Brother XL-2600i Mechanical Sewing Machine

I've been sewing for my family and for others for 50 years. My 1st machine is still working, but weighs 50 lbs, which isn't practical, at my age. I have an overlock machine, which I've used a lot, but it is a pain to take in and out of its place. I bought a 5 pound Sew Mini three years ago, which gave me most of of what I needed. I recently decided I needed another machine for heavier, faster work, including quilting. I spent the same for this standard size, very light XL-2600, as I did on the Sew Mini. It has exceeded my expectations in all ways. It was easy to set up, thread and start sewing on, immediately. I'm amazed at all the included extras and accessories, and I love the built in accessory box. I had to use all the stitches and accessories, right away. The 80 page manual is easy to follow and has great illustrations. The stretch stitches are great, I even did some smocking, before I stopped to write this. It has an automatic overlock, which is as good as the overlock machine, and a lot less trouble, as I don't have to change machines. The motor is strong but quiet, and the speed goes very fast when pushed all the way, but the pedal is easy to control for slower speeds, too. All in all, I consider this to be one of the best buys I've ever made.

This machine is AWESOME. It's small enough so that it doesn't take up much space and yet, it does so much. It has all the stitches I was looking for and then some that I'll probably never use but nice to have just in case. The needle threader is absolutely genuis. I think that might be my favorite feature. ;) I haven't quite figured out the button thing yet but that's ok. I don't do any heavy duty sewing so this machine is perfect for me. This is actually my very first machine I bought so I have nothing else to compare it to (besides my mom's that I didn't like) but I am so happy I went with this one. Love how simple it is to control the speed since I usually go kinda slow to start. The drop-in bobbin is also super easy, nothing to it. In the manual, it says you can start sewing without drawing the lower thread up and I've tried it and don't like that. I rather draw the thread up first then start sewing, just seems better. I love that it comes with the little extra accessories also like the zipper foot, extra bobbins and needles, twin needle, etc. Great great value for the money. Excellent!! Highly recommend!

I selected this machine for a friend who does not know how to use a sewing machine, and was then offered a deal I couldn't pass up for one for myself. I have always purchased Singer, but couldn't say no to the # of features for the price of this Brother Model. I found the bobbin easy to wind and place, the threading fairly simple, and the stitch controls easy to work. I was able to dial my selection and sew, the stitches were perfect and I didn't have to fuss with any tension controls, absolutely fantastic! I was using this machine for sewing and darning within 15 minutes of opening the box. I had the owner straight stitching and zig-zagging shortly after that, and she was even able to thread it on her own. In short, I loved the thing and am looking forward to using mine for my own projects. I did find the placement of the presser foot lever inconvenient, as I am left-handed and it is so far to the right that I can only lift it with my right hand. I also was surprised that the reverse lever has to be held in place, but these are minor quibbles. I would absolutely recommend this model to anyone looking for a new sewing machine for home/hobby type sewing. It is simple enough for a beginner to operate, but has the features a more experienced seamstress like myself requires.

Overall, I give it 4 stars. In a nutshell, it sews well but is not very intuitive to run, if you're very accustomed to sewing on old/vintage machines.

The manual for it is not organized well at all, and you have to skip around in it to piece information together. To save you some time:
1. The lever that raises & lowers the presser foot is on the right, not at the back. Get used to using your RIGHT hand, lol.
2. Start the upper thread tension high, like 6-7 and adjust it from there. It has to be high or you get thread loops on the top side.
3. The stitch length number does not represent # of stitches per inch, but it might be some # per centimeter. (I haven't determined that.) Try a few stitches on scrap fabric first and decide what number you need to set the dial at.

I got this machine because I had a store credit to use up. I'll preface this by saying: I collect sewing machines, and I have a lot of old good ones that were made in the early 1900 through 1979 and have all-metal drivetrains and cam stacks, and this machine is *not them. For a new machine at a bargain price, it's great. It's lightweight and easy to tote around on vacation or to quilting class, or whatever. It's not made to last for decades, nor is it designed for very heavyweight fabrics. *None* of the new machines are. This machine is a nice supplement to my collection of heavy old workhorses, and it does a number of stretch stitches that they can't do. It will be useful for sewing lingerie and t-shirts and such.

This machine works well for sewing knits and lightweight fabrics. It comes with a nice little package of attachments, and I believe that it also can use the Singer and other standard low-shank attachments like walking foot and various feet for flower stitching, ribbon attachment, etc.

It's taken me a little time to get used to it (because it uses a system of its own,lol), but it's a decent little machine for someone who wants light weight, portability, stretch stitches, and low price.

I got my machine 3 weeks back and I am still discovering many of the beautiful stiches it got built in, but down the line the machine is easy to operate(once you read the manual carefully). I absolutely loved its automatic threading feature.Works well on most of the fabrics till now I have tried it on cotton, foam. silk and felt.
Easy to change the various foot that comes with the accessories. The only problem so far I have discovered is with the reverse lever, which one has to hold while stitching the fabric hence it engages one hand completely.
In a nutshell, great machine for a beginner that definitely turn up a novice into a expert with the course of time.