Basically, a quilt sewing machine is also a sewing machine, but it simply has a wider range of add-ons and capabilities than a normal sewing machine doesn't. The working space of a quilting machine is much larger than that of a normal sewing machine. One of the most obvious differences between a standard sewing machine and a quilting machine is the amount of work space on the machine. Sewing is a craft that involves sewing or fastening fabrics together with a thread and a needle.
Quilting, on the other hand, is the fastening of two or more (usually three) layers of fabric together with the use of thread and needle to create a material having thick pads. The three layers of fabric are the top of the duvet or the top fabric, the insulation material and the back material. The most significant difference between a sewing machine and a quilting machine is that there is much more work space with a quilting machine. A regular sewing machine is designed for everyday use, such as hemming pants or sewing a patchwork quilt.
You also have serger sewing machines, of course. A quilting machine, on the other hand, has a larger throat space to accommodate thicker fabrics and a longer arm to make it easier to sew large quilts. Quilting machines also have more stitch options, which are perfect for joining multiple layers of fabric together. If you're looking to do serious quilting, then you'll need to invest in a quilting machine.
A long-arm quilting machine is a type of sewing machine mounted on a table with wheels next to a pair of bars. If you use a regular sewing machine, you may find it difficult to maneuver a large amount of fabric into a “narrow throat”. This is very important for the padding to help complete each project faster, especially for binding, which consists of many straight seams. When it comes to machine quilting your own quilt, this will be important, especially when working on large bed covers.
Since my mother has always shared my love for crafts, she bought me my first sewing machine, a Hello Kitty Janome. It's useful to remember that ALL machine quilting was once done on normal sewing machines, long before “quilting machines” were invented. That way, you'll have an idea of whether it would be worth investing in a quilting machine and other equipment. If you're looking for a generic free-motion quilting foot that fits a regular household machine, HERE's one with an excellent 5-star review.
If you think that using embroidery is something you would like to do, you should look for a combination machine if you don't already have a sewing machine. Feeding dogs work together, as one, by grabbing and pulling the layers of the quilt through the machine. A more casual quilter should consider a simpler model, perhaps even a combination machine, while a more serious quilter will want to spend more money on a more professional machine.
