Brother Sewing Machine
 

I am considering purchasing a Brother Sewing Machine (SQ9185) and would like opinions please. I have a Kenmore which is at least 20+ years old and would like one with a few more decorative stitches and easier to transport. I had a SInger for about five years and the board went out on it and even the repair man said it is cost prohibitive to have it fixed. I saw this particular machine at Walmart, didn't even know I was looking for one until I went down the aisle to purchase needles which they did not have. Has anyone purchased sewing machines from Walmart, just wondering about the difference between them and an authorized dealer. I am heading out soon to the dealer's store in a little while. Any information pro or con is what I am looking for. As usual I know I can count on the board for great advice.

Judy
in snowy Michigan (but not as bad as the southern states are going to get). Mother nature needs to take a chill pill.

I have purchased two Brother sewing machines from Costco. They were both low end machines, less than $200. I went with Costco because of their wonderful return policy, and I was told by a Brother dealer to stay away from the Wal-mart ones.

I've had mine for about 6 weeks or so.
I needed something light-weight to take along when i sew away from home.

keep in mind that my other machines are fancy shmancy janome models.


however, when i went shopping for a take-along machine that had all my "must have" features i couldn't find one that fit into my budget right now. (yes ... i could save up but i wanted something now. instant gratification ... what can i say? LOL)

i decided to roll the dice on a Brother SQ9185 that i found at WalMart for $199 (before sales tax.) they have a very good return policy so i felt safe bringing it home for a test drive.
having become a bit of a machine snoot (not proud of that, but i "own" it ... LOL) i expected it to feel like a serious downgrade.

much to my surprise, i am very pleased and will definitely keep it.
i can't use my janome feet on it, but it came with every foot i'll ever need.
the motor is noisier than my [very expensive] janomes and the mechanics are a bit "clackier."
BUT for a machine at this price point that's almost a given.
it's certainly more quiet and solid than i expected, and not a deal breaker.
it does take the same bobbins and needles i use in all my janomes. (yes. you heard that correctly. i have more than one. it's a sickness. LOL)

i did a little bit of test-stippling on a small sandwich yesterday, just for giggles.
all it took was one top tension adjustment, and it looked pretty darned good on both front and back.

the only feature it doesn't have that i miss is the push-button top/bottom thread cutter.

gee ... i wonder why he said that. LOL LOL LOL

I purchased a Brother from Walmart a year ago and it's a work horse. No problem or issues. I drive a GM car. It gets me where I'm going and has many features I like. It's not a Lexus. My car doesn't drive, look or have all the features of a Lexus, but works. It gets the job done at the price point I can manage. That's how I see my brother sewing machine.

I got my SQ-9050 machine from walmart, absolutely love it, hve had it for a little over 2 1/2 years with no issues. Don't understand why people continually bash walmart brothers, they are perfectly fine and come from the same line as same models sold everywhere else, they do not make them any different for walmart. You won't get the dealer support or classes if you buy walmart, but they will try to sell you the same machines at a higher cost. I only purchase high end machines from my dealer. Low ends I have gotten online and at walmart and will continue to do so as I don't really need dealer support and if they stop working they are cheap to replace and super easy to use on your own. My personal opinion is if a dealer needs to bash another supplier than they don't need my business. Most people that complain about these low ends buy them expecting them to be heavy duty and use them as if they are industrial. My SQ-9050 is a great little piecer, and makes the most beautiful buttonholes.

Did he say why to stay away from walmart? I just retured from my very unfriendly dealer and they only carry top of the line tha I can't affored. When I told her my price range and what I was looking for she became very un interested in helping me. This is mot the first time I have been treated this way but they are the only local dealer except for Joanns and they won't help after the sale except for the samr store where you purchased it.

I have two low end machines. A Brother XR1355 from Costco and a Singer Confidence Quilter 7469 from Joann's. I do all my FMQ on my Singer and piece etc on the Brother. Have had no problems and quilt king size quilts on the Singer.
Wanted a few more features that the Brother had such as variable speed and more decorative stitches. Can't afford the expensive models either, but love both of these machines.

I also had a singrr confidence which I loved but recently the board went on it and the repair man said the cost to replace it is too expensive. The machine was only about six years old, not sure if it was do to the bitter cold transporting it to retreat or not. It was in my trunk both coming and going in a fabric carring case pushed way to the seat part of the trunk and had the quilt I was working on stuffed around it in the case. It was only in the trunk for an hour each way and the next day I turned it on and just got a horrible sound and nothing would work.

I have the second of three price level Brother machines that Walmart carried at the time of purchase 14 years ago, and it has been a work horse machine, travelled cross country under a greyhound, and still works as well as the day I bought it. I also have a high end Brother from an authorized dealer, and use it daily. The biggest difference is the Walmart model has a rougher sound and vibrates more, but putting it on two mouse pads solved that problem. I was also told to stay away from the Walmart machines, but that was thirteen years after I bought one. If you don't have a big budget, start with what you can afford. I did, and have never been disappointed with a Brother machine. Walmart also has a good return policy, but you probably won't need to know that. Just remember NEVER buy a sewing machine in a box that is not perfect, it may have been dropped, and that is never good for any kind of machine.

My sister bought her Brother machine (don't know the model #) at Costco because it came with the acrylic table and loves it. It does everything she wants it to do, and her husband has done his best to get her to buy a fancier machine but she loves the one she has. I gave her one of my FW's to use when she takes classes or goes to sew with friends.

Every time they are on sale at Costco I look them over and tempted but I have 2 FW, a small EuroPro, a Janome 6600 MP, Husqvarna Topaz 20, and a Singer 15-91 in a cabinet so cannot figure out when I would use it. Unfortunately neither of my daughters want to sew.

I bought this machine about 3 years ago when my other machine was in the shop. Love it, have not had any problems what so ever with it.

Judy, I have the Brother SQ9185 and I love it. I've been sewing daily since early last fall and have not had one problem come up. I've sewn with very fine fabric for doll clothes all the way to quilting with a serpentine stitch on a quilt top sandwiched with a poly batt and backed with fleece. Nothing bothers this machine. It just keeps on sewing!

If you do decide to buy one, get the Brother bobbins while you are there. They are just a smidge taller than other bobbins.

I have a brother machine from Walmart, our son brought it over. While I hesitant at first, I have found it to be a very nice machine. Sews great, fm great, many different kinds of stitches, I find I am using it all the time, so I would recommend it. My Janome has been in the shop several times already, so I am not thrilled for what that machine cost and the repairs I have incurred. My prefer my old singers, but I do like the brother very much.

I bought one from Walmart and used it to death. It finally acted up but I keep it because every once in a while I get it out and it sews great. Then it acts up again. I bought an upgrade (Brother) from Costco and really love it. It works great and has the start/stop button if I don't want to use a pedal. I bought my daughter a Brother serger from Amazon and she loves it. I think Brother is a good brand, you just have to be careful where you buy it.

You may want to consider buying a newer Kenmore from a garage or estate sale. I bought a 10-yr-old one at a garage sale for $65 (they're now made by Janome) and I'm happy that all of the accessories that I bought for my 35-year-old Kenmore fit the newer one. Nothing against the WalMart Brother machines, though - I've bought them for my daughters and they are doing just fine.

I have a Walmart brother sq9000 and love that little machine. I used it for 4 years before upgrading to a Babylock symphony and still use it as my travel machine. I just finished making my sister in law curtains and valances with it. The only thing I miss on my baby lock when I'm using my brother is my tread cutters.

I have two Brother machines. One is from Walmart. It is at least 15 years old and has never seen a repairman. It has made quilts, prom dresses and sewn reflective tape on miners bibs. The thing is a workhorse. I have another one that is about 3 years old from Allbrands. It has been fine, too. The only reason for the second machine was to get a bigger throat. The old machine is still used for anything I want that can't be done with a straight stitch. Both machines have and continue to serve me well.

I own two Brother machines and absolutely love them. One is a sewing machine and the other is a sewing/embroidery machine. Both are low price models and are FANTASTIC machines. Easy to operate, thread, adjust tension, low maintenance, etc. Very user friendly. I purchased mine from a local sewing machine store in my town and have only returned them for yearly maintenance. They are a very friendly customer service centered store. I plan on purchasing a high end machine in the future and the first model I will look at is a Brother.

I own three Brother machines and each one is wonderful. I got mine from www.allbrands.com. They have free shipping and I received each one in three days!!

I have three very basic mechanical brothers. One at home and one at each of my son's. They are Walmart variety. All wonderful. Never have had a problem with any of them. If you want a vintage machine that is fine. I have lots of them too. But you have to wait to find an available one and then maybe service it. Brothers are instant.

I own 4 Brothers and love them all. 2 are low end from Hancock's. I managed to find them at yard sales, what a deal.

I have had 2 brother machines, both from walmart and both of them died within a year of purchase. I tried to get the second one repaired, but was told the repair was more expensive than original purchase price. That was when I went to a dealer and saw the differences...and felt them too. The lower end machines (like the ones sold at walmart) have plastic gears which will not hold up well. I went with Janome and many quilts later I am still happy with my decision. Sewing machines are one of those items where you get what you pay for...kinda like trying to find good quality shoes at walmart....just not gonna happen.

I know this is an older thread but I am thinking about getting an SQ9185. I am wondering how much throat room it has? I have a Brother ES2000 and it doesn't have much space.

My mom bought a brand new Brother in 1964 so that's what I grew up sewing with. My oldest DD has it now. I have at least a dozen vintage 50s and 60s Brother machines in my herd and love them. My BFF has a Brother from Walmart and it's been a work horse for sure. Besides my vintage machines I also sew with a 10yr old Euro Pro and a 2yr old Juki.

The dealers don't want you buying from Walmart or other stores because they won't carry all the low end machines and don't want to match the price. They want you to buy the higher end machines they carry, that they make their money on. Every brand has their lemons and every factory has Friday/Monday machines. There are just as many people who gripe about problems with their expensive machines as there are who gripe about cheap ones. I Think whatever machine makes you happy is okay.

Cari