Brother CS5055PRW Review: Versatile Sewing Machine
The Brother CS5055PRW is a computerized sewing machine that offers a lot of functionality and ease of use, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate sewers. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, stitch quality, setup, pros and cons, and who this Brother sewing machine is best suited for. Whether you’re new to sewing or looking for an upgrade, keep reading to see if the versatile and budget-friendly CS5055PRW is the right machine for you!
Key Features of the Brother CS5055PRW
The Brother CS5055PRW comes with a variety of features that make sewing projects easy and enjoyable. Here are some of the highlights:
Lightweight and Portable Design
Weighing in at just 10.7 pounds, the Brother CS5055PRW is extremely lightweight and portable. The compact size and built-in carry handle make it easy to transport this machine between rooms or take it along to sewing classes. This lightweight design also makes it accessible for new sewers or kids learning how to sew.
The Brother CS5055PRW weighs just 10 pounds, making it very portable.
LCD Display for Easy Selection
The LCD screen on the Brother CS5055PRW allows you to easily select your desired stitch and view settings. Simply press the buttons next to the display to choose stitch type and adjust settings like stitch length and width. The LCD screen makes it straightforward and intuitive to adjust machine settings.
50-60 Built-In Stitches
With 50 built-in stitches plus 87 stitch functions, the Brother CS5055PRW offers enough variety for most basic sewing needs. The stitches include basics like straight and zigzag, as well as decorative stitches, stretch stitches, quilting stitches, and 5 one-step buttonhole stitches. While more advanced models may have hundreds of stitches, 50 is a good amount for beginners learning the ropes.
Automatic One-Step Buttonholes
Sewing buttonholes can be tricky, but the Brother CS5055PRW takes the guesswork out with automatic one-step buttonholes. Simply attach the buttonhole foot and select your buttonhole style, and the machine will sew a perfectly sized buttonhole for you. This makes adding professional buttonholes to your projects easy.
Easily sew buttonholes with the one-step automatic buttonhole feature.
Bobbin Winder and Drop-In Bobbin
Winding the bobbin on the Brother CS5055PRW is speedy and uncomplicated. Once wound, simply drop the bobbin in the top loading bobbin case and you’re ready to sew. Quick-set bobbins like this make setting up the machine a breeze.
Automatic Needle Threading
Maneuvering thread through the eye of the needle can be tricky and cause frustration. The Brother CS5055PRW eliminates this hassle with automatic needle threading. Simply lower the lever and the threader does the work for you, easily gliding the thread through the needle.
Automatic needle threading saves time and headache.
LED Lighting
The Brother CS5055PRW sewing machine includes a bright LED light to illuminate your work area. This makes it easier to see stitches, especially when working with darker fabrics. No more squinting or repositioning to get enough light on your project!
Included Presser Feet
A variety of included presser feet add convenience and versatility right out of the box. The Brother CS5055PRW comes with 7 presser feet:
- Zigzag foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Zipper foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Button sewing foot
- Overcasting foot
- Monogramming foot
These bonus presser feet allow you to tackle projects like inserting zippers, sewing on buttons, and finishing fabric edges without having to purchase additional accessories.
Beginner Friendly
With its automatic features, easy stitch selection, and multiple accessories, the Brother CS5055PRW is extremely beginner friendly. Starting to sew can be intimidating, but this machine makes learning sewing approachable and straightforward.
Performance and Stitch Quality
Beyond just features, how does the Brother CS5055PRW actually perform? Here we’ll look at the stitch quality you can expect and how the machine handles different fabrics.
Computerized Controls Optimize Stitch Quality
The computerized controls and settings on the Brother CS5055PRW give you more control over optimizing stitch length, width, and tension for whatever fabric you’re working with. Being able to easily adjust these settings helps achieve the best stitch quality on each project.
Even Feeding for Consistent Stitches
This machine has a seven-point feed dog system that keeps fabric feeding evenly for uniform stitch length. Skipping stitches or uneven seams can easily occur with lower quality machines. With the Brother CS5055PRW, you can expect consistent stitch quality project after project thanks to the improved feed system.
Sews Thicker Fabrics Like Denim
While not industrial strength, the Brother CS5055PRW can handle sewing multiple layers of thicker fabrics like denim when you use the appropriate needle size and settings. Taking it slow and steady through dense material is advised, but this machine has enough power to sew things beyond just lightweight cotton. Expand your project possibilities with the ability to construct denim garments, handbags, quilts and more.
Professional Buttonholes
The automatic one-step buttonholes not only make it easy to add this finishing touch, they consistently create professional looking results. Having buttonholes that are perfectly sized, evenly spaced and neatly finished elevates the look of any garment.
Decorative and Stretch Stitches Expand Possibilities
The decorative stitches like scallops, vines, lattices and swirls allow you to embellish projects with your unique personal flair. Play around with placement to make items truly one-of-a-kind. The multiple stretch stitch options also increase what you can create with stable seams in knit fabrics that need give.
Set Up and Ease of Use
Understanding what’s involved in setting up and operating the Brother CS5055PRW can help you determine if it’s user-friendly enough for your needs.
Very Easy Set Up for Beginners
From threading to winding the bobbin, setting up the Brother CS5055PRW is designed to be easy from the start. Handy guides printed right on the machine walk you through how to thread the needle and wind the bobbin. Within minutes, you can have the machine threaded, bobbin loaded and be ready to sew without frustration.
Total Sewing Machine Setup Time:
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Winding Bobbin | 2 minutes |
| Threading Needle | 1 minute |
| Inserting Bobbin | 1 minute |
| Total Time | 4 minutes |
Intuitive Stitch Selection on LCD Screen
Choosing your desired stitch is as simple as pressing the button below the stitch you want shown on the LCD display. Icons indicate which presser foot works best with each stitch type too. The Brother CS5055PRW makes it evident how to set the machine up for what you want to sew.
Built-In Stitch Reference Guide
The stitch display screen is convenient, but the Brother CS5055PRW also has a stitch reference chart printed right on the machine. This lets you look up stitch settings and visualize options without having to refer back to the manual. The chart is extremely handy for jogging your memory on which stitch to use for different techniques.
The built-in stitch chart provides a quick visual reference.
Detailed Manual and Set Up Guide
While the machine itself provides useful guides and clues, the included instruction manual is vital for fully understanding how to use the Brother CS5055PRW. It provides step-by-step instructions for threading, winding bobbins, changing presser feet and more. For best results, give the manual a full read when you first get your machine so you can leverage all its capabilities.
Having clear instructions spells out how to start sewing properly and avoid beginner mistakes. The manual ensures you know how to operate the CS5055PRW correctly.
Drawbacks/Limitations
While the Brother CS5055PRW is feature-packed for the price, there are a few potential downsides to consider.
Fewer Built-In Stitches Than Advanced Models
With 50 built-in stitches, the Brother CS5055PRW offers solid variety. However, there are pricier computerized machines on the market boasting hundreds or even thousands of stitches. Advanced sewers may desire more stitch options than this budget-friendly pick provides.
Lighting Could Be Brighter
The LED work light illuminates projects adequately, but some users report wishing it was brighter, especially when sewing darker fabrics. Supplementing with an additional portable light can help if you want more brilliance directed on your stitching.
Not for Heavy Duty Sewing
With its lightweight plastic body, the Brother CS5055PRW cannot handle heavy duty projects like sewing leather boots or outdoor gear. The internal mechanisms are made to sew lightweight to medium weight fabrics. For industrial strength sewing, a heavy duty machine would be required.
Smaller Workspace
Thanks to the compact portable design, the Brother CS5055PRW offers a smaller work area under the sewing arm than larger models. This can limit maneuverability when sewing bigger items like quilts.
Who is the Brother CS5055PRW Good For?
With its approachable design and price, yet its versatility, the Brother CS5055PRW is an excellent match for the following users:
Beginner Sewists
The Brother CS5055PRW couldn’t be more perfect for a beginner. The easy threading, automatic features, built-in guides, and overall user-friendly design make learning on this machine enjoyable and uncomplicated. Starting out on a computerized machine offers advantages over learning on a manual model.
Sewists Seeking Portability
Thanks to its lightweight body and built-in carry handle, the Brother CS5055PRW is ideal for sewists wanting something portable. Easily pack it up to take sewing classes or work on projects on-the-go.
Budget-Conscious Sewists
Given its features and performance, the Brother CS5055PRW offers excellent value at a very wallet-friendly price point. Sewists seeking quality on a budget will be thrilled with what this affordable machine can do.
Intermediate Sewists
While advanced sewists may want more specialized features, the Brother CS5055PRW hits a sweet spot for sewists who are past beginner but not yet expert. Enough settings to grow your skills, at a price that won’t break the bank.
Technical Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Stitches | 50 built-in, 87 functions |
| Buttonholes | 5 one-step |
| Max Stitch Speed | 850 stitches/minute |
| Stitch Length | 5mm |
| Stitch Width | 7mm |
| Lighting | LED light |
| Needle Positions | Left, center, right |
| Presser Feet Included | 7 |
| Free Arm | Yes |
| Weight | 10.7 lbs |
| Dimensions | 16.26 x 11.65 x 7 in |
| Warranty | 25 years limited |
Conclusion: An Impressive Basic Computerized Machine Under $200
The Brother CS5055PRW manages to pack in ease of use, convenience features, and versatility into a quality sewing machine with an unbeatable price. For less than $200, it’s impressive what this machine is capable of.
The automatic needle threading and one-step buttonholes remove frustrations for beginners, while the variety of stitches and presser feet allow intermediate sewists to expand their skills. Portability and a 25-year warranty sweeten the deal on this budget-minded pick.
There are more heavy duty and specialized machines on the market, but they come at a steeper cost. If you want something reliable and feature-rich to learn and grow with for basic sewing needs, the Brother CS5055PRW is ready to get the job done. For beginners and intermediate sewists alike, this computerized Brother delivers on value.
Alternatives
While we recommend the Brother CS5055PRW for beginner and intermediate sewers, here are two other options to consider:
- SINGER Start 1304 – This is an even more affordable basic model at around $100. Manual instead of computerized. Good for complete beginners.
- Brother CS7000X – A step up with 100 built-in stitches, harder metal frame, and wider table. Good choice for sewists wanting more workspace and built-in stitches.