Brother Sewing Machines Shopping Comparison
I need a new sewing machine and although I have loved my Janome for the last 30 years I am being drawn to the Brother
range. So I thought I would share my comparison shopping experience.
Things have changed a lot in the last thirty years. I thought my machine
was pretty flash when I got it because it could do button holes!
I have gone through stages with my sewing from simple mending to deluding myself that I could do it as a home business. My sewing was never good enough for that but I did make a lot of my own children's clothes when they were little. Sadly now, my trusty Janome is letting me down. I have learned that I can spend $99 on a service, parts extra or I can trade her in and get something brand spanking new for actually very little more. So the choice seems obvious, right?
What I did find while doing my research, is that there is practically nothing you can't do on a Brother sewing machine.
I have gone through stages with my sewing from simple mending to deluding myself that I could do it as a home business. My sewing was never good enough for that but I did make a lot of my own children's clothes when they were little. Sadly now, my trusty Janome is letting me down. I have learned that I can spend $99 on a service, parts extra or I can trade her in and get something brand spanking new for actually very little more. So the choice seems obvious, right?
What I did find while doing my research, is that there is practically nothing you can't do on a Brother sewing machine.
Brother CS6000I 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Multiple Stitch Functions
Best Value Brother Sewing Machine
Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine With 60 Built-In Stitches, 7 styles of 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholes, Quilting Table, and Hard Cover
The first machine I looked at was the Brother CS6000I I suppose what drew me initially to this model was its price point and feature set. To me it seemed to be a very well-featured machine for a very reasonable price. Although I did wonder what on earth I was going to do with all those different stitches!
Once I looked at this model in more detail I was even more pleasantly surprised. The designers certainly seem to have thought of everything. And the customer reviews are very positive as well.
Feature set at a glance:-
* 60-stitch computerized free-arm sewing machine with LCD display
* 7 styles of 1-step auto-sizing buttonholes; 1-touch start/stop and reverse functions
* Snap-on presser feet; wide table accessory for larger projects such as quilts
* Measures 9-3/5 by 9-3/4 by 12-1/2 inches; 25-year limited warranty
Praise for the Brother CS6000I sewing machine includes: “… the most incredible value-for-money on the market today..”; “.. very, very easy to use..”; “..comes with every foot and accessory you could ever possibly need..”; “.. highly recommend this machine..”
Affordable Brother Sewing Machines
For Buyers on a Budget
Brother XL2230 31-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine With 11 Built-In Stitches
Brother XL2230 31-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine with 11 Built-In Stitches
I also looked at the Brother XL2230 because 60 stitches is probably way more than I need. My current machine only does 10. The bulk of my sewing these days is really just mending. But I do occasionally think it would be nice to get my machine out and actually make something.
The
impetus for getting this under way now because let’s face it; I haven’t
actually used my machine for a while now; is the quilt show that is
coming up this year. Oh no, no, no! I’m not going to be making a quilt.
As such. You see our local primary school P&C (that’s the Australian
equivalent of the PTA) puts on a quilt show every second year and the
works that are submitted are some of the most gorgeous creations. This
is a big fund-raising event for our school. We also raffle a quilt which
is made by the ladies of the P&C. Two years ago we would meet
weekly in our local coffee shop and hand-stitch our squares to be made
up into the raffle quilt. This year we will be machining our pieces and
my machine has decided to give up the ghost.
So back to the task at hand. Some of the things I like about this model are first of all its simplicity. As I said before, I don’t need all those fancy stitches and we won’t be quilting our quilt as we have decided to use tuft ties. I also like the look of that automatic needle threader – that is one thing I am finding more and more difficult to do as I get older and my eyesight becomes less reliable.
Here are the features at a glance:-
* 31 stitch functions for straight, zigzag, satin, stretch, blind-hem, and elastic stitches
* Automatic 4-step buttonhole fast, exact holing
* Built-in needle threader eliminates squinting and eyestrain
* Drop-in bobbin for faster spooling and more productivity
* Lightweight and compact; built-in handle for easy portability
Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger with Easy Lay In Threading with Differential Feed
Another thing I have promised myself “one day” is an overlocker or serger. So I’ll have to come back and have a look at the Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger in more detail. One day….
Of course I could always…… Nah! It really will have to go on my wish list.
But if I was getting one of these right now I would look for a machine that is easy to set up and use. This one looks like it is all of that with its colour coded set-up and lay-in threading.
Janome Memory Craft Sewing Machine 6500P
If price were no object and I really thought I was going to get good use out of it this is a sewing machine I would seriously consider. The Janome Memory Craft 6500P calls itself the “dream machine” and I can see why! Apart from some of the more obvious features things I like include the “throat space”. When you are trying to manage large items, the cramped little area on most machines can make moving your work around really awkward. But this machine has so much room. You can refill bobbins while you keep sewing. I can’t even imagine how that works but I’d love to see it! And I have to admit that I have never seen a machine rated on its stitching speed before but that might be because I haven’t actually been in the market for a sewing machine for a long time. Get this! 1,000 stitches per minute! This is the elite sports coupe of the sewing machine world.
So back to the task at hand. Some of the things I like about this model are first of all its simplicity. As I said before, I don’t need all those fancy stitches and we won’t be quilting our quilt as we have decided to use tuft ties. I also like the look of that automatic needle threader – that is one thing I am finding more and more difficult to do as I get older and my eyesight becomes less reliable.
Here are the features at a glance:-
* 31 stitch functions for straight, zigzag, satin, stretch, blind-hem, and elastic stitches
* Automatic 4-step buttonhole fast, exact holing
* Built-in needle threader eliminates squinting and eyestrain
* Drop-in bobbin for faster spooling and more productivity
* Lightweight and compact; built-in handle for easy portability
Well-Featured Computerised Models from Brother
Top Rated Brother Sewing Machines
Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger
For the things a Brother Sewing Machine can't do!
Another thing I have promised myself “one day” is an overlocker or serger. So I’ll have to come back and have a look at the Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger in more detail. One day….
Of course I could always…… Nah! It really will have to go on my wish list.
But if I was getting one of these right now I would look for a machine that is easy to set up and use. This one looks like it is all of that with its colour coded set-up and lay-in threading.
A Selection of Singer Sewing Machines
For Comparison
Janome Memory Craft 6500P Sewing Machine
If price were no object and I really thought I was going to get good use out of it this is a sewing machine I would seriously consider. The Janome Memory Craft 6500P calls itself the “dream machine” and I can see why! Apart from some of the more obvious features things I like include the “throat space”. When you are trying to manage large items, the cramped little area on most machines can make moving your work around really awkward. But this machine has so much room. You can refill bobbins while you keep sewing. I can’t even imagine how that works but I’d love to see it! And I have to admit that I have never seen a machine rated on its stitching speed before but that might be because I haven’t actually been in the market for a sewing machine for a long time. Get this! 1,000 stitches per minute! This is the elite sports coupe of the sewing machine world.
What Do You Look For In A Sewing Machine?
Would you like to know which one I decided on?
Yep! I came back to this one. Click on the picture to go back and see it.
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KimGiancaterino Feb 22, 2013 @ 11:41 pmI've owned several sewing machines and my current is a Sears Lady Kenmore. I make most of my window treatments and would do a lot more if I had time. I can't imagine being without a sewing machine. Brother is definitely a quality brand!
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MomwithAHook Jul 06, 2012 @ 7:30 amLooks pretty good. I have a brother but I'm not that into sewing so It was about $100 at a Walmart nearly 10 years ago. :) I would love to have the patience to sew - not get so mad at the machine - :) If I did have patience I'd love a serger or some type of machine that could do embroidery.
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boutiqueshops Nov 10, 2011 @ 4:10 pmWow! Nice job! I've still got training wheels on my sewing machine, LOL. Hoping to move up to a serger next. Great job on this information; very useful
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sewingmachinereview May 08, 2010 @ 7:02 pmMy friend uses a brother sewing machine . This sewing machine can complete more than 1,000 stitches for every minute. This means that you can fully maximize your overhead cost, as you can mass produce your products.
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OhMe Feb 19, 2010 @ 5:10 amVery nice reviews of Brother Sewing Machines and a great resource for anyone looking into purchasing a new Sewing Machine. I am not a seamstress but really admire people who are. I hope you get the Janome Memory Craft 6500P Sewing Machine so you can sew 1,000 stitches a minute and tell us about it. Wow, that is impressive!
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Treasures-By-Brenda Feb 15, 2010 @ 8:03 pmExcellent, excellent job. I love how you've compared the different machines.
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EverythingMouse Feb 14, 2010 @ 7:11 pmI don't sew but my daughter does - I wish I could help her more! She has a Brother machine
