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Product Description
Amazon.com Review
A great machine for sewing on cuffs and hemming pant legs, the Brother XL2230 features 31-stitch-functions and a free-arm design. Built-in functions include straight, zigzag, satin, triple stitch, stretch, blind-hem, and elastic stitches for attaching a wide variety of materials. An automatic 4-step buttonhole means precision buttonholing, every time. The XL2230 also features an easy-thread design with a built-in needle threader and drop-in bobbin. More great features: 18 utility stitch functions, 6 decorative stitch functions, 2 quilting stitch functions, 5 heirloom stitch functions. Plus, built-in stitch lengths and widths set automatically for perfect stitch density and no loose loops or haywire. Brother's snap on design makes changing presser feet a breeze. Twin needles enable two-color sewing, and a dial-thread tension-adjustment and a quick winding bobbin system make operations quick and smooth. Lightweight and compact, a built-in handle offers easy portability. Brian Olson
Product Description
Brother's XL2230 is a 31 stitch function free-arm sewing machine. The built in stitches include straight, zig-zag, satin, stretch stitches, blind hem stitch, and elastic stitch. This machine has an automatic 4 step buttonhole for great buttonholes every time. The XL2230 has an easy threading system with a built in needle threader and a drop in bobbin. The stitch length and width are automatically set for each stitch so all of the built-in stitches come out perfectly. The presser feet are also easy to change with Brother's snap on design. You can quickly and easily set up your machine for any of the built in stitches. The XL2230 is lightweight and compact with a built-in handle for portability.
Manufacturer's note:
Accessories are housed in free arm of machine.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
116 of 118 people found the following review helpful
We ordered 7 of these machines for our school sewing class, and each machine is in use approximately 1-2 hours per week. Upon receipt, one of the machines would not work, and we received a replacement. We have now been using the machines for about 6 weeks, and have consistently had problems with the bobbin casing dislocating and causing the needle to jam or break. The sewing instructor, who has extensive sewing experience, used the word temperamental to describe them and said that they are a nightmare for the frustrated students attempting to learn to sew. They were reasonably priced, but I guess you get what you pay for.
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a novice sewist who only likes to do fast and easy (weekend) projects. So far, I've made a pair of sleep shorts with elastic; hemmed jeans; fitted baggy t-shirts; and essentially played around with the machine. My father also hemmed a bunch of draperies for my sister's condo and he seemed to like the machine quite a bit.
PROS
- good number of basic accessories, incl. zipper foot, narrow hem foot, blind hem foot, a few extra needles, one twin needle, three plastic bobbins, extra spool pin, plastic darning plate and screwdriver. Zig zag foot was already installed when I received the unit. All the feet are metal except for a clear plastic "button sewing foot."
- "free arm" feature is handy
- seems solid enough. I don't mind the plastic, keeps the price down and makes it easier to carry.
- also like that it doesn't need much space to store. I made a cover for it w/ approx. measurements 17"x13"x6" --can easily carry w/ one hand due to integrated handle.
- foot can be raised about 3/4"
- a coin instead of screw driver can be used to tighten needle holder. You could use your fingers, but the screw is small.
- handles denim relatively easily, even six layers at a folded hem. keep the back of the foot lifted with a piece of wadded cloth or tilt it carefully with your finger.
- robust feed dogs. In fact, I can't imagine using this for sheer cloth, might stretch apart
CONS
- louder than I expected from reviews
- no quilting feet are included (I don't mind, given you get a lot of other accessories, but some might)
- there isn't much space on the right side of the foot if you need to pass your project "through" the machine
- threader only seems to work for size 11 and 14 needles; it's okay, I keep a wire needle threader on the side for jeans needles
- selection dial feels fragile. Might break under heavy use
- no setting to have the needle automatically stay up or down when you stop sewing. You'll need to manually turn the (too small) handwheel. Might not be that great for people with arthritis
- foot pedal is best operated barefoot to get the most finesse. It has little middle range and likes to go at 80mph on the least provocation.
POTENTIAL THREAD TENSION PROBLEMS
This machine is indeed "tempramental," as another reviewer put it. If you have tension problems:
- metal class 15 bobbins seem to work a little better than plastic when dealing with finicky tension problems, but then you lose the advantage of being able to see your bobbin thread levels. The manual continually harps on using the correct bobbins though, so remember: do as the manual says and not as I do. :)
- the tension screw for the bobbin appears to be locked in place with a dab of green enamel paint, so you can't mess with it.
- be sure that the bobbin thread is properly threaded under and through a small metal tab under the plastic guide. If you take the bobbin case out, you'll see the metal tab.
- be sure you're threading with the presser foot up
- give the upper thread a gentle tug as you thread through point 2 (near the top of the machine) to make sure the thread "seats" itself between the tension discs
- rethread the upper all over again
Once the tension's been resolved, this machine sews beautifully...until it doesn't...but so far mostly good. I'm not very experienced, so it could be that I wasn't following proper threading procedure previously--but it does seem my grandmother's ancient White sewing machine was forgiving compared to this one.
OVERALL:
Buy if the machine is on sale for cheap; you expect to use a straight stitch most of the time, as the tensioning problems won't be as obvious if they happen; you don't need to sew sheer cloth; you're okay with troubleshooting potentially frequent thread tension problems; you want a light machine with a good number of accessories that can handle denim. I think it's a contender for around one hundred-ish dollars. (I got it for somewhat less than that during one of Amazon's Gold Box deals.) Best of luck to those who choose this machine--you may need it!
PROS
- good number of basic accessories, incl. zipper foot, narrow hem foot, blind hem foot, a few extra needles, one twin needle, three plastic bobbins, extra spool pin, plastic darning plate and screwdriver. Zig zag foot was already installed when I received the unit. All the feet are metal except for a clear plastic "button sewing foot."
- "free arm" feature is handy
- seems solid enough. I don't mind the plastic, keeps the price down and makes it easier to carry.
- also like that it doesn't need much space to store. I made a cover for it w/ approx. measurements 17"x13"x6" --can easily carry w/ one hand due to integrated handle.
- foot can be raised about 3/4"
- a coin instead of screw driver can be used to tighten needle holder. You could use your fingers, but the screw is small.
- handles denim relatively easily, even six layers at a folded hem. keep the back of the foot lifted with a piece of wadded cloth or tilt it carefully with your finger.
- robust feed dogs. In fact, I can't imagine using this for sheer cloth, might stretch apart
CONS
- louder than I expected from reviews
- no quilting feet are included (I don't mind, given you get a lot of other accessories, but some might)
- there isn't much space on the right side of the foot if you need to pass your project "through" the machine
- threader only seems to work for size 11 and 14 needles; it's okay, I keep a wire needle threader on the side for jeans needles
- selection dial feels fragile. Might break under heavy use
- no setting to have the needle automatically stay up or down when you stop sewing. You'll need to manually turn the (too small) handwheel. Might not be that great for people with arthritis
- foot pedal is best operated barefoot to get the most finesse. It has little middle range and likes to go at 80mph on the least provocation.
POTENTIAL THREAD TENSION PROBLEMS
This machine is indeed "tempramental," as another reviewer put it. If you have tension problems:
- metal class 15 bobbins seem to work a little better than plastic when dealing with finicky tension problems, but then you lose the advantage of being able to see your bobbin thread levels. The manual continually harps on using the correct bobbins though, so remember: do as the manual says and not as I do. :)
- the tension screw for the bobbin appears to be locked in place with a dab of green enamel paint, so you can't mess with it.
- be sure that the bobbin thread is properly threaded under and through a small metal tab under the plastic guide. If you take the bobbin case out, you'll see the metal tab.
- be sure you're threading with the presser foot up
- give the upper thread a gentle tug as you thread through point 2 (near the top of the machine) to make sure the thread "seats" itself between the tension discs
- rethread the upper all over again
Once the tension's been resolved, this machine sews beautifully...until it doesn't...but so far mostly good. I'm not very experienced, so it could be that I wasn't following proper threading procedure previously--but it does seem my grandmother's ancient White sewing machine was forgiving compared to this one.
OVERALL:
Buy if the machine is on sale for cheap; you expect to use a straight stitch most of the time, as the tensioning problems won't be as obvious if they happen; you don't need to sew sheer cloth; you're okay with troubleshooting potentially frequent thread tension problems; you want a light machine with a good number of accessories that can handle denim. I think it's a contender for around one hundred-ish dollars. (I got it for somewhat less than that during one of Amazon's Gold Box deals.) Best of luck to those who choose this machine--you may need it!
65 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I replaced my Singer with this machine and I am more than happy with it. The Singer machine caused me problems from day one on. Contrary to the Singer the Brother machine is quiter, doesn't let the table vibrate and doesn't tangle up the stiches like my Singer does. I already made a couple of outfits for myself and it worked like a charm. I only can recommend this machine!!! I am having a ball with this little machine. And the price isn't to beat.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tons of Fun
This little machine is just perfect for someone who's just getting started in sewing (like me.) It's capable of anything I might like to do and has a great instruction manual to... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Momma McJ
Great Basic Machine
I got this as a gift (purchased from Amazon), and have only used it a couple of times. However, compared to my old Singer, this machine is great! Read more
Published 17 months ago by ComfyShoeMaven
Major problems with bobbin case and tension
I've had this machine for about 2 years and while I've been able to create lots of projects, a recurring problem has been inconsistent thread tension. Read more
Published on January 30, 2010 by Kailua Mom
Brother Sewing Machine
This is the first Brother sewing machine I have ever owned; all others were Singer. Takes a little getting used to. So far so good. Good value for the price I paid.
Published on January 21, 2010 by Sandra C. Chun
Basic Machine, A Little Temperamental
GENERAL: I have had some issues with the bottom thread getting bunched up and gathering up the fabric as I sew. Read more
Published on November 23, 2009 by Kelli Adams
Great machine, does what I need
This is a great machine, and so far, I haven't found any cons about it. I got it on a gold box deal, for a great price. Read more
Published on September 15, 2009 by Sarah J. Holdren
Excellent Sewing Machine!
I brought this about 3 weeks back, and started using it and learning new features each day. I am loving it! Read more
Published on August 23, 2009 by Vijay D. Kalamkar
Budget Sewing...Here It Is
I bought this sewing machine when amazon has it on GoldBox. Item arrived on time and fast. This is a very basic machine. It gets the job done. Read more
Published on August 10, 2009 by Y. Tian
Great machine for the price...
This little machine is a great buy. Personally, I made the decision to buy because I got tired of paying tailors 10-15 bucks a pop just to take up a pair of pants. Read more
Published on July 15, 2009 by James U. Hammond
Brother 31 Stitch Sewing Machine
It's not the most powerful thing out there, you can't do a lot of sewing on very heavy fabrics or leather. Read more
Published on May 21, 2008 by C. Lockyer
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