How many fit
Only 8 of the 46 models checked meet every need here: “I'd like to begin quilting using the included kit” and “I bring my sewing machine along to a class”.
8 models fit, out of 46 checkedPicked for one job
Best sewing machines for a quilting class
Top pick
Brother CS7000X
The Brother CS7000X is the place to start, with a class-ready table and walking foot in a 10.5-pound machine. The Janome JW8100 supplies a similar core quilting kit in a 12.7-pound body, so compare the complete offer if its price is lower. If automatic thread cutting and adjustable foot pressure matter more to you than the lightest body, choose the Janome 3160QDC-G.
A table, walking foot and speed control come with the CS7000X. Start/stop for ordinary machine-fed sewing works only after you disconnect the foot controller. With the walking foot, straight or zigzag is allowed at medium-to-low speed and without reverse. The separate free-motion quilting-foot instructions call for the foot controller. The published body is 2.2 pounds lighter than the JW8100. Case, cables and supplies still add to the load, and the course may require a different foot.
Why it suits this job
- Published machine weight. Shipping weight is a different figure.
- A table and a useful quilting foot that are really included
- The catch
- No embroidery field to load designs into
- Go with Janome JW8100 if
- The complete offer costs less, and you can accept the extra 2.2 pounds of machine weight.
More reasons we picked it
- Needle and speed controls that fit the technique you plan
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Portable quilting machines, compared on body weight, supplied table, walking foot and controls. Find out what belongs in the class bag before you buy.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the sewing machines we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I'd like to begin quilting using the included kit” and “I bring my sewing machine along to a class”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother CS7000X |
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| Janome JW8100 |
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| Janome 3160QDC-G |
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Decision guide
How to choose for this job
Look at the whole class kit and how heavy it is to carry, then decide which controls earn their place.
The lightest body is only part of the bag
By their published machine weights, the CS7000X is 2.2 pounds lighter than the JW8100. The table, power cable and supplies still have to be carried separately for both. Do not set one model's shipping weight against another model's bare machine weight.
Find out what the class asks you to bring
Layers move together more easily with a walking or even-feed foot. A free-motion foot is a different attachment, used with the appropriate feed setting. Before choosing a large accessory bundle, confirm the foot the course requires and the exact compatible model. On the CS7000X, ordinary machine-fed start/stop sewing needs the controller disconnected. Its walking foot allows straight or zigzag at medium-to-low speed without reverse. The separate free-motion quilting-foot instructions call for the controller.
A wide table leaves the throat the same size
Needle-to-arm workspace on the JW8100 is 6.7 inches, and its table supports fabric outside that opening. If the class means maneuvering a large quilt to the right of the needle, go by the actual throat dimension and not the table width.
The 3160QDC-G brings workflow controls
At a listed 12.6 pounds, the 3160QDC-G includes a cutter, adjustable presser foot pressure and an extension table. Its small weight difference from the JW8100 is unlikely to settle the choice, whereas the cutter and pressure adjustment are more substantial reasons to change models.
What this page can’t tell you
- Some travel accessories, at least, are left out of machine body weights.
- Having a table supplied does not make a machine suitable for every quilt size.
3 options
The top pick and the alternatives
Brother, CS7000X
CS7000X
Quilts get support from the wide table, and the included walking foot helps layered fabric feed through. Garment projects stay in reach with seven automatic buttonhole styles.
Top pick ifA table, walking foot and speed control come with the CS7000X. Start/stop for ordinary machine-fed sewing works only after you disconnect the foot controller. With the walking foot, straight or zigzag is allowed at medium-to-low speed and without reverse. The separate free-motion quilting-foot instructions call for the foot controller. The published body is 2.2 pounds lighter than the JW8100. Case, cables and supplies still add to the load, and the course may require a different foot.
Key facts
- 70 stitches built in
- 7 styles of buttonhole
The catch
No embroidery field to load designs into
Janome, JW8100
JW8100
With the included table, even-feed foot and hard case, this is a practical portable setup. Start/stop operation and a speed slider let you stay in control without leaning on the pedal.
Pick this instead ifThe complete offer costs less, and you can accept the extra 2.2 pounds of machine weight.
Key facts
- 100 stitches built in
- 7 styles of buttonhole
The catch
Throat width is still 6.7 inches. The table only supports the quilt
Janome, 3160QDC-G
3160QDC-G
Repeated seams and changing fabrics are where the thread cutter and adjustable presser foot pressure help. The machine comes with a wide table and hard cover.
Pick this instead ifYou want a 12.6-pound machine with automatic thread cutting and adjustable foot pressure.
Key facts
- 60 stitches built in
- 6 styles of buttonhole
The catch
A large rolled quilt can still feel cramped in the 6.8-inch throat
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Top pick for this job
Brother CS7000X
A table, walking foot and speed control come with the CS7000X. Start/stop for ordinary machine-fed sewing works only after you disconnect the foot controller. With the walking foot, straight or zigzag is allowed at medium-to-low speed and without reverse. The separate free-motion quilting-foot instructions call for the foot controller. The published body is 2.2 pounds lighter than the JW8100. Case, cables and supplies still add to the load, and the course may require a different foot.
See price & reviews on AmazonPick this instead if
Janome JW8100
The complete offer costs less, and you can accept the extra 2.2 pounds of machine weight.
See price & reviews on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money