Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable 25-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine

by Brother

• Free-arm sewing machine with 25 built-in stitches, each with multiple stitch functions; good for novices and everyday sewing projects
• Accessory storage built into free arm; includes 5 accessory presser feet and bilingual user's manual
• Features needle threader, thread cutter, drop-in bobbin loading, and auto bobbin winding; 1-step auto-size buttonholer
• 110-volt machine operates with foot pedal; light bulb for workspace illumination
• We do not recommend using this machine in countries that do not support 120V AC even if a voltage adapter is in use.

Product Details

User Guide [PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 7.7 x 9.6 inches ; 13 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000F7DPEQ
• Item model number: XL2600I
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (651 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing (See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing)
  • #2 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing > Sewing > Sewing Machines

Product Description

XL2600i Easy-to-use sewing machine with 25 built-in stitches. Perfect for everyday sewing

The Brother XL2600i is perfect even for beginner sewers, with features that are easy to learn and use, a lightweight compact style and an instruction manual that helps take you through everything from basic setup to custom-sized buttonholes. This versatile sewing machine is perfect for so many home sewing projects such as altering and creating clothing, crafting, quilting, home decor and more. Loaded with features, the Brother XL2600i offers 25 built-in utility, decorative and heirloom stitches, and a built-in free arm that allows you to easily sew hems on pants or shirt sleeves. It comes with built-in convenience features such as a 1-step auto-size buttonholer, easy needle threader and drop-in bobbin, all designed to make your everyday sewing quick, easy, and fun. Includes bilingual English/Spanish instruction manual, 25-year limited warranty, and free phone support for the life of the product.

Easy stitch selector

Selecting your stitch is as easy as turning the dial.

Easy threading system, with automatic needle threader

Simply follow the threading diagram printed on your machine, and then have the built-in automatic needle threader take care of threading the needle for you. It couldn’t be easier.

Jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin

Just drop in your bobbin, pull the thread through the slot, and start sewing.

One-step, auto-sized buttonholes

Easily create custom-sized buttonholes with the built-in, one-step buttonhole stitch and the included buttonhole foot. And use the included button fitting foot to then sew on each button.

Plus, these outstanding features:

• Super easy bobbin winding

With your upper thread in place, and the bobbin set on the winder, just push the bobbin control to the right – and your bobbin is wound for you. Fast, easy, and reliable.

• Built-in free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves

Perfect for sewing sleeves, pant legs on children’s clothing and other smaller cylindrical items.

Included Accessories:

About Brother International Corporation

Brother International Corporation has earned its reputation as a leading supplier of innovative products for home sewing and embroidery enthusiasts. The company is recognized for its high-quality, state-of-the-art machines and accessories, offering ease of use and flexibility at affordable prices. Brother is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brother Industries Ltd.

XL2600i Easy-to-use sewing machine with 25 built-in stitches

Exciting range of 25 built-in stitches

In the box

• XL2600i Free Arm Sewing Machine • Presser feet:

• • Zipper foot
• Blind stitch foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Button fitting foot
• Narrow hemmer foot

• Accessory pouch with needle set, twin needle, screwdriver, extra spool pin, bobbins (3), darning plate
• Power cord
• English/Spanish operation manual
• 25 year limited warranty

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

567 of 569 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars HOW TO STOP LOWER THREAD LOOPING October 15, 2008

By SBP

I too was having a ton of problems with the lower thread looping under the fabric. It was very frustrating. Finally I figured out how to fix it. 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.

Aside from that I am happy with the machine. I especially like the needle threader and think that the top thread is very easy to thread. Now that I figured out the lower thread issue, I want to experiment with all the stitches! I wish the presser foot lever was on the back instead of the inside, but oh well. Be careful taking off the tape because I ripped some off and it pulled up a little plastic on the green part of the machine.

The owner's manual IS hard to read. The Spanish is right after the English, and sometimes they repeat the same instructions twice, and it's not laid out well. It is manageable, though.

They make you think you have to buy special bobbins, but on the box it says you can replace them with class 15, although I have not tried that yet. The accessories seem quite acceptable, except I wish they had given you some ball point needles for knits and stretch rather than just more sharp points.

Overall, it sews fine once you get everything threaded right, and I've made several tops already. Definitely good for a beginner or someone who doesn't want to do anything too fancy.

546 of 555 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars One major limitation January 17, 2008

By Cassiopea

This is a great machine for the price. I am teaching my teenage daughter to sew and she is turned off by my clunky old Singer. So I keep that around for the tough jobs and use this new Brother for the light weight stuff.

The only major limitation of this machine is that it can't really handle heavy weight fabrics or multiple layers very well. There is no presser foot adjustment, so the foot can only be raised so much, and can't be adjusted for variable feed, depending on fabric thickness. There is only one setting. That means you need to use plenty of pins, and keep the old Singer around for the heavy duty stuff. Otherwise, a fun little machine.

460 of 478 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Jury's still out, but not everything I'd hoped for. August 10, 2008

By NYer VINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm an intermediate beginner. I have some experience with industrial machines from a sewing class but haven't made any completely successful garments yet. A more experienced sewer suggested I buy a cheap Brother machine. I bought this machine in June largely because of the positive reviews it received on Amazon. Here are the pros and cons I've encountered to date:

PROS

--Price

--Bobbin winding and threading are straightforward (especially the threading function)

--Makes a nice stitch so far

CONS

--The manual is difficult to understand in parts and the layout and index are poor. It also confusingly includes a Spanish-language version immediately after the English text instead of following the English version at the end, as is usually the case with dual- or multi-language manuals. (Some users over at the Wal-mart site had the same problem.)

--The markings on the soleplate don't run the entire length because the feed dogs and bobbin case (on top of the machine) get in the way. The start of the gauge is fairly far behind the presser foot.

--The thread spindle can only handle small spools. To accommodate larger spools I've had to tape chopsticks to the spindle. I also bought a standalone thread hook to create height and tension, but haven't used it yet.

--The needle threader gets in the way. It's not that hard to thread a needle, and this is unnecessary.

--Has a somewhat toy-like feel. But for $114, that's not surprising.

--Some of the optional feet are not snap on.

--Many desirable presser feet will not fit this model. I think, but am not sure, that this machine is classified as a "5mm presser foot model." The "7mm" accessories don't fit. I went into a store after having researched another foot online. The place talked me into a $40 foot that does not fit and then would not take it back. Make sure any feet you buy will fit on this model, or at least buy from a reputable source like Amazon.

--It has a lot of stitches that I don't really have much use for. All I really want are a reliable and well-formed straight and zigzag stitch.

--The numerous dials are confusing and I can't but wonder if so many functions won't make the machine more likely to break down.

--An invisible zipper foot is not included. That would have been much more useful than the accessory feet provided, which I believe are (they aren't labeled, which they should be), a 1/4 quilting foot, a narrow hemmer foot, a quilting foot and a blind stitch foot.

--It doesn't come with a carrying case.

Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't have been better off applying the $100 I spent on this machine towards an entry-level Bernina or an industrial Juki. More often than not you get what you pay for and sometimes cheap tools are more costly in the end.

Perhaps I will edit this review after a few more months of experience with this machine.

UPDATE, October 2011: I used this machine a lot this summer. My impression remains the same. It's OK, but even for a first machine, I would invest a bit more money for a little more machine.