There are tons of sewing machines out there, and while you could technically use any of them for quilting – some of them definitely make it a bit easier than others! Deep throat sewing machines offer enough space to make working with larger projects like quilts much easier.
That’s why we’ve dug deep into the internet to find you the best large throat sewing machines for quilting on any budget.
Every machine in this article is a wide throat sewing machine, which offers nice sized throat space for rolling your quilts, and often more space under the presser foot – making it easier to layer fabric! We’ve tried to locate machines which will fit into a variety of budgets, which you’ll find below!
Table of Contents
Editor’s Pick
Baby Lock Jazz II – $699
Looking for an affordable wide throat sewing machine? Then the Baby Lock Jazz II could be for you. This excellent machine is the cheapest ones on our list, but it still offers a very generous 12″ throat space. It’s also a mechanical machine with just the right amount of features for the price point.
However, while the Baby Lock Jazz II is a great budget quilting and sewing machine, keep in mind that you will be losing features going with a cheaper model. This includes some valuable automatic features, a little speed, and other quality of life features present in more expensive machines.
However, if you don’t need all of that, this machine is an excellent value. It hums along at a respectable 1,000 stitches per minute, works well with heavy fabrics, has needle up/down, a knee lift, and it handles very nicely.
- 12″ Throat Space
- 1,000 Stitches Per Minute
- Needle Up/Down
- Handles Heavy Fabrics Well
- Hands-Free Knee Lift
Click here to get the best price on the Baby Lock Jazz 2!
Not the machine for you? No problem! Check out our comparison table below to compare our top 3 machines side-by-side to see everything they offer the price.
 Best Price |
 Best Price |
 Best Price |
|
| Baby Lock Jazz 2 | Juki 2010Q | Juki NX7 | |
| Price | $699 | $999 | $2,999 |
| Type | Mechanical | Mechanical | Computerized |
| Throat | 12″ | 8.5″ | 12″ |
| Speed | 1,000 SPM | 1,500 SPM | 1,050 SPM |
| Stitches | 28 | Straight ONLY | 28 |
| Needle Up/Down | YES | YES | YES |
| Knee Lift | YES | YES | YES |
| Thread Tension | Manual | Manual | Automatic |
| Thread Cutter | Built-In | Automatic | Automatic |
| Drop Feed/Free Motion | YES | YES | YES |
| Dual Feed | No | No | YES |
| Thread Cutter | Built-In | Automatic | Automatic |
| Needle Threader | Built-In | Automatic | Automatic |
| Speed Control | YES | YES | YES |
Juki TL-2010Q – $999
The Juki TL-2010Q was made with quilters in mind. It’s a amazingly fast machine, capable of 1,500 stitches per minute. However, it also features a generous throat space and a cool extension table which makes crafting large pieces, like quilts, a breeze. Though the throat space is smaller than the Baby Lock Jazz II.
It comes with a number of feet for free motion quilting, hemming, zipper, etc. While it’s not as fancy as some other machines, if you primarily want to do quilting, this work horse will serve you right. It features stop and cut buttons for efficient work, but it will also allow you to cut using the foot pedal, which is cool. You’ll also get a convenient knee lever for the presser foot, which allows you to adjust it hands-free.
The Juki TL-2010Q doesn’t do fancy things like monogram, and it doesn’t come with hundreds of built-in stitches – BUT it does exactly what a sewing machine should do – it sews. It also does it very well, and consumers rave about how beautifully this machine stitches. While the offering may seem a little bare bones – it does have some very cool features.
One of the more interesting features of this machine are its two types of quilting feet and drop feed. You can use them for free motion quilting and free-hand embroidery! The drop feed also allows you to easily sew curved stitches.
- Needle Up/Down
- 1,500 Stitches Per Minute
- Cut With The Foot Pedal
- Free Hand Embroidery
- Straight Stitch Only
Click here to get the best price on the Juki 2010Q.
JUKI Kieri NX7 – $2,999
The Juki Kieri is a fantastic sewing machine that offers 12 inches of throat space and an extension table. The table brings your work space up to 22.4″ x 13.6″, which offers ample room for projects. It also zips along at a nice 1,050 stitches per minute, making short work of sewing chores.
Your new NX7 will also come with a ton of premium features like automatic thread tension, start/stop buttons, needle up/down, automatic thread trimming, bobbin winder, retractable feed dogs, extra LED lighting, free arm, optional twin needle sewing, and more great features.
While the price tag is not as nice as some of the other models on our list, this is a computerized sewing machine with many premium features. It comes with Juki’s smart feed function, which moves the top and bottom layers of fabric in sync with each other, allowing for you to be more precise when quilting. It also offers automatic thread tension, and a float function which prevents uneven seams.
- 12″ Throat Space
- Automatic Thread Tension
- Juki Smart Dual-Feed
- Needle Up/Down
- Float Function
Click here to get the best price on the Juki NX7.
PS. We’ve also done a full juki hzl-nx7 reviews & buyers guide article you can read as well for a full features overview.
Brother PQ-1500SL– $729.99
Not a fan of bells and whistles? If you hate all the stuff that breaks on modern sewing machines, then the Brother PQ 1500SL may be for you! This stripped down machine is lacking in fancy features, but it’s not lacking in power and quality, OR throat space! It features an 8.7″ throat with 5.5″ in height, and it has a sizeable extension table.
The PQ1500SL has some great quality of life features, like an automatic needle threader, automatic thread cutter, and a color coded thread tension dial. It also operates at an impressive 1,500 stitches per minute, and it handles thick fabric layers like a dream, making short work of bulky projects like quilts or costumes, all at a fantastic price point.
So, what’s the trade off here? Well, you will be giving up things like fancy fonts, combination stitches, etc. It doesn’t have shiny LCD screens, it doesn’t embroider, and it doesn’t monogram. It just sews, but it does it really, really well. It’s a great pick if you need a fast machine without the expensive extras and features.
- 1,500 Stitches Per Minute
- Automatic Needle Threader
- 8.7″ Throat
- 4 Feed Dog Height Settings
- All-Metal Contstruction
Click here to get the best price on the Brother PQ 1500SL.
Janome Memory Craft MC6650 – $1,599
The Janome Memory Craft MC6650 has almost as much throat space as the 14000, but it won’t cost you $6,500. In fact, this sewing machine comes in at a very reasonable $1,599 in comparison, and that’s why it makes our list. This machine is also pretty quick, and you’ll be able to sew 1,000 stitches per minute with it.
In addition, you’ll also enjoy premium features like a built-in needle threader, a 7 piece feed dog system with drop feed, programmable thread trimmer, 20 memory banks for storing stitch sequences, stitch mirroring, speed control, needle up/down, and convenience buttons.
The MC6650 also features a super durable aluminum frame, and it has tons of useful quality of life features for the price. This includes lots of built-in stitches, an easy change needle plate, convenient top-loading bobbin, reverse stitches for reinforcing seams, programmable thread trimmer and more – all while being very easy to use.
This allows you to have a little more versatility with your projects if you do care about fancy features, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a machine. The MC6650 has plenty fun stuff to keep quilters busy, and its value added features help you to be more productive if you’re not happy with a bare-bones machine like the PQ1500SL.
- 10″ Throat Space
- 1,000 Stitches Per Minute
- Independent Bobbin Winder
- Heavy-Duty Aluminum Frame
- Needle Up/Down
Click here to get the best price on the Janome MC6650.
Juki Exceed HZL-F600 – $1,049
If the NX7 is out of your budget, then the Juki Exceed HZL-F600 could be an option. The throat space is not quite as nice, but the price definitely is. You’ll be able to pick up this machine for almost a third of the price, and you’ll still have some pretty nice features to boot if you can deal with a bit less space.
The f-600 is almost as fast as the NX7, at 900 Stitches per minute, and it also includes premium features like a box feed system, random stitching, automatic needle threading, foot pedal thread trimming, sensor method button holes, and lots more.
This machine works well on many different kinds of fabrics, including heavy/thick fabrics, but it’s also great if you have other projects which require more delicate fabrics. It also comes with an extension table, and you can trim your threads by using the button, OR with a heel motion on the foot pedal for faster, hands-free snipping.
- 8″ Throat Space
- Randomize Stitches
- Large Extension Table
- Box Feed System
- Trim Threads With Foot Pedal
- 8″ Throat Space
- Randomize Stitches
- Large Extension Table
- Box Feed System
- Trim Threads With Foot Pedal
Click here to get the best price for the Juki Exceed F600!
Janome MC14000 – $6,999
Okay, so this definitely isn’t a budget pick, BUT if you’re looking for a machine that can do it all, this is it! The Janome Memory Craft 14000 is a multi-purpose sewing machine which allows you to also embroider. However, it also has a very nice 11″ of throat space, making it an excellent wide throat sewing machine for quilters as well.
You’ll also enjoy a generous 9×11″ embroidery area, tons of built-in designs and stitches, automatic thread tension, an automatic needle threader, and Janome’s AccuFeed System. Really the only negatives for this machine is the price tag, and the fact that you will be missing out on a few features, like Horizon Connect and combination stitches when compared to the MC1500.
- 11″ Throat Space
- 9″ x 11″ Embroidery Area
- AccuFlex Feed System
- Dual Voltage
- Automatic Thread Tension
Click here to get the best price on the Janome 14000.
PS. Read about the differences between the Janome 14000 vs 15000 in our other article.
Juki HZL-DX7 – $1,399
This easy to use and reliable machine comes with a lot of great features, and it also offers a decent amount of throat space at 8 inches. While this isn’t the largest on our list, it does have some other great features which may interest you, like a float function for more even seams, and a box feed system, for quality stitching.
The DX7 also has some nice quality of life features, like a float function, speed control,needle up/down, straight stitch side plate, 0.1mm presser foot height adjustments, and programmable foot pedal options. This allows you to choose what commands you want on your foot pedal for your needs!
- 8″ Throat Space
- Float Function
- Box Feed System
- Programmable Foot Pedal
- Needle Up/Down
Click here to get the best price on the Juki DX7.
King Quilter II – $4,299
If 12 inches of throat space is not enough, then you’re venturing into dedicated quilting machine territory! Most regular sewing machines top out in this area, but if you’re willing to invest a bit more, then 18 inches of beautiful throat space can be yours.
The King Quilter 2 is a dedicated long-arm quilting machine. It’s a dream to work on, and it has more throat space than you’ll ever know what to do with – if you can fit it into your budget that is!
Of course, the negatives are that it’s pretty pricey, and that it isn’t good for much else besides quilting. So, if you are not interested in a professional quilting device, this could be overkill for you.
However, if you make and sell things and you need a machine that is powerful and fast for your Etsy store, this is it. It also features touchscreens up to 7 inches, handle bars with controls, and optional computerized pro stitcher system.
- 18″ Throat Space
- 2,200 Stitches Per Minute
- M Class Bobbin
- Huge Work Area
- Precision & Cruise Modes
Click here to get the best price for the king Quilter II.
In closing, finding a large throat sewing machine for quilting isn’t hard, but it can be expensive if you let it. While there are plenty of options out there, most of them are simply not within the budget for most hobby sewists.
However, better options come on to the market every year, and I’ll work to keep this article updated with the best options for at-home quilt makers to enjoy.
Because while you can easily spend $10,000 on a sewing machine, do you really need to do that? Will you use all of the features? Knowing exactly what you need can save you a lot of money, but you also shouldn’t buy the cheapest machine to save a few bucks and live without some really useful stuff you’d get a lot of value out of.
If the machine you pick is purely for quilting, this gets much easier – because quilters really don’t need that many stitches or fancy things! However, if you plan to use your machine for sewing clothing as well – you may come to regret not getting some of these features.
In short, don’t forgo a valuable feature which you’ll REALLY use to save $100, but don’t load up on stuff that’s useless to you either for the sake of having it. We’ve tried our best to highlight the important bits for each of the machines in this overview to help, but in the end, it’s up to you what features you need for your projects and which ones you don’t! Happy crafting everyone.
The Husqvarna Platinum has a 16″ throat space, but for most consumers it will be too expensive. This machine retails for $5,999 – and at that price you could start looking at used long arm quilting machines for sale instead.
Overall, surveyed quilters liked the Juki TL2010Q. The throat is smaller than the Jazz 2, but it’s a heavy-duty, all-mechanical machine that only does straight stitches. The Brother PQ1500SL is also beloved for the same reasons.
If you’re working with a tight budget, the Babylock Jazz 2 will offer you most of what you need, including a 12 inch throat space. However, if you’re in the market for fancy features, the Juki NX7 will as well – and it offers some fantastic premium features which you can ready more about in its section in the article!
If you’re going for a sewing machine and not a dedicated quilting machine – then you’ll likely cap out at around 12 inches here. We’d recommend the Baby Lock Jazz 2 (budget pick) or the Juki NX7 (features pick!) for you in this case.
While many regular sewing machines are catching up in the throat space department, they still are typically lacking in workspace. A dedicated quilting machine is much more comfortable to work on, but it really is only good for quilting, and they can be quite expensive.
The throat space is the distance between the right of the needle and the arm of the machine. Most manufacturers will tell you this measurement, but sometimes you have to do a bit of digging. We created this article to pull that information together for you for our favorite sewing machines!
Tanya is a stay at home mom who blogs online to earn a bit of extra income from her hobbies. She also loves working on projects which she can involve her two kids in and teach them the valuable life-skill of sewing.
