Brother GX37: 37 Built-in Stitches: Full Review

The Brother GX37 is an affordable, lightweight, entry-level sewing machine designed for beginners and occasional home sewing. With 37 built-in stitches and 6 included sewing feet, it offers enough functionality for basic sewing projects like hemming, mending, and crafting simple items. Key features include:

• 37 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, heirloom and quilting stitches
• 6 included sewing feet for blind hem, zipper, buttonhole, zig zag, button, and narrow hem sewing
• Automatic needle threader
• Drop-in top bobbin
• Adjustable sewing speed control
• Free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves
• Built-in thread cutter

The Brother GX37 aims to provide easy operation and reliable performance for budding home sewers looking for an inexpensive machine with essential features to learn on.

Design and Build Quality

The Brother GX37 is a lightweight and portable sewing machine that weighs only 12.1 pounds. Its plastic construction makes it easy to move around and store. The machine feels sturdy and durable despite the plastic materials. The compact size with dimensions of 15.9 x 7.2 x 11.7 inches allows it to fit nicely on a tabletop without taking up too much space.

The Brother GX37 has a metal interior frame that provides stability and prevents vibrations while sewing. The machine runs quietly thanks to its solid construction. The white finish gives it a clean, modern look. While the plastic materials don't feel luxurious, they are appropriate for the entry-level price point and help keep the machine lightweight for portability.

Overall, the build quality is decent for a basic, affordable sewing machine. The materials make the Brother GX37 easy to transport and store, while still feeling sturdy enough for regular use. It lacks some of the premium touches found on more expensive machines, but provides reliable construction given the price.

If you are looking for a more advanced option, consider the Brother PQ1600S: High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing & Quilting Machine. This high-speed machine is designed for both sewing and quilting, offering a powerful motor that delivers impressive performance. The PQ1600S features a sturdy build and advanced technology to ensure precision and efficiency, making it an excellent choice for serious sewing enthusiasts.

Ease of Use

The Brother GX37 sewing machine is designed to be easy to use for both beginner and experienced sewers. It has an intuitive layout and simple controls that allow you to get started sewing right away.

The LCD screen clearly displays your selected stitch and settings. It's positioned at eye level so you can easily see it as you sew. The screen is backlit, making it visible even in low light conditions. All of the main controls are located right on the front of the machine within easy reach. These include the stitch selection dial, reverse button, and start/stop button.

Beginners will appreciate the simplicity of the GX37. All stitches are selected by turning a single dial, so you don't need to memorize stitch codes. The top loading bobbin is easy to insert correctly. There are even guiding markings on the machine to help you thread the needle effortlessly. The automatic needle threader is a huge time saver as well.

More advanced users will like the versatility of being able to adjust stitch length and width on this model. The GX37 provides enough functionality for sewing projects beyond just the basics. The foot pressure adjustment allows you to adapt to different fabric weights. An automatic thread cutter snips top and bobbin threads with just the touch of a button.

Overall, the GX37 balances simplicity and flexibility extremely well. Both new and experienced sewers will find this machine very intuitive and user friendly. The controls and layout help you get set up and sewing quickly.

For those looking for another great sewing machine, consider the Brother XM2701: Lightweight Machine, 27 Stitches. The XM2701 offers 27 unique built-in stitches, including decorative stitches and blind hem stitches. It’s lightweight and portable, making it ideal for sewing in smaller spaces or taking to classes.

Stitches and Functions

The Brother GX37 sewing machine comes with 37 built-in stitches including utility stitches, stretch stitches, decorative stitches and buttonhole stitches.

The utility stitches include straight stitch, zig zag, blind hem, and more. These are your basic stitches for construction and hemming. The stretch stitches are used when sewing with knit fabrics so the seams can stretch with the fabric.

For embellishing projects, there are several decorative stitches like scallop, rick rack, and cross stitch.

The buttonhole stitches allow you to sew buttonholes with just the press of a button. There are 4 one-step buttonhole styles to choose from.

Other convenient functions include a free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves, a drop feed for free motion sewing, and a reverse lever for reinforcing stitches. An automatic needle threader is also included to make threading the needle quick and easy.

Overall, the GX37 offers a nice variety of stitches and functions for basic sewing and garment construction. The built-in stitches cover all the necessities for sewing projects from clothing to crafts and home decor.

Included Accessories

The Brother GX37 comes with 6 sewing feet: zigzag foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, blind stitch foot, and overcasting foot. This provides a decent variety for basic sewing tasks. The machine also includes 4 bobbins, a twin needle, needle set, screwdriver, spool caps, foot controller, power cord, and instructional DVD.

Compared to other entry-level sewing machines in this price range, the accessory pack of the GX37 is fairly standard. It covers the basics like buttonholes, zips, and blind hemming. More advanced models may include a walking foot, quilting foot, or embroidery foot. However, the GX37 accessories allow you to tackle most light sewing jobs. Extra feet can be purchased separately if there are specialty techniques you use often.

Overall, the included accessories give beginners a good foundation to start sewing and handle simple projects. More advanced sewers may want additional specialty feet, but the GX37 comes with all the must-haves for basic sewing and mending needs.

Performance

The Brother GX37 sewing machine delivers excellent stitch quality and consistency. Users report the stitches are even and neat on a range of fabrics from lightweight cottons to multiple layers of denim. The machine sews smoothly without skipping stitches or jamming, even when sewing over thicker seams.

The GX37 handles all types of fabrics with ease, from silks and satins to canvas and denim. The machine provides enough power to sew through multiple layers of fabric up to the 6mm stitch width. It can handle quilting projects, sewing garments, crafts, home decor items, and more without difficulty. Even sewing very slowly, the GX37 maintains consistent stitch formation without bunching or looping.

The internal metal frame and quality Japanese motor allow this lightweight machine to tackle heavy duty projects without straining. It can sew for hours on end without overheating or losing power. The GX37 delivers professional results on everything from delicate heirloom sewing to sewing thick outdoor gear. It's built to be versatile for sewing projects of all types.

Noise Level

The Brother GX37 sewing machine operates at a reasonable noise level, comparable to other entry-level and mid-range sewing machines. When running at normal sewing speed, it produces a low hum that is not overly distracting. The noise increases slightly at the machine's top speed, but remains within acceptable levels for a home sewing machine.

Some users may find the GX37 slightly louder than very basic mechanical machines, but quieter than some computerized machines. The noise is significantly less than industrial sewing machines. Overall, the noise level is unlikely to disturb conversations, TV watching, or other activities in the same room. The GX37 won't wake sleeping family members if used in early morning or late evening.

The GX37 has a rotary style hook system and internal components designed for smooth, quiet operation. The machine offers a good compromise between noise level and sewing power. More expensive computerized machines dampen noise even further, but the GX37 performs admirably for its class and price point. Home sewers should find the noise levels perfectly reasonable for everyday use.

Warranty and Support

The Brother GX37 comes with a 25-year limited warranty, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship. This is an exceptionally long warranty for a sewing machine in this price range, demonstrating Brother's confidence in the durability of their products.

For customer support, Brother offers several options to get assistance with any issues or questions about the machine. Support is available by phone, email, live online chat, and through instructional videos on Brother's website. Many users compliment the friendly and knowledgeable support staff. There are also convenient options for troubleshooting minor issues yourself using the detailed instruction manual or Brother's FAQ databases.

Registered customers can also take advantage of Brother's national network of authorized service centers for maintenance or repairs. The technicians at these service centers are trained specifically on Brother products. Overall, the warranty coverage and customer service options provide peace of mind and make it easy to get help when needed.

Price and Value

The Brother GX37 lightweight sewing machine has an MSRP of $199 but is often available for less from various retailers. At the sub-$200 price point, the GX37 offers good value for the features and capabilities it includes.

The GX37 has 37 built-in stitches including utility stitches, garment construction stitches, and decorative stitches. This provides enough variety for most basic sewing projects. It also includes 6 sewing feet - zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, blind stitch foot, zipper foot, and narrow hemmer foot. Having 6 included feet versus just a standard all-purpose foot expands the machine's functionality.

Other highlights at this price point are the automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, adjustable stitch length and width, and start/stop button. More advanced features like an automatic thread cutter, speed control, and knee lift are not included at this entry-level price point.

For basic garment construction, home decor projects, and mending, the Brother GX37 offers good value. More advanced sewers may want to spend a bit more for added convenience features and expanded stitch options. But for beginners and casual sewers focused on lightweight, portable performance, the Brother GX37 provides very good capabilities considering its affordable price.

Conclusion

The Brother GX37 is an excellent entry-level sewing machine that offers great value for money. It's lightweight and compact, making it ideal for beginners and those with limited space. The intuitive controls and easy threading system allows you to get sewing quickly, even if you've never used a machine before.

With 37 built-in stitches, 6 sewing feet included, and a top speed of 800 spm, the GX37 can handle most basic sewing projects. The automatic needle threader is a handy feature that saves time and frustration. The drop-in bobbin system also makes setting up and changing thread fast and simple.

Performance-wise, the GX37 produces neat, consistent stitching on a range of fabrics. The machine sews smoothly and quietly, without a lot of vibration. The bright LED lighting illuminates the work area nicely.

Overall, the Brother GX37 is a great choice for beginners looking for an affordable, user-friendly sewing machine. It has all the essential features needed to learn sewing and complete simple projects. The quality and performance exceed expectations for the price.

More advanced sewers may want a machine with more stitch options, specialty feet, and automated features. But for basic mending, alterations, crafts, and simple garment construction, the GX37 is very capable. It's portable and has a small footprint, making it a good pick for small spaces or taking to classes.

In summary, if you're seeking an entry-level sewing machine that's easy to use and offers excellent value, the Brother GX37 is a fantastic option to consider. It delivers on the key basics and is built to last. For beginners looking to develop their sewing skills without breaking the bank, the GX37 is highly recommended.