When my wife decided that she would like to try her hand at sowing I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I would be doing some investigating online for the best value sewing machine on the market.
I gave it a few weeks after she made her intentions known just in case it was merely a passing fad and the idea would fade.
This wasn’t to be and after spending numerous hours online reading many detailed reviews and product manuals we found that the Brother CS6000i seemed to be the best choice.
As I’ve done a fair amount of research into this particular machine I thought it only makes sense to make it available to you here today.
What follows is my review of the Brother CS6000i Computerized Sewing Machine
Features of the Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine
This is a free arm sewing machine
This simply means that part of the base of the machine can be removed for easy sewing when doing something like trouser legs or shirtsleeves.
Computerised sewing machine
This means that the machine can produce many stitches, as they are held in its internal memory and you select them as you need them. The Brother CS6000i comes with over 60 stitches already programmed in. Stitches are chosen via the on-board LCD screen.
Some of the stitches included with this machine are a quilting stitch, decorative stitches and a number of utility and heirloom stitches.
All of the stitches are referred to on the side of the machine. The selected stitch is displayed on the LCD screen.
Buttonholes
You can make buttonholes from the seven styles available. Again these are already programmed in for your use.
To make this process even simpler get one of the buttons that are going onto your finished garment and place it into the holder on the back of the buttonhole foot.
Choose a buttonhole style and the machine will then make an appropriate sized buttonhole, foolproof isn’t it. Perfect buttonholes everytime.
Reverse stitching
Yes this is included on this machine.
This allows you to lock stitches as you can bring the fabric back toward you when you are just starting or finishing a line. It allows the reinforcing of a stitch.
Snap on presser feet
A number of different presser feet ship with this product including walking foot, quilting foot, buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, blind stitch foot, monogramming foot, zigzag foot, and a zipper foot.
The foot is the part of the machine that holds the fabric against the feed dogs as the material is fed through.
Under the material the feed dogs co-ordinate with the stitch, they rise up into contact with the material, move it along then drop down and move back to their original position and repeat the movement.
Additional feet are also available as accessories as follows
- 1/4 Inch Piecing Foot-Guide
- 1/4″ Quilting Foot
- 7 mm Narrow Hem Foot
- 7mm Cording Foot (5-hole)
- 7mm Cording Foot (7-hole)
- 7mm Open Toe Foot
- 7mm Picot Foot
- 7mm Side Cutter
- Adjustable Zipper & Piping Foot
- Binding Foot
- Braiding Foot up to 5mm width
- Clear Quilting Foot (Screw on Foot)
- Clearview Foot (For Horizontal Bobbin 7mm)
- Concealed Zipper Foot
- Cording Foot (For 7mm Horizontal Machine)
- Edge Joining Foot
- Fringe Foot
- Metal Open Toe Foot
- Non-Stick Foot (Horizontal Bobbins)
- Pearls and Sequins Foot
- Quilting Guide for Foot Holder
- Stitch Guide Foot
- Straight Stitch Foot
- Vertical Stitch Alignment Foot
- Zig Zag Foot with Ankle
Automatic needle threading
I would need this if I was to ever use this machine. My eyesight isn’t so good so this function would be a godsend. Easy to implement too.
Simple bobbin replacement
A drop in bobbin is used by the Brother CS6000i. This is easier to use than the bobbins that are inserted sideways into the machine.
Some simple instructions are printed onto the plate for you to follow when inserting the bobbin.
You just need to pull the thread to the side of the bobbin to get started and there is no need to draw the thread up through the foot.
A thread cutter is included on the machine so there’s no need for an extra pair of scissors.
The foot pedal
Activation of this machine is via a foot pedal which is simplicity itself. The alternative way to start sewing is to use a one touch button which is next to the reverse stitching button.
This is useful if you just want to do a quick job and don’t want to get the foot pedal out and attach it, to save time.
The LCD screen
This screen allows you to easily select the type of stitch you need for your job.
Once the stitch is chosen it actually tells you which foot you need to put on for use with that particular stitch.
The screen is clear and the font is large.
Illumination of working area
Right above your working area are two LEDs which effectively light the entire area.
Wide table
A fitted plastic wide table is supplied with the machine to support your larger projects such as quilts.
FMQ
Yes you can do free motion quilting on the Brother CS6000i.
Replacement parts
The Brother CS6000i offers the luxury of being able to use standard replacement parts.
Any standard needle can be used with this machine as can any class 15 bobbins.
Issues raised with the Brother CS6000i
Many people have reported tension problems when using this sewing machine. There seems to be two ways to fix this.
One is to use a metal bobbin is instead of the plastic ones supplied, the second is to never use cheap thread.
One or other of these seems to cure the problem in the majority of cases.
I’ve been told that the metal bobbins are available at Wal-Mart, and they are even cheaper than the plastic ones.
Overall Opinion of the Brother CS6000i
Brother offer a limited warranty of a whopping 25 years on this item.
This has to be exceptional value for money and offers many functions of higher-priced models.
Any drawbacks that we have encountered have already been overcome by previous owners of these sewing machines. Such as the tensioning issue explained above.
Having looked into numerous sewing machines for the wife I would have to say that this is the one that I would get over all others. It offers a great number of useful features at a price point that even I can appreciate.
The wife also says it does everything that she needs and more. She’s not sure she will ever use all the features, but I suppose they are there if she ever wants to try them.
Specifications of the Brother CS6000i
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Size: Metric 12.5″ H x 9.75″ W x 9.6″ D Decimal 31.8cm H x 24.8cm x 24.4cm
- Speed: 850 Stitches per minute
- Power: 110 volts
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This machine represents the most incredible value-for-money on the market today. It is very, very easy to use, and the manual is exceptionally helpful. It comes with every foot and accessory you could ever possibly need. In fact, there is nothing more you can buy for it. Compare that to the other sewing machine manufacturers, which give you only the most basic feet and then you must purchase everything else separately. If you have been hankering for the convenience of fully computerized sewing, automatic needle threading, push-button sewing, and lots of fun stitches, don’t hesitate. I highly recommend this machine. I’ve owned very expensive machines from all the top manufacturers, and would not recommend it if the stitches were not beautiful or if it were loud or junky.
Webmaster of brothercs6000.com
This was a very helpful posting. My wife really wants to upgrade her machine and this is almost $50 cheaper than the machine she thinks she wants. I’m going with this one. There is only about a $10 price difference depending on where I order it from. I’ll probably get it on Amazon. It comes with far more attachments than many of the other machines, even some of the other Brother machines. I’m very happy with this currently being the top pick for a Christmas gift that my wife wants. She’s using a very cheap machine right now that’s loud and doesn’t do anything special and she’s always complaining about it etc etc and really wants a new one. Thank you again for the post.
Pleased you found the review useful Daryl.
I hope your wife enjoys using the CS6000i. It the best I could find for the price point.
I teach sewing and this machine is one I recommend to my students. It is very user friendly. My youngest student is 8 years old and received this machine for Christmas and is having fun with with all the decorative stitches. I also have several adults that have bought this machine. All of them are very happy with it and it is easy for them to use.
A note on thread….buy the better threads. Cheaper threads create more dust in the bobbin and tensions therefore it will interfere with the stitch quality. Also change your needle frequently. Most machines that go in for repair just need to have the needle changed. If your machine is skipping stitches most likely the needle is dull or you are using the wrong type of needle for the fabric. Changing the needle could save you an expensive repair bill.
Mary
Claflin Academy of Sewing & Design
I had this problem a couple of times until I finally figured out what the problem was. The machine threads in a different way at the beginning than most sewing machines. What I found was happening is that the upper thread was jumping around the notch and coming out at times. When you thread the upper thread don’t just lay it across the notch, make sure you bring it all the way under the notch before continuing to thread the machine. That will keep the tension on the upper thread tight so the actual tension can be maintained. If the machine can’t maintain the tension you get a lot of thread bunched up under the bottom of what you are sewing. Once I started to make sure I started the threading process properly and securely, I quit having that problem. Hope that helps.
Thanks Alyce, I’m sure that will help many people.
Thanks for your review of this machine. I am a beginner…your comments were helpful and easy to understand. Yours is the only posting I’ve found that tells what kind of metal bobbins to use in the machine. I think I’ve decided on this one. Thanks also to Mary for her experienced advice.
Glad I could help
I’m really having a difficult time with this machine — The upper thread keeps breaking and the under-stitching can become gnarled in a jungle of thread. I change the tension and it will stitch for a little while and then POP goes the thread. Also the machine makes a nice humming sound and then suddenly a clunking sound as i sew. i’ve looked for a Brother dealer that might have classes so I can get live help, but alas — I follow the operation manual, but it’s a mystery to me what I’m doing wrong. The thread is good thread — I buy it at a sewing store (all purpose thread) — I’m going to try the metal bobbin and see if that helps — but any advice you have will be greatly appreciated!
Sorry to hear of your troubles Jordan. I haven’t heard of your particular problems with this machine before, so I’m afraid I can’t be of much help.
Can anyone else lend Jordan a hand with this?
Same problem! I came online to try and find a solution. The tension just seems to have a mind of it’s own – and that clunk sound definitely spells disaster, I have learned to dread it! I will try the metal bobbin as well and see what happens….
Exactly what metal bobbin is this that everyone is referring to? I cannot find it at walmart. What exactly is the model number for the bobbins? My machine works great with isacord 40 weight thread. For whatever reason, it will not cooperate with 50 weight cotton no matter what tension is used. Upper thread breaks consistently with 50 weight cotton [good quality superior thread]. I am not sure if metal bobbins will help in this situation, but I would still love to know. I will soon be trying 40 weight cotton to match the isacord, and hopefully that does the trick.
We bought a brother cs6000i. it was delivered friday. it has never worked,no filling the bobbin or sewing. all it does is hum with no movement!
I am planing on returning it to Rpgwarranty where I bought it from Either replace it with one that works or return my money. if not I will contact paypal to stop payment!
please help.
Stephen Katicich
Hi Stephen. Let’s be realistic here. In every one or two hundred machines there are going to be duff ones.
If your seller refuses to refund then certainly take it up with paypal they do tend to favor the buyer and you should have no problem in getting your money back.
But the best advice I can give is buy only from reputable sellers. In my experience Amazon has the best customer returns policy in the business.
Try another CS6000i the odds are you don’t get two duds in a row.
Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the review. I need to try using the metal bobbin. I love sewing sundresses and elastic thread in the plastic bobbin is not working at all. I really need the tension to work to seek that effect, and those sundresses are 80% of my sewing (done by a mechanical Singer). Other than that, it sews like a charm. Thanks for the tip!
Hi,
Can someone tell me where can i buy this in Australia. preferred to buy online.
thx
You can buy from Amazon.com and they will ship to Australia. The shipping is $50, but seeing as the mahcine is only $150, it still comes out cheaper than trying to buy the machine from a store over here. That I have seen stores are selling them for $250-$300 here. Plus, Amazon have great customer service, and the international shipping is super quick.
Thanks for helping out there Gege.
There are links in the article to the sewing machine on Amazon. Give it a click and it should take you straight there.
Thank you for the wonderful review of this sewing machine. You did a great job explaining the operations of this machine. I ordered the CS6000i from Amazon just last night and was looking at the information today to confirm to myself that I made the right choice. Reading your review has made me even more excited to get the machine. I can’t wait to get mine! Thanks!
Jim,
Almost a year later, how is the Brother still working for you (or your wife;) )? I am just rediscovering my love of sewing and looking for a solid beginner machine. The one thing I wish I could find would be a serger, but I know that is unrealistic for this price point, and I am hopeful that the overstitch will approximate the it without cutting the fabric. Have you had any more issues? If I go with the machine, I’m already planning on using the metal bobbins, as that seems to make a big difference. I have some questions about the thread though. I have seen a lot of reviews that specify not to use the “cheap” thread. But can you be more specific? Is it a specific material that works better, or a specific brand? I cant wait to get a new machine that will actually work. I’ve been using my grandma’s 40-50yo SInger, which is a great machine when it actually works, but it a bit fickle for my liking.
Thanks!
I have had this machine for about 15 months and am having issues with it. I am getting a very loud humming when sewing, the turn wheel is very stiff and the bobbin seems to be jumping around when I sew. There also seems to be something wrong with the feed dogs. It has worked wonderfully until about 3 months ago. I do so ALOT but only a year of use and it should still be working well. I am hoping it holds out a few more weeks.
Hi Nicole
Brother have an absolutely awesome customer service reputation. Give them a call and see if they can offer a solution to get you back on track.
Hope it works out for you.
Here’s a link to the manual http://www.manualowl.com/m/Brother%20International/CS6000i/Manual/239153