Quilting machines by throat space
This table ranks 8 quilting machines by throat space. Throat space is the distance from the needle to the machine body on the right. A rolled quilt has to pass through that gap.
Throat space ranges from 8.5 in to 16.5 in. 8 of 8 machines are ranked.
| # | Machine | Throat space | Top speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BERNINA Q 16 PLUS (sit-down)Sit-down longarm | 420 mm (16.5 in) | 2,200 spm | $9,499.00 (with folding table) at Quality Sewing |
| 2 | HQ Sweet SixteenSit-down longarm | 16 in | Not confirmed | $6,995.00 at Handi Quilter. $5,495.00 (sit-down package) at SewingMachinesPlus |
| 3 | Baby Lock Tiara III (BLTR16-3)Sit-down longarm | 16 in | 1,800 spm | Not listed |
| 4 | Grace 16XHandle-driven longarm (frame) | 16 in | 1,700 spm | $3,559.20 sale price (listed value $5,499.95) at The Grace Company. $3,559.20 at Quality Sewing |
| 5 | Grace 16X EliteHandle-driven longarm (frame) | 16 in | 2,100 spm | $4,359.20 sale price (listed value $6,499.95) at The Grace Company. $4,359.20 and up at Quality Sewing |
| 6 | Brother PQ1600SStraight-stitch home machine | 5.7 in high x 8.7 in wide | 1,500 spm | $999.99 at Brother USA. $999.99 at SewingMachinesPlus |
| 7 | JUKI TL-2010QStraight-stitch semi-industrial | 215 x 150 mm (8.5 x 6 in) | 1,500 spm | $1,239.00 at SewingMachinesPlus |
| 8 | JUKI TL-2200QVP MiniStraight-stitch semi-industrial | 215 x 150 mm (8.5 x 6 in) | 1,500 spm | Not listed |
Sources for every spec are on each machine's page. A dash in the first column marks a machine with no throat space listed or confirmed.
Throat height is listed for the Baby Lock Tiara III (BLTR16-3) (8.25 in). The Brother PQ1600S space is 5.7 in high x 8.7 in wide. BERNINA and Handi Quilter do not list a throat height (BERNINA: Q Series sit-down page, Handi Quilter: HQ Sweet Sixteen page).