Brother CE1100PRW Sewing Machine Review
The Brother CE1100PRW is one of the most popular computerized sewing machines from Brother, a leading brand known for its high-quality and user-friendly sewing machines. In this comprehensive review, we take an in-depth look at the features, performance, and ease of use of the CE1100PRW, especially for sewing beginners.
Brother CE1100PRW Sewing Machine
The Brother CE1100PRW is a lightweight and compact sewing machine that weighs only 10.58 pounds and has dimensions of 11.65″ x 7.01″ x 16.26″. This makes it easy to move around and store. It is a computerized sewing machine that comes with 100 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, heirloom and quilting stitches.
The CE1100PRW comes with a variety of accessories including 7 different presser feet for tasks like buttonholes, zippers, overcastting etc. It also includes 4 bobbins, a cleaning brush, seam ripper, screwdriver, extra spool pins and other notions. The key features that make this machine beginner-friendly are:
- Easy stitch selection and adjustment on the LCD screen
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in bobbin system for quick setup
- Good speed of up to 850 stitches per minute
- Free arm for sewing sleeves and cuffs
- Useful built-in storage compartment
Here is a quick look at the key specifications of the Brother CE1100PRW:
| Specification | Details |
|-|-|
| Machine Weight | 10.58 pounds |
| Machine Dimensions | 11.65” x 7.01” x 16.26” |
| Stitch Types | 100 built-in |
| Buttonhole Styles | 8 one-step |
| Maximum Sewing Speed | 850 stitches/minute |
| Needle Positions | Left or Center |
| Included Accessories | 7 presser feet, 4 bobbins, cleaning brush, seam ripper etc. |
| Warranty | 25 years limited |
Suggested video overview of the Brother CE1100PRW sewing machine
The CE1100PRW delivers the functionality and ease of use suitable for a beginner, while also having enough features to satisfy intermediate sewers. Let’s look at some of its key features and benefits in detail.
Key Features and Benefits of the Brother CE1100PRW
Variety of Built-in Stitches
The Brother CE1100PRW comes with 100 built-in stitches including utility stitches for construction, decorative stitches for embellishment, heirloom stitches for delicate work and quilting stitches. Having so many options allows you to get very creative with your sewing projects.
As a beginner, you may get overwhelmed initially. But with some practice using the reference guide, you’ll soon learn which stitches are best suited for different tasks. The stitch selection is easy to use through the LCD screen. You can choose the stitch you want and adjust the width and length as needed.
One-Step Buttonholes
Buttonholes can be tricky for beginners, but the CE1100PRW makes it easy with 8 styles of one-step, auto-sized buttonholes. You simply attach the buttonhole foot, select your buttonhole style and size on the screen, and the machine will sew a perfectly sized buttonhole automatically.
Convenient Automatic Needle Threader
Trying to thread the needle on a sewing machine can be challenging, especially for beginners. The CE1100PRW eliminates this hassle with its automatic needle threader. With the press of a lever, the threader pushes the thread right through the needle eye. This saves time and frustration, letting you start sewing faster.
Quick and Simple Drop-in Bobbin
The drop-in bobbin system that Brother sewing machines are known for is easy to use on the CE1100PRW too. You simply drop the bobbin in the carriage, pull the thread through the slot and start sewing. The clear cover makes it easy to monitor bobbin thread supply as well.
Good Speed
With a maximum sewing speed of 850 stitches per minute, the CE1100PRW is sufficiently speedy for most sewing tasks. Beginners can start slow and then work their way up as their skills improve. The speed allows you to complete projects efficiently.
Free Arm for Small Areas
The free arm on the CE1100PRW allows you to easily sew cylindrical pieces like sleeves, cuffs, pant hems etc. You can slide narrow, tubular fabric pieces over the free arm for easier access.
Lightweight and Portable
Weighing just 10.58 pounds, the Brother CE1100PRW is easy to carry around if you need to transport it. You can take it along for sewing classes or store it away conveniently since it doesn’t take up much space. The compact size and light weight make it ideal for beginners.
Ease of Use for Sewing Beginners
What really makes the Brother CE1100PRW a great choice for beginners is how easy it is to set up and operate, even if you are sewing for the first time. Here are some of the features that make this an extremely user-friendly sewing machine.
Very Intuitive Controls
The LCD screen on the CE1100PRW clearly displays all the stitch options and settings. Selecting a stitch is as easy as pressing a button. You can adjust stitch length and width using simple plus and minus buttons. The screen shows you a numerical readout of the settings, so you know exactly what you have chosen.
Useful Reference Guides
The instruction manual that comes with the CE1100PRW is very detailed with step-by-step directions for setting up the machine, threading, winding the bobbin, changing feet etc. Beginners will find the directions easy to follow. There are also reference charts on the machine itself that identify the stitches and provide recommended settings.
Onboard Storage for Accessories
The CE1100PRW has a handy storage compartment that keeps all the included accessories like the screwdriver, seam ripper, extra bobbins and so on together in the machine itself. This prevents tiny parts from getting misplaced.
Automatic Needle Threader
As discussed earlier, the automatic needle threader eliminates the frustration of manually threading the needle for beginners. Just lower the presser foot lever, and the needle gets threaded automatically.
Useful Accessory Feet Included
The CE1100PRW comes with 7 different presser feet like zipper foot, buttonhole foot, overcast foot etc. A beginner getting their first sewing machine will find these feet very useful for learning a broad range of techniques.
With all these user-friendly features and intuitive controls, the learning curve on the Brother CE1100PRW isn’t steep at all. Beginners will be able to set it up and sew their first projects with confidence.
Suggested video showing how to set up the Brother CE1100PRW
Performance and Sewing Results
Once you learn to use it, the CE1100PRW delivers excellent performance and high quality results. Here are some of the ways it excels when put to use:
- It produces neat and consistent stitches even at high speeds. The stitches have even tension and spacing.
- The automatic tension adjustment makes sure your upper thread and bobbin thread are balanced correctly.
- The 7-point feed dog system keeps fabric feeding smoothly and prevents puckering.
- The CE1100PRW sews smoothly over lightweight and medium weight fabrics like cotton, rayon, polyester, blends etc.
- The stitch quality remains good when sewing multiple layers of fabric, like hemming jeans.
- The buttonholes stitched by the machine are uniform in density and size.
- The free arm allows easy sewing in tubular, hard to reach areas.
- The CE1100PRW is durable enough for regular use once you gain sewing experience.
While not suitable for heavy fabrics like leather and vinyl, the CE1100PRW performs well for most beginner and intermediate sewing tasks. The results are impressive.
Suggested video demonstrating the stitch quality of the Brother CE1100PRW
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While being a great computerized sewing machine for beginners, the Brother CE1100PRW isn’t without some downsides. Here are a few potential limitations to keep in mind:
- The built-in LED light is somewhat dim. Additional lighting may be needed while sewing dark fabrics.
- The work area is smaller compared to larger machines. Not suitable for large or bulky projects.
- There is no automated speed control. You have to manually adjust the pedal speed.
- It can only handle lightweight to medium weight fabrics. Not suitable for heavy materials.
- There is no built-in needle up/down control.
- The plastic needle plate may be prone to scratches after prolonged use.
However, none of these cons take away from the CE1100PRW’s value as a starter sewing machine. The pros easily outweigh the cons for beginners. Just be mindful of the limitations when buying.
Alternatives to Consider
Here are some other beginner-friendly sewing machines you can consider as alternatives to the Brother CE1100PRW:
- Singer Start 1304: Basic mechanical sewing machine, very affordable, good for complete beginners
- Janome 2212: Compact entry-level model with 12 stitches, simple dials, good quality
- Brother CS6000i: Another computerized Brother model with 60 stitches, hardcover, larger workspace
- Singer Heavy Duty 4411: More powerful motor suitable for heavy fabrics, metal interior frame
- Brother SE400: Combination sewing and embroidery machine with 70 stitches and 70 embroidery designs
- Juki HZL-F300: Lightweight model offering 225 stitch patterns, free motion quilting
Our Final Verdict
To summarize our detailed review, we believe the Brother CE1100PRW is an excellent entry-level computerized sewing machine ideal for beginners. It has a wide array of features specifically geared towards making sewing accessible and enjoyable for newbies.
Some of the biggest advantages of the CE1100PRW are:
- Large selection of built-in stitches
- Extremely easy to use interface and controls
- Helpful accessories and feet for learning
- Reliable automatic needle threader
- Simple drop-in bobbin system
- Good range of sewing speeds
- Lightweight and portable
It delivers good performance across a variety of fabrics and produces neat, quality stitches and buttonholes. The few limitations like small work area and lack of speed control dial are minor. Considering the very reasonable price, the CE1100PRW offers excellent value. We highly recommend it for anyone starting their journey in sewing. It will continue to be useful even as your skills improve.
Suggested comparison video – Brother CE1100PRW vs. Singer Start 1304