Brother Strong & Tough: 50 Built-in Stitches: Full Review

The Brother Strong & Tough ST150HDH is a computerized sewing machine designed for beginners and intermediate sewers looking for an affordable and user-friendly option. This lightweight machine offers 50 built-in stitches including utility, heirloom, quilting and decorative options. With easy dial controls, an LCD display screen, and 9 included sewing feet, it provides versatility for a range of sewing projects. The Strong & Tough lives up to its name with durable construction and proven reliability. Keep reading for an in-depth review of the key features and performance of this popular Brother sewing machine.

Specifications

The Brother ST150HDH sewing machine comes equipped with 50 built-in stitches including utility stitches, heirloom stitches, quilting stitches and decorative stitches. This gives you a wide variety of options for your sewing projects from basic hems and seams to more intricate embroidery and quilting.

The LCD display screen makes it easy to select your desired stitch and adjust stitch length and width. All of your settings are clearly displayed on the LCD screen.

This sewing machine also includes 9 different presser feet for various techniques. The presser feet included are:

• Zigzag foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Zipper foot
• Blind stitch foot
• Button sewing foot
• Overcasting foot
• Monogramming foot
• Walking foot
• Quilting foot

With 9 specialty presser feet you'll have all the accessories you need right out of the box to tackle a range of sewing projects.

If you need a machine with even more built-in stitches, consider the Brother: 70 Built-in Stitches sewing machine. It offers even more versatility and options for various sewing needs. The additional stitches provide more possibilities for creativity and precision in your sewing projects, making it a great upgrade for avid sewers.

Ease of Use

The Brother Strong & Tough ST150HDH sewing machine is very easy to use, even for beginners. It has an intuitive layout and user-friendly operation.

Threading the machine is a breeze with the built-in needle threader that does it for you at the push of a lever. There is also a numbered threading guide printed right on the machine to help you thread the machine manually if needed. The bobbin is very easy to insert and the drop-in bobbin system means you don't have to wrestle with getting the bobbin thread in the right place.

The LCD display screen makes selecting stitches straightforward. You simply use the stitch selection dial to pick the number of the stitch you want and it shows up clearly on the display screen. The machine shows recommended settings like stitch length and width for each stitch type.

There are also easy to use buttons for key functions like start/stop, reverse, and needle up/down position. Everything is well-labeled and user-friendly for both beginners and more advanced sewers.

Overall, ease of use is a major highlight on this machine. It has an intuitive interface that lets you start sewing quickly without a complicated learning curve.

Looking for more features? Consider the Brother CP100X: Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine. This model offers a wide range of stitches and quilting capabilities, making it perfect for intricate projects. Its computerized functions and features such as auto needle threading and an LCD screen enhance ease of use, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced sewers. With its built-in quilting stitches and multiple presser feet, the Brother CP100X scales up your creative potential while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Stitch Quality

The Brother Strong & Tough sewing machine produces high-quality stitches for a variety of fabrics. The 50 built-in stitches allow you to sew basic seams as well as decorative stitches on lightweight fabrics like cotton all the way up to heavy-duty materials like denim and canvas.

The machine has adjustable stitch length and width settings, so you can customize the stitches for your project. For example, when sewing with thicker threads or heavier fabrics, you can lengthen the stitch and increase the width to prevent skipped stitches.

The machine sews very evenly without bunching or puckering on most materials. The stitch quality remains consistent even at high sewing speeds up to 800 stitches per minute. The needle system and feed dogs provide smooth feeding through multiple layers of fabric.

Overall, the stitch quality is excellent for both utility and decorative stitching on a range of fabric weights and types, from sheer chiffon to multiple layers of denim. Sewers who work with a variety of fabrics will appreciate the stitch quality and customization options this machine provides.

Included Accessories

The Brother ST150HDH comes with an impressive array of included accessories right out of the box. Notably, it includes 9 different presser feet for accomplishing various sewing tasks:

• Zigzag Foot - For sewing general zigzag stitches and decorative stitches. The wider groove on the bottom glides smoothly over stitches.

• Zipper Foot - Allows easy insertion of zippers into seams. The narrow foot slides close to the zipper teeth on each side.

• Buttonhole Foot - Ensures precise buttonhole stitching for professional results. The grooves on the bottom grip the fabric on each side.

• Button Sewing Foot - Designed for attaching buttons with built-in stitches. The narrow opening allows stitches to go through button holes.

• Blind Stitch Foot - Guides invisible hemming stitches to hide them between fabric folds. The metal guide keeps the hem precisely positioned.

• Overcasting Foot - Prevents fabric edges from fraying and adds a professional finish. Stitches over the edge while the pin prevents puckering.

• Monogramming Foot - Adds custom monogramming and embroidery. The open toe provides high visibility for precise stitch placement.

• Walking Foot - Feeds fabric evenly to prevent shifting of layers. Ideal for sewing slippery and hard-to-manage fabrics.

• Quilting Foot - Designed for straight stitch quilting and guiding fabric. The right toe allows visibility of stitches.

With this versatile selection of presser feet included, the Brother ST150HDH can handle a wide variety of sewing, crafting, quilting, and garment construction projects right out of the box. The specialty feet ensure professional results for seams, hems, zippers, buttons, and more.

Durability

The Brother ST150HDH is an extremely durable sewing machine built to last. It features an all-metal interior frame that provides rigid support for all the interior components. This rigid metal frame prevents flexing and skipping stitches, even at high sewing speeds. It also enables the machine to handle thick and heavy fabrics without straining the mechanics.

The metal frame is paired with a tough plastic exterior housing that protects the interior from dust and debris. Both the metal and plastic are high quality and able to withstand the rigors of regular use. Users mention this machine feels reassuringly sturdy and solid when running. The weight and stability provide a smooth, vibration-free sewing experience.

Overall, the durable construction means this machine can withstand years of regular use without any loss of performance. Both home sewists and small business owners can feel confident investing in this machine knowing it is built to last.

Portability

The Brother ST150HDH is quite portable for a sewing machine thanks to its lightweight and compact design. It weighs just under 13 pounds, making it easy to move around your sewing room or take to a class.

The machine has a built-in carry handle, allowing you to transport it with just one hand. The plastic housing doesn't add unnecessary bulk - this is one of the more travel-friendly machines out there.

While not quite as portable as a miniature or toy machine, the ST150HDH packs impressive features into a frame meant for portability. The lightweight design and carry handle make it easy to bring this machine along if you want to sew at a friend's house, take a trip, or bring it to classes.

Warranty

The Brother Strong & Tough ST150HDH sewing machine comes with an impressive 25-year limited warranty. This gives you peace of mind that the machine is built to last. The warranty covers the sewing machine head, which includes the motor, light assembly, wiring, switches, speed control and electronic components. It does not cover failure due to normal wear and tear, improper use, negligence, accidents, alterations or damage during shipping. To be covered, you need to provide proof of purchase if requested.

The lengthy 25-year warranty really speaks to the durability and reliability you can expect from this Brother sewing machine. It's not common to find home sewing machines that come with such a long warranty period. Knowing the manufacturer stands behind their product for that many years shows that they have confidence in its construction and performance over the long haul. Overall, the generous warranty provides great value and assurance that this machine will keep working smoothly for many years to come.

Price

The Brother ST150HDH offers good value for its price point, which is typically around $150-$200. This is a very affordable computerized sewing machine, especially considering the number of built-in stitches, automatic features, and included accessories.

The 50 built-in stitches provide versatility for both decorative and utility sewing. You get all the basics like straight, zigzag, and buttonhole, plus decorative options like scallop, smocking, heirloom, and applique stitches. At this price, 50 stitches is well above average.

In addition, the automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, and one-step auto-size buttonhole are convenient features that allow you to spend more time sewing and less time prepping. The LCD display screen makes selections easy and the built-in lettering font allows basic monogramming.

You also get 9 presser feet included, which is a generous assortment. Feet for zipper, buttonhole, zigzag, blind hem, and more provide flexibility right out of the box.

Considering all of these features and accessories, the Brother ST150HDH offers excellent value at this price point. The performance and build quality make it suitable for everything from basic garment construction to crafting and home decor projects. For budget-minded sewers, it delivers ample functionality without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

The Brother ST150HDH is a great option for beginner and intermediate sewers looking for an affordable, computerized sewing machine. It offers 50 built-in stitches to handle a variety of projects, along with a backlit LCD screen and easy stitch selection. The automatic needle threader is a huge time saver, and the drop-in bobbin is simple to insert.

The machine sews smoothly and has enough power to get through multiple layers of fabric. It comes with 9 presser feet, providing versatility for techniques like buttonholes, zippers, hemming, and more. An extension table expands the workspace, which is especially helpful for large quilting projects.

Overall, the Brother ST150HDH delivers excellent value at its price point. It's user-friendly for novices but has enough features to keep more experienced sewers happy. The main downsides are the lack of an automatic thread cutter and limited low-end speed control. But for general home sewing, it reliably handles an extensive range of fabrics and projects.

Those looking for a computerized machine under $200 would be hard-pressed to find one better than the Brother ST150HDH. It's a workhorse that can tackle everyday mending jobs or creative endeavors with equal success. The quality and capabilities exceed expectations for the price. For sewers who want more options than a basic model but aren't ready to invest in an expensive machine, the ST150HDH hits the sweet spot.