Brother 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine, XL-2600i

Bought this for my wife to do some basic sewing & repairing. It has more stitch options than I know what to do with, so for basic sewing, it's just fine. I've used it to sew on some buttons and the button attachment works just fine once you get used to how it works. For someone who has never sewn before, a little trial and error was all I needed. I read that this unit has problems with thick material and there's not a lot of space between the sewing foot and the base of the unit, so I can see how that might cause an issue, though I don't see myself sewing any denim anytime soon. For our basic sewing needs, it's works just fine.

Bought to replace a 30 year old machine. Have used only once to make curtains & valance. Once I fgured out how to load the bobbin and thread the needle, it performed well. The lift arm for the pressure foot is in a different place from my old machine, so that's taking a while to get used to. Otherwise, no complaints.
It may be just me, but instructions were not the easiest to follow. As for durability - who knows - ask me again in a year.

My husband got me this machine for Christmas and I haven't stop sewing since! I love it, very easy to use! Excellent for beginners and for crafts and projects around the house. It has everything you need to make little and big sewing projects. It even has special feet to make button holes, sew buttons and even QUILT!
I love it, love it, love it! Definitively recommended!!!

I naively thought that all sewing machines were as crumby as the one I've been struggling with for years. No matter how many times I had it adjusted, I still ended up with knotted seams, bunching, and little black marks all over the cloth. This little Brother sewing machine is wonderful! It's like dying and going to heaven compared to what I've been fighting with for the last two decades. If you want a basic, easy-to-use sewing machine, then this is the one for you!

I would recommend this machine. I am an experienced sewer and it was very easy to use. Love the drop in bobbin. Only complaint is I have had some issues with tension on certain fabrics. Could not fix tension with any of the settings. However. all in all I would buy again. I wanted something for basic sewing and this fits the bill nicely. MUCH better than the Singer machine that I tired first. Had major issues with that one!

One of the reasons I decided to go with this machine was that it had the auto threader feature. I have a Janome with an auto needle threader and I think it is the best thing ever. But this is a little different in that it is not exactly automatic. You have to physically move the mechanism into place to work it. While on the Janome, it is a one button does it all. Don't get me wrong, it is still a lot better than trying to manuever the thread through the eye of the needle and trying ten times before it finally goes through. I just think it is a little misleading to call it auto. Otherwise, I've only used the machine a few times, have not really gotten into all the features. But it appears to be a nice machine and will do fine for some basic sewing needs. I have my Janome for everything else.

I ordered this machine not expecting much but just needing a little portable one. Well, turns out it is fabulous. I needed it to do hemming and mending grandsons clothes. I can do so much with this machine.
It DID take me awhile to figure out how to do decorative stitches, but my sister helped me via webcam and she has a Brother. Now that I know how to do it all I will do more with it. I love it. My poor 65 year old table machine wont be getting much use now.

I purchased this machine for my Mother after her old machine she had for several years stopped working. My Mom is 66 years old with health issue's and needed a lite weight machine. She also needed one that wasn't over whelming to use. This machine fits the bill and has worked great for her. She's very happy with it!

Wow I really looked forward to recieving this machine since reviews were pretty good. It's pretty enough but a mass of confusing dials and most important it can't sew thru much at all, they don't make machines like they used to! I returned it and bought the 5000prw and WOW! Now this makes sewing fun! For an extra $40 bucks don't think twice buy the 5000prw, it sews non stop thru anything and its EASY!