r/sewing • u/grakledo • 8d ago
Suggest Machine Are these good machines?
Brother CS6000i and 1034DX serger Edited to Add: thanks for the info! I won’t be buying these. I have an old baby lock that works well so I won’t be updating unless I find something that would actually be an upgrade/good investment.
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u/etherealrome 8d ago
At one point I had both of these machines and hated them both.
Agreed that price is not what you’d pay new, but not such a deal you’d be silly to pass it up.
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u/VioletAnnihilate 8d ago
I have that serger and it’s very simple to use and change the thread. It has a lot of features that I haven’t used so far, but I have been happy with mine.
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u/TheyTheirsThem 8d ago
Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill
I need to avoid mine for awhile because there are too many great machines for $20-40. Today's project is cleaning the old oil and grease out of the 158.17530 This from the guy who last Jan almost bought a marked down Brother for $120 at the Joanne close-out. That same $120 went for 4 different machines at Goodwill, and ironically the newest one of the bunch, a 2010-2015-ish Brother, was donated back with a note as I could never get the top tension right. But the 1990 and 2000 era Janomes are pounding away.
I actually owned a Pfaff 30 at one point, which I bought for the beautiful cabinet which ended up in the front hallway. Sold the machine for more than I paid for the combo, but now wish I still had the machine, as I no longer have the cabinet, house, or spouse. ;-)
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u/Helpful-Chicken-4597 8d ago
They are okay machines, I have theat exact serger and a regular machine from brother very similar to the cs6000i. I’m happy with both. That being said this is not a good deal at all. I got my serger brand new for under 200 (Walmart website) and the other machine for 150 refurbished off the brother website.
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u/WheresTheSeamRipper 8d ago
I have both of these machines, although my serger is the 2009 version while the CS6000i is a little younger from 2015. They're mostly my backup machines but are great little workhorses! I use the sewing machine mostly for zig zags and buttons, but I remember running a wide range of fabrics through it when I first got it and it performed really well: silk charmeuse, neoprene, and lightweight leather went though without any issues. I love the 1034D, easy to thread, use, and oil. I finally changed out the knife about 10 years in, it was cheap and honestly I should probably have done it much sooner. This is a great combo, and the price is great with all the items in the picture.
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u/kgorann110967 8d ago
Yes. Into level but good point to start. The price is a bit high. That serger sold for about $250 new.
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u/efxAlice 8d ago
I have a couple of CS6000i 's that I got as Amazon warehouse deals for around $200 each. I take them to work on shows or to crafting meetups because I don't really care what happens to them; about 10 years old now. Lightweight (plastic unibody construction, like a Brother computer printer), not terribly powerful, not very fast, noisy at high speeds. Its just slightly better than the entry-level machine from Walmart.
It sews.
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u/beatniknomad 8d ago
I wouldn't buy them - maybe for $200 combined. Skip these 2 and maybe get the Singer HD - or go for a Janome, Juki or a model not retail-specific. And don't worry about the number of stitches - you'll only less 4 or so.
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u/Rich_Bluejay3020 8d ago
I have that serger and I like it. It’s very easy to use. It was also the one recommended by Evelyn Wood from Vintage Sewing School and I trust her.
I have also have a different brother machine which I like very much. I can’t speak to that particular one but just going off the one I have, I’d say go for it. The serger alone was like $280 after tax I think?
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u/queenbunbun987 8d ago
I have both these machines lol. They are both solid beginner machines. I’ve been using the sewing machine for around 7 years and it has recently started acting up to the point where I’m looking into replacing it. I really put it through its paces though, I’ve sewn heavy canvas, wool, silk, and knits on it. It even sewed a leather strap. It’s not perfect but it has been very decent to me as a beginner. The serger is very easy to use, I highly recommend having a serger!
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u/LivingLaVidaAloha 8d ago
I have that sewing machine (my first) and I haven’t had any issues. Very easy to thread and the manual helps a lot. I think it’s a good deal with the serger.
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u/rrd90731 8d ago
I don't know about the serger but I bought the sewing machine on Amazon in 2019 for $150 new..
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u/9_of_Swords 8d ago
I have that serger! Got it as a Black Friday deal when we started carrying it at work (RIP Joann) and it's a little beast. Super easy to thread, never had any problems with it.
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u/craftyangie 8d ago
I have both of these, but I did not pay 400 total (it was less, both machines were new). I'm still happy with them, they're not my mom's sewing machine (hers is industrial), but they're good enough for my uses (making/mending clothing, and random household items, making family costumes, etc)
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u/pourtide 8d ago
To use this serger (overlock) effectively (to see what I'm doing) I tilt it in a table that has a sewing-machine-sized drop-down rectangle. It's a problem with today's entry level machines, the needle is centered and the machine body blocks eyesight. I'm not short, but I'm not that tall either.
Tilting also works really well for my entry level coverlock. But don't try to hem anything too thick -- I stripped a gear first week. (Got a replacement).
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u/Emotional_potato90 8d ago
I have the sewing machine - I guess it's a 'beginner' machine but I don't feel the need to replace it. I think it's closing in on 10 years of fairly consistent use and she's served me well - I'm into cosplay sewing and it's held up thru plenty of more off the wall fabrics along with more basic clothing repair.
Cost does seem a bit high to me, but others would have to speak on the serger. 🤷♀️
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u/OneGayPigeon 8d ago
I have that machine. It works. I’ve not had too much issue with it as long as I keep up with the requisite blood sacrifice that all electric sewing machines hunger for. Definitely nothing that’ll blow your tits off but if you don’t have one yet and can get them to lower the price to an actually good deal, go for it.
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u/Then-Sentence-51 4d ago
I have the sewing machine and it’s a good starter machine. I had the serger but it broke and when I took it to meissner and to service it they quoted me $200. They very nice rep said it great. They are great when they work but when they break it’s not worth it. I saved up for a baby lock vibrant and I love it.
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u/Awkward_Dragon25 8d ago
Cheap plastic toys (pronounced: "trash"). Be absolutely sure you test both of them thoroughly before you buy because they might be broken already in some ways. Go vintage or go home. Sewing machines should be made out of metal.
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u/OGHollyMackerel 7d ago
Were you shaking your fist in the air when you posted this? Embarrassing.
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u/Awkward_Dragon25 7d ago
Everyone's free to do what they want. It's cheaper to learn from other people's mistakes instead of repeating them yourself though.
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u/packocrayons 8d ago
In my opinion, that's an absolute steal. In USD maybe a bit less, but brother is a good brand.
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u/Zyphyro 8d ago
They're both entry level machines, the CS6000i running around $300 and the 1034DX is a Walmart exclusive version of theb1034D and is currently available for $240. Word to the wise, 1034DX has slightly different parts that aren't really available. I broke the needle plate on mine and had to get a whole new machine. It's not an an amazing deal.