Quilting machines ranked by throat width
Rows are ranked by throat width: the distance from the needle to the machine body on the right. A rolled quilt has to pass through that gap, so it sets how big a quilt you can handle without wrestling it.
Spread on this number: 420 mm (16.5 in) (BERNINA Q 16 PLUS (sit-down)) down to 215 x 150 mm (8.5 x 6 in) (JUKI TL-2200QVP Mini).
| # | Machine | Throat width | Top speed | Foot lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BERNINA Q 16 PLUS (sit-down)Sit-down longarm | 420 mm (16.5 in) 2 sources agree | 2,200 spm | not published |
| 2 | HQ Sweet SixteenSit-down longarm | 16 in 2 sources agree | not confirmed yet (maker 1,800 spm; dealer page shows both 1,500 and 1,800) | not published |
| 3 | Baby Lock Tiara III (BLTR16-3)Sit-down longarm | 16 in 2 sources agree | 1,800 spm | not published |
| 4 | Grace 16XHandle-driven longarm (frame) | 16 in 2 sources agree | 1,700 spm | not published |
| 5 | Grace 16X EliteHandle-driven longarm (frame) | 16 in 2 sources agree | 2,100 spm | not published |
| 6 | Brother PQ1600SStraight-stitch home machine | 5.7 in high x 8.7 in wide 2 sources agree | 1,500 spm | not published |
| 7 | JUKI TL-2010QStraight-stitch semi-industrial | 215 x 150 mm (8.5 x 6 in) maker only | 1,500 spm | 12 mm |
| 8 | JUKI TL-2200QVP MiniStraight-stitch semi-industrial | 215 x 150 mm (8.5 x 6 in) maker only | 1,500 spm | lever 7/9 mm, knee 12 mm |
Height of the opening matters too, but only two quilting makers in this table print it. A dash in the first column means the ranking number is missing or held back for that row.