What do you know about this machine?
 

My daughter wants to get a new machine, she is on a limited income. She is looking at the Brother SQ9050 that sells for around $200.00. I down loaded the specs, reads well but that doesn't tell me about the quirky actions of this machine. Any one ever had one or used this machine? I am a Janome user so Brother seems off to me. Anxious for your input, she has just started quilting and is using her old Kenmore (10+ yrs. old) and is a college student. Thanks!!

I swear by Singer because I have been using it my entire life. My mother made wonders on 1892 singer (I know it is really old and it still works perfectly), but unfortunately nobody makes them that sturdy any more. If you are not sure, go to Amazon.com and read other people's reviews. Also, I would check Craiglist in your area. You never know! People are often upgrading to newer and better models so you can get real deals.

I have the SQ-9000. It's basically the same machine. I love my machine. I haven't had any problems with it. Have had it close to 2 years. I really like the start, stop button. I'm so use to not using a foot pedal anymore. Comes with all feet you will need. Very user friendly. There are many more board members who use this machine. I did buy a Brother 1500 to do the quilting. I needed something with a bigger throat space, but my 9000 is great for piecing and quilting small items. HTH

I would use the old Kenmore, and have the $200.00 as a start for a new machine.............there is a reason that new machines can be $2,000.00 and above................stitch quality, features like needle up/down, feet that come with the machine. Perhaps a model with some features that was a trade in? Purchasing from a dealer who you can trust..........just my opinion..............calla

I have the SQ 9050 and LOVE it! Never had a problem with it. The accessories included with it, you can't beat. :)

I have that machine got it at a gaeage sale to use as backup but like it so much I use it all the time with no trouble

I have a Brother CS6000i (I think that's what the model is) and it's a pretty good machine. Not sure how it compares to this model but my biggest complaint about it is that it's so light it scoots away from me constantly as I sew!! Otherwise I think it's a decent machine for the price (I bought it for about $150 on Amazon). Lots of stitches, lots of feet, and no troubles with it missing stitches or being a "thread diva". I DID, however, realize that there's no way to lube or really maintain this machine so I don't think it'll be something I'll still be sewing on in 20 years. But it was so cheap, I guess that's okay.

I have a similar model - A project Runway portable. I have been very happy with it. I take this one to class because it is light. It has needle positioning, up/down, auto thread, etc. It doesn't cut the thread, while my big, home Brother machine, does. I will live.

I think Brother is a great brand, At the present time this brand is tops for people on a budget.

i have a brother cs6000i and it quit on me within 1 yr. yes it is very light and scoots around when sewing with it but it just locked up one day, came to a grinding stop. i took the whole machine a part to see if i could see anything wrong. nothing so it is something within the computerized system. i called a brother repairman and his response was that it would be cheaper to buy a new machine than to try to get this one fixed. so it sits in a corner. perhaps i pushed it too hard. the electronic machines do not need to be oiled as they are ran be computer brains and are made mostly of plastic.

daisy is your daughter finding something wrong with the old kenmore she is sewing on or does she just want to have a machine with all the fancy stitches? many of us are finding great stitch qualities with these 'older' machines. they have metal internals and can take a lot of use. i am piecing with my vintage singer now and it does a great tight stitch. i have a 25 yr old babylock sewing machine that i use also. when i get a newer fancy machine, it will be something substantial with support and a warranty. no more cheap sewing machines for me.

i would say help your daughter purchase the best machine that she can afford right now. you can also check dealers and lqs's to see what machines they have taken on trade in or display models that are up for sale. and you can also check your local craigslist for some great bargains. check online reviews for any of the machines you are considering to get some perspective. do your research and spend your $200.00 wisely.

Put a piece of that none skid shelf liner under your machine. Before I had a table to set my machine down in I was using my dining room table and cut a piece just a little bigger then my machine and worked fine. No more walking across the table.

I don't know this machine but I do know that Brother machines are very user friendly and great machines!

I have found that the low end Brother machines preform very well for the money paid. I dont have that particular machine, but I have a cheaper model from that one that is my emergency back up machine and right now I am sewing on a Brother PC-420 (which I love!)

If your daughter sews garments, she will love the buttonholes that the brother machines do. It should have enough get up and go to sew through anything but very very thick stacks of fabric too. Quilting is another story. It will do fine for piecing a quilt, but if she actually wants to try machine quilting she will find that the harp space is much too small to do anything but the smallest of wall hangings.

I had bought that machine for my daughter but returned it 5 days later. It broke! So I got another Brother SE 350 and works great! She doesnt sew anymore, so its now my backup.

Check out this machine at a Brother's dealer. Take it for a test "sew" to see if you like it (you since you are the more experienced one). Maybe she should stick with her Kenmore for a while if it sews good and she is used to it. If you think about it quilting really only takes straight stitching unless you are applicaying or doing other fancy stitches while quilting. I just bought a Brothers st1500 for $600 from amazon and I really like it. I did a test "sew" before I bought it so I knew about the features and how it sewed. Good luck!!!!!! Or when is her birthday and also Christmas is comming

this model brother machine is a low end machine sold at walmart. do they carry these low end brands at a dealer?

I have the SQ-9050 from walmart. It is now almost a year old.I use it for classes, I use it as much as my babylock espire. I have always been a brother lover from the start. Have had 3, 4 if you count my espire(made by brother). Have never had any problem with my 9050. It is very solid. stitches beautiful. Tension is very nice. Have done zippers, overcasting, rolled hems, gathering, twin needle, heirloom stitching with no problem. Haven't tried FMQ yet on it because I use my espire but I love the features on the machine, start stop button, reinforcement stitch, needle down. It is a great hobby machine. I wouldn't get it for heavy duty sewing or constant use, but it is great for occasional use. Like I said I use it weekly and have had it for a year with no problems but I do not use it daily or for long hours. I do a lot of my piecing on this machine and it is a great little piecer, came with all the quilting feet walking, FMQ, and 1/4 inch feet. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again

I have two Brother sewing machines and two Brother sewing/embroidery machines. I piece my quilts on them and even free motion on them and don't have a complaint. I also have a Singer and a Pfaff. Not many people use all those fancy stitches so if she is just starting to sew or quilt I don't think you have to spend a bundle until you know if you are really into it. Good luck, just my opinion.

babylock's are not made by brother. i have been a die hard babylock user for over 30 years, not made by brother for sure.

I've learned a lot from QB. ANd yes Babylocks are now made by Brother. Other famous name machines are also now made by other companies.

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bnabylocks are not made by brother. i talked to the distributor here and there is a babylock corporate office in my city. babylocks are distributed by brother but not made by them, different technology.

I have the Brother SQ 9050; bought from Walmart. It is a great little machine, and very user friendly. I do all of my piecing on it, and it comes with all the quilting accessories; table, feet, etc. It also has the drop feed dogs, needle down, drop in bobbin, etc. I did quilt my first quilt on it (was crib sized); and it does not have a very large throat space for quilting bigger things (to me, anyway) so I now have a Viking for quilting the larger items. Some people bad mouth low end machines found at Walmart, but at the time, I just needed a basic machine and I did read all the reviews of this one before purchasing. In fact, before purchasing, I thought I wanted the Singer Quilters Confidence; read all the reviews and steered clear. Like I said; great little machine for the money.

I don't believe the brother will last even half as long as other machines. Her 20 year old kenmore has proven the test of time. Save the money now and later buy a much more reliable machine later. Go to a good dealer and buy a trade in machine if she just "has to have one", but I am sewing on machines that are 40 years old plus. My new machine is 15 years old and I rarely use her.

Put a piece of that squishy looks like a rubberized mesh shelving material under it and you will hold your machine place and eliminate any vibrations...works great under sergers; notorious for vibration at high speeds.

Allbrands has the Janome 1050 computerized machine for $299...free shipping and no tax. http://www.allbrands.com/categories/...h-computer-sew Be sure to ask them if they have a coupon code this month...usually $10 off $199 purchase....another Kenmore/Janome machine that sold for $700 is now $399... http://www.allbrands.com/categories/...ty-167-215-sti

Check these our for features versus price. For her budget with a little help from you ($80), she could get the first one listed.
D in TX

I have the prior model, meaning less cutsie things on the body. Love it. Travel with it, do lots with it and besides servicing never had a problem.

My BF got a Brother to take to classes. She says it's possessed. Took it back several times while on warranty and after, but it just didn't work right. She finally traded it in on another brand. I would keep the Kenmore. My favorite machine was a Kenmore limited edition from the late 70's or early 80's. I gave it to my niece because I thought I needed all the bells and whistles. Dumb move on my part! Donna

I am on my second Brother machine, have the top of the line Quantro and am extremely happy with it. I do think with any machine one thing to consider is service and repair, as we all know it will be needed at some point in time. I currently have to travel almost a hundred miles for factory service (which is the only way to repair your machine) In my very large town, there is just not any reliable sewing machine service people....I am sorry to say this is becoming a thing of the past and I am sorry to see that.... For my Bernina I do only have to travel 25 miles. But one thing I do like about Brother is that you can order Brother feet directly from them, Bernina you do have to go to a Dealer.
Do not be afraid of a Brother, decent machine....

I have the Brother SQ 9000 (the 9050 came out since) and It does very well. I wanted a lighter machine to take to classes and this is 10 #.

"But my biggest complaint about it is that it's so light it scoots away from me constantly as I sew!" Get some of that Rubbermaid stuff that lines drawers. It is soft... and it holds the machine in place. I have a CS6000i also. I have been sewing on my machine for close to 5 years. Not a bit of problems with it. And if your bought your machine new, Sewnoma, it should last at least 25 years. It is warranted that long.

Machines do not have to cost a lot to be good... Take care of it, use decent thread C&C is fine for the low end machines.... i have a brother dealer that explained to me that Brother has come a "long way"...
I read reviews for a machine a Walmart for about 90.00 that had fabulous reviews...
On the Singer note.. i bought a CG Singer model 500 for 185.00 on line,, that is one of the best machines ever!!!
fast and heavy dute,, you can find it on YouTube... but i would recommend getting the 550 for just a bit more....

Thank you for your information! She will go by your recommendations. As usual the QB members Rock!!

I have had 2 Brother machines and now use a Baby Lock which is also Brother. I'm not familiar with that particular machine but I have never been unhappy with any Brother that I have had. I sewed for many years on a $160.00 Brother from Walmart that I just recently gave to my niece.

I don't know, but I love my old kenmore!

My Daughter had a very low end Brother from Wal Mart and made quilts and quilted on it. It worked great, she used it for about 3 years. She has now upgraded to the Brother 1500 with a larger throat. She calls it a cadilac.

Take a look at thread "Good price on a Janome Machine". That's a great deal if it doesn't have any repairs needed.

My old Kenmore is 55 years old and when the walking foot or the darning foot is on it, it quilts like a champ. I love my Janome, but I have friends who have a Brother that they think is the best thing since sliced bread. froggyintexas

Get that old Kenmore serviced and it will probably long outlive an el cheapo plastic machine.

My first machine was a $99 Brother from Wal-Mart and she sewed fine. You just have to clean and oil them regularly. My second machine was a Singer I paid $500 for, same thing - clean and oil and they'll run for ever. Now I've a Janome 7700. He, Sonny, has a lot of bells and whistles.

I would have never spent a ton of money on a machine until I new I would utilize him to the potential. If your daughter is just starting out, a low end machine will get the job done, as long as it stitches well. This helps if the quilting bug has not sunk her teeth into her. When I first started quilting, life - job - kept getting in the way and now that I'm disabled it's the only thing that keeps me going.

Or, Christmas is only six months a away, maybe everyone can pitch in to get her a slightly better machine with a few upgrades. Joann's usually has a black Friday speacial for $79 and last year it was a singer. My friend was lucky and the store by him did not receive their shipment so they upgraded him with the nachine that was on sale for $99 with needle threaders and needle position is adjustable.

Im sorry but that's wrong. Many Babylock sewing machines ARE made by brother. The Babylock parent company is Tacony.