ST371HD Sewing Machine, Strong & Tough, 37 Built-in Stitches, Free Arm Option, 6 Included Feet

I’ve had this for over a month now and have made several things! Pro’s: super quiet,fast,powerful, strong for thick layers and bulky seams. Sews denim and leather! Heavy duty and made of mostly metal. Con’s: power cord and foot petal cord could definitely be longer. I’m coming from a computerized machine so there was a bit of a learning curve and you definitely need the manual nearby to know what settings you need, always test on scrap fabric first! I practiced on a variety of fabric types. I want to make sure you know you can not use any bobbins with this machine other than the specific kind that arrive with it. You can not use pre wound bobbins! You must use the specific bobbins included! That was the most important thing is see in the manual. The hand wheel has a line on it that must be all the way at the top when you want to start sewing, other wise the thread with come out of the top needle and you will have to re-thread your machine. This is also why some have to hold the strings when they begin a stitch, make sure the take up leaver and needle are in the highest position with that line on the hand wheel and you will save so much time. Read the instructions before use and keep it on hand, I haven’t had any jamming, but you must use a high quality thread because this is a powerful machine, if you use cheap thread and it can and will snap because of the power, also the needles you use are more important in this machine than in say a computerized machine again because of the power. I would just recommend you get a little supply of heavy duty, denim, and leather needles. If you don’t have the strong thread and strong needles than the machine won’t perform as a heavy duty strong and tough machine. I got this on sale and the value for the money is insanely good! I feel this machine will last me for decades honestly. You don’t have to oil it but in about 3-5 years I’ll take mine in for a service because I’m only a hobbyist seamstress. I think this machine is very suitable for beginners, it is reliable and once you understand the tension settings and have the correct needle and thread for the project you will be doing great! The light on this machine is ok, I use an over head light as well because no sewing machine ever has adequate lighting to be honest. I highly recommend this machine! I also have a brother 1034d serger and they are side by side and making my sewing experience a dream. I can’t recommend this enough, it’s a wonderful gift! My boyfriend actually got it for me because my old machine started making this awful noise when I tried to sew through multiple layers of fabric. This machine can get through like 12 layers of denim! I kid you not with the right needle and thread you can get it done.

I wish I had more stars to give this machine!! I upcycle--no ruffles or crazy stuff; just cutting off shirt-tail hems and "femininzing" men's button downs--that sort of thing. About a year ago, my machine went out of timing and rather than spend the $$ on getting it fixed, I bought a Singer HD. That's when my trouble began. One would think HEAVY DUTY means just that--that it could mow through multiple thicknesses with ease. No. It was very fussy--with thread, with bobbins, with needles. As I waited for a warranty issue, I had to quit sewing and wait. In the meantime, I saw the Brother HD my neighbor has--she makes rope bowls with ease on her Brother Artsprira HD. When I got my Singer running again, I knocked IT out of timing sewing over a seam. I gave up--and ordered what my neighbor has. It sews like I dreamed my Singer would sew! People who sew just want to sit down and sew--and that's what I got with this Brother! I'm a top-stitch/narrow-hem fan--this machine makes the prettiest stitching for both of those applications. The Singer absolutely has to have a certain bobbin, won't accept a lot of needles, and thread can't be cheap. With this Brother machine, I can dig into a pile of thrifted shirts and actually get through them in an afternoon. No picking out mistakes or sloppy stitching. This thing is just SO SMOOTH! This machine cost a little bit more than the Singer, but in satisfaction and pleasure, it SO outdoes the Singer HD, I consider it the best money I've ever spent.

I have been a seamstress all my life and at 70 I thought I knew about sewing machines. I have used a Bernina, which I felt was too fussy for me, and switched to Brother when I bought my first Serger. Besides the quality of Brother machines, I feel they are a great company that backs their products. With my Brother machines, I have made more than 40 Renaissance Court costumes, including King and Queen costumes. Now that I am a grandma (Meemo) I have started making doll clothes. I have had a computerized Brother for the last four years but because I am now planning on making covers for an outdoor lawn swing and patio chairs, I decided to get the Brother Strong and Tough to use with the heavyweight fabrics that will be necessary for those projects. Once I had this machine out of its box, it was set up in minutes. The stitches are nice and even and it is easy to adjust the tension and type of stitches. I have used it now on faile and dotted swiss while making dresses for my granddaughters' dolls and I have had my seven-year-old granddaughter using the machine as I teach her sewing. I had bought her a lightweight Brother as a birthday present but I think I am going to get one of these for her instead. It is a much better machine. I have stored my computerized machine to make room for this one on my sewing table. I find now that after all these years, I prefer the mechanical machine to the computerized ones. What a revelation! All the extra stitches on my computerized machine go to waste as any embroidery that needs to be done I do by hand. Always have. Always will. I appreciate that this machine has a rubber base to keep it from moving while I sew. I appreciate that none of the stitches skip and that it is easy to start sewing at the edge of the fabric without having to hold the threads in the back to keep the stitches from bunching. I like that the presser foot has an extra height adjustment to use on thick fabrics, something I will be needing when I make the lawn swing seats. There a couple of things I miss from my old machine but will adjust to quickly. The "down needle" button for pivoting fabric. The longer cord on the pedal foot which I could drop behind my table top instead of draping forward across the table. The quieter running motor, so I can sew at night without waking my grandkids and their parents up. These are all minor issues though in exchange for a really good machine that I expect will be the last one I get. All of the machine feet I have for my old Brother fit this machine as well, but the bobbins are a slightly different size and not interchangeable. It comes with four bobbins, and I had purchased more bobbins for my granddaughters' other machine that fit this machine just fine. AND it came with a Teflon foot which will come in handy on many of the fabrics I use for the doll clothes. I am a very satisfied customer. Thank you Brother for continuing to make such great products.

This sewing machine is a great little starter machine! It sews through a lot, more than my more expensive machines can, which is why I bought it. It's really basic there are no bells and whistles to it but its incredibly easy to use. There are two points that are a little tricky; first is threading the machine, I still don't know if I did it right as my thread has fallen out of the needle a couple of times. The second is the speed control. The speed really depends on how much pressure you put on the foot. You can't set the max speed like on my Janome so it takes a little getting used to. But honestly, if you're just learning to sew the latter might be a good thing. The measurement indicators on the base are a little hard to read but I just put a piece of washi tape next to the line I need to keep me in a straight line. The reverse stitch works great! I wish there was more flexibility to the stitch combinations but for the price you really get a good selection. I know there is a way to move the needle from right to left but I haven't figured it out yet. I really do like this machine. It's great. I've tested a lot of heavy duty fabric to see how much it can sew through and it got through six layers of heavy canvas. That's pretty good for a $200 machine!

I have bought this machine 16 times to be used by boys and girls who are incarcerated, for my grandchildren, and for myself. Teachers say the kids can’t break them and they will sew any project. Teen boys have been thanking their art teacher for teaching them a real skill. One girl who was in a foster group home found the cost of buying this machine worth saving her money from a part time job. She had learned to sew with a group and missed having a machine. My grandson made a kimono-like jacket with alternating blocks of green and black for a cos play event and his squares came together very precisely and he loves this machine. In other words, this Brothers strong and tough has proven itself to be easy to operate, easy to thread and set up, easy to carry and handle , and satisfying to create without problems and frustrations. It is tough! It is easy to use! It functions well in a great variety of ways! It’s easy to thread and set up. I just bought this latest one for myself to make my granddaughter a rendition of a designer gown she saw. Actually, she wants to make it herself and I’m sure it will be beautiful. This machine has proven itself to me time and time again by many first time sewers and experienced teachers.

Nice machine, works well

This is by far the very best, mechanical sewing machine I have ever owned, and I’ve owned several. It is surprisingly quiet for a mechanical sewing machine. It’s so nice that no oiling is required. Easy to use.

Great machine for the price. I sewed for 60 years on my old machine died so had to replace with a machine that looks good and works well for my everyday needs . I don't sew as much as I use to, This machine preforms SUPER!!

Que máquina linda! Não faz barulho, flui muito bem e o manual é fácil de compreender. Vem com um "estojo" e vários acessórios🤩 Agradeço a loja pelo cuidado com a embalagem, a máquina veio muito bem protegida! Recomendo!👏

Je l adore elle passe les epais mais faut l aidée et en prendre soin et l aidé avec une belle mère et surtout la nettoyer très important 2 ans qu' elle travaille fort 💖💖💖la depuis deux mois le bouton de sélection est défectueux je n arrive plus à faire le zig zag et le point droit saute ,change aiguilles nettoyer , reenfiler et j ai pas d argent pour la faire réparé nous somme le 16octobre 2023

Es toda una bendición, bella, buena calidad, suave, facil de usar. Super Recomendada!!

Ótimo produto já usei fácil de manusear linda eu amei pode comprar eu recomendo chegou bem embalada e antes do prazo o vendedor muito atencioso parabéns pra o vendedor pelo atendimento

Excelente Maquina, a mi eposa le encanta, de trabajo rudo y aguanta muy bien