Brother 2340CV: Cover Stitch Serger Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Brother 2340CV is an advanced home sewing and embroidery machine that offers users a wide variety of stitches and functions. This versatile machine includes 130 built-in stitches, a one-step auto-size buttonhole, built-in needle threader, and a large 3.2" LCD display screen.

The 2340CV is part of Brother's line of computerized sewing and embroidery machines. It's designed for home sewing enthusiasts looking for more stitch options and functionality than a basic machine. Key features of the Brother 2340CV include:

Features

The Brother 2340CV is packed with features that make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced sewers. Some of the key features include:

Cover Stitch Capability - This machine can perform a cover stitch, which is a specialized stitch used to hem knits and stretch fabrics. The cover stitch creates beautiful hems while allowing the fabric to retain maximum stretch and elasticity.

3 Needles, 4 Thread Serger - Having 3 needles and 4 threads allows you to create professional finishes on your projects. The multiple threads enable you to sew a wide or narrow seam while enclosing the edges to prevent fraying.

Adjustable Stitch Width and Length - You can customize your stitches with adjustable width up to 7mm and length from 1 to 4mm. This allows you to fine-tune the stitches for different types of fabrics and sewing techniques.

Differential Feed - The differential feed prevents stretching or puckering on knit fabrics and helps gather lightweight fabrics. It's an essential feature for sewing knits and stretch fabrics.

Free Arm - The free arm makes it easy to sew cylindrical items like sleeves, pant legs, and cuffs. You can easily slide the fabric onto the free arm for convenient access.

Bright LED Lighting - The bright LED lighting illuminates the sewing area to help you see your work clearly. The lighting is crucial for achieving neat and accurate stitching.

Ease of Use

The Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Serger is designed with ease of use in mind, making it a great choice for beginners. It has an easy threading system that allows you to thread the entire machine in just a few minutes.

The machine comes with a very clear operation manual that walks you through how to thread the machine, select stitches, and make adjustments. The diagrams and instructions are straightforward and easy to follow. Even someone who has never used a serger before will be able to get up and running quickly.

Some key features that make this serger easy to use include color-coded thread guides, a self-threading lower looper, and a diagram right on the machine that shows the threading path. It also has a stitch selection dial so you can easily choose the stitch you want.

The Brother 2340CV has settings that are optimized for beginners. For example, the differential feed has beginner-friendly settings to prevent puckering on lightweight fabrics. It also comes with an instructional DVD that covers the basics of getting started with your serger.

Overall, between the intuitive design, clear instructions, and beginner-oriented settings, the Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Serger is one of the easiest sergers to learn how to use even if you're completely new to serging. This makes it an excellent choice as a first serger for beginners.

In addition, the Brother LB5500S: Star Wars 2-in-1 Combo Sewing & Embroidery Machine combines sewing and embroidery capabilities, making it a versatile option for creative projects. With its fun Star Wars theme and user-friendly interface, it's perfect for fans and beginners alike.

Stitch Quality

The Brother 2340CV produces professional, high-quality seams and hems that rival industrial machines. Its differential feed system smoothly handles all types of fabrics, from lightweight silks to thick woolens and denim. The adjustable feed dogs and presser foot pressure allow you to fine-tune settings for any fabric you're working with.

Whether you're sewing a delicate chiffon blouse or constructing a heavy canvas tote, the 2340CV won't skip stitches or distort fabric. It sews 4/3/2/1 thread overlock and flatlock stitches, providing versatile options for finishing raw edges, sewing seams, and creating decorative effects. The trim trap feature also catches fabric scraps to keep your sewing area clean.

Thick seams and hems are no problem for this powerful serger. The 2340CV can easily sew through multiple layers of fabric like denim, corduroy, fleece and more. Its 1,300 stitches per minute speed saves time when sewing long seams or hemming garments. With professional results on any fabric, the 2340CV is a versatile and user-friendly machine suitable for sewists of all skill levels.

Another remarkable option is the Brother CS7000X: Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine, 70 Built-in Stitches. This computerized machine offers 70 built-in stitches, including decorative, quilting, and utility stitches, ideal for various sewing projects. Its easy-to-read LCD display allows for effortless stitch selection and customization. The automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin make setup a breeze. With a detachable wide table, it's perfect for quilting and handling larger projects, proving to be an excellent companion for both beginners and seasoned sewists.

Accessories

The Brother 2340CV Serger comes with a variety of included accessories to get you started. It includes 4 needles, a pair of tweezers, 4 spool caps, a foot controller, and a dust cover to help keep the machine clean when not in use.

The Paxcoo accessory kit adds even more value, providing you with 36 bobbins and a variety of sewing threads to accommodate your projects. With the included accessories and the bonus Paxcoo kit, you'll have everything you need to start serging right out of the box. The accessory kit ensures you have spare bobbins on hand plus thread options to handle lightweight or heavyweight fabrics. This convenient bundle eliminates the hassle of sourcing accessories separately.

Portability

The Brother 2340CV is designed with portability in mind. At just 12.2 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to carry around. The sturdy carry handle on top makes transporting the machine simple. Just grab the handle and go.

Many sewers like to take their machines to classes or sew with friends. The 2340CV won't weigh you down thanks to its compact size. Measuring 15.7 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches, it can fit into tight spaces when sewing on the go. Whether heading to a weekend retreat or sewing circle, the 2340CV can tag along without hassle. Its portable design gives you flexibility to sew wherever creativity strikes.

Warranty

Brother backs the 2340CV with an industry-leading 25-year limited warranty. This gives peace of mind that the machine will provide reliable service for many years to come.

Brother also offers free technical support for the life of the machine. Their customer service representatives can answer questions about setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. With free lifetime technical support, you'll always have someone to turn to if any issues arise with your 2340CV.

The extensive warranty coverage and free technical assistance make the 2340CV an even more appealing choice for the home sewer. You can feel confident investing in this high-quality serger knowing Brother stands behind their product and will provide support when needed.

Pros

The Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Serger has many advantages that make it a great choice for home sewers.

• Cover Stitch Capability: The main benefit of this machine is its ability to create professional cover stitches for hemming and finishing edges. Cover stitch creates stretchy, durable seams perfect for knits, sportswear, and children's clothing.

• Reasonable Price: For a cover stitch machine, the 2340CV is very competitively priced. It delivers excellent stitch quality without the high price tag of industrial machines. This makes cover stitch accessible for home sewers.

• User-Friendly for Beginners: The 2340CV has a simple interface and setup, especially compared to old-fashioned cover stitch machines. It's a great entry-level model for learning cover stitch basics. The instruction manual is clear and there are handy stitch reference guides printed on the machine.

• Portable and Compact: This lightweight serger machine takes up little space in your sewing room. It's easy to transport the 2340CV to classes or sew on-the-go. The carry handle makes it convenient to take your cover stitch capability anywhere.

Cons

While the Brother 2340CV cover stitch serger has many great features, there are some limitations to consider:

• No automatic thread cutter - This machine lacks an automatic thread cutter, which is common on higher-end sergers. After finishing a seam, you'll need to manually cut the threads each time. This can become inconvenient, especially when sewing longer seams or hems. An automatic cutter saves time and effort.

• Limited to household use, not heavy duty - With 4 threads and a maximum stitch width of 6mm, this serger works well for general home sewing on medium weight fabrics. But it doesn't have the power or capacity to handle heavy duty projects or very thick fabrics. The build quality and small size make it best suited for home use.

• Limited stitch options compared to full sewing machines - While you can create both coverstitch and overlock stitches, the stitch selection is narrower than a full featured sewing machine. You'll have to manually adjust settings like stitch length and width. So it lacks some convenience and creative possibilities versus computerized sewing machines.

Conclusion

The Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Serger sewing machine is a solid option for beginners looking to add cover stitch capabilities. It delivers quality stitches on a variety of fabrics while remaining easy to thread and operate. The included accessories provide everything needed to get started using the cover stitch and standard four-thread stitch options.

More advanced home sewers may desire a machine with more stitch options and settings to customize. However, for basic projects requiring a professional-looking cover stitch, the Brother 2340CV is easy to recommend. It's an affordable way to expand your stitching horizons that beginners will appreciate.

The limited number of stitches may be the only drawback for some. But for most home sewers focused on garment construction, hems, and finishing edges, the Brother 2340CV hits all the key needs. It earns its reputation as a great entry-level cover stitch serger.