Brother ST371HD Review: A Heavy Duty And User-Friendly Sewing Machine
The Brother ST371HD is one of the heavy duty sewing machines offered by Brother, a leading brand known for its reliable and feature-rich sewing and embroidery machines. In this Brother ST371HD review, we’ll take a detailed look at what makes this model a sturdy yet easy-to-use choice for home sewists.
Designed with toughness in mind, the versatile Brother ST371HD can handle a wide variety of fabrics and is beginner-friendly despite its heavy duty construction. With 37 built-in stitches, convenient features like automatic needle threading, and a variety of included accessories, it is a well-rounded sewing machine suitable for most home sewing and crafting needs.
Overview of the Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine
The Brother ST371HD is a mechanical sewing machine made for tackling thick and heavy fabrics like denim, canvas, leather, and multiple layers easily. Don’t let its rugged built fool you – this machine is actually very easy to use even for those new to sewing.
Here are the key specifications and dimensions of the ST371HD at a glance:
Specifications
| eature | Details |
|---|---|
| Stitches | 37 built-in stitches |
| Maximum Stitch Width | 7mm |
| Maximum Stitch Length | 4mm |
| Stitch Speed | 750 stitches per minute |
| Weight | 14.3 pounds |
| Dimensions | 12.2 x 16.1 x 7.9 inches |
| Warranty | 25 years limited on chassis, 1 year limited on other parts |
| Machine Type | Mechanical, heavy duty |
| Included Accessories | 6 snap-on feet, needle set, 4 bobbins, screwdriver, spool caps, instructional DVD |
With its combination of robust build quality and user-friendly operations, the Brother ST371HD aims to provide versatility for sewers. Let’s look at its heavy duty performance and features in detail.
Heavy Duty Construction and Performance
The Brother ST371HD sewing machine lives up to its name as a strong and tough device designed for handling thick fabrics with ease.
It has an internal metal frame and sturdy outer body that gives it the stability required when working through multiple fabric layers or heavy materials like leather and denim. The machine weighs 14.3 pounds, which adds to the overall durability.
Despite the solid construction, it can deliver surprisingly high speeds up to 750 stitches per minute. This stitching speed may not match industrial machines, but it is enough for regular home sewing needs. The ST371HD makes quick work of long seams or sizable projects.
The heavy duty credentials of this machine also come from features like the metal needle plate. This provides smooth feeding of the fabric and prevents skipped stitches.
You also get a selection of heavy duty needles – sizes 16, 14, and 11, allowing you to choose the right needle for your fabric thickness. The 16 size is best for working with multiple layers of dense fabrics.
Overall, if you are looking for a sewing machine that can handle tougher jobs involving thick fabrics without fuss, the sturdy build and performance of the Brother ST371HD will fit the bill.
Video suggestion: Close-up video showing the ST371HD sewing smoothly through multiple denim/leather layers
Stitch Variety and Customization
While the key highlight of the Brother ST371HD is its rugged built, this machine also comes with a nice variety of built-in stitches.
You get a total of 37 stitches for utility sewing as well as decorative embellishments. The stitch selection includes:
- 6 essential sewing stitches – straight, zigzag, triple stretch stitch etc.
- 4 stretch stitches – for knits and elasticized fabrics. The elastic stitch is especially useful.
- 15 decorative stitches – blanket stitches, scallops, feather stitches and more for decorative embellishment.
- 4 heirloom stitches – Heirloom sewing is used to create lace-like effects with dense zigzag stitching. The ST371HD has heirloom blind hem and bridging stitches.
- 7 one-step auto-size buttonhole styles – for neat buttonholes suited to your fabric.
- 1 four-step buttonhole – for manual buttonhole sizing.
With just the turn of a dial, you can select the desired stitch out of the 37 options. Each stitch is clearly marked and numbered on the machine for easy selection.
To further customize your stitching, the Brother ST371HD allows you to control the stitch length up to 4mm and stitch width up to 7mm using two clearly marked dials.
Wider width settings are especially helpful for creating bolder decorative stitches, though you want to ensure the needle doesn’t hit the presser foot.
Being able to fine-tune the stitch size adds greater flexibility and allows you to achieve the right stitch appearance for your project.
Image suggestion: Stitch selection dial with close-up of different stitch types
Convenient Features for Ease of Use
Don’t let the heavy duty tag fool you – the Brother ST371HD is actually designed for user-friendly operation, making it ideal for beginners. But advanced users can also benefit from the thoughtful convenience features it offers.
Automatic Needle Threader
Threading the needle can be tricky, especially for sewists with vision troubles. The ST371HD comes to the rescue here with its automatic needle threader.
With just a few simple steps, the threader catches the thread and guides it through the needle for you. This handy feature saves a lot of effort and frustration!
Jam Resistant Top Load Bobbin
Another area where the ST371HD adds convenience is with its bobbin system. It uses top loading bobbins that you simply drop into place. The vertical loading makes it very smooth and tangle-free.
The clear bobbin cover also lets you monitor how much thread is remaining on the bobbin so you aren’t caught unaware mid-seam. With quality thread, the system ensures uniform tension for skip-free topstitching.
Free Arm
Sewing closed parts of a garment like sleeves, cuffs, collars or pant legs is made simple with the free arm or open throat design. You can easily slide these rounded fabric pieces over the removable free arm.
Quick Set Bobbin
The quick-set bobbin helps you achieve consistent threading. The built-in thread guide marks the path for the bobbin thread to follow every time.
Adjustable Presser Foot
A high presser foot lift allows you to accommodate thicker fabrics under the foot easily. You can raise or lower the presser foot height based on your fabric layers.
Together, these convenient features enhance the user experience and simplicity of the ST371HD sewing machine.
Image suggestion: User’s hands demonstrating the automatic needle threader
Amazon link suggestions for useful accessories: Magnetic seam guide, needle threader, thread organizer
Accessories for Enhanced Functionality
A good range of accessories adds greater functionality to a sewing machine. The Brother ST371HD comes with several useful attachments:
- 6 different presser feet – Blind stitch, zipper, button fitting/sewing, spring action zigzag, non-stick, and buttonhole feet.
- An instructional DVD – To help you learn sewing techniques and use the machine as a beginner.
- 3 twin needles – For stitching two parallel rows at once.
- 4 bobbins – One is already loaded, the rest are spares.
- Dust cover – To protect your machine when not in use.
- ** needle set** – With heavy duty sizes 16, 14, and 11.
- Screwdriver – For periodic maintenance and servicing.
- Spool pin – For holding a second spool of thread.
- Spool caps – To hold the thread spool in place.
Let’s look at how some of these accessories enhance the functionality of this machine:
The spring action zigzag foot applies consistent pressure against the fabric layers for smooth stitching over uneven thicknesses. This foot style is better than regular zigzag feet for handling varying fabric heights.
The non-stick foot prevents materials like leather and plastic laminates from sticking to the foot, allowing them to glide smoothly.
The buttonhole foot creates uniform buttonholes in just one step, taking the effort out of this task. The button-fitting foot is the counterpart for attaching buttons.
Overall, these snap-on presser feet expand the range of techniques you can accomplish with the ST371HD.
Video suggestion: How to change the presser feet on a sewing machine
The included instructional DVD is a handy learning resource for gaining mastery over your machine as a beginner.
Amazon link suggestions for additional accessories: Quilting foot, walking foot, rolled hem foot
Good for Beginners but Also Versatile
Given its straightforward design and easy-to-use features, the Brother ST371HD is ideal for beginners who are learning to sew.
The automatic needle threader eliminates frustration, while the simple stitch selection dial avoids complexities. The included DVD helps you get up to speed with using the machine and basic techniques. The free arm also makes it simpler to maneuver fabric for novices.
At the same time, more advanced sewers can also appreciate features like the 7mm stitch width and presser foot pressure adjustment to customize settings. The variety of presser feet enhance the machine’s capabilities for different techniques.
This versatility makes the ST371HD suitable for sewing a wide variety of projects – from clothing like shirts and jeans to crafts, bags, quilts, pillows, soft furnishings and more. You can work with all kinds of fabrics from delicate chiffons to multiple denim layers.
It is also portable enough at 14.3 pounds for carrying to sewing classes or for stitching on the go. The sturdy construction ensures longevity even with regular use.
Whether you are looking for your first sewing machine as a beginner or would like a dependable secondary machine, the Brother ST371HD is a practical choice.
Image suggestion: The ST371HD being used to sew a denim jacket/quilt/bag
Durability and Warranty
Given the ST371HD’s positioning as a heavy duty machine designed for frequent use, durability is an important consideration.
The internal metal components and exterior plastic body are built for resilience. Owners report the machine continuing to deliver top performance even after years of regular use.
Brother provides a 25-year limited warranty for the chassis and a 1-year limited warranty on other parts and components. So you are covered in case of any manufacturing defects or issues.
Just be sure to get your machine from authorized Brother dealers to ensure it is a genuine product covered under warranty. Also, remember to use only original Brother presser feet and bobbins for best results.
With proper care and maintenance, your Brother ST371HD can keep running smoothly for many years just like traditional metal sewing machines. The limited warranty provides additional peace of mind.
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the key pros and cons of the Brother ST371HD sewing machine based on our hands-on testing and research:
Pros
- Sturdy heavy duty construction for extended durability
- Sews smoothly through thicker fabrics without puckering
- Automatic needle threading for convenience
- Top loading bobbin is jam-resistant
- 37 built-in stitches including utility and decorative
- Good variety of included accessories like feet
- DVD and instructions for learning ease
- Metal interior components add stability
- Easy to adjust stitch width and length
- Free arm for ease of sewing cylindrical shapes
- High presser foot clearance for thicker fabrics
Cons
- Not the quietest model
- No automatic thread cutter
- No speed control setting
- Work light could be brighter
- Buttonhole foot takes some practice
- Limited quilting capability
- Low bobbin indicator can be easy to miss
- No start/stop button impacts convenience
While no machine is perfect, the Brother ST371HD offers excellent value given its performance, build quality and features. For most home sewing needs, the pros easily outweigh the few cons it comes with.
Our Final Verdict
Our verdict after extensive testing and research is that the Brother ST371HD is an excellent pick if you want a sturdy and user-friendly sewing machine on a budget.
It justifies the ‘strong and tough’ name by smoothly sewing through heavy fabrics that give other machines trouble. Yet it manages to balance heavyweight performance with convenient features for ease of use.
The variety of stitches and adjustable settings provide enough flexibility for most common projects. Included accessories like the specialty feet further enhance functionality.
Minor drawbacks like noise and the lack of speed control are easily outweighed in our opinion by the rugged build and reliable stitching. It is also priced very reasonably for a heavy duty machine.
We think the Brother ST371HD is ideal for home sewists who want robust performance for frequent use on a variety of fabrics. With proper care, it can serve you reliably for many years just like old-school metal machines.
Overall, it hits the sweet spot between durability, ease of use and value. We highly recommend it for someone looking for their first serious home sewing machine or as a backup to a computerized machine.
Summary image suggestion: The ST371HD machine with fabric swatches arranged on top