Hi, Does anyone use one of these? I have a great Viking machine but it is so heavy to haul to retreats etc. plus I worry about bouncing around the electronics and computerized parts. I see some great reviews on this little machine & it looks like it sells for about $150+/- which is amazing considering it even includes a walking foot! Guess it's a step up from purely mechanical and has some electronic components. If not this one, any other ideas? Just want something a lot lighter that I can count on. Thanks so much!
Pat

I have a brother that is almost the same as that one and it is a great lightweight machine for smaller projects. I don't like it for quilting, but it sews nice and does have many different stitches. For the price you can't go wrong.

I'll be watching this thread. I got one off Amazon a couple of weeks ago but haven't used it yet. I'm especially interested in how well the walking foot works and how hard it is to put on. Seems like I read somewhere they were a little tricky to get on right.

I have 2. 1 at home and 1 at the lake. I love it. They were a recent purchase at a very good price. The 1st one, we ordered a case, but it comes with a hard cover. I got the walking foot as an extra. I can't handle a heavy machine so this is great for me to pick up or take to classes. I am very pleased with its performance. It winds a nice bobbin. the instructions were good. The 2nd one came shortly after, because Dh was tired of having to haul my sewing machine everytime we went to the lake.......If you are hauling it, I do think it would be better to have the extra case. It has the extension table also. Carefully placed in the case, even the extension fits.

I have one that I purchased just to take to classes and retreats. My other machine was just too heavy! So far, no problems!

I haven't had a problem with putting the walking foot on. I have used it several times and have been pleased with it.

I'm with you. I need something light to carry around.

I have had mine for almost 4 years and love it :thumbup: No problems - works great has the fancier stitches that I usually don't bother with :oops: The walking foot is easy to put on/take off for the money you can't go wrong :thumbup:

I use mine every day.The only problem is the small throat,makes it hard to quilt anything very large.

I bought one this winter and I REALLY like it. It has run like a champ for me, and has some nice features that my old Singer Touch N Sew didn't. You can take it anywhere because it came with a case and is light weight. The needle down feature is wonderful for piecing, and the speed regulator comes in very handy. It has all the feet you need, is easy to thread, has the needle threader and many stitch choices. You can also use double needles.
There are only two things I would change. First...the light isn't very bright, so I use more lighting when I am sewing. Also, it really ISN'T very good for quilting any large quilts. The opening is way too small, and you'll have to work hard to get your project through it. So, I am using my Singer to do my big quilt project. It DOES work just fine for things like bed runners, table runners and smaller wall hangings. My personal feeling is that you can't go wrong for the price! :thumbup:

don't have that one, but have another little brother that does just great for piecing

I got the Brother (my second Brother machine) 420 Project Runway last year at Xmas on Amazon and I LOVE it!! I don't do much machine quilting so it isn't an issue-but it is a really good machine! For the price, you can't go wrong!

I bought a Brother HS 2000 for my kids. It's a great little machine, sews nicely, easy to use. The CS 6000i actually costs less and comes with more. Go for it!

That's exactly why I haven't used mine yet...the light isn't bright enough. I just haven't taken the time to rummage around the house for a lamp or go to Target to buy a new floor lamp to put next to my table.

I bought it primarily for stitch in the ditch and most of the quilts I make are Queen. Hope I can manage.

I have this machine and it works great. The throat is too small for large quilts, but works fine for table runners, baby quilts, wall hangings, etc. The light isn't very bright, but I have a desk lamp that I use. I haven't had any problems with this machine at all and think it's a great machine.

I agree with sbk1962 - I too have one of these as my Pfaff (which I love) to WAY too heavy to lug. It is great for class etc - but the throat is small. It works like a charm.

My Pfaff machine died about a fortnight ago and a friend lent me her "Sew Fun" Elna machine that cost her about $130. It is very lightweight and great to use. I have been making more bowls for an exhibition which starts tomorrow, and the machine has worked fine.

I have one and I like it. It's lightweight and very portable. I'm new at sewing and quilting so I didn't want to start our too expensive. I got mine by ordering it from Walmart and it was less than $100.

I have a "new" one given to me by my DH this past Christmas. Works great and easy to bring to classes. Only problem is when I turn the machine off, the needle automatically goes to the left. When I turn it back on, MUST REMEMBER to set the needle back to the middle. Got a couple of broken needles. I e-mailed Brother and called if I am setting the machine wrong; no clear solution...Just got to remember to set the needle to the correct position before starting sewing. Aside from this, I am happy with the machine.
I am new to quilting, I already made lap and Baby blankets using this machine.

I've had one for probably 5-6 years now, and you're right, it is GREAT for using at retreats/sew-ins. Never had a problem with it - at all. Saw one yesterday on Ebay for $125 I think.

A small group of quilters get together once a week to "quilt". One of the ladies had purchased the 6000i and raved about it. In turn, 3 of us have gotten one and we all LOVE it. lightweight and easy to transport. I have a heavy BabyLock at home and really like sewing on the little Brothers much better. It has proven to be well worth the money for it. Love my Little Brothers.

Do you have problems with the needle moving to the left when you turn off the machine?

Thanks.

Hi namom5,

I have broken couple of needles when I turn off the machine, needle move to the left. I "MUST" remember ot move it to the middle.

Thanks.

Isn't that a pain? My Singer does this as well and everytime I turn it on I have to re-set the crazy needle.

I have this machine also, was to be a back up but I have been using it for everything. It has alot of decorator stitches including blanket stitch for machine applique. I think its a nice machine for the price.

Thank you so much for this post. I was looking for info. on this machine and as always you all came through.

It took 3 years, 100 denim quilts, 3 Project Linus Quilts and 3 Crazy Quilts, but I finally killed my Brother CS6000i. (!!!)

I took it to a local Sew/Vac shop guy who said " I wouldn't touch it."
Looked on line for a Brother Repair shop, who was happy to work on it, but at $120. plus parts, if needed, I said Thanks but No Thanks. The problem it is that when sewing all those denim quilts, I allowed the quilts to "pull" the needle to the left, thus mis-aligning the mechanism.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Brother CS6000i for normal sewing. It only weighs 13 pounds, so GO FOR IT!

I have 2 of the Brother Sewing machines. They are easy to use and transport. Walking foot is easy to put on and works very well. I have purchased two of them from Costco, one for me and one for my daughter. Costco always has a nice machine every fall/winter for a reasonable price that is of good quality. Very happy with the machines.

Yes I have one and like it alot. Very lite to carry. Has a good stitch. no complaints

It is nice and light but I put mine up when my vintage 201 arrived and haven't used it since.

I would use it for travel for sure though!

My MIL bought 2 of the CS6000i machines last week, she gave one to me! I love that it is lightweight and very easily taken to quilting meetups... my Viking is so heavy to transport. I am pleased with the stitching and ease of use. I think the light is not very bright, I have to use additional lighting. I like the up/down needle option as well as the quilting stitches on the machine.

I have this very machine and love it. You have to hold the top and bobbin strings until after the first stitch or they get caught up under the material and I don't mind doing that. It also has feed dogs that switch off for free motion quilting. This is my third Brother. I paid $169 for mine off Amazon.com(cheaper now)and they were charging more than $350 at the local sewing machine store where I live.
IdahoSandy

Thanks. I thought I was doing something wrong. Just got to remember to adjust the needle when the machine is turned on. :o( not user friendly, but for the price, it does it's job!

i have this machine, and it needs resetting every time you turn it back on, it shuts off all the computer stuff on it too, [stitch width, length], but i like it, i always have trouble with the speed on others.

I also have the machine and love it! I can quilt smaller project with no issues - twin size quilts on down. Anything larger will give you fits as the throat size is small. I do not like the extension table as the legs keep folding up on me, but I am working on a solution for that! Over all, the machine is a great deal for the money and wouldn't think twice about buying another.

The needle will reset to the left position everytime you turn off the machine, but it is just a simple bump on one of the buttons to change to middle position and have never broken any needles.

hi, I have a brother cs8150 got for $229.00 best machine ever. I take it to retreats, friends houses, everywhere. Only weights about 10lbs. I also have a Designer 1 (viking) and a brother disney. I would put my little guy cs8150 up against my other machines, no bells or whistles but I can quilt free form and sew up a storm. I like the little brother for classes ...good luck

My sister has one and absolutely loves it

There is a way to change this to center. I did it on my Brother XR 9000. I love this machine for piecing!

1. Turn off the sewing machine
2. Hold down the "+" side of the stitch selection key on the left and turn on the sewing machine

The initial needle position changes to the center needle position.

Hope that works on your Brother!

I have one. I bought it 2 years ago to use at my children's home when I visit (for extended times).

It works like a charm for piecing and fun stitches, that being said, it is a bit "iffy" for quilting thick layers.

I too own a 2 Husqvarna machines but toting either of them over the ocean is a NO GO! I would worry about bouncing them around though... if you have the machine in a good padded tote and belted in tight, there shouldn't be a problem. The weight is a whole other ballgame.

I have learned a hard lesson - whatever machine you begin using on a project, continue to use the same machine for the rest of it. Every machine, IMHO, sews a tad different.

Good luck. ;-)

I have this machine and love it. So far I have made 15 raggedy blue jean quilts on it. And many other quilts. I use cotton batts as well as polyester batting with my machine.
I have had no problems with it at all. I Love it. For that fact I have a lady I have taught to quilt on it and she went out and bought the same machine because it is so easy to use.
Only thing is make sure you clean the lint out from under the feed dogs when you use it a lot. It does build up there. You can tell it is building up when you start skipping stitches and when it starts getting really noisy.
That scared the lady I'm teaching when she used mine and I told her it was okay this is what is wrong and she was fine.
I usually check for the lint after I do a quilt but I didn't when I showed her so she would know what to watch for.