Brother XR3774: 37 Built-in Stitches: Full Review

The Brother XR3774 is a versatile, full-featured sewing machine designed for beginners and intermediate sewers looking for an affordable model packed with useful features. This computerized sewing machine includes 37 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, easy to navigate controls, a wide table, and 8 sewing feet. With its lightweight design and smaller footprint, it's an excellent choice for sewing in tight spaces or taking to classes. The XR3774 delivers outstanding stitch quality on a range of fabrics from lightweight cottons to multiple layers of denim. While it lacks some of the features found on advanced models, it provides excellent value given its approachable price point. If you're looking for an intuitive, user-friendly sewing machine capable of handling a wide variety of sewing projects, the XR3774 is a great option worth considering.

Design and Build Quality

The Brother XR3774 is a lightweight but sturdy sewing machine made of durable plastic. Despite its light 9.7 pound weight, it doesn't feel flimsy or cheap.

The machine measures approximately 15.5 x 6.7 x 12 inches, making it compact enough to store away easily when not in use. However, the rounded edges and smooth finish give it an elegant, quality appearance.

While made of plastic, the machine doesn't have any rough or sharp edges. All the parts fit together snugly without any gaps or wiggle room. The plastic pieces move smoothly without catching or scraping.

The XR3774 appears well constructed with quality materials. The plastic housing seems dense and rigid. All the stitch selection and function buttons have a nice tactile click when pressed.

Overall, the XR3774 has a thoughtfully designed exterior that looks and functions like a more expensive machine. The plastic body keeps it lightweight but doesn't detract from its sturdy construction.

If you're looking for an alternative model for more specialized needs, consider the Brother PQ1600S: High-Speed Straight Stitch Sewing & Quilting Machine. This model offers high-speed stitching, perfect for quilting and straight stitching projects. Its robust build ensures stability, and it comes with various features designed to enhance your sewing experience.

Ease of Use

The Brother XR3774 is designed for ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners while still meeting the needs of more advanced sewists.

Controls and Interface

The machine has a simple interface with easy to navigate controls. There are step-by-step instructions printed right on the machine to guide you through threading the needle, winding the bobbin, and more. The LCD screen displays your selected stitch and any adjustments you make to stitch length and width. Buttons allow you to easily select stitches, adjust settings, and start and stop sewing.

Needle Threading

Threading the needle is made simple with the automatic needle threader. Just follow the numbered guides, lower the lever, and the threader automatically threads the eye of the needle for you.

Bobbin Winding

The built-in bobbin winder makes it easy to load the bobbin. Just place your spool of thread on the spool pin, thread through the guide, and wrap the thread around the bobbin winder. Press the foot pedal or start/stop button to wind the bobbin. The machine stops winding automatically when the bobbin is full.

Another great option is the Brother SM2700: 27-Stitch Free Arm Sewing Machine. This machine offers a variety of 27 built-in stitches, including decorative, blind hem, zigzag, and stretch stitches. It also features an automatic buttonhole function that allows you to create custom buttonholes in one easy step. With a free arm that simplifies sewing cuffs and sleeves, and a jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin, this sewing machine is user-friendly. A built-in LED light illuminates your workspace, providing ample light for precise sewing, making it ideal for all your sewing projects.

Stitch Options

The Brother XR3774 comes with 37 built-in stitches, including:

• 6 Basic Stitches - These include straight stitch, zigzag, and variations for everyday sewing.

• 7 Stretch Stitches - Specifically designed for sewing on knit fabrics without puckering. Options include lightning stitch, overcasting stitch, and more.

• 7 Decorative Stitches - For embellishing projects with details like scallops, vines, swirls and more.

• 7 Auto-Size Buttonholes - Automatically sized to your buttons with just one step.

• 4 Quilting Stitches - Handy stitch options like blanket stitch and stippling stitch for quilting projects.

• 6 Heirloom Stitches - Vintage-inspired stitches like drawnwork, smocking, and fagoting.

With 37 built-in stitches, the XR3774 offers a versatile selection for clothing construction, quilting, crafts, home decor and more. Both practical and decorative stitches are included to handle a wide range of sewing tasks.

Included Accessories

The Brother XR3774 comes with a generous assortment of accessories right in the box so you can start sewing projects right away.

Sewing Feet

The machine includes 8 different presser feet for various techniques:

• Zigzag Foot - For sewing zigzag stitches and decorative stitches. This is the most commonly used foot.

• Buttonhole Foot - For sewing buttonholes automatically. Makes professional looking buttonholes.

• Zipper Foot - For inserting zippers and piping. The narrow shape lets you get close to edge of zipper teeth.

• Button Sewing Foot - For attaching buttons with built-in stitching holes. Holds buttons in place for easy sewing.

• Blind Stitch Foot - For blind hemming and other nearly invisible hemming techniques.

• Overcasting Foot - Prevents fraying and overcasting edges of fabric. Great for finishing raw edges.

• Monogramming Foot - For embroidering and monogramming projects. Easily adds personalization.

• Open Toe Foot - For visibility when doing applique, quilting, or other techniques where you need to see the stitches.

The machine comes with 4 bobbins so you have spares ready when one runs out. It also includes a seam ripper, which is essential for removing stitches and fixing mistakes. An instructional DVD is very helpful for learning how to use the various stitches and feet. The hard cover makes an ideal storage case.

Overall, the accessory package provides everything you need to start sewing and quilting projects of all kinds. You won't have to purchase additional feet or supplies just to get started.

Work Area

The Brother XR3774 sewing machine offers ample work area to handle most sewing projects. It comes with a wide extension table that provides extra support for large projects like quilts.

The machine has an impressive 8.3" throat space from the needle to the inner part of the arm. This allows you to easily sew circular items like sleeves, pant legs, and other tubular pieces without bunching the fabric. The extra throat space is a big plus for quilters working with bulky layers.

The included extension table measures 19.1" x 6.7". It's made of sturdy plastic and clips securely onto the sewing bed. You can keep the extension table attached while sewing or remove it for more portability. The total work area measures about 19.1" wide by 12" long with the extension table on. This provides plenty of surface area for most standard sewing projects.

The free arm is also useful for sewing cylindrical items like pant hems and sleeve cuffs. You simply slide off the extension table to access the free arm. So whether you're sewing a quilt, some curtains, or hemming pants, the Brother XR3774 gives you a spacious work area to handle it with ease.

Sewing Speed

The Brother XR3774 sewing machine offers a maximum sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute. This is a decent speed for basic sewing projects, though industrial machines can sew faster. The 800 spm speed allows you to sew through lightweight fabrics at a nice pace without slowing you down too much. Heavier fabrics like denim may require you to sew closer to 600 spm. The foot pedal allows you to control the sewing speed, starting slowly and easing up to full speed. Lower speeds are better for precise work like sewing curves and corners. So the 800 spm maximum gives you a good range to work with. The motor runs quietly even at full speed. One downside is that there is no speed control slider to limit the maximum speed. But overall, the 800 spm on the Brother XR3774 is sufficient for most home sewing needs. Advanced sewers may want a faster machine, but beginners will appreciate the moderate speed while learning. It's a versatile machine that lets you sew faster as your skills progress.

Warranty

The Brother XR3774 sewing machine comes with a limited 25-year warranty. This covers any defects in materials or workmanship for the entire 25 years from the original purchase date.

The warranty is extensive and covers the main sewing machine unit, circuit boards, belts, motors, lighting, wiring and all other electrical components. The only exclusions are items that are expected to wear out over time from normal use, such as light bulbs, needles, bobbins, etc.

One nice aspect of Brother's warranty is that it is fully transferable. So if you ever sell or give away your XR3774, the warranty will continue for the new owner for the full 25 year period. This gives great peace of mind that the machine will be properly covered.

Overall, the 25-year limited warranty provides excellent protection and support from Brother. It's one of the longest warranties available for home sewing machines in this class. Knowing the machine is built to last for decades and has robust warranty coverage adds great value.

Pros and Cons

Brother XR3774 is a versatile sewing machine that offers many benefits for beginners and experienced sewers alike. Here's a quick rundown of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• 37 built-in stitches including utility, quilting, heirloom and decorative options provide versatility for all types of sewing projects
• Easy bobbin winding system and drop-in top bobbin for quick setup
• Automatic needle threader saves time and frustration
• Wide table provides a generous sewing surface area
• LCD screen displays selected stitch setting and length/width adjustments
• Adjustable sewing speed control for working at your own pace
• Hard cover protects machine when not in use
• 25-year limited warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

• Manual thread tension adjustment can be tricky for beginners
• Presser foot pressure is not adjustable
• Max sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute is decent but not as fast as other machines
• Lower maximum stitch width of 7mm limits very wide decorative stitches
• No automatic thread cutter means you must cut threads manually after sewing

Overall, the XR3774 offers outstanding value with excellent stitch quality and useful features at a reasonable price point. The pros seem to outweigh the cons for most home sewers. It's a great entry-level machine that can grow with you as your skills progress.

Conclusion

The Brother XR3774 is an excellent sewing machine for beginners and intermediate sewers looking for a full-featured model at an affordable price point. Its lightweight design makes it highly portable, yet it comes with a sturdy metal interior frame. The easy-to-navigate LCD screen and automatic needle threader provide ease of use, while 37 built-in stitches give you plenty of options for sewing projects.

The included wide table expands the work area nicely, and the hard case keeps everything protected during transport and storage. While the maximum sewing speed could be faster, it's more than adequate for learning and lighter projects. With its excellent stitch quality and array of handy accessories, the XR3774 offers great value.

Overall, the Brother XR3774 hits a sweet spot between features, quality and price. For anyone seeking an entry-level sewing machine with enough functionality to grow into, it's easy to highly recommend the XR3774. It has everything a beginner needs to get started, along with capabilities to expand your skills over time.