreciate the thoughtful design and feature set as their skills grow.

The Brother Stellaire XJ1 is a strong choice for quilting enthusiasts, especially those who want a versatile machine for sewing, embroidery, and quilting all in one. Its large throat space of 11.25 inches between the needle and arm gives plenty of room to handle big projects like king-sized quilts comfortably. The machine offers excellent stitch regulation and speed control, making it easier to maintain consistent stitching, which is important for quilting precision. It comes with a 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen that’s easy to navigate, helping users choose stitches or embroidery designs without hassle.

This model shines with a huge variety of built-in options — 727 sewing stitches and embroidery designs, including fonts and Disney-themed patterns. It also allows combining stitches to create unique designs, adding more creative freedom. The included embroidery frames cover multiple sizes, so you can work on various project scales without constantly re-hooping. The machine is compatible with a sturdy frame or table setup, supporting larger quilting projects well. Weighing about 46 pounds, it’s solidly built, which means it should last through many quilting sessions. Additionally, the machine includes tutorial videos right on the screen, great for beginners or anyone wanting to learn new techniques.

Some potential downsides include the high number of stitches and options, which might be a bit overwhelming for absolute beginners. Its size and weight make it less portable, so it’s best suited for a dedicated sewing space. Also, with a price reflecting its advanced features, it might be a bigger investment than simpler quilting machines. The Brother Stellaire XJ1 is well-suited for serious quilters who want a powerful, feature-rich machine to handle large projects and diverse stitching needs. Beginners willing to take time learning will appreciate its helpful tutorials and wide creative possibilities.

The Brother XR9550 is a strong contender in the quilting machine category, offering a wealth of features that cater to both beginners and experienced quilters. One of its standout strengths is its impressive range of 165 built-in stitches, including various utility and decorative options, which allows for great versatility in projects. The automatic needle threader and jam-resistant drop-in bobbin simplify the sewing process, making it more accessible for users who may be intimidated by complicated setups.

The machine also comes with an intuitive LCD display, which enhances usability by allowing you to select stitches and settings with ease. Additionally, the included wide table is a significant advantage for quilting, providing extra space for larger projects, which many users find beneficial.

A notable highlight is the support offered by Brother, including free technical assistance for the life of the machine, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting or learning new techniques. While the Brother XR9550 excels in many areas, its throat space may be limited compared to more advanced quilting machines, which could be a concern for users who frequently tackle large quilts. Some users might find the machine's weight (10.1 pounds) a bit cumbersome for portability if they plan to transport it often. Durability and build quality appear solid, but as with any electronic device, long-term reliability will depend on user care and maintenance. Lastly, being designed for use at 120 volts limits its usability in regions with different voltage requirements, which could be a drawback for international users.

The Brother XR9550 is an excellent choice for those looking for a user-friendly quilting machine with a variety of features; however, those seeking larger throat space or portability might want to explore additional options.