Sewing Machine S/O

goldgold · December 2011

I'm trying to decide between buying a Brother CS6000i online OR Singer Superb 2010 or Singer 7470 Confidence from Costco (who takes anything/everything back). Anyone have any opinions on these machines? I have a $50 costco giftcard, but there's still about $100 difference between the Brother and Singers.

I haven't sewn in years. I plan on doing simpler projects (drapes, pillows, baby clothes for gifts, etc) and not using the machine extremely heavily (maybe a few times a month or so).

Thanks!

TheBridesMom · December 2011

You may want to look in the faqs (link in green header at the top of the board) for some sewing machine advice.

Honestly, I wouldn't buy a Singer at all, or a low end Brother. Singer really went downhill after they sold, and the low end Brother machines seem to have issues that make it frustrating.

My advice is always the same....get the best machine you can for your money and don't buy a cheap machine, even if it means getting a used machine of high quality. I prefer to buy a machine from a dealer, because you get support that you won't get from a discount store....even if you purchase a trade in. People often trade up to a better model when there is nothing wrong with their current machine, and dealers offer warranties. I have even seen great machines on Craigslist for cheap because someone inherited one and they don't sew and have no idea of the real value.

emoflamingo · December 2011

I have that Brother and I love it. Pretty easy to work with.

hunniapple · December 2011

I actually have two Singers - embroidery machine and serger - both are newer (past 3 years) and I love them both. No issues at all. That said, tons of people on this board have that Brother and love it.

the_jackpot · December 2011

I have that Brother and it is great almost 2 yrs and still going strong. It has great reviews: check them out on Amazon. I vote for the Brother

goldgold · December 2011

Thanks everyone. I actually found a different Brother through Costco which was on sale (with my giftcard I paid less than $80). Since I can try and return if necessary I'll start with that. Fingers crossed this one will be good for what I need.

cmeon_the_water · December 2011

I'd get the Brother out of those. The family of Brothers that includes the CS6000i seem to be very good starter machines for that price range- I have an XR9000 that is pretty much the same machine with a few more fancy stitches. It's been great to learn on, has nice features, and has put up with some serious abuse with nary a whimper.

I do think you can get an older used machine with all metal parts in that price range that will last you pretty much forever, but, I personally really like having modern features. The stop/start button is one of the things I'm not sure I can live without- I really miss it when I use my spare (currently set up with a twin needle) machine. I also love the needle up button, the quick start bobbin set (you don't have to pull up the bobbin tail or hold the threads when you start sewing), and the super easy buttonholes.

To be fair, I will admit that it chokes on the thickest of thick seams- but, again, I'm kind of a b!tch to it, and push some really ridiculous stuff through sometimes, often with a really old dull needle. So, I'm not 100% sure it's the machine's fault when it gives up and beeps at me.

goldgold · December 2011

cmeon_the_water:
I'd get the Brother out of those. The family of Brothers that includes the CS6000i seem to be very good starter machines for that price range- I have an XR9000 that is pretty much the same machine with a few more fancy stitches. It's been great to learn on, has nice features, and has put up with some serious abuse with nary a whimper.
I do think you can get an older used machine with all metal parts in that price range that will last you pretty much forever, but, I personally really like having modern features. The stop/start button is one of the things I'm not sure I can live without- I really miss it when I use my spare (currently set up with a twin needle) machine. I also love the needle up button, the quick start bobbin set (you don't have to pull up the bobbin tail or hold the threads when you start sewing), and the super easy buttonholes.
To be fair, I will admit that it chokes on the thickest of thick seams- but, again, I'm kind of a b!tch to it, and push some really ridiculous stuff through sometimes, often with a really old dull needle. So, I'm not 100% sure it's the machine's fault when it gives up and beeps at me.

I ordered the XR6060. I couldn't really find any reviews, but hopefully it's inline with those machines.

cmeon_the_water · December 2011

The XR in the product # signifies Costco's branding on Brother machines- eventually it will likely show up on Amazon and Overstock, and you'll start to see more reviews. And if it's a popular model, it will get rebranded by someone else- Walmart has the SQ(denotes Walmart)9000 now- my machine, in pink, and more $$.

Confusing- but, hopefully it works out for you. You may have purchased the last one, because it's not showing up on Costco anymore! And it appears to have a pretty generic manual, with a lot of "for models with this feature" going on, so I can't tell much about it!

emoflamingo · December 2011

Congrats on your new machine! I hope it works well for you.

goldgold · December 2011

cmeon_the_water:
The XR in the product # signifies Costco's branding on Brother machines- eventually it will likely show up on Amazon and Overstock, and you'll start to see more reviews. And if it's a popular model, it will get rebranded by someone else- Walmart has the SQ(denotes Walmart)9000 now- my machine, in pink, and more $$.
Confusing- but, hopefully it works out for you. You may have purchased the last one, because it's not showing up on Costco anymore! And it appears to have a pretty generic manual, with a lot of "for models with this feature" going on, so I can't tell much about it!

Thanks! Good to know about the coding. I'll look to see if I can find any reviews now!

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