Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine: A Comprehensive Review

The Brother CS6000i is one of the most popular computerized sewing machines from Brother, known for its ease of use and versatility for beginners. With 60 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, jam-resistant quick-set top drop-in bobbin and a host of other features, it provides excellent value for money.

This comprehensive review covers all the features, performance, pros and cons of the Brother CS6000i to help you decide if it is the right fit for your sewing needs.

Key Features and Specs of the Brother CS6000i

The Brother CS6000i comes loaded with user-friendly features geared towards beginners, including:

Computerized Sewing Machine: It has a backlit LCD screen and buttons to select your desired stitch and adjust settings like stitch length and width. No need for manual adjustments.

60 Built-in Stitches: Choose from 60 built-in utility and decorative stitches, including 7 one-step buttonhole styles. Great for sewing, quilting, heirloom stitching and crafting diverse projects.

Image showing the 60 built-in stitches of the Brother CS6000i

Easy Threading System: It has an automatic needle threader that threads the eye of the needle for you with just the push of a lever. LED light illuminates the needle area for easy threading.

Quick-Set Top Drop-in Bobbin: Jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin is easy to insert, remove and monitor thread supply.

Variable Speed Control: Speed can be adjusted with the slider for precision on different fabrics. Sew slowly as a beginner or zip through projects as your skills improve.

Included Wide Table: The detachable wide table provides extra space for large projects like quilts.

Bonus Accessories: Comes with a hard cover, 9 presser feet, needle set, 3 bobbins, seam ripper and more.

Warranty: 25-year limited warranty provides long-term peace of mind.

Here is a quick look at the Brother CS6000i’s specifications:

Feature	Details
Number of Stitches	60 built-in stitches
Buttonhole Styles	7 One-step buttonholes
Maximum Sewing Speed	850 stitches per minute
Built-in Stitches	7 styles of 1-step auto-size buttonholes, 55 alphanumeric sewing stitches for decoration, quilting, crafts and more
Included Feet	Buttonhole foot, Overcasting foot, Monogramming foot, Zipper foot, Zig zag foot, Blind stitch foot, Button fitting foot, Walking foot, Spring action quilting foot
Bobbin Type	Top drop-in jam resistant 7mm plastic bobbins (class 15)
Needle Positions	Adjustable by increments for straight stitch
Included Table	Yes, detachable wide table for quilting
Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment	No
Drop Feed / Free-arm	Yes
On Board Storage	Yes
Automatic Thread Cutter	No
Automatic Presser Foot Pressure	No
Knee Lifter	No
Dimensions	16 x 6.7 x 11.4 inches
Weight	13 pounds
Lighting	LED light
Warranty	25-year limited

With its computerized operation, ease of use features and included accessories, the Brother CS6000i is feature-packed for the price. It takes care of the tricky tasks like threading to allow you to focus on sewing.

Ease of Use for Beginners

One of the biggest highlights of the Brother CS6000i is how beginner-friendly it is straight out of the box. Here are some of the factors that make it easy to use even if you are just starting out:

• Quick Setup: Everything you need is included to get sewing almost immediately. Just follow the clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions printed on the machine.
• Easy Threading and Bobbin Winding: The automatic needle threader, numbered diagram and LED light make threading a breeze. Similarly, bobbin winding is simplified with the easy winding system on the top of the machine.
• LCD Screen: The LCD display shows the recommended presser foot to use for the selected stitch. Great visual cue for beginner sewists.
• Limited Controls: Operation is simplified with just a few clearly labeled buttons and easy to navigate through the settings.
• Intuitive Operation: Buttons allow sewing without the foot pedal, which can be tricky for some beginners to coordinate.
• Variable Speed Control: As a beginner, you can start slow and then speed up at your own pace as your skill improves.
• Automatic Tension: Optimal tension is set automatically for each stitch type and fabric weight. One less thing to worry about.
• Troubleshooting Hints: Error messages on the LCD screen provide clues to fix common issues.

With its well-illustrated instruction manual to refer to and host of user-friendly features, the learning curve is minimal on the Brother CS6000i sewing machine. Follow the instructions step-by-step, watch a setup tutorial video if required, and you will be sewing in no time. Practicing on some simple projects like pillowcases or tote bags using cotton fabrics is a great way to get comfortable.

Some beginner-friendly accessories to have on hand include:

• Different types of thread like polyester, cotton, or polycotton for practicing
• An assortment of fabric scraps to test stitch settings
• A pack of assorted hand sewing needles for basting
• A seam ripper for inevitable mistakes
• A rotary cutter and mat for smooth cutting
• A small iron and ironing board for pressing seams
• Fabric marking tools like chalk or pens for marking fabric
• A sewing gauge for accurate seam allowances

Having the right supplies will make learning on the Brother CS6000i even more enjoyable. Invest in quality tools that will serve you well for years.

Performance for Sewing and Quilting

With its versatility and options, the Brother CS6000i performs admirably for most sewing and quilting projects. Here’s an overview:

• Sewing Speed: It can stitch at up to 850 stitches per minutes, much faster than traditional manual machines. You can sew faster and complete projects quicker.
• Noise Level: The operation is quieter compared to old-fashioned machines, making it more pleasant to sew for hours.
• Stitch Quality: At the default settings, it produces uniform, high-quality stitches on woven and knit fabrics.
• Lighting: The bright LEDs provide adequate lighting to illuminate the needle area and work zone.
• Fabric Handling: It can handle lightweight woven fabrics like quilting cottons and medium-weight fabrics like denim with the appropriate needle/settings.
• Quilting: The generous work area, included wide table, walking foot and spring action foot allow quilting baby quilts, lap quilts and more.
• Buttonholes: The one-step buttonhole stitches create consistent, high-quality buttonholes for clothing and crafts.

For most sewing tasks from garments to home decor and quilting projects under a baby blanket size, the Brother CS6000i offers impressive performance. Follow the guidelines in the manual for fabric, needle and thread selection. Here are a few tips:

• Use appropriately sized and type of needles like quilting and denim needles
• Try a 90/14 needle and polyester thread for medium-heavy fabrics
• Use a basting stitch (extra-long) and fabric glue when working with tricky fabrics
• Engage the fixed setting for consistent stitch length for delicate fabrics
• Let the machine do the work – don’t pull or push the fabric

With some experience, you will be able to confidently sew an array of projects with professional results on the Brother CS6000i.

Advantages Over Other Models

The Brother CS6000i has some notable advantages when compared to other sewing machines in the same price bracket:

• Computerization: The computerized features like push-button stitch selection and automatic settings make it very easy to use out of the box compared to manual machines.
• More Stitches: With 60 built-in stitches, it offers more utility and decorative stitches versus cheaper computerized Brother models like the CS5055PRW which only has 50 stitches.
• Quilting: It includes a detachable wide table and quilting feet. Better suited for quilting compared to electronic-only quilting machines without stitch options.
• Value: It provides excellent value with its features, performance and included accessories. Much cheaper than advanced computerized machines which can cost $500 and up.

If you are debating between the Brother CS6000i and other models like the Brother CS5055PRW, XR3774 or the Singer 7258, the CS6000i provides better bang for buck with its blend of user-friendly computerization, quilting abilities, included extras and price. It edges out the competition by being relatively more versatile for the cost.

Potential Drawbacks

However, the Brother CS6000i is not without its share of drawbacks. Being aware of them will help set proper expectations.

• Needle Threader: The automatic needle threader is fiddly and needs getting used to. Some report issues with reliability long-term.
• Thin Plastic: The plastic outer body and parts feel lightweight and delicate compared to all-metal machines. Prone to scratches.
• Manual Presser Foot Pressure: Ability to manually adjust presser foot pressure can help with tricky fabrics. Not available on this model.
• Small Throat Space: Thedistance from the needle to the inner body is just 6.7 inches. Could be limiting for large quilts.
• Thread Cutter: Lack of automatic thread cutting feature means you have to manually cut threads with provided cutter.
• Thick Fabrics: Ability to handle extremely thick fabrics like outdoor canvas is limited. A heavy duty machine is better suited.
• Noise: Operating at maximum speed results in some vibration and noise. Slowing down alleviates this.
• Bobbin Jamming: Improper threading or maintenance can cause occasional bobbin issues.

For the low price point, compromises have to be made somewhere and plastic parts and missing convenience features account for the drawbacks. Being mindful about proper use and regular cleaning will enhance longevity of the machine.

conclusion

To summarize this comprehensive review, the Brother CS6000i is an excellent computerized sewing machine for beginners. With its user-friendly design, stretchable features, solid performance and low price, it makes sewing and quilting accessible. Despite a few drawbacks typical for entry-level machines, the ease of use and value outweighs them. For new sewists starting their journey, the Brother CS6000i removes frustrating roadblocks so you can actually enjoy sewing. It is bound to delight you with its capable performance on diverse projects. So take your creative pursuits to the next level with the feature-rich Brother CS6000i!

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