Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine
by Brother
List Price:
Our Price: $78.99
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Category: Art and Craft Supply
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: BrotherBrand: Brother
Edition: Kitchen
Model: XL2600I
Publisher: Brother
Studio: Brother
Music Label: Brother
Product features:
- Free-arm sewing machine with 25 built-in stitches, each with multiple stitch functions; good for novices and everyday sewing projects
- Features needle threader, thread cutter, drop-in bobbin loading, and auto bobbin winding; 1-step auto-size buttonholer
- 110-volt machine operates with foot pedal; light bulb for workspace illumination
- Accessory storage built into free arm; includes 5 accessory presser feet and bilingual user's manual
- Measures 12-1/4 inches long by 7-3/4 inches wide by 9-3/5 inches high; limited 25-year warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Customer Review: Jury's still out, but not everything I'd hoped for.
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm an intermediate beginner. I have some experience with industrial machines from a sewing class but haven't made any completely successful garments yet. A more experienced sewer suggested I buy a cheap Brother machine. I bought this machine in June largely because of the positive reviews it received on Amazon. Here are the pros and cons I've encountered to date:
PROS
--Price
--Bobbin winding and threading are straightforward (especially the threading function)
--Makes a nice stitch so far
CONS
--The manual is difficult to understand in parts and the layout and index are poor. It also confusingly includes a Spanish-language version immediately after the English text instead of following the English version at the end, as is usually the case with dual- or multi-language manuals. (Some users over at the Wal-mart site had the same problem.)
--The markings on the soleplate don't run the entire length because the feed dogs and bobbin case (on top of the machine) get in the way. The start of the gauge is fairly far behind the presser foot.
--There is no 1/2" marking on the soleplate. This is a fairly common seam allowance. I'm going to try to tape it, but I can't simply run a piece of tape across the plate, because, as discussed above, it would cross the feed dog well and the top of the bobbin case. I also don't know which needle position I'm supposed to mark it from.
--The thread spindle can only handle small spools. To accommodate larger spools I've had to tape chopsticks to the spindle. I also bought a standalone thread hook to create height and tension, but haven't used it yet.
--The needle threader gets in the way. It's not that hard to thread a needle, and this is unnecessary.
--Has a somewhat toy-like feel. But for $114, that's not surprising.
--Some of the optional feet are not snap on.
--It has a lot of stitches that I don't really have much use for. All I really want are a reliable and well-formed straight and zigzag stitch.
--The numerous dials are confusing and I can't but wonder if so many functions won't make the machine more likely to break down.
--An invisible zipper foot is not included. That would have been much more useful than the accessory feet provided, which I believe are (they aren't labeled, which they should be), a 1/4 quilting foot, a narrow hemmer foot, a quilting foot and a blind stitch foot.
--It doesn't come with a carrying case.
Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't have been better off applying the $100 I spent on this machine towards an entry-level Bernina. More often than not you get what you pay for and sometimes cheap tools are more costly in the end.
Perhaps I will edit this review after a few more months of experience with this machine.
More Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine reviews:
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Description of Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine
Brother's new XL2600i is a 25 stitch free arm sewing machine with multiple stitch functions. Easy to use, the XL2600i features an automatic needle threader, built in thread cutter and drop-in bobbin system. This sewing machine also has a built in one-step automatic buttonholer with a stitch balance control for perfect buttonholes every time. The stitches include built-in stretch, blind hem and decorative stitches as well as basic stitches for garment construction, quilting and embellishment. The XL2600i also has adjustable width and length as well as a dial thread tension control to give you more sewing flexibility. Brother's XL2600i has a convertible sewing surface from flatbed to free arm so that you can easily sew on hems or cuffs as well as larger items. Accessories are included for quilting, zipper insertion, darning, buttonholes and button sewing and this machine features quick change presser feet so you can easily change the feet to meet your sewing needs. The XL2600i is lightweight with a built-in handle for portability. Instructions are bilingual in English and Spanish. Manufacturer's note:
Accessories are housed in free arm of machine.
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