Burda Style For people who sew

Hello

I’m in the unfortunate position of having to buy a machine online, unseen. I’ve done some research and decided the Brother is the machine I’d like, as it appears to be exceptionally reliable. I’ve read a lot about problems with Singers and Janome does not appear to have a universal coverage (at least, not as wide as the Brother). Not that they are not good machines, but a girl has to make a choice, right? :)

Remembering that I’m a novice-intermediate and there’s NO service center near me, I’m looking for a machine that is reliable, easy to learn but allows growth and development, and is likely to run without a service for about 3 years. I’ve narrowed it down to the following machines and would like some feedback on which would be my best option, please:

CS6000I 60 Stitch Computerized

CP-7500 Computerized

Thanks in advance for your help

Jul 1, 2011, 08.11 AM by ndimi

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4 Posts

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  Jul 1, 2011, 08.55 AMby katexxxxxx

  CS6000I 60 Stitch Computerized: Low price entry level machine. Probably OK for the price point. Mostly plastic and very light weight, with a very small harp area. Not good for heavy projects like curtains, or tough fabrics. Lots of stitch patterns, but you’ll find you hardly use most of them.

  CP-7500 Computerized: Very little different. You can get the extension table for larger projects with this one, but there’s not much point as the harp area is still tiny.

  I have to say, I did like the Innovis http://www.bambersew.com/uploads/Brother_Innovis_10_Review.pdf10-A I reviewed. You can see how it coped with my type of sewing here, and make a judgement:

  NO sewing machine can run for three years without a service! Any computerized one should be serviced yearly with moderate use (a garment a month). I self-service my older mechanical ones, and they are all a lot tougher than that, but the electronic ones still go in for yearly servicing, even with regular cleaning and lubrication.

  2 Replies

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    Jul 1, 2011, 09.22 AMby ndimi

    Thank you for your input.

    I’ve found a lot of reviews since this post, which list tension problems with the Brother. I may be revising my brand choice.

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    Sep 25, 2011, 10.27 PMby ndimi

    Thank you for this information, I appreciate it.

    I"ve actually bought a Janome 8077 on advice from a sewing centre. It’s an electronic, no-oil machine that requires very little service. Which is why I chose it. ;)

    Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice on the servicing of my machine. there is no servicing facility in this country.

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  Jul 1, 2011, 10.38 AMby sabrina

  Hi ndimi,

  I have a sewing machine similar to the CS6000i (though not as many features). I just got it for my 21st birthday and made a blog post about it. I recently made a footstool cover for a client with it (using an adjustable zipper foot for the piping) and it coped very well indeed. Being computerised, it goes wonderfully even through thick seams and fabric.

  http://thesewingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-sewing-birthday.html

  I don’t think there is much difference between the machines you have chosen, apart from the stitches and the appearance of the machines. I would just go with the one I liked best. : )

  Sabrina Wharton-Brown http://thesewingcorner.blogspot.com

  1 Reply

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    Jul 4, 2011, 01.31 PMby ndimi

    Thank you.

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  Jul 4, 2011, 10.31 PMby josephina

  My first machine was a basic level Brother and it still runs well as a backup machine. I like the buttonhole much better on it than my Husqvarna, but, like others apparently, I have had tension problems with it. I don’t even try to sew stretch fabrics on it as it’s a waste of my time and fabric. Also, the straight stitch is not very neat – fine for seams but no good for topstitching.

  Good luck!

  1 Reply

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    Jul 5, 2011, 07.22 AMby ndimi

    Thank you.

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  Jul 5, 2011, 01.41 AMby dianashunting

  Hi if it is any consolation, I have been using Brother machines for in excess of 20 years.

  My first was the Brother Star 3 sewing machine which has NEVER been in for a service and works just as well today as the day I bought it. I have now passed this on to my daughter as I have just purchased the Innovis Limited Edition. The one thing to take in to account as a novice is the button hole feature, try to get a machine that will do the button holes in one step instead of 4 as this is much simpler, also I would look for a top loading bobbin.

  I also have the Super Galaxie 2100 Embroidery Machine which I have had for over 10 years and that has only been in for repair once! I also the Innovis 1500 Embroidery machine and am about to purchase the Brother PR650 Embroidery machine.

  So for me it is Brother all the way.

  2 Replies

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    Jul 5, 2011, 07.23 AMby ndimi

    Thank you. I’ve heard that the older Brothers are fantastic, it’s the new ones that are problematic.

    Thanks for the buttonhole and bobbin info. I admit to avoiding buttonholes for this reason, so advice well taken! :)

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    Sep 25, 2011, 06.23 PMby Danielle Lyon

    I’ve just inherited the Brother Star 3 sewing machine from my Grandmother, but there is no instruction manuel. I don’t suppose you know if it is downloadable somewhere?