Brother CS6000i: 60 Built-in Stitches: Full Review

The Brother CS6000i is a versatile and user-friendly sewing machine that's great for beginners and experienced sewers alike. This computerized sewing machine comes with 60 built-in stitches, an LCD display screen, and a wide table workspace to handle larger projects.

The Brother CS6000i offers excellent value by including 9 sewing feet right in the box. With options like a zipper foot, buttonhole foot, blind stitch foot, and more, you have all the tools you need to get started on a variety of sewing projects. The machine is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport and store. At under $150, it's an affordable option that doesn't compromise on features or performance.

This sewing machine is easy to set up and start using straight out of the box. The instruction manual is beginner-friendly with diagrams and step-by-step directions. Between the preset stitches, adjustable stitch width and length, one-step auto-size buttonholes, and free arm, the CS6000i can handle everything from basic hems and seams to more advanced techniques. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the design, ease of use, features, and performance of this popular sewing machine.

Design & Build Quality

The Brother CS6000i is a sturdily built sewing machine that weighs just 13 pounds, making it lightweight and easily portable. It measures 16.0 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches, so it doesn't take up too much space on your sewing table or when putting it away in storage. The machine has a metal interior frame and plastic exterior housing that gives it a solid feel without adding unnecessary weight. The white finish has a clean, sleek look that will fit in with any decor.

The Brother CS6000i isn't overly large or bulky, yet still maintains stability during sewing. Its compact footprint makes it a great option if you're limited on space. The rounded edges and smooth surfaces give it an approachable, user-friendly design. Overall, the build quality is excellent for a sewing machine in this price range. It's constructed of durable materials that can handle regular use and transport without any wobbling or shaking.

For another great option, consider the Brother SM2700: 27-Stitch Free Arm Sewing Machine. This model offers 27 built-in stitches and a free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves, making it versatile for a variety of projects. Its user-friendly interface and sturdy build ensure reliable performance, while its lightweight design makes it easy to carry and store. The Brother SM2700 is ideal for both beginners and experienced sewers looking for a dependable, feature-rich machine.

Design & Build Quality

The Brother CS6000i is known for its sturdy and durable construction. The sewing machine has a metal interior frame that provides a solid foundation. This allows the machine to handle thicker fabrics without flexing or shaking, leading to more precise stitching.

The outer body is made of thick plastic that feels solid in your hands. The machine has some weight to it at 13 pounds, avoiding a flimsy lightweight feel. Everything from the buttons to the levers have a quality construction that inspires confidence in the machine's reliability.

Many users comment on the sturdiness of the CS6000i, especially in comparison to cheaper plastic models. They find it stands up well to regular use without any wobbling or shakes. The solid build gives seamstresses and quilters piece of mind that their stitches will turn out neat and even.

Overall, the metal interior frame and high-quality plastics result in a well-constructed sewing machine designed to handle heavy sewing workloads.

Another excellent option to consider is the Brother GX37: 37 Built-in Stitches. This model offers 37 built-in stitches, making it versatile for various sewing projects. Like the CS6000i, it features a durable build but at a lighter weight, providing ease of portability without compromising stability. User-friendly and versatile, the GX37 is perfect for both beginners and seasoned seamstresses.

Design & Build Quality

The Brother CS6000i has a sleek and modern design with smooth rounded edges that give it an elegant, high-end look. The machine has an all-metal interior frame and a sturdy plastic exterior housing that feels solid and durable. Weighing in at just under 13 pounds, the CS6000i is lightweight enough to easily move between your sewing room and crafting spaces.

The machine comes with a hard plastic removable storage compartment that attaches to the free arm to hold all accessories. There is also a built-in storage compartment under the top cover to store the foot pedal. These smart storage options allow you to keep all sewing notions and tools neatly organized and close at hand.

Overall, the physical design and construction of the CS6000i make it feel like a premium, heavy-duty machine that will hold up well for many years of sewing projects. The smooth finish and curves make it an attractive addition to any sewing room.

Ease of Use

The Brother CS6000i sewing machine is designed to be user-friendly for both beginners and experienced sewers. One of the features that contributes to its ease of use is the LCD screen.

The LCD screen is 2.0" wide and displays all the important sewing settings in a clear and easy-to-read format. It shows the selected stitch, stitch width and length, and any special settings like the needle position or twin needle mode. This makes it simple to adjust and monitor settings as you sew without having to refer back to the manual.

The screen has a backlight so you can easily see it in any lighting conditions. It's positioned at eye level on the front of the machine, allowing you to quickly glance at the settings as you work. Overall, the LCD screen is thoughtfully designed and implemented to provide an intuitive sewing experience.

Ease of Use

The Brother CS6000i is designed to be user-friendly for both beginner and experienced sewers. The control panel has simple and intuitive buttons that allow you to easily select stitches, adjust settings, and operate the machine.

The LCD display screen clearly shows the selected stitch and settings. It's easy to navigate through the stitch menu using the stitch mode and stitch width/length buttons. There are also dedicated buttons for start/stop, reverse sewing, needle up/down position, and speed control. Everything is well-labeled in English for straightforward operation.

The machine comes with an instructional manual that provides guidance for getting started sewing and utilizing the various functions. There are also built-in help tutorials that you can access directly on the LCD screen to learn how to use the machine. The tutorials make it easy for beginners to get up and running quickly.

Overall, the intuitive controls, LCD interface, and educational resources allow both novice and advanced sewers to easily master the Brother CS6000i. The well-designed interface reduces the learning curve while providing versatility for more experienced users.

Ease of Use

The Brother CS6000i is designed to be easy and intuitive to use for sewers of all experience levels. It features a manual threading system that allows you to thread the needle yourself, without relying on any automated features.

The manual threading process involves following some simple steps. First, you raise the needle to its highest position. Next, you pass the thread through the numbered thread guides on the machine from left to right. Then you wrap the thread around the thread tension discs. Finally, you thread the needle manually by passing the thread through the eye of the needle from front to back.

The manual threading system gives you greater control and understanding of how the threading works. Since you control the process, you can also easily troubleshoot any issues that arise. It's a straightforward system that many sewers find simple to work with. The clear numbering on the thread guides walks you through the process in an easy-to-follow manner.

Overall, the manual threading on the Brother CS6000i makes it accessible for beginners but also convenient for more advanced sewers. You don't have to worry about any complex automated threading features. Instead, you can thread on your own with just a few intuitive steps.

Features

The Brother CS6000i sewing machine comes with 60 built-in stitches including utility, heirloom, quilting and decorative stitches. This gives you plenty of options for sewing different types of projects from clothing to home decor.

Some of the notable built-in stitches are:

• 7 styles of 1-step auto-size buttonholes
• Quilting stitch patterns like zigzag stitch, blind hem, applique and more
• Decorative stitches like scallop, smocking, shell tuck, heirloom and drawnwork

Having 60 built-in stitches means you can tackle a wide variety of sewing projects without needing to purchase any additional presser feet or accessories. The machine has settings to adjust stitch length and width giving you further customization.

Overall, the 60 built-in stitches is an excellent feature that adds versatility and value. As a beginner or intermediate sewer, you'll have plenty of options to explore and utilize for your projects. More advanced sewers may want specialty stitches, but for most types of sewing the included stitches cover all the basics and more.

Ease of Use

One of the standout features of the Brother CS6000i is how easy it is to use, even for beginners. It has an automatic needle threader that threads the needle for you with just the push of a lever, saving you time and frustration. The threading process can be tricky, especially for those with poor eyesight, but the automatic needle threader makes it simple and hassle-free.

The threading process goes as follows:

1. Raise the needle to its highest position.
2. Pull down the lever of the automatic needle threader, which is located behind the needle. This pulls the thread through the needle.
3. Release the lever and the thread will be successfully threaded through the eye of the needle.

It's really that easy! No more squinting and struggling to get the thread through that tiny opening. The automatic needle threader does all the hard work for you. Even after many years of sewing, this feature still makes threading a breeze. It's easy to see why it's such a popular highlight of the CS6000i that even experts appreciate.

Design & Build Quality

The Brother CS6000i sewing machine has a sturdy build quality with a metal interior frame and plastic exterior housing. The machine weighs under 16 pounds, making it lightweight and portable to transport.

One standout feature in the design is the drop-in top bobbin system. This makes changing the bobbin thread quick and easy. Simply lift the hinged cover on top of the machine, drop in a bobbin loaded with thread, and pull the thread through the slot. There's no need to remove the sewing plate or maneuver around any parts. The clear bobbin cover allows you to monitor the bobbin thread supply as you sew.

Overall, the Brother CS6000i has a thoughtful design with easy bobbin access along with a solid construction that should hold up well for home sewing projects.

Performance

The Brother CS6000i offers impressive performance for a sewing machine in this price range. It can sew up to 850 stitches per minute, which is very fast for basic sewing and quilting projects. The speed can be adjusted with a slider to slow it down for more intricate work. Even at high speeds, the CS6000i maintains consistent stitch quality without skipping stitches.

The powerful motor allows it to sew smoothly through multiple layers of thick fabrics like denim without bogging down. It has no problem handling typical projects that require sewing through seams. The needle pierces layers cleanly and precisely. The feed dogs underneath grip the fabric well and advance it evenly for straight seams.

Overall, the CS6000i provides excellent stitching performance for the price. Both beginners and experienced sewers will appreciate the fast sewing speed and ability to maintain quality stitches even at high speeds. It can tackle most sewing projects for apparel, crafts, quilting, and home decor without performance issues.

Ease of Use

The Brother CS6000i is designed with the home sewer in mind, emphasizing ease of use and intuitive operation. One standout feature is the automatic needle threader, which threads the needle with the simple press of a lever - no more squinting and fumbling!

The machine also has automatic tension adjustment, taking away the guesswork of setting the right tension for your fabric and thread. The optimal tension is set automatically for each stitch you select. This makes sewing a breeze for beginners who haven't mastered tension settings yet. Even experienced sewers will appreciate the convenience of not having to manually adjust tension each time they change stitch types or fabric.

Overall, the easy threading, automatic tension adjustment, and large backlit LCD screen with stitch selection make the CS6000i a user-friendly machine suitable for sewists of all experience levels. Convenience features like these help ensure smooth sailing through your projects!