Brother cs6000i Sewing Machine Review
Do you need a budget sewing machine for quilting? You’ve no doubt found out that having quilting as a hobby can be an expensive one! This Brother sewing machine review should help you to make your choice.
The Brother cs6000i appears at first glance to fit all the criteria of a budget sewing machine suitable for quilting so let’s take a look.
Functions and Features
The Brother sewing machine has a wide range of functions and features, more than you would expect for this price.
It comes with 60 built-in stitches – as you can see from the image, there are 7 dedicated quilting stitches as well as 7 different styles of buttonholes, 20 decorative stitches 20 stitches for constructing garments. The decorative and ziz-zag stitches can be set to a super wide 7mm and the buttonhole feature is a one-step automatic one.
The LCD display lets you easily see your stitch selection and has a simple touch button operation. This, along with the slide control to adjust the speed give you great control over all you sewing tasks. You can also have the programme set to either needle up or down position at the end of the sewing.
I don’t know about you, but some sewing machines are a pain to thread! The Brother features an easy threading system with a numbered diagram making it easy to get threaded up. Along with the drop in bobbin, automatic thread cutter and automatic needle threader, that’s the thread parts taken care of!
A really useful extra feature is the extension table, sometimes not included even in the pricier models. It also has a built-in free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves and those fiddly hard to get to bits!
There is a super bright work area, making it easy to see when you’re working with darker fabric and threads, and it can be operated without the foot control by using the stop/start button. It has a quilting guide etched onto the needle plate and a clear bobbin cover to let you see if your bobbin thread is getting low.
It’s light weight so portable for taking to groups and classes.
As you would expect in a machine that has “quilting” in the title, it features drop feed dogs for free motion quilting and embroidery.
The Brother sewing machine comes with a range of accessories including the all important walking foot and extension table.
Brother CS-6000i Performance
So that covers the main functions and features of the Brother cs6000i so how does it perform?
At this price range, the Brother cs6000i is going to have flaws. It will sew layers, but not too thick or you’ll hear it protesting. Don’t use cheap thread or you’ll end up with bunching underneath and think you’ve got tension problems!
This video lets you see it in action, check out the quilt running through the machine with ease!
Cons
- The light is dim, not as described, you’ll definitely need some sort of angle poised lamp when you sew.
- As I mentioned, it doesn’t like cheap thread or very thick layers.
- It’s light weight which can be an advantage, but it’s not a workhorse that’s going to put up with hours and hours of heavy use like the Juki F600.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Walking foot and extension table are included
- Good for Beginners
Hi Kathy,
Even though it is not a workhorse, the Brother cs6000i sounds like it might just be perfect for someone starting out. I also like that it is lightweight.
I hate lugging out my moms old sewing machine lol. Too bad the light isn’t very bright but I do have an angled lamp I could use with it. Might have to give it some consideration.
Angela
This Brother sewing machine offers great value for money Angela, and the positives far outweigh the negatives. For anyone starting out quilting, I would certainly recommend the Brother cs6000i!
Hi Kathy, This is a really helpful post and I would return to this site for excellent info re starting up sewing and buying a sewing machines for quilting. Brilliant
Thank you Sarah, I glad you enjoyed your visit and please let me know when you start sewing again. 🙂
Hi Kathy! You did an excellent post about the Brother cs6000i. I’m looking for some time now and waiting for the right time to buy a sewing machine. The price is great and it comes with a lot of built-in-stiches. It has more features than the ones I was looking for, so it seems perfect!
Thanks for your detailed review.
Yes, the Brother cs6000i really is a great machine for the price, it’s not often you get so many features for that budget. Be sure to let me know if you decide to buy one and how you get on with it. Thanks for leaving a comment and happy sewing!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for your review regarding the Brotherccs6000i sewing machine. I think the low price and the variety of built-in stitches that it can do is great for someone just starting out in sewing and/or quilting. Based on the video presentation, it looks as if this sewing machine is a winner.
Yes Deidre, this is a great budget sewing machine with a lot of functions and features for the price. If you’re thinking about taking up quilting then this would be a great sewing machine to try quilting out. It’s not really suited for prolonged heavy use, but most hobbyists don’t use sewing machines that way anyway. The Brother cs6000i Sewing Machine is definitely one to consider if you’re thinking of buying!
I am not really into sewing but I can tell that this Brother CS6000i will make sewing an easy and enjoyable thing to do.
I also like the way you have explained what this machine is all about and how one can fully explore its potential
In case I will sometime like to learn how to quilt, is there a place you can suggest so I get some training from?
The Brother CS6000iis a great budget buy and good if you’re just starting out sewing and quilting. If you’re looking for online training then Craftsy is excellent. They have free videos as well as paid ones. I’ll look forward to hearing how you get on should you take up quilting as a hobby. 🙂
Hi Kathy. This is a great review of this product. As a music director of a professional orchestra my board auctions off quilts as a fund raiser. I always here from the people who make them that it takes a long time partially because of sewing machine problems. I will recommend this one to the members of my board should they continue in this form of fundraising. Thank you for the information.
Kirk
What a wonderful idea Kirk, having quilt auctions. Quilts are more popular than ever now so we need sewing machines that can do a good job! Thanks for reading my Brother Cs6000i review and leaving a comment. 🙂
Hi Kathy,
Overall, I like your website. You have so much information about the different brands of sewing machines, different types of fabric cutters, etc. Your site truly is a one stop resource for anybody who is interested in sewing and/or quilting. .
Once again, great site–keep up the good work!
Deidre
Thanks Deirdre, I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. My aim is to make it easy for quilters to find the tools they need so I appreciate your comment. 🙂
This is a great price for the Brother cs6000i sewing machine. I like that it has an extension table. That’s really a bonus! It’s also great that it’s portable. When you have girls in dance and they need something repaired quickly, it could really come in handy! I like all the stitches that it offers. Especially the decorative stitches. It also would be a great beginners machine. Thanks for the review!
Hi Liz. My girls used to me majorettes and I spent a lot of time designing and making their costumes. I really don’t know how I managed to sew the lycra on the ancient machine I had at the time! A walking foot like the one that’s included in the Brother cs6000i would have been a great bonus! the walking foot is generally more commonly used for quilting, but can be very useful for other tasks.
I’m glad you enjoyed the review, thanks leaving a comment. 🙂
I have to say I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a sewing machine. The Brother CS600i is so reasonably priced. I’m not sure it would stand up to sewing denim though would it as often I need to fix my husbands jeans! I like your pros and cons of this as it comes across as a very honest review. Thanks for that.
The Brother CS600i is a decent machine for the very low price. It would sew normal layers of denim, but not through the thickness of the seams you find on jeans. For that you’d be better off with the Brother PQ1500s a more robust sewing machine.
Good luck and let me know how you get on!
I have a friend that produce quilting product here, but I haven’t seen the Brother cs6000i before. It looks like it has lots of useful features for quilting. You have lots of useful information for anyone who wishes to take up quilting. It would be good if you could add a page that gives information about quilting patterns and products in your blog. So, I could use your blog as a reference if I want to take up quilting in the future.
The Brother cs6000i is a great budget machine if you’re just starting out, it would be perfect for you. 🙂
I do have information about quilting patterns and some products too. If you look in the sidebar you will see a link to free quilting patterns. Of course, I’ll be adding lot’s more more useful articles to help you if you do decide to take up quilting! You can either sign up for updates or bookmark this site.
Hello Kathy,
Wow! cs6000i is definitely amazing sewing machine for all. This is all in one machine. I like all its features especially many choices of stitches to use. My hobby is hand stitching. This machine will help me speed up in creating different designs. Also its price is very affordable. I will look way how to buy it at amazon.
Thanks for sharing this helpful review.
marcy
Hi Marcy, the Brother cs6000i is definitely a good budget buy! Let me know how you get on with it and whther you prefer hand sewing after you’ve tried a sewing machine like this. 🙂
Brother 6000i- Ive had this machine since it came out. NOT only for beginners. NOT just a budget machine. This is a wonderful easy to use machine. My 10 yr. old grandaughter quilts & crafts on hers all the time. You cannot get more accessories with any other machine out there,free with machine.
I agree and love the fact that the Brothercs6000i comes with a walking foot and extension table included! How wonderful to have your granddaughter quilting, did you teach her? I taught mine but she’s 15 now and very much in teenage mode at the moment, NOT interested in sewing at all!