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TOP RATED
9.8
- Display: LCD Touchscreen
- Stitches Per Minute: 1,800
- Included Presser Feet: 2
- Throat Space: 16"
- Weight: 53 lbs
TOP PICK
9.7
- Bobbin Type: Large M Class
- Input Voltage: 110-220 VAC
- Stitches Per Minute: 1,800
- Included Presser Feet: 1
- Throat Space: 15
EDITOR'S CHOICE
9.6
- Front Color Touchscreen: 7″
- Stitches Per Inch: 4 to 22
- Manual Mode: 2 Presets
- Free Patterns:500
- Throat Space: 18″
Our team of experts has selected certain products & assigned a star rating to each product. Read our detailed review below.
Buying the sit-down longarm quilting machines can be tricky. Based on these reviews of top models and brands you can select the one that fits your requirements with ease.
Quilting refers to combining multiple fabric layers together to create a decorative project.
Such stitching can be done by hand, with sewing devices or longarm quilting tools. The majority of sewing machines give small free space to work on.
None find it suitable for forming large quilts. Sit-downs overcome this major issue. Their bigger throat space hardly puts any restriction on what we are about to make.
So, professionals often go for the Best Sit Down Longarm Quilting Machines regardless of the high price.
So, what are longarm quilting machines? They are stationary systems where we have to move the fabric to the quilt.
Contemporary designs usually have frame methods for keeping the quilt on rails. Owners don’t have to focus on anything else except quilting because cloth rolls automatically.
Top 6 Best Sit Down Longarm Quilting Machines – (Editors’ Top Picks)
OUR CHAMPION
Features At A Glance:
- Ample room for any size project
- Bright LEDs enhance visibility
- 1,500 stitches per minute
- Four spool thread stand
- Large capacity bobbins
- Adjustable speed
Why We Love It? The machine is coupled with a colorful touch screen. It enables us to access the needle-up and needle-down functions quickly.
Product information:
Brand Name | Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen |
Throat Space | 16″ |
Stitches Per Minute | 1,800 |
Frame Sizes | Sit Down Table |
Display | LCD Touchscreen |
Included Presser Feet | 2 |
Warranty | 10 Years |
Product Description:
Here is another reliable quilting equipment from Handi Quilter company. One of the exclusive properties of this machine is the easy-set tension quality. It simplifies the process of setting the device’s top thread tension. If the quilter changes the thread, it returns to adequate tension within seconds.
We will see four basting stitch choices and turn on any of them. It also takes care of other statistics. We can raise the stitching speed up from 10 to 1,500 SPM.
It has a 16-inch throat space and over 8-inch vertical space. They let you quilt with comfort how you want. Although the needles will give uniform stitches, look for defects. 28 LEDs will be there to enlighten the working space. If you have other chores later, you can set the alarm. It gives opportunities to track your quilting time too.
When buyers receive the product, they need to set it up first. They don’t have to connect the ruler foot because it will already be set. But they can replace it with the included open-toe foot. Before starting quilting, set the language from English, Spanish, French, and German.
TOP RATED
Features At A Glance:
- Automatic needle positioner
- Easy to use and maintain
- Custom-designed table
- A wide range of speed
- Preset bobbin winder
- Bendable lamp
Why We Love It? It has four times more space than ordinary sewing tools. We can move the fabrics with ease due to the 18 inches throat gap and eight-inch vertical gap. You will also get a broad table for handling massive projects.
Product information:
Brand Name | Handi Quilter |
Throat Space | 18″ |
Stitches Per Minute | 2,200 |
Frame Sizes | Sit Down Table |
Display | Color Touchscreen |
Included Presser Feet | 1 |
Warranty | 10 Years |
Product Description:
The next is from a very trendy brand, Handi-Quilter. Can you imagine how much time you can save with a machine that offers 2,200 stitches per minute? Find out yourself by using this machine. Yes, you read it right. Such speed is rare in the quilting industry.
Its 18-inch can manipulate a bed-sized quilt effectively. Users are allowed to select from 4 to 22 stitches. Meanwhile, the unique stitch regulator controls the stitching pace accordingly. The stitch length and stitch distance are well-balanced and uniform. For keeping our eyes on the stitches and patterns, it contains plenty of lights.
After receiving the suite, you have to assemble the parts. It does not take a lot of time. The quarter-inch ruler foot will arrive in an installed form.
Set the color touch screen properly because you can control everything from it. You will also get five bobbins, threads, a stand-alone bobbin winder, and 20 needles it.
BEST OVERALL
Features At A Glance:
- 2,200 stitches per minute speed
- User-friendly color touch screen
- Effortless setup and assembly
- Wide 18-inch throat space
- Lighting systems
Why We Love It? It has a powerful motor that controls the entire system. In a minute, it can perform a maximum of 1,500 stitches. Impressive, isn’t it? Feel free to change the pace whenever you want. You can select the three best speed options from the touch screen.
Product information:
Brand Name | Husqvarna Viking |
Throat Space | 16″ |
Stitches Per Minute | 1,500 |
Stitch Regulation | Optional Add-on |
Display | LCD Touchscreen |
Warranty | 20 Years |
Product Description:
Our favorite is from Husqvarna. As we all know, a free-motion operation is crucial for flawless quilting. It is impossible without a big space. This device features a large throat space. You can easily create a king-size project in sixteen inches of free space. The cloth will smoothly go under your needle because of the table’s smooth surface.
Apart from the speed, it provides direct access to changing the different settings. All we have to do is pick the preferred modes from the touch screen. Some large-capacity bobbins and bobbin winders will come with the machine. Therefore, you don’t have to buy them separately.
The machine ensures proper stitch regulation with a TruStitch™ module. It will track your stitching motion with the help of its patent-pending mechanisms. In this way, it regulates the stitch length when users move the clothing around the work area. For the night workers, it features bright LEDs to increase visibility.
BUDGET PICK
Features At A Glance:
- 16-inch workspace, 8.25-inch high throat space
- Different speeds on the bobbin winder
- ¼-inch interchangeable hopping foot
- 1,800 SPM sewing speed
- High-intensity lights
- LCD touch screen
Why We Love It? It is a compact machine with power and precision; it gives total control to the quilters. They set the required speed on the touch screen. Accessing the stitch counter and diagnostics program is just a matter of seconds.
Product information:
Brand Name | Pfaff |
Throat Space | 16″ |
Stitches Per Minute | 1,500 |
Stitch Regulation | Optional Add-on |
Display | LCD Touchscreen |
Warranty | 20 Years |
Product Description:
Just like the first one, it utilizes sufficient through and vertical space to acquire free-motion quilting. Its working table is 36″ x 30″ in dimension. Such a spacious surface fits small to big projects quite easily. Reserve enough space to accommodate the machine and table.
Once anyone starts using it, he/she does not have to spend months on a single quilting project. All thanks go to the machine’s high speed. It performs 1,500 stitches within a minute. Also, don’t forget to load the bobbins with enough thread. They can hold a large amount efficiently.
The receivers will get a bobbin winder and foot pedal as a part of the package. They can assemble the machine following the instruction manual; it won’t take a long time. Another mentionable feature is the included bright LEDs. Their bright rays lighten the working area instantly. You no longer have to stop working during the evening or at night.
ALSO CONSIDER
Features At A Glance:
- Interchangeable ruler foot and open-toe foot
- Alarm, timer, and multiple language support
- Special light ring illuminates a large area
- Simplified top thread tension
- Colored touch screen
- Four basting stitches
Why We Love It? The feature we love the most is the quilting table. No matter how big your project is, it can carry the whole garment. Nothing can stop you from experiencing a free-motion service. Most importantly, the table has a removable hinged leaf. Such construction requires a small area for storage.
Product information:
Brand Name | Encore |
Throat Space | 18″ |
Frame Sizes | Sit Down Table |
Included Presser Feet | 1 |
Throat Space | 18″ x 6″ |
Warranty | 1 Year |
Product Description:
The Encore sit-down machine will lead anyone’s quilting skills to ultimate success. As it has a spacious 18-inch throat, the fabric can pass through the gap easily.
We love how it supplies speed varieties to achieve the perfect decorative look. Every time you select a specific speed, it will generate equal stitches. There will not be an uneven distance between the stitches.
Let’s talk about its automatic needle positioner. The needle’s upward and downward positions are adjustable through foot control. If you can use it properly, zero needles will bend or break.
When your quitting progress, the bobbin winder continues winding. As a result, the next one is always ready to use.
The bobbin capacity is pretty high because they are the largest M-size units. Last but not least, these devices have flexible lamps. They can lighten up a small room. Above all, you can focus the light toward where you need it.
UPGRADE PICK
Features At A Glance:
- 16-inch throat space, 8-inch vertical space
- Maximum control for an accurate result
- Equipped with bright LEDs
- 1,500 stitches per minute
- 36-inch x 30-inch table
- Compact structure
Why We Love It? The machine supports winding lightweight to heavy threads of various types. It would not be easy at all without the speed variety.
Product information:
Brand Name | Baby Lock |
Hopping Foot Stroke/lift | 5mm |
Maximum Sewing Speed | 1,800 |
Needle Bar Stroke | 35.3mm |
Needle System | 134 |
Languages | English, Spanish, French, German |
Machine weight | 53 lb. |
Table weight | 59 lb |
Made in | U.S.A |
Warranty | 10-year |
Product Description:
This one has a 16-inch workspace and 8.25-inch throat space for your jobs. Clothes’ edges can easily pass through the high throat. Whether you will be working on a small or king-size garment, it will confirm uninterrupted activities. Users always get surprised at how smoothly it works.
It carries a couple of LED lights to brighten your workspace. Then, you can notice all the quilting details well. These lights are durable enough to last for a long time. For more comfort, you will get an adjustable table along with the sit-down.
Each choice will arrive on its black screen for easy selection. You can control your progress and designs from it. Customize the lighting and software modes if you need them.
Maintaining the stitches’ type, width, and length is possible with the push button. It even suggests foot for a particular stitch. If you are in a hurry, activate the maximum sewing speed, which is 1,800 SPM.
It features a ¼-inch interchangeable hopping foot and big M-class bobbins. The bobbins hardly run out, so you don’t have to change them again and again.
Things to Consider Before Buying Sit Down Longarm Quilting Machine
As we discussed earlier, a long-arm sit-down is a massive investment. So, consider checking the following parameters before a purchase:
Domestic machines vs. Industrial machine
A domestic machine does not cost many dollars; any sewer can buy it. The tragedy comes when users run the machine.
It may even struggle to stitch the softest clothes. If you ever can complete the product, you won’t be satisfied with the outcome.
Avoid them as much as you can. Industrial models are powerful to work with heavy pieces. Note that some feed dogs may not be suitable for every type of fabric.
So, contact the authorities to know their limitations. Pro-grade ones usually maintain the even stitch, support pattern varieties, and perform better than our expectations. Hence, They are pricey.
Workspace
Quilting involves cutting, stitching, basting, and so on. We can deny the fact that doing these tasks in a tiny workspace is the worst situation. Sometimes, it leads to scratches, machine jamming, or needle breaking. A broad workspace can save us from problems.
Most standing quilting tools offer this advantage. Sit-down products usually have a limited workspace and table size. So, go for the brands, which own quilting machines with ample room. Mark the throat gap as well. It is the distance between the needle and the back. A tiny space prohibits the scopes of motion-quilting.
Speed
Speed refers to how many stitches the machine can complete within 60 seconds. It depends on the internal design and the motor’s power. Quilting at high speed will finish the project earlier. Long-arm machines are an excellent time-saver.
The majority typically offer above 1000 stitches per minute. A few costly ones may have 2500 to 3100. If speed is your top priority alongside other qualities, Handi Quilter Capri 18 will be great for you. It creates up to 2200 stitches per minute without skipping.
Sturdiness
When we prepare for sacrificing our hard-earned cash, the machines should be worth every single penny. Check out its component list and the reviews. Appliances that are made from high-quality elements are durable.
They will last for a lifetime without degrading their functions. Many models use the best ingredients, but the product fails due to the weak placement of parts. Judge the construction, design, and placements. If you still receive any broken sections, contact the sellers and ask for a replacement.
User control
Best brands care a lot about the client’s needs. That’s why they add customizable modes for different applications. For example, they give a wide range of speed levels. The newbies can see how the machine works by setting the lowest one.
On the other hand, a professional feel comfortable at a higher speed. Quilters also change speed while using different clothes. Plus, there will be options for stitch lengths, stitch types, lighting intensity, and many more. You don’t have to use the same settings for a project. Try as many as you like. They are a blessing for creative quilters.
Accessories
Sometimes, it can be hard to find essentials for a certain brand’s quilting machine. It requires spending some bucks and wastes time too. So, we like the models, which carry everything in the deal, such as needles, threads, bobbins, feet, consoles, etc.
Do not compare the machine’s price without seeing the accessories. A few sellers trick customers by displaying only the machine’s rate.
If you want to get the rest, you have to pay more. Checking the accessories’ characteristics is a must. If the supplier gives you small bobbins, they will run out quite often. Contrarily, The largest bobbin will hardly interrupt your work. Some add an interchangeable foot, whereas others don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best sit down quilting machine?
According to our research, the Husqvarna Viking Platinum 16 Longarm Quilting Machine is the winner. Ever since it is on the market, it has been viral. Customers are delighted with the features, speed, and quilting process. Some wished for an open foot for increased visibility, but they still like the machine.
2. How much does a Longarm quilting machine cost?
These products are not for people with a limited budget. Prices of long arms usually start from $5,000, whereas regular versions are available below $200. And this is the minimum amount. The rate can even exceed $40,000. It depends on the product’s offerings, warranty, and brand. Handi Quilter charges $12,000 to $30,000 for a single product. Gammill also set the almost same price range. A few comparatively less expensive companies are King Quilter, Consew, and Grace.
3. What brand of long arm quilting machine is best?
It mostly relies on the customer’s demands. All brands satisfy basic requirements but vary from each other in terms of additional properties. Even the same manufacturers launch different models so that we can choose whatever we need. However, some brands outshine their competitors in the industry. Among them, Consew, Handi Quilter, Husqvarna, Pfaff, and King Quilter are the most popular ones.
4. Is quilting an expensive hobby?
Not really. In past decades, women used to quilt by hand sewing. As you can assume, it used to take a long time indeed. Then, people were introduced to conventional quilting systems. $300 to $600 is enough for a decent model. If you can afford sit-downs, purchase one. It will make your task more effortless. Now comes the fabric. It is not necessary to spend a lot on costly pieces. Just make sure to choose a high-quality texture that is tear-proof.
5. Is a Longarm quilting business profitable?
Of course, as long as you can fulfill clients’ unique needs. You should set the price according to the materials, services, and invested time. Technical charges and work complexity have a significant impact on the cost too. The higher number of orders will bring more profit for you.
6. What is the difference between a quilting sewing machine and a regular sewing machine?
Sewing machines come with a small working area. They are not suitable for large projects like queen-size quilting. Despite having a larger workspace, quilting devices allow adding extension tables as well. Their quarter-inch piecing foot supports perfect quilting even with a narrow seam. We can not expect the same functions, speed, and accuracy as the first ones.
7. How much does it cost to have a quilt professionally quilted?
It changes a lot depending on the fabric type, dimension, patterns, quilter’s skill, and working hours. For a king-size rag-edge quilt, a professional may change from $350 to more. They may ask for a little less for a double patchwork quilt. Throw-size 12-shirt works usually cost $360 to $400, whereas the king-size, 42-shirt projects are available at $720.
8. How much fabric do I need for the back of a lap quilt?
Lap quilt styles are smaller compared to our typical throw quilt. In general, they measure 50-inch by 60-inch and slightly less or more. If you are using fabrics with a 40-inch width, you will need almost three yardages for the backing.
9. How much room do I need for a Longarm?
Determining the available home space and working table size is mandatory before placing the long arm. Prioritize how much room you will need for a comfortable quilting experience. Keep at least 3 feet around your sewing machine. Make sure that its head is able to turn freely throughout your work. Increase the gap at your convenience.
10. What do you need to start quilting?
Here is a list covering everything a beginner will need:
- Sewing machine
- Hand needle
- Fabric, fabric shears
- Seam ripper
- Iron
- Batting
- Measuring kit including quilting ruler, ruler, and straightedge
- Cutting kit including a rotary cutter, cutting mat, marker, scissors
- Safety pins
- Spray
- Thread
- Walking foot and ¼-inch foot
11. What is the easiest quilt to make for a beginner?
Start working with the most straightforward pattern and fabric. Quilters usually find cotton the easiest one to work with. Patchwork stitches look great on high-quality material. Multiple styles are more manageable than the simple patchwork design. Don’t hesitate to try zig-ag, pixel heart, chevron, and block quilts.
Conclusion
One of the best Best Sit Down Longarm Quilting Machines is a good quilter’s dream kit. And the reasons are obvious. He will get the needed speed, power, as well as working space. No ordinary quilting method can beat its performance.
If you are confused about which one to buy, check out our suggestions. We examined their functionalities and presented in-depth reviews of all. The simplest way to buy anything is to know what exactly you want. Go to our buying guide to determine your priorities.
Lastly, we tried to cover some common questions and answers. Every section will hopefully help to get the right model.
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