Best Mid Arm Quilting Machine – 5 Reliable Options

Many quilters enjoy quilting by hand, and while it may be more fun and rewarding, they fail to realize the amount of time it takes up and that it can put them back on other projects! Having the best mid arm quilting machine in your possession can make your crafting life much more efficient! A mid-arm quilting machine is a combination of a sewing machine and a long-arm quilting machine. The great thing about mid-arm machines is they are cheaper than long-arm machines, can do most (if not all) of the same functions that sewing machines do, and they are smaller space-wise and come with a smaller price tag- but they are still quite pricey!

Long-arm quilting machines typically take up a whole room, so these mid-arm machines are perfect for anyone who is looking to get more serious about quilting without giving up a whole room to just one machine. Here are some of our top picks and some tips to get you started on your search for the best mid-arm quilting machine!

5 Best Mid-Arm Quilting Machine Options

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1. Janome 1600P-QC

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First up on our list is the Janome 1600P-QC Mid-Arm Quilting and Sewing Machine. This machine features an extra-wide working space, an adjustable knee lift, a built-in needle threader, and a side-loading bobbin. It is a quick machine and can do up to 1600 stitches per minute, allowing you to get through projects much faster! This machine also features an automatic thread cutter, an independent motor, and an ergonomic knee lift. With long-arm machines, you can’t easily sit at it and work on your project, but with these mid-arms, it’s easy to sit. If you have the right chair, rolling around the machine helps make projects go even quicker and more comfortable on you.

This is a sleek but powerful machine that is perfect for straightforward, simple quilts. It comes fully assembled so you would just have to plug it in and you can get right to work!

Sample customer review…I have owned this machine for 3 or 4 years and I love it. I use it for general sewing, patchwork, quilting, mending, altering, and making purses and totes. I bought it from a store and it was explained to me that this was the type of machine typically used in a dressmaking shop that did alterations. It feeds beautifully and forms a nice stitch with all weights of fabric, chiffon to denim, and faux leather. The extra room in the bed makes it ideal for machine quilting.
The presser feet are not snap-on but are easy enough to change. It has a knee lift and you can change the needle-up/ needle-down feature. It has an automatic thread cutter. I use it more often than I use my computerized machine with all the decorative stitches.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com.

2. Juki TL-2010Q

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The Juki TL-2010Q Mid-Arm Quilting Machine might as well have its name changed to a free-motion quilting machine because the throat space measures 8.5 by 5.9, which is really not all that much space. But what makes this machine so neat is you get an extension table of 12 by 23 inches allowing for more comfort while you’re quilting.

This machine can do up to 1500 stitches per minute and is very powerful. It’s lightweight and portable and comes at a more comfortable price compared to the prices of other mid-arm machines. It also features an industrial sub-tension system, variable speed control slider, white LED lighting, and a foot-controlled trimming system. It also comes equipped with an automatic thread button that trims the needle and bobbin threads at the sewing end just by gently pressing a button. With the microcomputer-controlled machine, it’s easy to control the speed of your sewing, you can go as fast or slow as you want!

Sample customer review …What a dream machine. I needed a straight stitch for piecing and the ability to quilt including free motion quilting. This is the machine. It is substantial. With a larger harp area, it is easy to see what you quilt. The table helps support larger items. It has a couple of more steps to thread than my Singer, but it was not difficult. I like the bobbin that loads from the side. The auto trim is neat. It snips top and bottom threads and doesn’t lose the bobbin thread. I am finding this to be a great feature. This is really a workhorse machine. The stitch is consistent and it feeds the piecing very well. The feed dogs take the fabric easily. I am really falling in love with this machine already. I debated on the price, but after quilting a lap quilt, which would have cost over $100 at the quilters, I feel it will pay for itself in no time. If this machine could talk it would say, “Here, let me help you with that”. Love it!
Read more reviews on Amazon.com.

3. SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960

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The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 is definitely on the small side of mid-arm quilting machines and only offers up to 850 stitches per minute, which is significantly slower than other machine options. Although this one is smaller, there are quite a few features on it including 600 built-in stitches, a built-in needle threader, thread cutter, and built-in lettering.

This machine is recommended for not just quilting, but also basic sewing, fashion design, and home decor and with the built-in fonts, you can customize all your projects. You can adjust the speed of the machine to increase the speed for longer stitches but slow it down when you need to work on more delicate spots. This machine is best for newer quilters who are wanting to step up their quilting game and learn more about the craft before they invest a large chunk of money into a machine.

This machine is an absolute joy to use! How could anyone find fault with it, or rate it with anything less than 5 stars? To just touch on a couple of my favorite features: first off, I never even use the foot pedal anymore; the very sensitive and clearly-marked buttons that control starting (that one lights up Green when you’re actually ready to ) and stopping (the same button: turns red when stopped!), as well as the Speed control slider, just make the foot pedal obsolete; for me, anyway. OK, and when you reach the end of your seam, hit stop, and then you can touch another button, marked with a pair of scissors, the machine chirps, the needle lifts, and both threads are cut! Another button lets you pick whether to have the needle in the raised or lowered position whenever you’re stopped. And the needle-threader! Makes threading the needle such a piece of cake, and it’s no matter if the thread-end is frayed; it pushes a loop of your thread through the needle a few inches from the end! And you can wind bobbins while the needle is still threaded – I’m so happy to own one of these beautiful machines, you will be, too!
Read more reviews on Amazon.com.

4. Janome Memory Craft 6650

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The Janome MC6650 is an electronic machine that offers a wide range of settings to help you complete projects of any size faster and easier. This machine features a 10-inch flatbed which allows enough space to complete projects both large and small. The MC6650 also has a number of programmable features so if you’re working on a project over a number of days you don’t have to worry about remembering settings. With the default favorite settings feature, which saves up to 20 of your favorites, the machine will remember for you. It also has 172 built-in stitch settings so you can get to work immediately. The MC6650 also features a drop-in bobbin system, as opposed to a front-loading system which requires more lubrication and more effort on your part. Also featured are a built-in threader and a legible LCD screen which provides important information such as your feed dog position, width and length settings, and stitch selection.

Sample customer review…You barely need the manual if you are not a beginner. I’ve used my new machine for almost two months now and during the lockdown, a lot in comparison to my ‘normal’ scheduled life. I’ve used several different types of fabric including silk and satin with success. I have not used heavy denim but some multi-layered items that are plenty thick this machine handled with ease. The bobbin is slightly larger than most and doesn’t like my older Singer metal bobbins. The ones they give you are, bonus, much larger. I like that the LED panel is very easy to understand and read even when I’m wearing my readers.
The best possible feature is the huge space for moving fabric in the center. The light is also stellar and allows you to use it for times you need a powerful light and you don’t want to move over to your other craft table to get your magnifiers. It’s a solid machine. Very heavy but I like that as it will not move around on you when shifting quilts and heavy items.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com.

5. Q’nique Quilter 15R

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The Q’nique Quilter 15R machine is a mid-arm machine that is a borderline long arm because of its capabilities. It’s on the larger side compared to other models and also has a larger price tag to go with it. This specific model can even do a king-size quilt without issues, as long as you make sure it’s mounted on a king-size frame.

This machine can stitch up to 1800 stitches per minute and is automatically regulated so you will not end up with any skipped or repeated stitches. The 15-inch wide throat and large bobbins allow you to tackle those bigger projects that you may have on your to-do list. With the practical design of this machine, you can handle the material being used easily while also being able to access the functions of the machine. The handles have three buttons on the upper side allowing you to change functions while you’re working without having to go to the LED screen to change it yourself.

Sample customer review…The best thing has to be the huge arm space. After 2 years of working within a 7″ or less space, it is a massive luxury to have this extra space and is the main reason the machine was bought. The controls are at your fingertips in the handles which are at a comfortable angle and you can see all your settings on this screen. There are 4 different sewing modes. I am using the precise regulated for designs like feathers but I also like the manual mode for doing designs like pebbling or stippling. The bobbin winder is a separate motor and winds the big M class bobbins within 30 seconds! I love the big bobbins, they last a long time. The bobbin area itself is easily accessible for cleaning with no lids to remove. It is quick and easy. I use a soft, long-handled artist’s brush to clean out the lint. If you are thinking of buying a Q’nique, go and try one. If you are a quilter like me, you will love it!
Review from the Grace Company.

Buying Guide for the Best Mid Arm Quilting Machine

Mechanical Quilting Machines

These quilting machines require the user to manually do things such as change out bobbins. These are recommended best for beginners.

Electronic or Computerized Quilting Machines

These are much more favored by professionals because of the speed. Depending on the settings, smaller tasks can be done for you while you are working. Computerized models are compatible with the One Touch stitch software. If you are looking to handle larger, bulkier projects, then a computerized or electronic model would be best for you. Just one of the main downfalls of these is they just about always come at a higher price tag.

Throat Space

Mid-arm quilting machines have more throat space than you may think, ranging anywhere from 16 to 22 inches. Some may have less than that, but these machines can have table extenders to help increase your workspace and allow for you to move around the quilt and work on every piece of it.

Place Setting

Mid arms can sit sideways like a regular sewing machine, but it can also face right towards you which would be more ideal when it comes to larger projects. There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to the positioning of mid-arm machines.

Bobbin sizes

Mid arm machines come with two bobbins, an L-size which is normal for a sewing machine, and an M-size which holds about three times the thread. The larger bobbin does not to be changed as much and the smaller bobbin is perfect for either smaller projects or the more detailed parts of projects.

Sewing Speeds

Many of these machines allow you to change the speeds at which you work. If you are new and still learning, you do not have to worry about the machine being too quick for you. If you want to slow it down, then slow it down, or if you want to speed it up, then you have the ability to do that as well.

Warranties

Before you purchase your machine, you should want to check out any warranties. A warranty would cover any unexpected defects. For example, a machine could be delivered with a broken pedal or side-loading bobbin. Whatever the case may be, a warranty would take care of that for you. Some machines come with a warranty right away when they purchase the machine, but others may require you to call the company and ask if they offer any warranties. You may have to purchase one or just ask to activate it if necessary.

Quilting Accessories To Go With Your Best Mid Arm Quilting Machine

With a new quilting machine comes new accessories! Something you may find useful is these magnetic pincushions that are designed to be a bracelet so that while you are working there will always be needles on you, but not in the way! They come in packs of three and in 4 different colors or a variety pack.

There is nothing more frustrating than when you are on a roll with your foot pedal but it keeps sliding away from you. That is where this Stay in Place Sewing Foot Pedal Mat comes into play! Between the velcro and non-slip materials, your foot pedal will stay in place and the mat will stay in place.

Many complaints about quilting machines are the lack of lighting. But let’s be honest, there is no such thing as too much lighting when it comes to any crafting. These self-adhesive LED lighting strips are perfect to stick them wherever you may need them. There is a convenient on and off button with separate dimming buttons you can use to make the lights as bright or dark as you want.

Making the perfect quilt comes down to being as exact as possible with the measurements. This quilting ruler set has rulers for triangles, hexagons, 45 and 60-degree rulers as well. They are also transparent allowing you to see through what you are measuring.

Conclusion

Shopping for really any sewing machine can be a task. There are so many bells and whistles to everything it can be hard to keep them all straight. Quilting machines are just like that, except there seems to almost be more to it! It all comes down to what you are wanting to do with the machine. If you are wanting to be money conscious and save space, then one of these might just be the best mid-arm quilting machine for you.

Hopefully, with our buying guide, quilting machine options, and quilting accessories you will be able to find the best mid-arm quilting machine that will best fit your needs and accessories to go with it to make your quilting more efficient!

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Written by Lauren Bolt; Contributors: Katherine Roberts and Emily Corso