EmailBest Reviewed
Sewing Machines
- Basic sewing machine Kenmore 15358 *Est. $120
- Basic electronic sewing machine Brother CS6000i *Est. $180
- Budget computerized sewing machine Singer Confidence 7470 *Est. $370
- High-end computerized sewing machine Bernina Activa 220 *Est. $1100
- Luxury quilting machine Pfaff Performance 2058 *Est. $3300
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- Ease of use
- One-step buttonholer
- Portability
- Light weight (11 pounds)
- Automatic needle threader
- 25 stitch types
- Plastic body
- Not good for thick fabrics
- Basic functions
Most reviewers that recommend the Brother XL-2600i suggest it as a decent basic sewing machine for easy jobs or quick repairs. This is a mechanical machine, meaning it uses knobs and dials instead of more accurate electronic controls. For a basic sewing machine, it comes with a lot of features: 25 built-in stitches, a one-step buttonholer, adjustable stitch width and length, an automatic needle threader, a drop-in bobbin and quick-change presser feet. It weighs just 11 pounds, making it very portable (though it doesn't come with a carrying case). According to reviews, the Brother XL-2600i isn't designed for heavy use, however, and won't sew through thick fabrics. We found slightly better reviews overall for the Kenmore 15358 (*est. $120).
There are dozens of user reviews for the Brother XL-2600i sewing machine, and nearly all are positive. Reviews at Amazon.com, Overstock.com and Epinions.com are all useful.
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Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
Most of the more than four dozen owner reviews at Amazon.com give the Brother sewing machine perfect scores, saying it's a great basic machine -- especially for beginners. It can't handle heavy fabric, though, and there are a couple reports of lemons.
Review: Brother XL2600i, Contributors to Amazon.com
This website sells refurbished models of the Brother XL-2600. Dozens of user reviews give the Brother a ringing endorsement: 4.8 out of five stars, collectively. Many reviewers are new sewers who were delighted to have learned how to sew on this machine.
Review: Brother XL-2600, Contributors to Overstock.com
3. Epinions.com
Three reviews on this site describe the Brother XL-2600 as a good basic machine. One beginner who taught herself to sew with the Brother and used it daily reports it broke down after about a year of use and was not repairable.
Review: Brother XL-2600 Mechanical Sewing Machine, Contributors to Epinions.com
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