Is The Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine Right For You?
Looking to invest in Brother XR3774 sewing machine, you’ve stumbled upon the article that will help you make an informed decision.
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In short, it's a great, portable, easy to use, versatile and affordable beginner sewing machine.
There are things to consider when buying this model.
What kind of fabric it can handle, what’s the quality of stitches, how you load your bobbin, and any extra features are all important considerations.
I’m sure you have a lot of questions, so let me help to answer a few of them for you here.
While an entry level machine like this one can’t compete with a top-of-the-line machine, it can do quite a bit for a low price point.
In the following Brother XR3774 review, I want to give you an inside look at what all this model has to offer.
What Fabrics can I sew?
- You could easily hem heavy denim.
- Faux Fur
- According to one answer in FAQ's on Amazon, it can stitch up to eight layers of 7 oz. Canvas. However, it's a domestic sewing machine don't go overboard with industrial grade fabrics.
- Stretchy fabrics, and many more.
Can it handle multiple types of projects?
Check out this review on Amazon and see the images of the projects this person had completed with this machine. It's mind-blowing that how much stuff you could sew with it.
This model is not only a 37 stitch sewing machine it also comes stock with eight different sewing feet. The included sewing feet are:
- Zipper foot
- Zigzag foot
- Walking foot
- Quilting foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Button sewing foot
- Narrow hemmer foot
Many machines offer you the ability to buy extra feet after the original purchase, but the fact that this device comes with eight right off the bat makes it handy.
That on top of the 37 available stitch patterns make this sewing machine incredibly versatile.
Click here to view this machine at Amazon.
When you are just beginning out sewing having a machine that can do multiple things is super handy because as you are learning, you will discover what you enjoy most.
Of course, there will be things that you can’t do with an entry level machine like this one, but you can get a lot done with what this model provides.
How does the foot pedal feel?
Many of the cheaper machines on the market are known for having a touchy foot pedal. We all know the fear of going from zero to sixty with the slightest touch of the pedal.
One wrong move and you can completely ruin a piece that you have been working on for hours.
In contrast, the pedal control on this sewing machine is quite good. It’s not nearly as touchy as it’s similarly priced competition.
For the price point, this is a great feature that you can find in far more expensive machines. It makes a huge difference.
Click here to view this machine at Amazon.
How loud is Brother XR3774 full-featured sewing and quilting machine?
It is not noisy and not quiet either, You can talk or listen to music while working on this.
Some sewing machines sound like a helicopter is landing in your living room. Not this one. Considering how affordable this machine is, it is surprisingly quiet.
That’s not to say it’s the quietest thing out there, but it does sound a lot better than many other machines.
If you are just starting out this might not be something you will think about, but the first time you want to sew while the kids are napping, you will be happy it was something you took the time to consider.
Is the L.E.D. light bright?
Speaking of working while the kids are asleep, the Brother’s bright L.E.D. work light is not only good for getting a little extra help seeing nooks and crannies during the day.
It’s bright enough to be the only light in the room if you are working on a project at night.
When I was younger I used to love to work on projects late into the night, my college roommates, on the other hand, did not enjoy my night owl tendencies and often got on my case for sewing late at night.
The low noise level of this machine combined with the super handy L.E.D. makes it so much easier to work on projects after dark without bothering your neighbors of your suitemates.
Does it come with a quilting table?
Sometimes you just need a little extra room to move around. This full-featured sewing and quilting machine offers a quilting table that gives you plenty of room to maneuver around some of those bigger projects you might be working on.
This feature is another one that you might not think of until you have to make something that is a little bit larger in size.
I remember when I started learning to quilt, and all I had was a standard small brother machine. There’s nothing more frustrating than using a cramped sewing machine.
With the extended quilting table that comes stock on this unit, you have all the room you need.
Click here to view the Brother XR3774 sewing machine at Amazon.
Is it good enough for quilting?
Although this model comes with quilting table and quilting foot, it doesn’t make this model alternative to good quilting machine.
If your main projects include quilting, then the lack of throat space, inability to drop feed dogs, can cause lots of frustration with your big quilting projects.
However, if quilting is not your ultimate goal, you can live with basic quilting projects with this machine.
Is an easy needle threader necessary?
I have spent countless hours re-threading the needle on my sewing machine. It seems like every time I cut off a piece of fabric the thread slides right back out.
It can be incredibly frustrating trying to get your thread back through the eye of the needle.
The needle threader on this model works perfectly, saving you tons of time, and so much frustration.
It’s seriously my favorite thing on any sewing machine. You won’t regret getting a machine with this seemingly simple feature.
Does Brother XR3774 come with drop down bobbin?
Yeah, this model comes with a top drop-in bobbin that is jam-resistant. The winding of the bobbin can be time-consuming and frustrating. This model comes with the bobbin winding system that is automatic and easy to use.
What is the importance of drop down bobbin feature?
I love to sew, but oh boy do I hate fighting with bobbin cases. Traditional bobbin cases have been around for many years, and they have worked pretty well. Unfortunately, they are not without their flaws.
Traditional bobbin cases often get tangled and to fix them you have to remove parts, and then remember how to put all back together again without pinching yourself or breaking anything in the process.
The invention of the drop down bobbin is pretty much the greatest thing ever. Not only is it easy to replace your bobbin when you run out of thread, they rarely get jammed up, which saves me so much time, and even more frustration.
I can feel my hair growing back as we speak. Another cool thing about the drop down bobbin is that the plate that goes over the top of it is clear so you can keep an eye on how low your bobbin thread is getting.
So you can prepare to replace it before it’s too late. The only thing worse than having to untangle a bobbin is having to reload a bobbin in the middle of an otherwise perfect stitch.
Is it hard to use? What is the learning curve?
What good are all these amazing features if you can’t figure the thing out! Not only is this machine user-friendly right out of the box there are tons of helpful instructions included.
The quick start guide gives you everything you need to get moving in no time.
The instructional DVD provided will take even the most inexperienced beginner and give them basic knowledge they need to start using this machine. If you didn’t take Home Economics class in middle school, this DVD should get you up to speed.
The step by step machine instructions offer very clear directions that help you to take advantage of all this machine has to offer.
What about support?
This model also comes with lifetime free technical assistance by phone. What this means is that if anytime you are having any trouble with your sewing machine, their support staff will be just a short phone call away.
If you don’t want to talk on the phone, you've got the option of online support too.
Check the availability of this machine on Amazon.
Who should buy this model?
There’s a good chance you have been searching all over for Brother XR3774 reviews trying to find out if this is the right machine for you. So let me help you decide.
Because it is an inexpensive sewing machine, naturally it’s not going to be the best thing out there.
Many other machines have numerous other features that are essential for more involved seamstress work. That’s why it is important for you to consider all of the features offered before making your final decision.
What it’s going to come down to is your needs, your experience level, and of course your budget.
The truth is for most people looking for a sewing machine for a few projects here and there are going to be jubilant with this sewing machine.
Whether you are quilting, making clothing, or home decor, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting basic things done.
Many other reviews have described the sewing machine as a workhorse, and if you are a beginner looking to learn more, this machine is a great option for you.
There just aren’t a lot of machines out there like this one at this price point.
If you’re experienced seamstress, this model or xm2701 could be your portable sewing machine alongside with your main sewing machine.
Where should I buy this?
When this model first came on the market in 2014, it was at a much higher price point. At that point, it wasn’t necessarily worth what they were asking for it.
More recently though Brother has started marketing this model at a much more entry-level price point.
It’s important though to remember that prices can vary wildly depending on where you buy. In general, a local sewing store will often be the highest price. If you’re looking for a deal, buying online is where you’re going to find the best deals.
Verdict
When all is said and done, If you are looking for a basic entry level lightweight and portable machine, that will give you the chance to make a lot of cool stuff, the XR3774 from Brother is worth giving a try.
However, if you're looking to work on big quilting projects, then you should look for a specialized quilting machine.
