Fix it or mend it, but don't create it
Written: Dec 04 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: One step buttonholer looks great
Cons: Oscillating bobbin misses stitches on an off
The Bottom Line: I wouldn't recommend this machine to any of my friends who really sew, but for mending and making a few things it does a nice job.
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| sofarsogood's Full Review: Brother XL-3030 Electronic Sewing Machine |
Would you believe I replaced a 30 year old Viking Husquavarna with a Brother? I did. My Viking needed more repairs and was getting close to clunking out. I can't live without my sewing machine, so I looked around and just couldn't spend the $500 needed to get a Baby Lock or a Pfaff. I ended up at Cosco hoping the Brother XL-3030 would stitch me up for a while.
I am an advanced seamstress. I have been making clothing for myself and others for about 15 years. I have created tailored garments, hemmed wedding gowns, and custom draperies. When I sit down to sew, I want clean even stitches without a lot of fritzing around. I have a serger, so the edge finishing is of limited importance.
The Brother XL-3030 fits the majority of the bill.
Feeddog: The feeddog is very even. My stitch length is only a problem when I am going over a lot of bulk. The stretch stitch looks good too.
Jams: I haven't have a lot of problems with jams, other than an occasional bobbin jam. You do have to watch your bobbin to make sure it is wound evenly.
Stitching options: The extra stitches are great for blind hemming and decoration. The left sided stitch is great for putting in a zipper. I am disappointed in the zigzag options. They are preset so that if you want a wide zigzag, you get a long stitch length. If you want a narrow zigzag, you get a short stitch length.
Buttonholer: The one-step buttonholer is the star though. It makes an even easy button hole. Be careful with the pull down starter though--it is quiet flimsy and a small child could damage it easily.
Bobbin case: If you are shopping for a new machine, the bobbin case may be the most essential issue. Machines come with an oscillating or a rotary bobbin. An oscillating bobbin goes back and forth within the case. A rotary bobbin goes all the way around. Oscillating bobbins are used on less expensive machines because they take less design and engineering than rotary. Rotary bobbins last longer and miss fewer stitches though. The Brother XL-3030 has an oscillating bobbin. The faster I sew, the more stitches I miss and I miss a few in between regardless. This is my biggest disappointment and I knew going in that I was making the sacrifice. Rotary bobbins also function more quietly and smoothly.
Threading: The threading guide is obvious and clear. A threader for the needle works very well, but you must have the needle positioned so that it will clear the presser foot.
Presser feet: The machine comes with two standard feet, a zipper foot, the buttonholer foot, and a button foot. They go on easily, but the foot release is near the back where you cut threads and I knock it off frequently. The presser foot lever is on the inside of the free arm.
LCD display: I wish they had included all of the information on the LCD in the owners manual. I just don't find it useful. Beginners would appreciate it.
Overall, I am going to be using this machine for a while since it doesn't command much on Ebay. I want to replace it with a machine with the same features and a rotary bobbin. I wouldn't recommend this machine to any of my friends who really sew, but I would recommend it to anyone who needs a basic sewing machine for mending and stitching a few things up now and then.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
sofarsogood
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Location: Central California
Reviews written: 41
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
I cook, I can, I quilt, therefore I am insane !?!
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