Brother Wide Table: 8 Included Sewing Feet: Full Review

The Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine is an excellent option for beginners and experienced sewers alike. This computerized sewing machine comes packed with features to make sewing projects easy and enjoyable.

With 130 built-in stitches to choose from, an automatic needle threader, easy bobbin winding system, and a large table for extra workspace, this machine aims to simplify sewing so users can focus on their creative projects. The Brother brand is known for its quality, user-friendly machines. This versatile sewing and quilting machine maintains the Brother reputation with excellent stitch quality, easy-to-navigate controls, and useful included accessories.

Whether you are looking to take on sewing as a new hobby or want to upgrade your existing machine, the Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine delivers outstanding performance. Keep reading for an overview of the key features and specifications of this popular model.

Specifications

The Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine has the following key specifications:

• Dimensions - 16.5 x 7.9 x 12 inches
• Weight - 26.3 pounds
• Sewing speed - 800 stitches per minute
• Needle positions - Left, center, right
• Feed dog positions - Up, down
• Presser foot pressure adjustment
• Drop feed
• Free arm
• LED lighting
• Heavy duty metal interior frame
• Automatic needle threader
• Jam resistant drop-in bobbin
• Advanced needle threading system
• Easy bobbin winding system
• Quick set bobbin
• Oversized wide table

The machine has a sturdy and stable design with its heavy duty metal interior frame. The oversized wide table provides a large sewing surface for handling big projects. The LED lighting illuminates the sewing area for better visibility.

In addition to the Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine, the Brother 2340CV: Cover Stitch Serger Sewing Machine is an excellent choice for professional-looking hems and finishes. This serger features a four-thread capability, which allows for a strong and durable stitch, perfect for knit fabrics. It also offers differential feed for consistent results on various fabric types, ensuring smooth and even feeding. Its compact design is ideal for home sewing spaces, making it a versatile addition to your sewing tools.

Included Accessories

The Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine comes with an impressive array of accessories right out of the box. Here's an overview of what's included:

• 8 Sewing Feet - The machine includes 8 different presser feet for various techniques like zipper insertion, buttonholes, zigzag stitching, monogramming, blind stitching, and more. This gives you a lot of versatility.

• Needles - Several needles are included, like universal needles for general sewing, stretch needles for knits and jersey, and denim needles for heavy fabrics.

• Bobbins - Additional bobbins are handy to have for quick thread changes.

• Seam Ripper - Useful for unpicking stitches and removing basting.

• Spool Caps - The spool caps help keep your thread neatly in place.

• Screwdriver - Needed for changing needles and presser feet.

• Lint Brush - Keep your machine free of lint and threads.

• Spool Pin - An extra spool pin is great for twin needle sewing.

• Quilting Bar - This attaches to the machine for even fabric feeding when quilting.

• Knee Lifter - Allows you to lift the presser foot with your knee, keeping your hands free.

So in summary, you get everything you need to start sewing and quilting a wide variety of projects. The included accessories add a lot of value.

Stitches

The Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine comes with 130 built-in sewing stitches, including 7 styles of 1-step auto-size buttonholes. The stitches are divided into the following categories:

• 7 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes
• 58 alphanumeric stitches for basic sewing
• 13 heirloom stitches
• 12 quilting stitches
• 14 decorative stitches
• 4 satin stitches
• 2 cross-stitches

You have a good selection of utility stitches for sewing seams, hems, blind hems, and more. The buttonhole stitches make it easy to sew buttonholes that are sized perfectly for your buttons. There are some nice quilting stitches like hand-look quilt stitch and stippling that will be useful for quilting projects. The decorative stitches add some flair for embellishing projects. Overall, there is a versatile range of stitches for most sewing tasks.

Buttons and Controls

The Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine comes with an intuitive control panel that makes selecting stitches and settings easy. The main buttons and controls include:

• LCD Display - The backlit LCD screen displays your selected stitch number, stitch length and width settings, and other information. It measures about 2 inches wide.

• Stitch Selection Dial - Turn this dial to choose from 70 built-in stitches, labeled next to the dial. The dial clicks firmly into place when a stitch is selected.

• Stitch Length Lever - Adjusts the length of the stitch from 0 to 4mm by sliding the lever. Useful for basting, sewing buttonholes, and more.

• Stitch Width Lever - Slide this lever to adjust the zigzag width of selected stitches from 0 to 7mm.

• Reverse Stitch Button - Sew in reverse by pressing and holding this button. Useful for backtacking and securing the ends of seams.

• Start/Stop Button - Press this button to start or stop sewing without using the foot pedal.

• Speed Control Slider - Adjust sewing speed from slow to fast. Helpful for precision work.

• Needle Position Button - Tap this button to raise or lower the needle position. Makes pivoting, applique, and detailed work easier.

The controls are well-labeled, responsive, and allow you to customize stitch settings for your projects. The LCD screen provides helpful information at a glance.

Feed System

The Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine comes with an advanced feed system to help ensure smooth sewing. It features an automatic needle threader to easily thread the needle without eye strain or frustration.

The machine has a drop feed dog mechanism with 5 different height settings. The feed dogs help grip and move the fabric through the machine for even stitching. At the highest setting, the feed dogs are up for normal sewing. Dropping to a lower setting helps when doing free-motion quilting or sewing. You can even lower the feed dogs all the way for free motion work.

There are 8 different presser feet included for various techniques. The zig zag foot is used for general sewing. The zipper foot makes it easy to sew close to zipper coils. The buttonhole foot has guides to help align buttonholes. An open toe foot gives high visibility for decorative stitching. There is a blind hem foot to make invisible hems. A 1/4 inch foot is great for piecing quilts. The walking foot helps feed layers evenly when quilting. Finally, the quilting foot is spring-loaded to keep contact with the fabric for free motion quilting.

Threading

Threading the Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine is straightforward with easy to follow guides.

To thread the top of the machine:

1. Raise the presser foot lifter to release the tension discs. This ensures the thread can slide between the tension discs.

2. Place the spool of thread on the spool pin at the top of the machine. Secure with the spool cap to ensure smooth unwinding of thread.

3. Draw the thread from the spool through the thread guide above the spool pin.

4. Continue drawing the thread down through the take-up lever from right to left.

5. Bring the thread down through the upper thread guide above the needle.

6. Thread the needle from front to back and pull about 6 inches of thread through the needle eye to the back of the machine.

To thread the bobbin:

1. Place the bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle on top of the machine. Draw the thread from the spool through the guide.

2. Wind the bobbin by pressing the bobbin winder lever to the right. Stop when the bobbin is fully wound.

3. Remove the bobbin and cut the excess thread tail.

4. Insert the bobbin case into the hook race with the thread tail coming from the left.

5. Pull the thread through the slot and under the tension spring until it clicks into place.

6. Close the bobbin case door and pull 6 inches of thread through the hole.

Threading both the top and bobbin is quick and clearly marked for frustration-free setup.

Setting up

Setting up the Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine is straightforward. First, make sure to remove all packaging materials and accessories. You'll want to locate the foot pedal, power cord, accessory feet, and any other included parts.

Before turning on the machine, refer to the instruction manual and diagram for how to thread the upper thread and bobbin. This will ensure the machine is properly threaded before your first use. When ready, plug in the power cord and foot pedal. Turn the power switch to the "on" position.

Select your desired stitch by turning the stitch selection dial. Refer to the stitch chart on the machine or in the manual to choose the appropriate stitch type and length for your project. Set the thread tension based on recommendations for the selected stitch.

To insert the needle, loosen the needle clamp screw and insert the needle fully upwards with the flat side facing the back. Securely tighten the needle clamp screw when in position. Always be sure to use the appropriately sized and type of needle for your fabric.

Once powered on and threaded, slowly press down on the foot pedal to start sewing. Guide the fabric under the presser foot and continue applying light pressure to the foot pedal to maintain speed. You can adjust sewing speed with the foot pedal pressure.

Practice on scrap material first to ensure the machine is properly threaded, tension is balanced, and stitch length is appropriate before beginning your project. Refer to the manual for troubleshooting if needed. With the accessories, stitches and ample workspace, you'll be ready to start sewing in no time!

Ease of Use

The Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine is very easy to use, even for beginners. It has an intuitive layout and controls that make it simple to select stitches, adjust settings, and get sewing.

The LCD screen and panel buttons allow you to easily select stitches, adjust stitch length and width, and more. Icons on the screen clearly indicate which settings you are adjusting. The machine comes with an instruction manual that provides guidance on how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, select stitches, and start sewing. Even without consulting the manual, most users should be able to figure out the basic functions fairly quickly.

The learning curve on this machine is gentle. Within an hour or two of use, most people will be able to sew basic stitches and get comfortable with the machine. More advanced stitches may take a little longer to master. But overall, the machine is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It's a great choice for beginners who want a user-friendly introduction to sewing and quilting.

The machine has a good selection of included accessories like sewing feet and bobbins that make it ready to go right out of the box. Changing feet or bobbins is a quick and simple process. And features like the automatic needle threader eliminate frustration and make the machine very user-friendly. Once it's threaded and set up, you can start sewing almost immediately without hassle.

In summary, ease of use is a major highlight on this Brother sewing and quilting machine. Both beginners and experienced sewers will appreciate its intuitive layout, clear controls, and helpful features that minimize any learning curve.

Pros and Cons

Overall, the Brother Wide Table Sewing Machine offers excellent value for money. Here's a summary of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• Large sewing space - the wide table provides a generous work area for large projects like quilts. Makes sewing bulky fabrics easier.
• Variety of stitches - 87 built-in stitches including utility, heirloom, quilting and decorative. Great for versatility.
• Easy threading system - color coded, numbered guides make threading hassle-free.
• Automatic needle threader - threads the eye of the needle with just the push of a lever. Saves time and frustration.
• Adjustable sewing speed - sew slowly for precision work or speed up for long seams. Good for beginners and experts.
• Built-in needle up/down button - program the needle to stop in up or down position for pivoting fabric. Convenient feature.
• Free arm - removable extension table allows free arm sewing for cuffs, sleeves, pant hems etc.
• Knee lift lever - raises the presser foot using your knee, keeping hands free to guide fabric. Useful for bulky projects.
• Brightly lit work area - LED lighting illuminates the sewing surface for clarity.
• Hard cover - protects machine when not in use.

Cons

• Manual thread tension adjustment - automatic tension would be more convenient.
• No automatic thread cutter - must cut threads manually after sewing.
• Noise level - runs louder than some other models. May disturb others.
• Limited quilting capability - a basic machine, not designed for extensive quilting work.
• Small LCD screen - display size could be bigger for easier viewing.