This computerized machine gives you a lot of the same features as the higher end machines (i.e. needle up/needle down, if you don’t want to use your foot pedal… you can use the stop/start button located on the front of the machine, clear top loading bobbin, needle threader and super easy bobbin winding. It has a large bed to fit quilts through and it comes with a walking foot and a table attachment to enlarge the working space (plus many other feet). The manual is so comprehensive yet easy to read. It even gives easy instructions for heirloom sewing techniques, etc. One of the best manuals I’ve seen come with a machine. I also own a high end Viking and a mid range mechanical Elna. I purchased this Brother CS 6000i computerized machine to have around while my Viking is occasionally in for service. Wow, makes me not miss my Viking so much. I’m going to recommend this machine to my relatives and friends who think they’d like an easy-to-use computerized sewing machine but can’t or don’t want to spend thousands on a machine. This is a great purchase!!!

This sewing machine way exceeds my expectations. I have been sewing for 40+ years and have had 4 other “quality” sewing machines; high end Singers and my last was a White purchased 15 years ago. Since this machine was so inexpensive I was expecting to brace myself for less quality. I was afraid it would be too light and cheaply made. I really didn’t think much of Brother though I had read positive reviews on this machine. I picked this machine because of budget constraints and generally not sewing enough these days to justify a bigger investment. What a surprise I got when I received this machine (I could not view or demo it in a store). I am seamstress – not a quilter. The button holer is great and easy to use. The idea of sewing without a foot pedal is great for certain applications. The control buttons (fwd, back, up needle) are easy to use. The thread cutter is more conveniently located than any machine I’ve ever had. I have sewn on many macines in my life so it was easy to sit down and just start sewing. I think a new sewer would find it easy too. Everything seems better and more convenient than my previous machines. I’ve only had 2 speed machines. I find having 3 speeds on this machine is great as I want to sew on the med. speed most times.

In response to other reviews. I think it sews great on paper. The 1st project I sewed was a book mark with card stock sandwiched in hand made paper (3 layers). I had no tension issues in contrast to my previous machine. Since the machine was working so well I decided to make a semi-formal dress for my daughter layering sheer fabrics. Once again – no problems with tension.

I think if you are constrained to spend less than $200 for a machine this is a great little machine and you won’t be disappointed.

As a note: the hard cover that comes with it does not attach so if you plan on travelling with the machine you might want to buy the extra cover. The included cover goes over the machine and does not clip on. By grabbing the machine’s handle the cover comes with as you carry it. This is fine for in-house storage.

Like everyone else reading these reviews, this is how I ultimately chose and bought this machine-so I hope this review helps you make a choice too! It seems like every machine I looked at though had several really negative reviews (some had more than others-but the really positive reviews for this one is what eventually convinced me-so I just want to add to it!) and probably like you it made me really nervous!-the only thing I can say about that is that any product on the market has a certain number of duds (errors in the manufacturing)-in which case all you can do is return it in the allowable time. By the way-this is why I buy all of my appliances/electronics with my American Express card-they will give you your money back on any purchase (up to like $1000) if it’s lost, stolen or broken (even if it’s your fault it broke or the kids drop it!) within 90 days. I’m not sure if this is a benefit for all AMEX cards (though I’ve heard it is) so just check with your customer service …ANYWAY… sorry about the tangent.

It really is the best buy for what you get: this EXACT SAME model is selling on [...] for $[...]! So truly don’t let the low price fool you, it really is a more expensive machine selling for super cheap right here on amazon. This has everything you need, and has room to grow as you become more experienced so you don’t have to go upgrade. Because I’m a beginner I first thought “I’ll just buy the $[...] one with 10 stitch options because I don’t know what all those stitches do anyway, and then if I really get into sewing that’s cheap enough that I’ll upgrade in a year or two” I’m so glad I didn’t do that, I’m still just beginning but I can see how valuable having more stitch options is going to be and I’ve already started using some of them. (see below)

When I took it out of the box I started going through the user manual was sewing within the amount of time it took to wind the bobbin and thread the machine (the automatic threader took a couple tries but now it’s a breeze) In regards to the cheap thread thing: I actually went to a licensed BROTHER dealer in town and asked about it, and they said that MOST MACHINES STRUGGLE WITH CHEAP THREAD. So my following question was “Well, what is cheap thread?” and her response was “Like, when you get 5 spools for a a dollar or two” In any case I just bought my thread at a ‘real’ fabric store (not like wal-mart and such places that just happen to carry fabric too) and have not had any problems WHATSOEVER-no tension problems, no bobbin problems, nothing.

My absolute favorite feature is that when you change stitches the LCD display tells you what presser foot you need to attach for that stitch!!! You don’t have to refer to the user manual. It shows you the shape as well as what letter it is (J, G, M….etc. and each foot has the letter engraved on it). My second favorite thing is that because I don’t have a serger yet (maybe I don’t need one now!) in order to keep fabric from unraveling I’ve really enjoyed using the overcasting stitches with the overcasting presser foot-it’s so easy. I just trim seams down and then overcast (stitch #6 is what I use)-works just as well as a serger and saves me the $$$money$$$.

Good luck and happy sewing!

This machine represents the most incredible value-for-money on the market today. It is very, very easy to use, and the manual is exceptionally helpful. It comes with every foot and accessory you could ever possibly need. In fact, there is nothing more you can buy for it. Compare that to the other sewing machine manufacturers, which give you only the most basic feet and then you must purchase everything else separately. If you have been hankering for the convenience of fully computerized sewing, automatic needle threading, push-button sewing, and lots of fun stitches, don’t hesitate. I highly recommend this machine. I’ve owned very expensive machines from all the top manufacturers, and would not recommend it if the stitches were not beautiful or if it were loud or junky. This was given to me as a gift (I’m ashamed to say I would probably have walked right past it because of its low price) and I love it so much, I have gone on to buy the Brother serger here on Amazon, and also a $999.00 Brother Innovis, which is another tremendous bargain. I was really pleased to see that even the more expensive machine uses the same bobbins and feet as this one, and this has many of the same features. This $200 machine comes iwth virtually all the same attachments as the $1000 one.

This is the machine that some of the larger sewing and quilting expos are using in their workshops now because they are so lightweight, easy to learn, and reliable. High end Berninas and Vikings are just too complicated for people to sit down and learn at in a classroom setting, and they are way too expensive. This machine is the Featherweight of the 21st century, with tons of stitches and fun built in. Go for it!!!

I am not a expert seamstress by any means, as I have only sewn the most simplest of children’s dresses and shorts (and only with the help of my mother!), but I haven’t bothered to learn to sew because of the sewing machine I already had. It gave me a lot of grief, and after spending entirely too long just trying to sew my kids a couple of “supergirl capes” I decided that if I was going to ever use a sewing machine again it had to be better than this old one of mine.

I picked the Brother CS6000I due to all the good reviews it got, and also the fact that it did not cost very much. It arrived 2 days after I ordered it and I have absolutely no complaints about it yet. I’ve had it for about 3 weeks now and have actually begun to sew my daughters some dresses (and more shorts) without my mom’s help using this new machine. But when it first arrived I had to study it for awhile. I am the sort who has to read all the directions, instruction manuals and study something before I’m ready to try it. After doing so, I got some scrap cloth and started trying out the various stitches. I was very pleased! This machine ran like a top, did everything I asked it to and will easily sew through many layers of cloth. I tested it pretty good and afterwards had to call my mom to tell her how neat it was!

I like being able to take it with me, visually it is nice to look at, it tells me what presser foot to use on the stitches I select, and is pretty much dummy proof. It is so easy to load the bobbin and have the thread automatically come up. If you’ve used a dinosaur like my old one, that was a long and laborious task. Just the simple things on it save so much time and frustration. And something that I found to be incredibly neat was the fact that you can see the bobbin (through the clear plastic cover) and can know when it’s getting low on thread. I hate sewing a seam and in the middle of it somewhere I run out of bobbin thread. That won’t happen with this machine unless I just fail to look at the bobbin. I feel I made a very good purchase.

I bought this machine after reading the review by Plein Jane. What a great machine! It was so much fun to work with after my Singer (which sort of fell apart after only three small quilt projects). This machine has all the functions of the $1000+ Janome that I’ve been drooling over for a couple of years. For someone like me who cannot afford to spend that kind of money on a machine, and for those who can, this is the machine to buy. The only thing that could make it better is if it will work for me for many years. UPS needs to be more careful in shipping. The box it came in was pretty beaten up.