QMX vs. QCT 6: Compare Computerized Quilting on the Little Rebel

The short answer: choose QMX (QuiltMotion X for Domestics) if you want the most affordable way to add computerized quilting to your Little Rebel sewing machine — and you love the idea of quilting blocks, simple pantographs, and stitching straight lines on your quilts.

Choose QCT 6 (Quilter's Creative Touch 6) if you want the easiest edge-to-edge quilting I've ever used and a system that grows with you — because QCT can guide your Little Rebel today and is compatible with all Grace longarms if you decide to upgrade in the future.

Both systems turn your Little Rebel into a computerized quilting machine, so you plan the design and the computer does the stitching for you. The real decision comes down to three things: your budget, how you like to quilt, and how you want to grow a quilter.

I have both systems set up and running in my quilt shop and I love using them both! This information wasn't pulled from a zoom training — it's what I've learned from actually quilting with both of these computerized quilting systems, so I can tell you who each system is genuinely right for, and just as importantly, who it's wrong for.

• You want the lowest price to start quilting automation: QMX. It's the most affordable way to begin computerized quilting with a Little Rebel.
• You want the fastest and easiest edge-to-edge-quilting experience: QCT 6. Its edge-to-edge function is the easiest I've ever seen. 
• You want block placement, simple pantographs, and straight-line stitching: QMX includes all three from the beginning. You can do custom quilting immediately with QMX.
• You want to be able to walk away while it stitches: QCT 6. It works like an embroidery machine — it stitches the design and stops on its own.
• You're happy to babysit your machine to save money: QMX is a great fit (more on this below).
• You might move up to a Q'nique or Grace longarm someday: QCT 6. It grows with you. QMX does not.
• You don't own a Cutie Breeze Frame: QCT 6. Quilter's Creative Touch is compatible with all current and some legacy Grace Company frames. QMX for Domestics is ONLY compatible with the Cutie Breeze frame.
• You already own a Cutie Breeze Frame and Little Rebel: Either system. With the Little Rebel on a Cutie Breeze, you can choose between QCT 6 and QMX for Domestics.

Both QMX for Domestics and QCT 6 are powerful computerized quilting systems. Both can help you:

• Turn your Little Rebel into an automated quilting machine, so you're no longer steering the design (and getting frustrating results). Perfect stitches and designs are created with both quilting systems.
• Run from a computer tablet — you pick a design, place it, and the machine stitches it out.
• Follow the same simple rhythm: select, place, quilt.
• Require your Little Rebel set up on a frame (QMX pairs with the Cutie Breeze; QCT is compatible with more machines and all current and some legacy Grace frames).

If you've been practicing free motion quilting for years but still feel unsatisfied with your stitch quality, both quilting automation systems will connect you to perfect stitches and beautiful patterns from day 1. 

Yes, the machine quilts it for you. Pick a design, place it, and watch it stitch.

The starting level of QCT 6 gives you the easiest, fastest edge-to-edge quilting experience. Especially if you are using a hoop frame and will need to shift your quilt side-to-side as well as forward, QCT 6 Edge-to-Edge will guide you every step of the way and help to keep the rows of the design spaced evenly with placement marks.

Where QCT gets even more expensive is the tiers. QCT 6 comes in four levels:

1. QCT 6 (MSRP $3499.95): Easiest edge-to-edge quilting with over 100 built-in quilting designs.
2. QCT 6 Plus (MSRP $5499.95): Upgrade to this level to unlock hundreds of block, triangle and pantograph designs for custom quilting! This level helps you place and quilt blocks, triangles, pantographs, mark and quilt lines, and import more quilting designs into the software.
3. QCT 6 PRO (MSRP $7499.95): Upgrade for full creative control — record yourself quilting, then save the design and edit to create a repeating pattern or block. Design more complex pantographs and unlock more powerful pantograph placement tools. Only with PRO level can you add the final upgrade:
4. QCT 6 Gold Card: This is a subscription for 365 days of access to the best placement features of QCT 6: quilting compensation, Pattern eClipse, Multi-Pattern Placement and more!

Another additional cost for QCT 6 to consider -  a tablet is not included. Click Here to shop Windows Surface Pro tablets which are compatible so long as they are not running any version of Windows RT.

So here's the honest framing: QMX gives you more quilting options for less money. 

QCT 6 is more expensive and requires purchasing the tablet separately. It will unlock the easiest edge-to-edge quilting, but you'll have additional costs to upgrade if you want to do more down the road.

This is one of the #1 questions about all computerized quilting systems because no matter how many designs are included - we will always want to be able to add more.

Here's the short answers:

Yes, you can import designs into your QMX library and it's very easy! First, create an account with Grace Company's Design store.

Make sure to use your same account email and password when you register your QMX for Domestics system. Registering only takes a minute and you'll get 10 free credits to use anytime in the Design Store to get new designs (these credits never expire)

After registering, your design store account will be directly linked to your QMX system. Any designs you add to your account will automatically sync with your QMX tablet the next time you open the program. The Bumblebee design stitched below is one I digitized and uploaded as a .QLI file to my Design Store account.

How does this compare with QCT 6?

You cannot import designs into the base level of QCT 6. You must upgrade or start with QCT 6 Plus level in order to import designs.

This feature alone is a huge benefit to QMX!

You hit start at the beginning of a design, in time with the countdown in QMX. The computer drives the carriage and the machine stitches at a steady, set speed.

At the end of the design, QMX will give you a another countdown and you must be there to hit "stop" on the machine.

If you walk away and get distracted letting the dogs out, your machine will sit in one place on your quilt, needle bouncing up and down endlessly. For this reason, QMX for domestics is not a good system for easily distracted quilters.

QCT 6 works like an embroidery machine. You pick your design, place it, hit go — and it stitches your design precisely and stops on its own at the end. You can set it and forget it, just like your embroidery machine.

Neither approach is wrong. If you enjoy being hands-on with every stitch (and want to save money), QMX is going to work fine. If you want to load a design and step away to piece your next quilt, QCT 6 is worth the extra cost.

Here's the question most people don't think about until after they buy — and it's the one I care about most as a machine dealer.

QMX only works with domestic sewing machines. It's built for the Little Rebel and similar home sewing machines and it's only compatible with the Cutie Breeze frame. 

You will not be able to change frames or machines with this computerized quilting system. It can't be moved to a Q'nique or Grace longarm. If you buy QMX and later upgrade to a longarm and a different quilting frame, — you'll have to start over with a new quilting automation system.

QCT 6 grows with you. QCT runs your Little Rebel today, and it's also compatible with all current Grace longarms (and all older Q'nique longarms too)

You can also use this computerized quilting system on all current Grace frames and some legacy frames. So if you start on a Little Rebel and move up to a longarm down the road, your QCT 6 system moves with you. You buy the automation once and can move it to a bigger quilting frame and machine anytime.

This is something to consider because once we see what we can quilt with a small frame and smaller machine, the desire for more space is a bit... addictive.

Long-term growth is one big reason many quilters spend more on QCT up front: it will grow with you from the small Cutie Breeze to the largest Evolution Elite 12 foot frame.

As a dealer, I've helped many quilters upgrade their quilting system and move it from a small frame to something bigger. I know what you'll need to make this change - new drive belts, possibly a part or two because things get lost over time. As your dealer, I'm happy to send you the parts you need to make this change go as smoothly as possible!

This is the part most dealers skip, and it's the most useful part — because the wrong system is an expensive mistake, and I want you thrilled with what you buy.

Don't buy QMX if you know you're heading toward a longarm, or you want to load a design and walk away. QMX won't follow you to a new Grace longarm, and it won't finish a design without you standing there to stop it.

Also don't buy QMX for Domestics if you're using a frame other than the Cutie Breeze - that's the only frame it's compatible with!

Don't buy QCT 6 if your budget is tight right now and you mostly want block placement, simple pantographs, and straight lines on your Little Rebel. QMX does all of that for less.

Also don't buy QCT 6 if you can't afford to also pick up the Windows based tablet you'll need to run the software. The tablet isn't included with this system so make sure to factor in this additional cost.

Don't buy either computer quilting system if you don't like the idea of working with a computer to do your quilting. You will need some free time and a calm mind so you're able to learn the steps computerized quilting. If you're feeling stressed, frazzled, and out of time, adding more equipment to your quilting room will only add to your plate!

If you're still torn, answer this: what matters more to you right now — the lowest price, or a system that grows with you?

If it's price, and you're happy being hands-on with each pass, QMX gives you the most quilting features for the least money. It's a fantastic, affordable on-ramp to computerized quilting on your Little Rebel.

If it's growth and ease, QCT 6 is worth the extra cost. You get the easiest edge-to-edge quilting I've ever used, a system that stitches and stops on its own, and the freedom to move up to a longarm without buying automation twice.

Still not sure? That's exactly the kind of thing I help with. Tell me your budget and whether a longarm is in your future, and I'll help you pick the system that fits your real life. Click Here to reach out for the help you need!

Adding computerized quilting to your Little Rebel is an exciting decision, and you don't have to make it alone. Tell me your budget, your space, and whether a longarm might be in your future, and I'll help you find the system that fits — Click Here to get in touch.

I hope you've enjoyed this comprehensive comparison of two awesome computerized quilting systems: QMX for Domestics to Quilter's Creative Touch (QCT 6). In this post, you've learned: