Note that the Quantum Stylist 9960 is virtually identical to another Singer machine, the Singer 8060. According to Singer, the only differences lie in a few accessories that come with one machine but not the other. Specifically, brother embroidery sewing machine the Quantum Stylist comes with a straight-stitch/patchwork foot and seam guide, while the 8060 does not. And the 8060 comes with a quarter-inch foot and spool pin felt pads, which the Quantum Stylist does not.
The best sewing machines for beginners, both mechanical and computerised. Other metrics we looked at in this section scored far higher than bobbin-winding. The XR9550 has an LCD operation panel that clearly shows what stitch, length, and width are selected. On top of that, there’s a huge list of available stitches printed right on the front of the machine. Find the stitch you want, select it on the screen with the +/- buttons, and off you go — the machine automatically sets the appropriate stitch length and width, but you can manually adjust the settings as well. The lighting on the XR9550 has a cool cast and is positioned to the left of where the needle comes down, making the right side of your fabric slightly less bright.
And although looks aren’t everything, this machine looks sleek, modern, and inviting on a table, whereas many other models look childish or old-fashioned. It comes with a hard storage case so you can tuck it away if you don’t have the table space to keep it out all the time, and the case even has a clever little storage compartment for the machine’s very thorough manual. In my testing, I quilted the majority of a throw-sized quilt with this machine—that’s how much I loved sewing with it. We found it to be easy to use and super fast, although the speed can make it a little noisy. With 165 different stitch styles, a 1-step buttonhole process, and a free arm that enables sewing around sleeves or other smaller areas, the XR9550 is a terrific sewing machine for beginners or veterans alike. We like the light weight (10.7 pounds) and the hard cover/carrier, which really protects the sewing machine against accidents.
If you check your local dealer, you might be able to snag a great deal on a pre-owned machine. With that out of the way, my list of Brother embroidery machine reviews is below. I rarely use my built-in designs (and I have over 1,000) because I prefer to create my own. If you have poor hand dexterity or decreased eyesight, I recommend a machine that trims jump stitches. Also, while I’m not a Mac user, Brother’s Design Database Transfer to get those designs over wirelessly only works natively on PC as far as I can tell. So, keep this in mind if you’re a Mac user and want to use the Wi-Fi capabilities on your machine.
As time goes by these machines are updated to sew more efficiently and precisely, without the complications of digitization. Even analog embroidery and sewing machines often come with pre-programmed letter stitches or monogram capabilitiesclick on one of our machines above to see what each model offers! In the expanding world of sewing technology, more and more tools are becoming available to give each sewing project what it needs to push it over the edge, and Brother Industries, Ltd. continues to strive to stay ahead of the curve. Mechanical sewing machines are considered very sturdy and their operation is likewise simple.
On the Quantum Stylist, you can simply open a door on the front of the accessory compartment to access your tools, and it has a dedicated groove to fit the buttonhole foot into—a nice detail. As I evaluated each model, I also considered ongoing availability, price, owner reviews, features, and included accessories. The last two points are especially important since this guide is for the beginner to advanced beginner brother scan and cut sewist, who might not specialize in any one type of project yet. A person can spend anywhere from about $100 to over $15,000 on a sewing machine, but more expensive doesn’t always equal better. There is no one-size-fits-all “best machine”; the ideal option for an expert quilter doesn’t necessarily have the right features for a DIYer who wants to make curtains or repair fraying cuffs and dragging hems.