Customer Reviews

Brother XL-3750 Convertible 35-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Its been about 12 years since I have sewed (on a borrowed machine)... I purchased this machine in Feb and it was so easy to set up and use.. I am about halfway done a baby quilt and have really enjoyed sewing again. I think that if the machine hadn't worked so nicely I would have been frustrated. I haven't sewn enough to really know how to fix problems. The instruction manual was easy to follow and at one point when the tension wasn't right, the manual provided me what I needed to fix it.... I have a friend who sews regularly who recommended this to me and I have been exremely happy.....

The ad said it was lightweight and it is wonderfully so. The quick start guide was easy to follow to get started right away on my projects. It is a diagram-based chart for getting the bobbin and the machine threaded and I breezed through it; however, when I got to the automatic needle threader, I got a bit frustrated figuring out how the mechanicism worked. When I realized I had to look at the needle hole at a left angle and not straight on, I saw how the mechanism worked and it then was so easily to thread the machine I almost cried for joy. I have never had an automatic needle threader before and it is wonderful.

I played with the dials on a piece of scrap fabric for a 10 minutes and then started on my projects. I did some light mending and then finished with sewing heavy outdoor fabric and the machine handled it all beautifully. The reverse stitch button is prominent and easy to push and the machine responds quickly. As an aside, the machine comes with lots of gizmos to do all kinds of special sewing projects (embroidery) and also 4 standard needles. For my outdoor heavy fabric, I need to buy the appropriate needle next time (I broke one of the standard needles) but the machine itself soared right through the tough task I put it through. Swapping the work surface from sleeve fitting to a large table top work surface and back to as it is pictured here is a snap. It comes with a cloth carrying case. I bought a plastic case and that was a waste of money because the cloth case is sufficient for this lightweight sewing machine. I am so pleased with this product. You can have a great sewing machine for a reasonable price and store it quickly and easily. No need for a whole room in your home for sewing!

First off, I bought a Brother XL-2600 10 years ago. I do light sewing--curtains, the occasional skirt or apron, throw pillows, jeans mending, lots of alterations, etc. Haven't had a single problem with it, and can do everything from silk to jeans--basic stuff only, though. I took it in for routine cleaning, which I've never done once, and it's taking the repair shop a long time to get to it, so I wanted a value-priced machine to back up my old machine in the meantime. I found the XL-3750 after doing a lot of research and seriously considering the Kenmore 58-stitch, which also gets good reviews.

The first XL-3750 I got from Amazon had a broken top-thread tension setting--didn't work no matter what I did. I sent that one back (FREE RETURNS, FOLKS!), and in 2 days got a second XL-3750 (they send a replacement right away, pending your return). Setup took less than 5 minutes, and I was sewing that night.

This machine does a lot for a non-computerized machine, and can handle most any fabric. I've even tried some knit sewing on it, and it works. I don't even have to use an ugly zigzag stitch to do knits on it b/c it has some stretch-fabric stitches. (...or you can just go with a straight stitch.)

I am very pleased with this machine, although I haven't had it long and might be favorably prejudiced toward it by the quality of my old Brother.

This machine is a great value for the novice or intermediate sewist.

Good features:
--drop-in bobbin
--needle threader: what an invention!
--comes with lots of foot attachments you'd normally pay a lot for (including quilting bar and rolling foot)
--machine cover included
--lots of utility and decorative stitches for the price
--quick setup
--one-step buttonhole maker
--terrific value
--relatively quiet (compared to older machines)
--snap-on feet
--pedal responds well to pressure changes, making speed easy to adjust

Good Amazon features:
--free returns
--quick shipping of replacement item

NOTE: I am an Amazon Prime member. Don't know if that makes a difference with the shipping and returns.

No complaints thus far. I will update the review if I end up having any.

I too was having problems with the lower thread looping and issues with tension adjustment. I found this solution looking at a review for the Brother XL2600I with the title "How to Stop Lower thread looping". Followed the suggestions, and the issue was COMPLETELY resolved in under a minute. Here is the post from SBP Ladorada : "Finally I figured out how to fix it. (tension issue) Refer to the owner's manual section on inserting the bobbin for photos. What you want to do is drop in the bobbin, and pull the thread through the little slit like it says. But, you have to make sure that the thread goes into the slot in the "tension-adjusting spring" (this is hard to see; pull up the plastic tongue that forms the slit a little with your fingernail to see where it is), although it should go in by itself, then YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE BOBBIN SO IT DOESN'T MOVE AND PULL THE THREAD GENTLY TO SEAT IT INTO THE SPRING. That is the key. After I made sure the thread was all the way in, like magic my lower thread was working perfectly. "

It sounded too easy BUT it really works, Brother should post a better picture of this in the manual.Once you see how to guide the thread
into the inner slot into the tension-adjusting spring it is a snap. A easy check to see if it is inserted correstly is that when looking down at the bobbin you will notice that the bobbin thread leaves the bobbin spool from the left front and goes back toward the needle side. If the bobbin thread leaves the bobbin spool directly from the back then you missed the adjusting spring and the you will have looping issues and the tension control knob will be useless.

I Hope this helps all the frustrated end users!!!

I was using a 30 year old klunker of a sewing machine to make sure I liked the hobby before I bought one of my own. Well, I ended up liking sewing a lot, so instead of fighting with the old machine that kept skipping, making mistakes, and the light cord wouldn't stay connected, I just bought a new one and have been overly thrilled ever since.

-This machine looks attractive
-Sews through thick fabric very well
-Has a decent light (though more light could never hurt)!
-Comes with a light duty dust cover
-Has 'quilting features' such as the huge expandable deck which is convenient.
-I really LOVE the see-thru bobbin area (I had no clue how much that would be a life saver to check if you're running low or to see if there's a jam).
-The stitch functions are fun to use and varied.
-The numbered threading system does help me get it done quickly. Though, there is a bit of a learning curve. Took me a few weeks to really understand it.
-Automatic bobbin winding is a snap!
-Relatively quiet my husband said, and I agree.

Things that could be improved or are a little confusing to me, even after reading manual:

-I still don't understand the automatic needle threader so I just thread by hand.
-The stitch selector wheel confuses me at times as to what I'm selecting.
-The stitch width and stith length dials could be labeled with words to make it effortless. (I used a label maker to add my own.)
-Cord for foot pedal could be longer.
-Foot pedal could use some 'gentle' settings. It seems to want to go 0-60mph very quickly when I just want to start out stitching slowly.

So all in all, a VAST improvement for me, and this price bracket and quality of machine will last me a long, long time. I am glad I spent the money on a good machine and didn't have to return a cheap one to the store.

NO disappointments!

I bought the Brother XL-3750 based on the 4-star rating at Amazon and was thrilled when it showed up. My first attempts at sewing produced stitches that were so-so, which surprised me since it should have been basically fine right out of the box. I was attempting to make something for an upcoming craft fair and no way would the sewing pass muster and sell, so I adjusted the tension knob. As others have written, it did absolutely nothing. Actually, with each tweak the stitching got worse. I couldn't even backtrack and set it the way it had been. I tried for 4 hours to get anything that was even remotely passable with no luck. I was tired, frustrated, and on the verge of tears. I called Brother first thing this morning and they insisted I must have threaded the machine wrong or put the bobbin in backwards. They were really no help. They wouldn't cover the machine under warranty even though it was brand new because all I had was an online e-mail verification (no receipt came in the box). I then called their closest authorized dealership just to see if they had run into the problem with this particular machine because, as I now discovered, there were so many negative comments about tension problems all over the internet. They told me to come on down, looking at it was free. I made the 12 mile trip and they fixed the machine in 5 minutes, no charge. Their fix: they took the plate off and popped out the bobbin case, dusted underneath it, then popped it back in properly, tightened everything up and voila! the blasted thing sewed beautifully. Apparently, Brother is now making some lower end inexpensive machines that are sold on Amazon, on eBay, and in places like Wal-Mart, which may work great IF they work, but they aren't taking the same care to make sure they go out tuned up and ready to sew. Hence the reason why some people love the machine and others say it doesn't work at all. Consistency leaving the factory is a problem, I guess. I have no idea how long this fix will work--hopefully forever--but as of this moment the darn thing sews fine. So if you are one of the unlucky ones who gets a Brother XL-3750 that has what seems to be major tension problems and the tension knob isn't doing a blasted thing, please look into taking the bobbin case out--not the bobbin, but the bobbin case--and make sure it's clean underneath and that it sits properly in its spot. They made me look at how it's positioned, but please refer to a manual/diagram to see. They said mine was wedged in improperly and there was a good amount of dust underneath. If this is such an easy fix I'm surprised Brother doesn't acknowledge it or even suggest or recommend you look into an improperly seated bobbin case. Good luck, I hope this helps all those who are as frustrated as I was. I'm giving this a one star review because no one should have to go through so much trouble to make a brand new out of the box machine work.

This machine had all the features I was looking for right now, but the foot pedal has only one speed setting: light speed. Which would be fine if the person doing the sewing was a robot with Matrix-like faster-than-light reflexes, or if they could slow down time or something. As is, the machine is completely useless. The slightest amount of pressure on the pedal makes the fabric shoot out so fast that it immediately gets bunched up and it is impossible to keep it straight or see what it's doing. Other problems with this machine include: upper thread tension wheel doesn't seem to do anything at all (something another reviewer pointed out as well!), and on my machine the tension is permanently too tight. This machine is priced so well that it's tempting, but not if it's just going to be a paper weight taking up space in a corner somewhere because it doesn't work. I'm very disappointed. And with having to pay the shipping to Brother and back even though I've only had it for 2 weeks, it is not worth it. Not to mention they would probably just put one of the same faulty foot pedals on it (maybe these defects are why these machines are on sale at every single website I see them on). It's painful to return this because I was really looking forward to using it, and I have all my fabric cut and ready to sew a dress right now. GRRRRrrrr!!!

As stated above, great basic starter - no electronic parts to fry, 100% mechanical sewing machine. Automatic buttonholer is really easy to use.

Strangely, for machine that is so well put-together, the little drawer in front that comes off for the free arm sewing, isn't actually a drawer at all - it's just wasted vertical space (called a "storage compartment")without even a lip the hold a seam ripper or extra bobbins. The manual says to put accessories in a bag and then into the storage compartment. Waste of space on an otherwise well-made simple machine.

After looking around for a relatively inexpensive machine for basic sewing needs, I decided on the Brother XL-3750, and I'm very glad I did. Today I hemmed 3 pairs of jeans that have never fit correctly. I had no problem whatsoever simply using the included needle and working carefully around the seams -- and I feel like I've added 3 items to my wardrobe! Love it! I'm 5'2" and have SUCH a hard time getting jeans and other items to be the length I like, even when I order petite.

I found the machine easy to set-up and use. I haven't used a sewing machine in years, so I was working from the enclosed instructions and a very foggy memory. YouTube videos about basic sewing (and hemming pants!) are a great resource, too.

Overall, I highly recommend this machine. I still have to figure out all of the accessories and assorted tasks it can perform, but it looks like there will lots of fun sewing ahead, and I'm excited to get my 10- and 8-year old girls involved, too. I would give this machine 4.5 stars if I could; the only reason I'm not giving it 5 is because the instructions are a tiny bit unclear in parts (but very good overall) and I think the length of the power cord could be a bit longer (but that's what extension cords are for, right?).

I bought this sewing machine for making costumes for a school play.
I have been using it for about a month now, and I like it very much.
It is very stable, relatively quiet, and it can handle thick fabric well.
I have not tried some of the extra functions yet, but I am looking forward to this.
My only complaint is that the light is kind of dim. But usually that's a common problem for any sewing machines.
Overall, this is a good sewing machine for both starters and experienced sewers.