In contemporary society, sewing and quilting are revered by many, so much so that they have grown into a highly merited global enterprise. To match and keep up with the surge of interest in quilting, the best brother sewing machine for quilting is just the world’s remedy.
In the human hierarchy of needs, sewing and quilting are arguably among the most essential. Why? Take a quick scan around you wherever you go! You’ll realize that you can point out two or three different products that result from sewing.
Let’s begin at home, as charity would have it: from the pillowcases on your sofa sets, to the curtains, to the table cloths, and the kitchen towels, all are products of sewing and quilting!
As an individual, you can also benefit financially from sewing by making kids’ clothing, sewn bags, aprons, and quilts for sale. You can also make simple amends to your garments, like replacing missing buttons, mending open seams, and hemming your denim jeans.
It would take me a lifetime to document all the rewards and conveniences of sewing and quilting, so I’ll leave you with the above few mentions.
Best Brother Sewing Machines for Quilting (Top Pick)
Brother PQ1500SL Sewing and Quilting Machine- Best Overall.
The Brother PQ1500SL is well worth your money and is, therefore, a better fit compared to other models of quilting machines.
It is a fast, industrial machine for serious prospective sewers, and it has a large throat plate with a table extension that works perfectly for free-motion quilting.
This machine is powerful, with a maximum quilting rate of 1500 stitches per minute.
PQ1500SL versatility enables you to make purses and bags in addition to quilts. It has an excellent needle-down function and knee lift bar and is equipped with a mechanized thread trimmer to give a clean and high-quality finish for your product.
The quilting machine includes a user manual written colloquially for ease of comprehension and written in English/Spanish for a wider reach. The adjustable pin feed system of this quilter exchanges feed dogs with a single pin that stretches from the sewer’s underside.
Summary of key features
- This machine has a max sewing speed of 1500 stitches per minute, and this enables you to do a lot of quilts in a short period.
- It has a superb needle threading system comprising an automatic needle threader that flawlessly pushes the thread through the needle, plus a convenient drop-in top bobbin.
- PQ1500SL sewing and quilting machines come with 7 sewing feet, a broad table, a knee-lifter, and many more accessories. The removable knee-lifter allows you to lift the presser foot using your knee, leaving both hands free to handle the fabric.
- High precision feeding system. This machine’s pin feed system is accurate, which enables you to sew through thick fabric effortlessly.
- Brother PQ1500SL comes with at-your-side support giving technical support services for free via phone or online interaction, thus helping you tackle any difficulties you may encounter with your machine.
- This machine has a UL/CSA Listed Voltage of 110V.
Pros
- Its needle down function is excellent, and so is the knee lift bar.
- PQ1500SL is fast, and threading is straightforward.
- It is so sturdy for improved durability
- The machine has a large throat plate with a table extension that works perfectly to sew large quilts
- It leaves quilts that look fabulous with no wrinkles or puckers
- The free motion foot of this machine has good visibility, and there are very few skipped stitches as long as the thread tension is set correctly
- No need to use scissors as it has a thread-cutter button
Cons
- The thread cutter of PQ1500SL cuts too short, which means you have to rethread.
- Its needle threader is a little challenging to use.
Brother XR9550PRW Sewing and Quilting Machine- Best Computerized
I highly recommend the Brother XR9550PRW quilting machine for those seeking to be initiated into the sewing and quilting business.
It will be an excellent start for you, owing to its relatively low price and simplicity of use. It has an instruction manual to see you through any problems you may run into when using the quilter.
Besides, this machine is computerized, and at the touch of a push-button, you can change settings such as stitch length or width, needle position, and decorative patterns, which are 110 in total.
XR9550PRW is laden with eight instant-change presser-feet featuring button sewing, monogramming, quilting feet, zigzag, overcasting, blind stitch and buttonhole, and zipper. A 25-year warranty also covers this quilter for a great user experience.
As a caveat, this machine has a one-way plug (polarized). It is therefore designed to fit in a one-way polarized outlet. If it does not fit well, invert the plug, and if this problem persists, seek out the services of a qualified electrician to change the outlet.
Summary of key features
- It is equipped with 165 unique built-in stitches composed of 110 built-in decorative, utility, and heirloom stitches, including 8 styles of auto-sized buttonholes and 55 alpha-numeric sewing stitches.
- The machine has an automatic needle threading system and a drop-in top bobbin that is anti-jamming, making threading easy for operation convenience.
- This machine comes with accessories such as a detachable extension table, 8 sewing feet, a protective hard casing, and an instructional DVD, among others.
- It has an intuitive LCD screen that allows you to easily select your stitches and settings at the press of a button
- Brother XR9550PRW comes with at-your-side support offering technical support services for free via phone or online platforms, lasting the lifetime of your machine.
Pros
- This machine comes at an affordable price range for a computerized machine
- With Brother XR9550PRW, you can work without using a foot pedal
- Brother XR9550PRW allows for consistent speed.
- The machine makes it easier to focus on the sewing needle and the seam at hand
- This quilter’s up & down button allows you to stop and pivot from the same spot, making sewing easier.
- It enables you to drop the feed dog with a simple flip of a switch, which is beneficial if you are a quilter and you want to do free-motion quilting
- All the preprogrammed stitches of Brother XR9550PRW and the provided presser feet are simple to use.
Cons
- The two-needle position options prevent accurate quarter-inch seams for quilting or half-inch seams for general sewing
- It doesn’t have an automatic thread cutter button
What to Look for In a Quilting Sewing Machine
Let’s assume you are a quilting newbie, and you go shopping for a quilter, and in the process, end up buying an advanced machine!
It may end up backfiring on you because you made a poor decision in the first place, as you should have acquired a simple quilter. The same can happen to an advanced-level sewer when they purchase a beginner’s quilt.
These are mistakes that typically happen unknowingly to customers, and that’s why I’ve set aside the following section to enlighten you on the considerations and qualities you need to look out for before purchasing the best Brother sewing machine for quilting.
Why You Should Buy the Best Brother Sewing Machine for Quilting
Affordable price
All the Brother machines highlighted in this write-up come at a pocket-friendly price range relative to their workhorse nature and versatility of use. The returns of these quilters are more than their price tags, thanks to Brother’s engineering ingenuity.
Computerized
The computerized nature of the above machines has incorporated push buttons to key in commands that can start or stop the machine, alter the speed of operation, select the stitch style and dimensions, among other functions.
User-friendly
One of the qualities that defines any good machine is simplicity and ease of use. The quilters discussed in this article are easy to learn, easy to set up, and easy to operate. They will enable you to execute the task at hand effortlessly.
These machines come with a user manual for ease of use, plus an instructional DVD to guide you through any problems encountered.
Durable
Durability is a feature that is valued by every machine owner. The more durable a machine is, the greater the return on investment. The best Brother sewing machines for quilting explored in this article are designed to be operational for the long haul.
For improved durability, some quilters, such as the Brother CS7000i, come with a protective hardcover that prevents dust from accumulating on the machine and reduces the impact of mechanical damage.
Covered by warranty
To affirm its position as an illustrious sewing machine manufacturer, Brother has covered the above products with warranties, mostly 1-year parts and labor, 2 years for electronic components, and 25 years for the machine’s body (chassis). It makes Brother a reliable company and helps it improve customer loyalty.
Features to Consider When Buying the Best Brother Sewing Machine for Quilting
Simple vs. Advanced Machine.
Simple sewing machines are easy to learn and use, while advanced-level machines are more intricate and offer more functionality. You can opt for either of these depending on your level of expertise in quilting.
Rookie quilters who go for complex machines may run into problems operating them due to the degree of sophistication. Therefore, it’s essential for the affected to start with simple-level sewing machines like the Brother SQ9285.
Speed of Stitching
The number of stitches per minute determines the stitch rate of quilting machines. Sewing machines with a higher stitch rate are better suited for industrial or large-scale quilting; for example, the Brother PQ1500SL, which has a maximum sewing speed of 1500 stitches per minute.
Those with low quilt rates, such as Brother XR3774 (800 SPM maximum), work well for non-commercial personal sewing.
These Brother machines are equipped with speed settings ranging from slow to intermediate to fast. You can adjust to your speed of choice to get full control of fabric movement under the needle.
Harp Space
Harp space is the space underneath the arm of your sewing machine. This space dictates your working area, and its size depends on the length of your machine’s arm.
Depending on the size of your project, you can opt for long-arm or short-arm quilters. Large projects such as coats, quilts, and soft furnishings are strenuous to execute if your machine’s harp space is too small.
The Brother quilters discussed above are of decent arm lengths; plus, they come with a detachable extension table to give you sufficient quilting room.
Portability
If you are a learner under instructions from an experienced sewer, you need a sewing machine to carry easily to and from class.
Therefore, it is only logical that you go for a lightweight machine that spares you the burden of mobility. Brother quilting machines, such as SC950, are lightweight designs that are perfect for portability.
Price
A machine’s cost is one of the first things a prospective buyer will look at before purchasing the product. It is a basic concept of budgeting that is characteristic of every client, as it enables you to determine whether you can afford it or not.
The best Brother sewing machines for quilting highlighted in this article are priced at an affordable range, and every bit of their output is worth the cost.
Lighting
If, by chance, your quilting room is dark or poorly lit, then you can bet on the Best Brother sewing machines for quilting as they are equipped with LED lights to illuminate your working area for better visibility. And these LED lights work just as efficiently on darker fabrics.
Brother Models for Beginner Quilters
Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CS6000i
Brother CS6000i is a perfect quilting machine for beginners at an entry-level price. When you are a novice, it is unwise to splash a lot of money on a high-end machine that you cannot operate with your limited expertise. Thus, in my judgment, this is one of the best machines if you are starting, and here is why:
Firstly, this machine comes with 60 built-in stitches, including 7 quilting, 6 loom, 20 clothing, 7 auto buttonhole, and 20 decorative styles.
Hence, you can use this machine not only for quilting but also for other purposes like garments and general sewing. A simple LCD screen indicates the current level of sewing and has a selector for stitches.
The stitching rate of CS6000i is 850 SPM, and the tuning button can regulate that for easy threading. This quilter also uses automatic threading and a bright LED light that makes it easier to sew in poorly-lit rooms and dark fabrics.
The bobbin winding system is also ultra-efficient and effortless. Lastly, the extended table gives enough room for you to quilt on large projects.
To get exquisite results, you need an excellent machine at the outset, and CS6000i delivers just that.
This machine is so easy to thread once you get the hang of it. Initially, you have to take your time and get to know the machine, and you will ultimately be able to fill a bobbin in 60 seconds and thread in 10 seconds.
Summary of key features
- It has a button on the back, allowing you to lower the feed dogs to do free-hand quilting.
- Brother CS6000i has a quick-set bobbin installation.
- This machine’s accessory pouch contains a cleaning brush, a screwdriver, a spool pin that you could put on the top of your machine, an eyelet punch, three bobbins, a seam ripper, a twin needle, and a presser foot.
- It also comes with an extension table, an operation manual, and a hardcover case to protect your machine.
- This quilter has 60 Unique built-in stitches, including decorative stitches and 8 styles of 1-step auto-sized buttonholes.
- Brother CS6000i is equipped with an LCD screen that enables you to select your stitch mode at the push of a button.
- The machine is covered by 25 25-year limited warranty with free technical support for its lifetime.
- The maximum stitch rate of the Brother CS6000i is 850 SPM, adjustable.
Pros
- It’s user-friendly and comes with complete instruction manuals in English and Spanish.
- This machine is so easy to thread once you get the hang of it.
- Brother CS6000i has an automatic buttonhole maker that is easy and fun to use.
- It’s excellent value for your money as it will last you through many projects; beginner, intermediate, or advanced.
- Brother CS6000i is lightweight in design for improved portability
- Push-button controls (start/stop, reverse & speed) of the CS6000i quilter are so convenient; therefore, you don’t have to use the pedal.
Cons
- It does not work well with thick fabric like denim
- The machine has tension issues
Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, Computerized, 165 Built-in Stitches, LCD Display
As far as the sewing and quilting world is concerned, Brother is the poster child for top-notch machines, and this has led to the construction of the Brother XR9550 sewing and quilting machine.
This machine bears remarkable features that make it work flawlessly as per your command. It sews and quilts just about everything, ranging from bed coverings to garments, and even purses and denim jeans.
XR9550 comes with 110 discrete stitch motifs, including 8 styles of one-step, auto-size buttonholes. The stitch selection is computerized as it has an LCD backlight display screen to suggest what stitch type you want, and you can also key in the stitch length and width of your liking.
Additionally, the quilter is equipped with 8 quick-change presser feet that entail blind-stitch, buttonhole, quilting feet, zipper, overcasting, zigzag, monogramming, and button-sewing.
XR9550 has an extension table that increases your working area to enable free-motion quilting. It also comes with a hard protective case to shield the machine from mechanical damage and dust. Lastly, Brother XR9550 is covered by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor.
Summary of key features
- Brother XR9550 has 165 unique built-in stitches comprising 110 decorative, utility, and heirloom stitches, including 8-styles auto-sized buttonholes, plus 55 alpha-numeric stitches.
- This machine has an automatic needle threading system and a drop-in top bobbin that is jam-resistant.
- It also comes with accessories like a table extension, 8 sewing and quilting feet, a protective hardcover, and instructional DVDs.
- It is computerized and has a backlit LCD screen display that allows you to select your stitch mode and dimensions at the press of a button.
- Brother XR9550 is accompanied by at-your-side support offering technical support services for free via phone or online engagement for your machine’s lifetime.
- The UL/CSA listed voltage for this machine is 110V.
Pros
- It is user-friendly: the machine is easy to set up and operate.
- It has a comprehensive manual making it one of the best machines to teach a student to sew as the instructions are easy to follow and are backed by diagrammatic illustrations.
- Brother XR9550 comes at an affordable price.
- The machine has a speed control slider and is comparatively quiet during operation
- It also comes with a hard protective case for improved durability
- Brother XR9550 has a computerized stitch-selection process is computerized
Cons
- This quilter’s cover does not store any of the machine parts like the table extension, foot pedal, presser feet, and power cord.
- This machine does not have an automatic thread cutter
Brother HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine
Brother presents to you one of its finest productions, the HC1850 Sewing and Quilting Machine, which is low-cost and comes with many features.
It is an impressive machine that is lightweight, quiet, fast, and does not shake much during operation. The machine also has needle-down programming to die for, and you can change that if it’s not your cup of tea.
If you are a quilter, HC1850 will serve you well at all times, giving you the best products as far as the quilting world goes. This quilter is also suitable for decorative stitching, sewing, and monogramming.
I persuade you to settle for HC1850 if you are a newbie as its lightweight design makes it more portable than other machine models. You can, therefore, carry it to class for training and back home without much effort.
The machine has 130 unique stitches, plus 55 alpha-numeric sewing stitch designs to choose from, and a detachable extension table to broaden your working area to unleash your creative potential.
Like its contemporaries, the Brother HC1850 is computerized and has an LCD screen display that lets you select whatever stitch you desire and the stitch length and width.
Also included is an instructional DVD and a bilingual (Spanish & English) operation manual to extensively guide you through its use. For improved reliability, Brother HC1850 is covered by a 25-year limited warranty and free phone and online technical support to clients.
A point worth noting is that this machine is not approved for use in jurisdictions that don’t support 120V AC!
Pros
- This machine is quick, smooth, and quiet
- Brother HC1850 produces tight, neat stitches
- The machine’s table extension is highly beneficial for quilting on large projects.
- Brother HC1850 enables easy and smooth bobbin winding.
- It also provides for easy threading
- This machine has a stitch-chart right in front of the machine, which improves convenience when working
- Brother HC1850 has an option for needle up or down stop position for added convenience
- The machine’s feed dog retracts to enable free-hand quilting.
- It is also inexpensive ($190) but packed with a lot of features.
Cons
- The power cord falls out of the machine easily
- For quilters, it is challenging to see the 1/4 seam guide
Brother Models for Advanced Quilters
Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, XR3774
The Brother XR3774 entails many more features and comes at a price that can easily fit your budget. In my opinion, it is the best sewing machine for quilting newbies.
My evaluation is because this version is made for personal use, where versatility and ease of operation are highly regarded. Firstly, Brother XR3774 has 47 unique stitch modes and a total of 74 functions.
Therefore, from old-fashioned to modern, whichever you like, you’ll get it done. It has a stitch mode controller that lets you select various stitching modes simultaneously and get a quick view of the stitching modes; they are marked over the controller.
The above description is fundamental as it gives you a large variety of stitch functions for creativity when making fancy designs.
This machine’s functions are not limited to regular stitching; you can also make buttonholes with perfect stitches. To handle different fabrics and situations, Brother XR3774 comes with 8 different sewing feet.
Like its contemporaries, it has LED lights for illumination and a large table extension, making it easy to do quilts and other large projects.
This machine’s standout feature is the easy drop-in ribbon system; most of the machines require you to set the ribbon at the bottom part, which is tedious, so Brother has done you a great favor in that regard.
This machine’s maximum stitch rate is 800 SPM, which makes it evident that it only suits personal, non-commercial use. So if you want to work commercially, then you have to acquire a higher SPM-rate machine.
For the newbies who want to give their work a kickstart with a user-friendly machine, I recommend the Brother XR3774 for you at that level because it’s also wise to keep your budget low but still get a quality machine.
Pros
- It comes with the walking and quilting foot accessories
- Its walking foot is brilliant and works just as it should
- This machine’s darning plate and function are fantastic and can work on denim jeans
- Brother XR3774 has a highly responsive foot pedal
- It is less noisy compared to other quilters
- Brother XR3774 is intuitive and has the threading instructions right on the machine
- The machine is fantastic for small projects
Cons
- The feed dogs do not drop
Brother SQ9285 Computerized Sewing & Quilting Machine
Brother is renowned for its unparalleled expertise in making sewing and quilting machines fancy in design and quality. The SQ9285 Computerized Sewing & Quilting Machine is a one-of-a-kind model constructed by Brother to make every quilter’s dream come true.
If you want to learn quilting fast and easy, settle for this machine. SQ9285 is easy to set up, easy to use, and very quiet during operation.
I advise you to buy this sewer because it is awash with features that will widen your imagination scope and inspire creativity to design unique quilts and cloth pieces.
This machine has 150 in-built sewing stitches, including decorative, quilting, and satin stitches, with 8 styles of 1-step auto-size buttonholes, 55 alpha-numeric sewing stitches for basic monogramming, and a broad table to give you more room for larger projects.
It also comes with 10 feet varieties comprising overcasting, blind-stitch,spring-action quilting feet, monogramming, zipper, ¼” piecing, buttonhole, walking, spring action zigzag, and button sewing, plus a quilt guide.
The automated needle threading system and adjustable speed control provide you with a much-needed convenience when quilting.
Brother SQ9285 has included a user manual and DVD guide to help you go about setting up and operating the machine. Invest in this machine, and you’ll enjoy all its worth.
Summary of key features
- Brother SQ9285 is equipped with 150 built-in sewing stitches, including satin and quilting stitches, decorative, 8 styles of 1-step auto-sized buttonholes.
- This machine’s quilting stitches include joining stitches for patchwork stitching, stippling stitch, applique stitches for attaching appliques and quilt bindings, and hand-look quilting stitch.
- It has a single font size of 55 alpha-numeric stitches for basic monogramming, a detachable table extension to give room for executing more extensive projects.
- Brother SQ9285 has a backlit LCD screen that lets you select your stitch mode and adjust stitch dimensions using push-button controls.
- The machine comes with 10 sewing & quilting feet that entail buttonhole, monogramming, quarter-inch piecing, spring-action zigzag, overcasting, walking, blind stitch, button sewing, spring-action quilting, and zipper feet, plus a quilt guide.
Pros
- Brother SQ9285 is easy to learn and operate
- It produces less noise and jiggles
- The machine can sew sideways
- It also has twin-needle capabilities
- Brother SQ9285 has an automated needle threading system
- It has a user manual that is backed by a DVD guide to help you operate the machine
- This machine has a broad extended table to allow free-motion quilting
Cons
- This quilter does not have an automatic thread cutter.
- The machine does not come with a case or any form of a dust cover.
Conclusion: Best Brother Sewing Machine for Quilting
As a rule of thumb, a good investment yields excellent results, while a bad investment yields poor results. Subsequently, I urge you to buy from the above stellar list of Brother sewing machines for quilting.
These quilters have been purposely made in your best interest as a user; therefore, I am certain you’ll get the best out of them upon acquisition.
For the beginners, my best pick for you would be Brother XR3774, and for advanced-level quilters, I’d go for the Brother CS7000i quilter.
However, the best judge of the best machine that best suits you is yourself, as these quilters are engineered differently to serve varying needs. So arm yourself with this review, and make a self-conscious purchase. All the best!