Brother SM2700: 27-Stitch Free Arm Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine is an affordable, entry-level model that offers a good selection of basic features. It's a lightweight, portable machine suitable for beginners and more experienced sewers looking for an inexpensive second machine. With 27 built-in stitches and a free arm for sewing sleeves and pant legs, it can handle simple clothing construction, alterations, crafts, quilting, and home decor projects.

The SM2700 has a top load bobbin system, adjustable stitch length and width, a built-in needle threader, and a drop feed for free motion sewing. It doesn't have a lot of fancy extras but provides good value for the price. This Brother model is compact, user-friendly, and offers enough functionality for basic sewing tasks. It's a great choice if you're learning to sew, sewing on a budget, or want a secondary portable machine.

Specifications

The Brother SM2700 is a lightweight sewing machine that weighs just 12.3 pounds. It has dimensions of 16.0 x 6.7 x 11.7 inches, making it a fairly compact machine that doesn't take up too much space. Some key specifications include:

• Weight: 12.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 16.0 x 6.7 x 11.7 inches
• Built-in stitches: 27, including 6 heirloom, 7 styles of 1 step auto-size buttonholes, and 1 auto needle threader
• Maximum sewing speed: 800 spm
• Drop feed: For free-motion quilting
• Free arm: For sewing sleeves and pant legs
• Buttonhole styles: 7 One-step auto-size buttonhole styles
• Included accessories: 3 presser feet, twin needle, 3 bobbins, needle set, screwdriver, foot controller, power cord, instructional DVD

The light weight and smaller footprint make it easy to move the machine around and store it when not in use. The specs provide enough stitch variety for most sewing projects, while still keeping the operation simple.

Another great option to consider is the Brother RLX3817G: Full Size 17 Stitch Sewing Machine, Grey, Refurbished. This full-size sewing machine offers 17 built-in stitches, making it versatile for various sewing tasks. Despite being refurbished, it delivers high performance and reliability at a reduced cost. The grey color adds a sleek touch to its design, making it not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

Features

The Brother SM2700 offers 27 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches. It has a free arm for sewing sleeves, pant legs, and other cylindrical items. The automatic needle threader is easy to use and threads the eye of the needle with just the push of a lever. Other features include:

• Built-in one-step auto-size buttonhole
• Drop feed for free-motion quilting and embroidery
• 6 quick-change sewing feet including buttonhole, zipper, zigzag, blind stitch, button sewing, and narrow hemmer feet
• Removable free arm for sewing cylindrical items
• Drop-in top bobbin
• Jam resistant Quick-Set top drop-in bobbin
• Automatic needle threader
• LED light illuminates the sewing surface
• Dial pattern selection with 27 stitches
• Adjustable stitch length (1-4mm) and width (3-5mm)
• Variable speed control

The SM2700 has a good selection of basic and decorative stitches for most sewing projects. The free arm, needle threader, and variety of presser feet add convenience. While it lacks some of the stitch options and accessories of more advanced models, it provides excellent value with useful features for the price. For those looking for more stitch options and an advanced feature set, consider the Brother BM3850: 37-Stitch Sewing Machine, which offers a broader range of 37 built-in stitches, further enhancing your sewing experience.

Ease of Use

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine is designed with beginners in mind. The controls and settings are straightforward and intuitive, making it easy for novice users to get started.

The machine has a simple dial to select the desired stitch. There are 27 built-in stitches to choose from, including basic stitches as well as decorative options. Changing the stitch is as easy as turning the dial.

There are also clearly labeled buttons for controlling the sewing speed, reverse sewing, and needle position. The foot pedal allows for speed control while sewing.

Threading the needle is simple with the automatic needle threader. Just follow the numbered diagrams on the machine and it threads the needle for you with the push of a lever.

The instruction manual that comes with the machine is very clear and detailed. It includes step-by-step instructions for setting up the machine, winding the bobbin, threading the needle, selecting stitches, and troubleshooting. The instructions include helpful diagrams and photos.

For those that prefer to learn visually, there are also instructional videos available on the Brother website that walk through all the steps for getting started.

Overall, the Brother SM2700 is a very beginner-friendly sewing machine. Between the intuitive controls, easy threading, and clear instructions, even those who have never sewn before can learn to use this machine quickly.

Stitch Quality

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine delivers excellent stitch quality and consistency across different fabric types. The 27 built-in stitches are precise with no skipped stitches, even when sewing multiple layers of thick fabrics like denim. Each stitch type can be precisely adjusted for length and width to achieve the desired effect.

The 4-step buttonhole stitch creates even, uniform buttonholes for a professional finish. The blind hem stitch is nearly invisible when sewn properly on garments. The zigzag stitch performs beautifully on stretch fabrics like knits and spandex, allowing the seam to stretch with the fabric. The SM2700 handles lightweight fabrics like chiffon and satin well, preventing tunneling or puckering on seams when the proper settings and needle are used.

The machine sews smoothly through heavyweight fabrics like canvas, corduroy and fleece without hesitation. There is enough power and penetration to sew through multiple layers of these dense fabrics when piecing together a heavy project like outdoor gear or home decor. The feed dogs provide sufficient grip and control when sewing slippery fabrics like silk or microfiber to prevent layers from shifting.

Overall, the stitch quality of the SM2700 is excellent for a machine in this price range. It can handle a wide variety of fabric types with ease for both utility and decorative stitching needs.

Accessories

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine comes with a good selection of accessories and attachments right out of the box. It includes 4 presser feet for basic sewing tasks - a zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, and blind stitch foot. Having multiple presser feet allows you to tackle different projects without having to purchase additional accessories.

The machine also includes a darning plate for free-motion quilting and embroidery, an instructional DVD, screwdrivers, bobbins, a power cord, foot controller, and needle set. The bobbins are top loading and easy to insert, wind, and remove. There's also a handy bobbin winding system built into the machine.

Overall, the included accessories provide everything you need to get started sewing and make this a great value machine. The presser feet handle most common sewing tasks, and the instructional materials help you learn how to use the machine properly.

Noise Level

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine operates quietly while in use. There is minimal noise from the motor, even at high sewing speeds. This makes the SM2700 a great option if you need to sew without disturbing others.

Vibration is also well controlled on this machine. You can sew for hours without bothersome shaking or movement of the machine. The internal components and chassis seem sturdy and limit vibrations.

Many reviewers praise the SM2700 for its quiet operation. Noise is very low even when compared to other sewing machines in this price range. This allows you to focus on your sewing projects without distraction.

The quiet motor paired with low vibration levels make the SM2700 sewing experience smooth and relaxed. You can enjoy sewing for long periods without fatigue or annoyance from machine noise. It's a pleasure to sew on the whisper-quiet SM2700.

Maintenance

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine requires minimal maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Here are some tips for caring for your machine:

Cleaning - It's important to keep your machine free of dust and lint buildup. Wipe down the exterior with a soft cloth and use the included brush to sweep away any debris inside the bobbin case and around the feed dogs. Check the tension discs as well and remove any accumulated threads.

Oiling - The SM2700 will need periodic oiling to lubricate the moving parts. Consult your manual for oiling instructions specific to your model. In general, a few drops of sewing machine oil applied to the points indicated in the manual every 6 months is sufficient. Avoid over-oiling.

Part Replacement - With regular use, parts like the foot pedal, needle plate, and light bulb may eventually need replacing. Use only manufacturer approved replacement parts to avoid damage. Replacing the foot pedal or needle plate is an easy fix, while the light bulb will require opening up the machine and should be done by an authorized service tech if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Proper cleaning and oiling will keep your Brother sewing machine running smoothly for years. Replace parts as needed and get professional service for any major repairs. With basic maintenance, the SM2700 will deliver reliable performance project after project.

Warranty

The Brother SM2700 sewing machine comes with a 25-year limited warranty. This is an excellent warranty that covers the sewing machine head, motors, light assembly, wiring, switches, speed control, and electronic components.

The warranty provides peace of mind that the sewing machine will hold up for many years of regular use. Manufacturing defects are covered for the full 25 years, while electrical components and printed circuit boards have a 2-year warranty.

Brother is known for having outstanding customer service to back up their warranty. They have service centers located throughout the United States. If any issues arise, customers can easily get support by contacting Brother customer service online, by phone, or by taking the machine to a service center. Brother aims to quickly diagnose problems and make any necessary repairs.

The long 25-year warranty combined with Brother's reputation for great customer service makes their warranty stand out from competitors. Customers can feel confident they will be taken care of if any problems come up with the sewing machine.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lightweight and portable at just under 13 pounds
• 27 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches
• Free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves
• Drop-in top bobbin for quick and easy threading
• Automatic needle threader
• Adjustable sewing speed control
• Built-in thread cutter
• Easy stitch selection dial
• Variety of included presser feet such as zipper foot and buttonhole foot
• 25-year limited warranty

Cons

• Manual thread tension adjustment
• No automatic thread cutter
• Smaller work area compared to other machines
• No LCD screen or stitch selection buttons
• Limited to basic built-in stitches
• No speed control slider
• Not computerized