Brother XL2600I Sewing Machine Review - [Pros & Cons 2023]

Brother XL2600I Review – The Most Affordable Beginner Sewing Machine

Update 2021:

While we love the Brother XL2600I, it is extremely difficult to find these days. For beginners our new recommendation is very affordable Brother Intl LX3817:

Brother Intl LX3817 Lightweight and Full-Size Sewing Machine

Very affordable

17-built in stiches
Instructional videos
Full size sewing machine

Perfect for beginners

Every home needs a basic sewing machine for small repairs and sewing projects. But what if you want to take your sewing skills to the next level but do not want to invest in a top-end model. Then the Brother XL2600I will be a great choice as it comes with enough features and an affordable price tag. With the XL2600I you don’t have to worry about complicated features or small things like threading the needle and setting the bobbin etc. Everything is simplified keeping beginners in mind and hence this sewing machine makes for a great first machine or even an upgrade from your old basic sewing machine. The Brother XL2600I comes with everything you need so that you can get started right out of the box. From 25 built-in stitches to a free-arm design to auto needle threader to easy top loading bobbin and much more, the XL2600I will amaze you with its many features. Read on to find out more about this little wonder of a machine in our review below. We hope that it helps you decide if it is the right one for your needs.

Brother XL2600I Features and Specs

Comes built-in with 25 different stitches
A good stitch speed of 800 stitches per minute

Automatic threader, thread cutter and automatic bobbin winding
6 different presser feet for various stitches
Backed by a 25-year limited warranty

Is the Brother XL2600I the most affordable sewing machine for beginners?

If you are completely new to sewing and don’t to spend a fortune on an expensive sewing machine, then you will love the Brother XL2600I. It comes with everything you will need to get you started with sewing and even has some nice features of high-end machines thrown into to make sewing easy and more fun. It also comes from the house of Brother which is one of the big names in sewing machines. So, the machine is completely durable, reliable and high on performance. Below we tease the features of this little sewing machine in great detail to help you understand its capabilities.

Built-in stitches

The XL2600I comes with 25 built-in stitches that covers all the basic stitches. This is ideal if you are getting your very first machine or are new to sewing as too many stitches can be overwhelming. The 25 stitches include 15 commonly used stitches like straight stitch, zigzag stitch, 3 heirloom stitches for stitching fabric together, 2 quilting stitches, 4 decorative stitches and a button-hole stitch. Selecting a particular stitch is so easy as it comes with a stitch selector dial which is straightforward. There is a handy chart with the stitch names and the corresponding number on the front of the machine which will help you select the required stitch.

Free-arm

If you are an experienced user, you will have no problem maneuvering around difficult areas like cuffs, sleeves and hems. But beginners will find using the XL2600I easy as it comes with a free-arm design.

Buttonholer

A special feature of the XL2600I is the one-step auto-size buttonholer which is only found in more expensive sewing machines. You can easily choose the size of the button-hole required and use the buttonhole foot for professional results. The button-hole stitch is a 1-step process unlike other machines in the segment that only come with a four-step process.

Illuminated work area

You can sew with the XL2600I no matter what the light conditions are as it comes with a bulb for illuminating the work area. The light is quite bright and can even be used in a well-lit room if you are working with darker fabrics.

Automatic features

Sewing is fun but not when you first have to thread the needle every time. But this why you will love using the XL2600I as it comes with an automatic needle threader to save you time and frustration. All you will need to do is simply pull down the threader and hook the thread. The threader will take care of the rest. It doesn’t get simpler than this. Another automatic feature that makes your life easier is the automatic bobbin winding. Running out of bobbin thread when you are in the middle of your sewing can be very annoying. But you can quickly wind one with just a press of a button with the XL2600I. You can even have a couple of them ready before you start a project to make it even easier.

Bobbin features

Using the bobbin has never been so much easy as the XL2600I comes with a top load bobbin. What’s even better? It even comes with a transparent cover that lets you see how much thread is left without having to open the bobbin cover Quick-set bobbin feature makes adding bobbin a breeze. Simply drop the bobbin into its place, pull the thread to get started. It doesn’t get easier than this.

Twin Needle

Don’t think you need to buy an expensive sewing machine to get features like a twin needle syst em, Double the fun you have while sewing as the XL2600I comes with a twin needle system that lets you do a lot of interesting stitches like zig zag and double colored sewing etc.

Presser feet

The XL2600I comes with a total of 6 presser feet which is a lot of feet especially if you are a beginner. You can experiment with a variety of stitches using these presser feet. There is one regular presser foot that is used for all the common stitches, a zipper foot for adding zippers to your DIY pouches or even clothes, a buttonhole foot for adding buttonholes to clothes, a button foot for adding buttons, a hem foot and a blind stitch foot. But the best part about these presser feet is that they can be attached and removed easily with a snap-lock feature unlike the screw-type found on most other machines in the segment.

Design and size

Despite its many features, the design of the machine makes it look very simple and even beginners will find it easy to use. It has a very modern design that will blend in with any room and has a very streamlined body. The XL2600I design is quite compact unlike the traditional bulky machines and can easily be placed on a table or desk. Its dimensions are 12.3 x 7.7 x 9.6 inches making it very portable. It is super light too weighing a mere 11 lbs. making it easy to carry around inside your home or even take it with you on the go.

Storage

The XL2600I has a smart design and despite its compact size, it comes with a storage space to keep essentials handy. The free-arm has been designed to accommodate a storage area to keep small things like needles, bobbins, presser feet and the like handy.

Versatile

Don’t think that the XL2600I cannot be used for sewing thicker fabric because it is lightweight. It can easily sew even materials like denim and thin leathers. All you will need to do is simply adjust the tension dial to match the thickness of the fabric and you are good to go.

Easy set-up

Setting up your sewing machine is a breeze and it comes with everything you need to get you started right out of the box. In addition to the presser feet and twin needles, you will get 3 bobbins, a screwdriver, a darning plate and a needle set. The darning plate comes in handy if you want to experiment with a bit of embroidery

Durable

With the XL2600I, durability is something you can always count on as it comes from the house of Brother who are one of the top sewing machine manufacturer’s. The Brother XL2600I is so well- built and sturdy that you will never have to worry about breaking your machine if you make a mistake.

Pros

Comes with many features found on high-end sewing machines
An affordable price tag gives you more value for your money
Automatic features such as threader, thread cutter and bobbin winder

Light, compact and portable

Cons

There is no carry case for easy portability or cover to protect the machine from dust
No start/stop button and can be used only with a foot pedal

Conclusion

Cheap sewing machines are aplenty on the market but they are definitely not worth your frustration as they may not perform well or even fall apart after just a few uses. Do not buy these thinking they are going to save you money when you can get the Brother XL2600I that comes at such an affordable price point and is a high-quality sewing machine. The Brother XL2600I has very satisfied customers as is evident from the many customer reviews that you can find online. You don’t have to buy a top model just to get features that make sewing easier. You can find them all in the XL2600I without having to pay through your nose. So, whether you want to simply sew clothes or want to make beautiful quilts or add decorative stitches to your pillow covers, curtains etc., you can do them all easily with the Brother XL2600I. Go get one yourself and have fun sewing!

The Great Device

Brother XL2600I Sewing Machine Review – [Pros & Cons 2023]