Machine guide
Best sewing machines for advanced and intermediate sewers
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Janome Skyline S5 AE: 170 stitches, 9mm, knee lifter
Knee lifter, automatic thread cutter and memorized needle up/down are listed for hands-free sewing.
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Most for the money on paper
Juki TL-2010Q: lockstitch with knee lifter and auto trimmer
The listing states the thread trimmer cuts both needle and bobbin threads with a light press of a button.
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Most complete listing
Janome Skyline S6 AE: 196 stitches, AcuFeed Flex built in
AcuFeed Flex feeds fabric from above and below according to the listing, which helps on quilts, plaids and layers.
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Once you sew every week, the limits of a starter machine show up fast. Layers creep, corners need two hands, and you stop to snip threads hundreds of times per project. The step up is less about stitch count and more about control: a feed system that moves layers evenly, a knee lifter so both hands stay on the fabric, an automatic thread cutter, a wider stitch for satin and decorative work, and a stronger build for long sessions. This guide compares seven machines from Janome, Juki and Brother on those five points. Some are full computerized machines with 9mm stitches. Others are straight-stitch machines built for speed and precise piecing. All facts come from the Amazon listings, and where a listing does not state a feature you care about, the table says so, so you know what to confirm before you buy.
Compare the picks
- Janome Skyline S5 AE: 170 stitches, 9mm, knee lifter
- Stitches
- 170 plus 1 alphabet
- Max stitch width
- 9mm
- Feed system
- SFS+ with 7-piece feed
- Thread cutter
- Automatic
- Janome Skyline S6 AE: 196 stitches, AcuFeed Flex built in
- Stitches
- 196 plus 4 fonts
- Max stitch width
- 9mm
- Feed system
- AcuFeed Flex built in
- Thread cutter
- Automatic
- Juki TL-2010Q: lockstitch with knee lifter and auto trimmer
- Stitches
- Straight lockstitch, 1 needle
- Max stitch width
- Not stated
- Feed system
- Not stated
- Thread cutter
- Push-button, needle and bobbin
Brother PQ1600S: 1,500 spm straight stitch- Stitches
- Straight stitch only
- Max stitch width
- Not applicable
- Feed system
- 4-level feed dog adjustment
- Thread cutter
- Push-button, upper and lower
Juki HZL-DX7 Quilters Package: box feed plus walking foot- Stitches
- Not stated
- Max stitch width
- Not stated
- Feed system
- Box feed
- Thread cutter
- Not stated
Janome MC6650: 10 inch throat, aluminum frame- Stitches
- Not stated
- Max stitch width
- Not stated
- Feed system
- 7-piece feed dogs
- Thread cutter
- Not stated
Juki HZL-G220: box feed, wide underarm, 8 buttonholes- Stitches
- Not stated
- Max stitch width
- Not stated
- Feed system
- Box feed
- Thread cutter
- Not stated
| Pick | Stitches | Max stitch width | Feed system | Thread cutter | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janome Skyline S5 AE: 170 stitches, 9mm, knee lifter | 170 plus 1 alphabet | 9mm | SFS+ with 7-piece feed | Automatic | - | Amazon |
| Janome Skyline S6 AE: 196 stitches, AcuFeed Flex built in | 196 plus 4 fonts | 9mm | AcuFeed Flex built in | Automatic | - | Amazon |
| Juki TL-2010Q: lockstitch with knee lifter and auto trimmer | Straight lockstitch, 1 needle | Not stated | Not stated | Push-button, needle and bobbin | - | Amazon |
| Brother PQ1600S: 1,500 spm straight stitch | Straight stitch only | Not applicable | 4-level feed dog adjustment | Push-button, upper and lower | - | Amazon |
| Juki HZL-DX7 Quilters Package: box feed plus walking foot | Not stated | Not stated | Box feed | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Janome MC6650: 10 inch throat, aluminum frame | Not stated | Not stated | 7-piece feed dogs | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Juki HZL-G220: box feed, wide underarm, 8 buttonholes | Not stated | Not stated | Box feed | Not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Janome
Janome Skyline S5 AE: 170 stitches, 9mm, knee lifter
See price on AmazonThe best balance in the Janome range for most sewists: 170 stitches, a 9mm width, ten 1-step buttonholes, knee lifter, automatic thread cutter and Superior Feed System Plus for layers and quilts.
What the listing offers
- Knee lifter, automatic thread cutter and memorized needle up/down are listed for hands-free sewing.
- Automatic thread tension and automatic foot pressure reduce fiddling between fabrics.
- Extra-wide acrylic extension table with printed rulers and leveling feet is included.
Limits to know
- The listing gives bed size but not throat space for large quilts.
- AcuFeed Flex is not built in on this model; it is on the Skyline S6 AE and S7.
Pick 2 · Janome
Janome Skyline S6 AE: 196 stitches, AcuFeed Flex built in
See price on AmazonA mid-size Skyline with AcuFeed Flex top-and-bottom feeding built in, 196 stitches and a 9mm width. Knee lifter, auto tension and auto foot pressure make it a strong all-rounder for quilts and garments.
What the listing offers
- AcuFeed Flex feeds fabric from above and below according to the listing, which helps on quilts, plaids and layers.
- Knee lifter, automatic thread cutter and memorized needle up/down are all listed for hands-free pivots.
- Includes an extra-wide extension table with printed rulers and leveling feet.
Limits to know
- Throat measurement is not stated; the listing gives an 8.3 inch bed instead.
- It is among the pricier machines here, so it only pays off if you use the feeding and automation.
Pick 3 · JUKI
Juki TL-2010Q: lockstitch with knee lifter and auto trimmer
See price on AmazonA portable straight-stitch Juki with an automatic thread trimmer that cuts needle and bobbin threads, a knee lifter that raises the foot to 12mm, and an automatic needle threader. It is the quilter's pick in the line.
What the listing offers
- The listing states the thread trimmer cuts both needle and bobbin threads with a light press of a button.
- A knee lifter raises the presser foot as high as 12mm, keeping both hands on the quilt.
- Described as light-weight and portable, so it can travel to classes.
Limits to know
- Straight stitch only: no zigzag, buttonholes or decorative stitches.
- The listing does not state top speed or throat space; compare on the listing if size matters.
Pick 4 · Brother
Brother PQ1600S: 1,500 spm straight stitch
See price on AmazonBrother's high-speed straight-stitch machine with a stated 5.7 x 8.7 inch needle-to-arm space and a large wide table. Four levels of feed dog adjustment help with free-motion control.
What the listing offers
- The large 11.1 x 23.3 inch table supports the weight of a quilt as it moves.
- Four color-coded feed dog and presser foot pressure levels are listed.
- Programmable needle stop up or down helps when pivoting during quilting.
Limits to know
- Straight stitch only, with no zigzag or decorative stitches.
- The arm space is smaller than the Janome MC6650's stated 10 inch throat.
Pick 5 · JUKI
Juki HZL-DX7 Quilters Package: box feed plus walking foot
See price on AmazonA computerized Juki with box feed, a knee lift, a walking foot and a free-hand foot in a quilters package, plus a float function. It suits quilters who also sew garments.
What the listing offers
- Box feed, Juki's industrial-style feed, is stated in the listing.
- A knee lift, walking foot and free-hand foot are all included for quilting.
- The listing names a float function for better control when free motion quilting.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state stitch count or thread trimming.
- The extension table is listed as optional, so it may cost extra.
Pick 6 · Janome
Janome MC6650: 10 inch throat, aluminum frame
See price on AmazonA Memory Craft quilting machine with an aluminum body frame, all-metal 10 inch flatbed and 10 inch throat. It sews up to 1000 stitches per minute and is aimed at quilters who want room and stability.
What the listing offers
- 10 inch throat space is stated, roomy for quilt blocks and layered projects.
- Extra-high foot lift, adjustable foot pressure and 7-piece feed dogs are listed.
- 12 presser feet, independent bobbin winder and one-push needle plate conversion are included.
Limits to know
- Stitch count and stitch width are not stated on the listing.
- No automatic thread cutter or knee lifter is mentioned on the listing.
Pick 7 · JUKI
Juki HZL-G220: box feed, wide underarm, 8 buttonholes
See price on AmazonA computerized Juki with box feed, a wide underarm space, 8 buttonhole types, drop feed and an automatic needle threader. The listing gives a weight of 8.7 kg. It suits garment sewists.
What the listing offers
- Box feed is stated as avoiding shrinkage on lightweight fabrics and feeding heavy materials.
- Eight types of buttonholes are listed for garment work.
- A wide underarm space and drop feed help with larger projects and free motion.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state stitch count, thread trimming or knee lift.
- At 8.7 kg it is heavier to carry than the TL-2010Q, which is described as portable.
More guides: Sewing machines
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