The Brother CS6000i sewing machine is preferred by many beginners because it’s easy to use and comes with tonnes of accessories. It is a computerized sewing machine that is very versatile and extremely affordable.
Made by the renowned Brother company, it’s one of the quality machines in the market for beginners and experienced sewists. It can handle up to 850 stitches per minute but does not produce lots of noise.
For sewing enthusiasts, it is a dependable machine that can handle most of your projects. Here’s a complete and detailed Brother CS6000i review.
Contents
Brother CS6000i: Sewing and Quilting Machine Review
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Features
It comes with a lot of useful features that satisfy your sewing needs. They include:
- LCD Stitch Selector: The stitch selector allows you to select your preferred stitch by touching a button. The screen displays the stitch you have chosen.
- Lit Workspace: The workspace is brightly lit to make working and stitch selection easier. It’s particularly helpful for people with poor eyesight and beginners who are learning the different types of stitches available. Together with the LCD stitch selector, lighting the workspace makes working easier and faster.
- Automatic Threader: The machine comes with an automatic needle threader which helps the machine to push the thread. You touch the lever on the side to start the automatic threader. This feature saves you time and straining your eyes when inserting the thread.
- Free Arm: The machine has an in-built free arm which aids in sewing sleeves, cuffs, and any other cylindrical items.
- Adjustable Speed Settings: You can adjust the speed settings to allow you to sew at your own speed. This feature is an advantage to beginners and new users as they get used to using the machine.
- Bobbin Winder: It comes with a quick set-top drop-in and jam-resistant bobbin that makes it easier to set the bobbin thread.
- Large Table: The machine comes with an oversized table to give you enough space to work on your projects. It’s perfect for quilting or any other projects that require a large space.
- Start and Stop Buttons: When you’re not using the foot control, you use these buttons to stop or control the needle to reposition the fabric.
- Needle Position Key: Used by the machine to stop the needle at its lowest or highest point. It saves you the time you’d have spent bringing the needle to the down position when sewing.
- Numbered Diagram: It’s printed on the machine showing all the appropriate threading spots making threading easy and fast.
- 60 Built-in Stitches: They include 20 decorative, 7 quilting, 20 regular, 7 auto-buttonhole styles, and 6 heirloom stitches.
Other features are a hardcover, stitch width and length adjustments, adjustable tension control, the sewing speed of 850 stitches per minute, drop feed capability, and quick-change presser feet.
Specifications
- Weight: 13lbs
- Dimensions: 16 x 6.7x 11.4 inches
- Computerized/Mechanic: Computerized
- Stitches: 60 built-in stitches
- Built-in free arm for sewing sleeves and cuffs
- Bobbin: Jam-resistant, top drop-in, quick-set
- Speed: 850 stitches/minute
- Automatic needle threader
- Warranty: 25yr limited warranty
Design and Structure
Brother CS6000i sewing machine is light gray and has a rounded design. It looks vintage and has nothing fancy printed on it thus minimalist in fashion. That should, however, not be considered as a downfall as the machine boasts of other essential features.
It is portable as it weighs a lightweight 13lbs. It comes with a hardcover for protection. There are other machines with light covers that do not guarantee full protection but this cover is hard enough and durable.
The sewing set includes an oversized table for larger projects and a hard carrying case. If you are just moving it from one room to another, you don’t really need the carrying case but if you want to carry the machine to a sewing class, the case will come in handy.
Unlike other machines that have an LED display, this Brother sewing machine uses a backlit LCD display for easy viewing.
Accessories Included
The sewing machine comes with a plethora of accessories making it a favorite to many sewists. You do not have to buy extra accessories as most are included in the package.
However, the included needles are not likely strong enough to handle thick materials such as leather. You will need stronger and more durable needles for threading heavy fabrics.
The accessories include:
- Walking foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Button fitting foot
- Monogramming foot
- Overcasting foot
- Spring action quilting foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Quilt guide for foot holder
- Zipper foot
- Seam ripper
- Needle set
- Twin needle
- Bobbin
- Wide table
- Screwdriver
- Cleaning brush
- Hardcover/case
- Extra spool pin
- Eyelet punch
- Accessory pouch
- Zigzag foot
- Spool caps
- Power cable
- User manual
This machine comes with everything you need and you can begin sewing immediately after you get it. The 25 years limited warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that labor, parts, and accessories of the machine can be replaced for up to one year after purchase.
The printing circuit boards and electronics can be replaced after two years while the chassis of the machine can be replaced for up to 25 years after purchase.
Is the Brother CS6000i a Good Sewing Machine?
Brother CS6000i is a great sewing machine that has all the sewing requirements. It is easy to use especially for beginners. It has an automatic needle threader, computerized display for easy stitching, comes with a host of stitches, reasonably priced, and a great value for money.
Additionally, it has easy and jam-resistant bobbin winding and the display shows an error message whenever you do something wrong.
However, it is not recommended for sewing heavy fabrics such as canvas and leather, especially for beginners. For this, you’ll have to go for a more detailed or industrial-standard sewing machine.
For an experienced sewer, you might sew the heavy fabrics successfully but it’s a lot of hard work. It requires bigger needles, persistence, and a lot of time. Sewing denim and jeans also require you to work carefully and slowly.
Overall, it’s an ideal sewing machine if you’re not handling bulky materials and if you’re learning to thread. The vast number of accessories, useful features, and ease of use make it a perfect machine for normal threading.
Fabrics Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine Can Handle
There’s a wide range of materials you can sew with the Brother CS6000i sewing machine. They include;
- Cotton
- Silk
- Wool
- Yoga wear
- Stretch knits
- Fleece (not too heavy)
- Lycra
- Polyester-cotton blend
- Cotton-linen blend
- Linen
- Faux leather
You will have no problems sewing stretchy fabrics. Just use a ballpoint needle and the walking foot. Some people do not even need to use the ballpoint needle. Make sure you use a new needle, though.
Pros & Cons of Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine
Pros
1. It’s Ideal for Beginners
This machine is the best for beginners. If you want to start sewing, there’s no better place to start than with this sewing machine.
First, it’s easy to use. We mean an automatic threader, computerized display, stitch selection and customization, jam-resistant, and easy bobbin winding.
It will also aid in your learning from beginner to a more experienced sewer. With 6o built-in stitches, an over-sized table, and a free arm, you’ll gain all the experience you need in no time. At that price, this is the best machine you can get.
2. Wide Range of Accessories
At first glance, the accessories might seem too many especially for someone who doesn’t know how to use them. Beginners can make use of the basic ones like some feet while the more experienced sewing enthusiasts will be impressed with all the feet included.
That means you will not have to spend more money buying other necessities. Most sewing machines include some specific accessories only but the Brother company thought it nice to save you the trouble.
3. Automatic Needle Threader
This cannot be emphasized enough. You will never regret buying a sewing machine with an automatic needle threader.
The thought of squinting your already strained eyes is bad enough. The automatic needle threader saves you the struggle and time you’d have spent trying to thread down to the push of a lever.
4. Speed Adjustment
The Brother CS6000i speed setting allows you to choose the speed you want to work with. As a beginner, it’s common to get nervous about making mistakes and slow speed is what you might need.
As you progress and become a pro, you might want to sew faster and the CS6000i gives you the freedom to do so. Sewing some fabrics also requires being careful to avoid as many mistakes as you can.
5. Perfect for Quilting
The large table gives you room to work on your quilting projects. Quilting features such as the foot holder quilt guide and the spring action quilting food all make quilting enjoyable and doable.
6. Price
One of the most important advantages is the unbelievable low cost of this sewing machine. For a computerized machine with all the advanced features and tonnes of accessories, it is very cost-friendly.
Other machines lack some accessories or are just not as versatile as this one and you still have to pay more. With the CS6000i, you won’t have to spend more on any accessory except maybe when you need stronger needles for sewing heavier materials.
7. Bilingual User Manual
The machine comes with a detailed bilingual user manual to help you understand its functioning.
Other advantages include;
- LCD screen
- Uniformity of stitches
- Extra quiet
- Hardcover for protection
- Easy to use
- Start and stop buttons
- Simple set up
- Can be used with or without the foot pedal
- Several stitches to choose from
- Free arm
- 25-year limited warranty
Cons
- The light, though helpful, is not bright enough and it’s poorly placed. You might need an overhead lamp to improve the lighting.
- The needles provided are a bit fragile. They might work well for beginners but you’ll need to buy more quality and durable needles.
- The machine has difficulty when working with thick or heavy fabrics such as leather and canvas. It’s not very good on layers and so not a heavy-duty machine,
- It has no automatic tension. You have to readjust it every time you fire up the machine which is a bit annoying.
- The machine does not save your stitch settings and preferences and it goes back to the default settings when switched off.
- While the wide range of accessories is an advantage, it doesn’t come with much storage for them.
- The presser foot pressure is not adjustable
FAQs
1. Is Brother CS6000i portable?
It weighs 13lbs only making it perfectly portable. You can carry it from one room to another or use the carrying case if you’re transporting it for a longer distance.
2. Who is Brother CS6000i best suited for?
The Brother CS6000i is best suited for beginners. Experienced sewers can use it as a backup machine.
3. Can Brother CS6000i quilt?
Yes. you can quilt with this machine. It comes with a large and sturdy table for this purpose. It comes with preset quilting stitches and can handle three layers without any problem. The user manual has a quilting guide to help you with evenly spaced rows. You can also use the free motion quilting foot.
4. How computerized is Brother CS6000i?
It has a lot of automated items like the automatic needle threader, you can take needling up and down, stitch selection and customization, sewing in reverse, etc. Some people say computerized sewing is risky but with this machine, it’s easier.
5. Do I need to oil and clean?
Most sewing machines require maintenance on a regular basis such as oiling and cleaning, However, the CS6000i requires low maintenance and you can say goodbye to oiling. In fact, you can store it and use it after a year and it will still function perfectly.
6. How many feet choices are there?
The Brother CS6000i comes with 9 different feet choices. You can use any depending on your project.
7. Is Brother CS6000i noisy?
The machine is not as noisy as others. Most users have reported little noise which is tolerable. However, others have noticed significant noise when using it at fast speed. This should not be a basis to disqualify the machine.
8. Does it have a free arm?
Yes. It comes with a built-in free arm for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and other cylindrical parts. It’s easy to use and makes sewing cylindrical parts seamless even for a beginner.
9. Can Brother CS6000i embroider or monogram?
The machine is not a monogram or embroidery machine and doesn’t feature an embroidery loop. However, it comes with a monogramming foot.
But, you can use the free action quilting foot to do free motion embroidery.
10. Does it have a foot pedal?
Yes. It comes with a foot control pedal that you can use to control the speed of your sewing or use the 3-speed setting on the machine.
11. Can Brother CS6000i sew leather?
The machine struggles with heavy-duty fabrics such as leather and canvas. You will need an industrial standard machine for such tasks.
12. Is the thread tension adjustable?
Yes. The thread tension is adjustable. However, there are no automatic tension controls and you have to adjust the preset settings every time.
13. Is the user manual helpful?
The user manual is detailed and helpful in knowing your machine, sewing basics, utility stitches, and an appendix. There are diagrams on each section and safety warnings to adhere to when using the machine.
Also, there’s an installation manual to guide you when setting up the machine and specification sheets to make sure everything has been included in the package.
14. Is Brother CS6000i discontinued?
Brother CS6000i model is not discontinued. Instead, the company launched a newer model CS7000i that comes with even more features. The CS7000i design is almost similar to that of CS6000i but has some differences in graphics and a few others.
You can now take full advantage of the versatility and durability of the Brother CS6000i sewing machine together with its numerous features (which have been added) in the newer model, the CS7000i.
15. Can Brother CS6000i sew jeans?
As mentioned above, the Brother CS6000i sewing machine is not designed to handle fabrics such as jeans, upholstery, leather, and canvas. These require an industrial-strength machine.
However, an experienced sewer can successfully hem jeans but it calls for determination, patience, and requires time.
Conclusion
Even with a small budget, you can get the Brother CS6000i sewing machine and start learning how to sew. It is packed with lots of useful accessories and features to ensure even a beginner can sew in no time. Overall, this sewing machine is a great machine for both beginners and experienced sewers.
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Last update on 2022-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Disclaimer
