I have been a quilting instructor for years and a few years ago I was researching for a good machine to use in my classes with certain specifications: easy to use and transport, dependable and durable. So when I was visiting a local quilt shop during a class, I asked if there was an affordable machine the quilters would recommend. I figured they would know if anyone did! Unanimously, the Brother CS6000i was the recommendation.

So I asked my hubby for this machine as a gift and he purchased it for me. I’ve had it over two years now and I have enjoyed it immensely; a really great experience all around. I have many machines (industrial machines, featherweight(s)to high-end Bernina’s and this machine is everything I hoped for: needle-down/buttonhole stitch/easy bobbin winder/multiple speeds/lightweight… I could go on and on. I’m still amazed at the great price it was and I use it at class and at home now.

I do highly recommend using good thread… if you are making something and spending the time and effort, good thread is worthwhile! Good thread is not overly expensive and your product is only as good as your materials. Bottom line: amazing machine for the price and I recommend it to new students confidently and often.

I was hesitant to purchase this because of the price compared to similar models/features in stores seemed too good to be true. I was in a pinch-in the middle of a project that needed to be completed quickly when the foot pedal for my Elna Club quit. It couldn’t be repaired and the replacement cost was similar to the cost of the Brother machine. I figured I wouldn’t be out any more and would at least have a back-up while I got my old machine squared away.

Long story short, I love this machine and the Elna has gone to its final resting place. I was up and sewing in less than 10 minutes. I was making outdoor decorative pillows out of waterproof canvas prints and the machine flew through them without a hitch. I even used the built in stippling stitch to quilt one of the pillow tops. I am getting ready to do my first quilt on the new machine and am quite excited to use the walking foot, extension table and the quilting foot that are included to complete the project.

The light is a drawback as it is not as bright as I would like, but that can be easily overlooked when compared to the ease of use and versatility that the machine offers. I would recommend this machine as it has proven to be a GREAT buy for the money!

I recently decided to learn sewing, so I came to Amazon, did some research on machines and after looking at quite a few, I decided this one appeared to be what I needed. It struck me as a machine that would be good for a beginner, but also have all the features I would need once I was at intermediate or advanced levels so I wouldn’t need to get another one for a while. I also wanted something at a mid-price range, not one of the really cheap ones below $100, but also not in the 300-500 dollar range.

Since I had never tried sewing with a machine before in my life, I signed up for a few sewing classes at Joann’s and had my first class last Saturday. It was great that they let you bring your own machine to the class, since I didn’t even know how to put the thread through the machine. Once I got there, there was another lady who had bought her machine the day before and she was going on and on about how much research she had made and how great her machine was. But, as the class proceeded, it became clear that lots of things my machine did automatically, such as putting the thread through the needle, sewing backwards, raising the needle, etc., had to be done manually with her machine. Even changing the needle and little foot by the needle were incredibly easy tasks to do with my machine and she seemed to struggle with hers. By the end of the class, I was really happy I had chosen this machine. Having someone else with another machine helped me realize how much easier mine was to operate and set up.

At the next class, which was today and with another teacher, I was told by the teacher that I had a really good and nice to work with machine.

So, here are my thoughts:

PROS

- light-weight and easy to carry around
- comes with a hard cover included
- needles included are German-made and of great quality
- comes with all the accessories you need for quilting, etc.
- incredibly easy to set up, thread (there’s actually a drawing of how the thread is supposed to go around the machine, all you have to do is follow it, really dummy-proof!), change accessories, etc; easy to operate in general.
- really nice and large selection of different stiches, about 60 of them
- beginner friendly
- has all the features an advanced user needs (the only thing it doesn’t do is embroidery). I don’t believe I will need another machine until this one breaks.

CONS

- I haven’t run into any yet!

Since someone posted a comment asking about the quilting foot, I thought I’d add here that it comes with two quilting feet, one for straight quilting and one for free quilting when you are not doing straight lines. It also has a button foot, a zipper foot, an edging foot, and two or three more feet I am yet to find out what they are for.

I have to say that it appears this machine comes with all the accessories needed, and some just nice to have ones. So far, I have made curtains for my bedroom (two windows, so 4 panels with room-darkening linining) and a very nice fleece vest. I’m impressed at how easy it is to learn sewing and have to say that I believe having a good machine has probably made it a lot easier for me. Today, I have a friend coming to visit me and we are going to Joann’s to pick some fabric. She liked my curtains so much that she asked me to make the curtains for her living room, which is really exciting!

Good luck and happy sewing!