Brother CS7000X Review

The Brother CS7000X is an easy-to-use sewing machine that meets the basic requirements of most in-home sewing projects. It's lightweight, at just 10.4 pounds, and offers 70 stitch options. Though its screen is smaller and doesn't light up, this computerized model is still a very handy and functional option for folks searching to sew on a budget.

Sewing

Sewing the most basic stitches, like a running stitch and basting stitch, the CS7000X did well across all fabrics. On its default settings, these stitches are the right tension, creating little to no bunching on the many fabrics we tested. On zig-zag stitches and blind hems, some minor tweaks in the top thread's tension make for better stitches.

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This effect was even more noticeable on scalloped stitches. From the front, these look mostly uniform, but on the back side of the fabric, the lower tension of the top thread is more obvious as it pulls through to the backside. The triangular stitch we tested doesn't quite produce the crisp, straight angles and edges you'd hope for, and some inconsistencies from stitch to stitch along the length of the seam are noticeable. Some tension issues can easily be fixed in the settings of the CS7000X, but others can't.

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The CS7000X sewed through eight layers of 12-ounce denim with no struggles at all. It performed similarly well in our quilting tests, producing the same stitch results through two layers of cotton muslin and two layers of quilt batting as it did through double layers of silk, satin, and cotton jersey. Installing a zipper posed some minor challenges for this machine, as the foot struggled to raise quite high enough for easy passage of the zipper pull. That said, a few practice runs allowed us to learn this machine's quirks and even out the side seams, keeping them nice and close to the teeth.

Ease of Use

Though a selection of 70 unique stitches may not seem impressive when some machines have hundreds, the CS7000X still has more stitches than most sewing machines we tested, and all the right ones for most projects. The screen isn't overly large or lit, but the stitch selection is one of the easiest we've seen. Separate forward and backward buttons let you easily select each numeral on the screen to quickly choose your desired stitch without worrying you'll go past it. The numbers also scroll all the way through, with 9 connecting to 0 and vice versa. This may seem like a small detail, but after using these machines for hours on end, the small details really add up to big differences.

The bobbin winding mechanism on the CS7000X includes a retractable spool holder on the top. Once getting the hang of this machine's specifics, it is easy to wind the bobbins it comes with. However, the bobbins consistently ended up loaded a bit bottom-heavy. This never affected performance, but it is a noticeable difference and can stop you from loading as much thread as you may want. The thread cutter is located in the middle of the left side, which is a slightly less convenient location than on the back corner, as some models have. Still, it works well once you're used to it.

The needle stop position button is configurable, meaning you can tell the CS7000X if you want it to default to stop in or out of the fabric when pressed — or simply go to the opposite of whatever position it was when you pressed it. The project light on this machine is also one of the best. It's bright, has a wide coverage area, and doesn't create as many distracting shadows as others.

Buttonholes

Setting up the CS7000X to create buttonholes is a straightforward task. The button foot has a slider adjustment that you simply stick the button in. Colored lines on the opposite end of the button foot make it easy to line everything up on your fabric. When the machine has finished making the buttonhole, it stops itself, preventing you from trying to guess where the buttonhole should end.

However, like most Brother machines we tested, the CS7000X tends to jump at the start of a buttonhole, placing stitches up to a quarter inch away from the buttonhole itself. In some of our tests, the buttonhole was so tight in the center that we had a difficult time cutting the holes open afterward. This machine struggled to create attractive buttonholes on cotton jersey and silk, leaving uneven stitches and large gaps around the edges. It made decent buttonholes in cotton muslin, though, with mostly clean lines and nearly uniform stitches.

Should You Buy the Brother CS7000X?

The CS7000X is a solid budget-friendly sewing machine for most basic at-home projects. It has plenty of stitch options to choose from and an easy-to-use interface. On the flip side, the small, unlit screen isn't the best for troubled eyesight, and it doesn't make the best buttonholes. However, for those looking for an affordable computerized machine, this one is a solid choice.

What Other Sewing Machines Should You Consider?

If you like the sound of the functionality and ease of use of this model but wish it had a larger screen and more interesting stitch options, check out the Brother HC1850. And if buttonholes are a priority, the Singer 7258 Stylist is one of the best at consistent buttonhole creation and offers solid all-around performance. But if you're not hung up on buttons or a large screen, the Brother CS7000X is a very usable, customizable computerized model that can help you save a few bucks.