Brother BM-360 / BM-2600

A lemon – Waste of money , can’t get past problems with the tension and light was lucky to last the first time I tried to sew a real lemon .. Show details

Wonderful machine – I have had my Brother BM -2600 for over ten years. It has been a dream to use and I love everything about it. I have done a lot of heavy-duty sewing and it has only just died. I want to buy another one. Show details

What machine not to buy – It is hopeless and flimsy. Extremely difficult to get the tension correct. Frustrating to use. Spend more time trying to get a proper stitch. Waste of money. Don’t buy ever Show details

Useless – I have never used a sewing machine that has made me tear my hair out. Budget price and still not worth the money.I have had nothing but problems with the tension- as per most of the other reviews on here.I need a machine that is reliable to just quickly jump on it and fix things. Not happening.  Show details

Disappointing – Having difficulties with the tension and not sure how to fix it. This is my 4th time with is problem. Anyone who has any ideas on the assisting please write about it. thanks. Other than that the machine has been a really good work horse. Just want the tension sorted..  Show details

Tension or something else? – I have found that when I'm sewing silky fabric the stitching is slightly puckered. It's as though the foot is trying to gather the stitches as with a gathering foot. It's fine with cotton and cotton blends. Also, is it possible to buy a treadle on its own? Somehow I've managed to lose mine!  Show details

Gets the job done, have some problems with tension – Generally I like this machine and find it is able to handle most of the work I do (mainly piecing and quilting). It can take a bit of hard work and I have few problems with the straight stitch. It is easy to set up and start sewing with, lightweight and easy to use. It is a lower end of the market so you get what you pay for. I have found free… Read more

motion quilting is very unsuitable for this machine, due to tension issues. I have also found that there can be tension issues caused by a number of things, from a different tension on the bobbin and the top thread, or blunt needle, or incorrectly threaded machine. I found it best not to change the bobbin tension and that rewinding the bobbin usually improves the sewing. It can be very fiddly getting it right but usually once the settings are corrected the machine works fine.

Tension...Birds nests!! – I bought this machine 4 years ago. At first it worked wonderful ...I was only small things, fix a hem etc. Then I start with bigger projects and so start the tension problem!! Nothing I do works and it is so frustrating! Sometimes I have to use a scissors to cut the thread under the foot to release the material...totally stuck!! I am so fed-up!  Show details

Not good enough for the sort of sewing I do – My mother gave me this machine, but I have never really enjoyed it. I spend half my time untangling birds nests and trying to fix the tension. And yes, I've replaced the bulb after sewing in the dark. I've looked at the sewing I've done since I've had this machine, and it doesn't do my work justice, as the tension is all out. I'm been looking… Read more

on this site to see if others have had the same issues, to decide if I should get it serviced or get a new machine - now I'm not going to waste money on getting it serviced. It would be OK for an entry level sewer, or for mending, but not for the sort of sewing I do. So will anybody buy it off me for mending or curtains?

Great entry-level machine – I bought my machine about 7 years ago now, and there's not really much to complain about. Its easy to use, comes with a good selection of presser foots, and has generally been reliable. I'm not a heavy sewist, and my machine was in storage for a few years while we renovated our house. I now use it most weeks without any issues. If you like… Read more

to take the case off your machine to give it a clean every now and then, this machine will probably annoy you. I found it impossible to do, although its pretty easy to remove the sewing plate and bobbin holder to remove fluff build-up.

Also, if you plan on doing any smocking with elastic thread, this probably isn't the machine for you. I tried it recently without success, although apparently by taking out the bobbin holder and manually adjusting the tension, this can be overcome. I haven't tried it yet.

Incidentally, my machine started having the "birds nest" issue that other reviewers have mentioned (due to trying to sew very fine material I think). Since I had nothing to lose and my machine is well out of warranty, I decided to manually adjust the bobbin tension to see if I could fix the issue (I hadn't wanted to risk messing with it just to play around with smocking). There's a little screw covered in green wax on the bobbin holder - I tightened it just a little and it completely fixed the birds nest issue.

Overall, I love my Brother BM-2600. I bought it on sale and together we've created some great quality garments and sewing projects. I think for the price it does a great job, and any issues I've had are pretty minor. It gets a thumbs up from me.

My Bestfriend – Since 7 years I am using this machine. Since a little bit than 3 years extreme because I started patchwork and quilting. There are no problems. If there is really something to complain about it is the light bulb. It gets loose from time to time, well, I just go on in the dark for a while - then get the light bulb tight again.

my bestfriend bm2600 – Its been 5 years and I haven't got any problem not even once except for light bulb! well.. which model dont? right? I salute this model cause I learnt and experienced a lot with it.. easy to handle.. smooth ride I can say! and durable too. ..dont understand why others didn't enjoy their ride

Its a perfect sewing machine – Myself and my friends have used it.I wonder why other's have problems using it. It is a perfect machine, with beautifully sliding while sewing, with no issues.

Hmmm, I now know why my Mum hates this! – Ok, so firstly my Mum brought is sewing machine and HATED it! She put it away and went back to using a older brother model. I recently got sewing and I am just sewing simple things like place mates and pillows. I set this up all according to the manual and found that it went perfectly! I used it and I got about 15 minutes in and I noticed that the… Read more

bottom bobbin thread had found its way out of the correct place. Once I got it back in place birds nests would just keep happening. I couldn't make them go away even when I rethreaded it and replaced the bobbin. The tension is not great and being a new sewer I don't exactly know how to change it, the manual doesn't even tell you! The light was out and even though I was put in the cupboard for 5 years my Mum only used it 3 times!

The only reason I gave this 2 stars is because of its looks! It looks very sleek.

Sewing in the dark – Cannot use plastic bobbins and the light globe lasts about 2 hours the bang its blown so if you like sewing in the dark ??

Instruction manual, no help! – I have had this machine for a while, it is the first machine that I bought for myself. I have been sewing for years on other machines. When I first bought it I had trouble with tension, I often found that I had just put the bobbin in slightly wrong (very easy to do). I found that taking in out and putting it in again seemed to work. However a… Read more

little while ago a friend borrowed it, some how they managed to change the needle position. I spent forever trying to change it back, there is nothing in the instructions and nothing online! It's been over a year and I have just accepted that the position is stuck like that forever!

useless, dont waste your money – I would recommend that everybody stays clear of this machine unless you want a lot of hassles with the tension. Both myself and someone else I know own one and both of us have had the same problems with tension. birds nest and loose stitching are a common place, I changed to good quality cottons and it didn't help, I found the instructions… Read more

didn't help to solve the problem either. this is a cheap machine to buy so I guess we should follow the old saying " you get what you pay for' , but it would be nice if the problem wasn't so common fault.

Mediocre – I taught myself to sew using this machine and at the start it was a nightmare because of the thread tension! I just couldn't work out if I was doing something wrong, and the instructions that came with it were not helpful at all. After many problems and attempts at troubleshooting I found out (via someone's blog/youtube video I think) that if you… Read more

re-thread the bobbin this will help with thread tension issues. One of the faults of this machine is that it does NOT distribute thread on the bobbin very well and this apparently then causes problems with the thread tension...

If you do own this machine, I suggest having spare bobbins on hand so you can re-thread onto another one if it doesn't do it properly the 1st, 2nd, 3rd... or even 4th times.

I probably wouldn't recommend buying it even for someone at an entry-level. It causes so many issues when you're starting out that you don't want to keep going! Having said all of that, I DID manage to make a quilt, some clothing, toys, pillow cases etc. using this machine... I made it work for me for a while because that's all I had but honestly I think I'll buy something else soon! Cheap, good machine if tension is OK Loud, tension problems, doesn't distribute thread on bobbin evenly.

Bird's nest tension!! – So much for "automatic tension control"! So many struggles with tension leaving thread wound up underneath like a bird's nest, clamping material to the machine so tight I have to slide scissors under to cut it off! Occasionally it goes "ok" with thread tension, but even then generally hard to find the right tension, often top thread underneath too… Read more

loose. Many fights for hours at a time desperately trying different needle/thread combinations to get a project done, only to give up in frustration - and there the projects/mending sit for months at a time as I'm too disillusioned... wish it had a bobbin tension option... Easy to find thread settings and inexpensive to purchase. Hard to remove casings for trouble-shooting or cleaning. Tension issues nine times out of ten!

This absolute begginer approves!! – I can't believe all the negative reviews. I have NEVER used a sewing machine before I purchased this around a year ago. It was very easy to set up following the instructions. I have had a few minor problems (birds nest, but after i changed the needle it went great, the light bulb came loose so i had to tighten it up, which is in an awkward… Read more

spot, just to name a few) but I have put that down to inexperience.

I have had basically no problems with thick materials as I like to sew with homespun/ drill etc... And quite a few layers at a time. I have broken a couple of needles though.

I am yet to try fancy stitches and the other features of my machine because as I said, I'm only new to all this.

I highly recommend it. Reliable, inexpensive, easy to use

Not Happy – Used the machine for about 30 seconds fixing a hem on my daughters quilt cover (made from light weight cotton) and the light bulb busted. Took ages to get the cover off to see what the problem was then it's a nightmare trying to get the cover back on once the light bulb came out. This machine is absolutely useless. Cheap and nasty. No wonder Spotlight were clearing them out for half price. Do not buy this machine it's a waste of time

Waste of money – I purchased this machine as a second machine to do top stitching and other work so I didn't have to re thread my main machine. It will not take a 4mm twin needle as this width needle or anything bigger will hit the plate and break and it will not handle more than 2 layers of light weight drill. To sew a straight line I have to angle the fabric… Read more

through because it does not pull the fabric through straight, it misses stitches and if the fabric is slightly bulky the needle gets stuck in the teeth. The seam width does not seem to be true either. You have to turn the wheel to get it started, putting your foot on the foot pedal does not get it going, it seems to stall and rev until you turn the wheel to a position it is happy with. You have to screw the needle in so tightly that I have difficulty changing it when I have to unscrew it, if you do not screw it in tightly it falls out as the screw seems to loosen itself while sewing. I would not even recommend this machine for a beginner, it would put them off sewing. I have only used this machine 6 times. My next step is to get rid of it!

Cheap and nasty.

Reliable and good priced sewing machine – I bought this machine from Spotlight in Wairau Park, and at first after terrible problems with birds nest in the lower tension and basically not getting any joy with the tension on top either, I took the machine back. The staff (Carol) reset the tension and it now sews perfectly. For a cheap sewing machine there is pretty much nothing this… Read more

machine won't do. All kudos to Spotlight staff because the instruction manual for the tension setting was not good, and I am a very experienced seamstress (35 years, four grown children, three daughters, with all their clothes including ball gowns, ballet and ski gear home sewn). Price, reliability, portability - if you have a problem take it back to the dealer. Mine was reset None considering price - there's nothing it can't do

Wow! – This is a great machine, easy to follow instructions for someone that hasn't actually done any sewing for 30 years! I received my $50 Cashback today which means I only paid $99 for the machine so am thrilled to bits because I didn't realise when buying it that this was in the deal. Made a top on the first day I had it. Reliable, light to handle. Perfect for me.

Good – I love, love, love this machine. I use it for quilting, it's brilliant. I did have a bit of clunking, birdsnest in bobbin happening, but I was using cheap cotton, I simply bought good quality stuff and it disappeared instantly. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this machine. Price, easy to use, pretty much everything. Can't think of any.

Bad – Yes it sews, but my goodness the stuffing around with it is ludicrous! I bought this for my Mother-in-law last Christmas and she's already looking at buying a new one. I can understand me having trouble with it, as a novice... but she has been sewing for near on 40 years, and it stuffs up for her too. Price. Everything else.

Good – I have had and used a number of machines,I find it simple to use.For the price do not expect a Rolls Royce.Am using it for quilting at the moment,seems to sew well.Very light to move,easy to thread.I like the drop in bobbin. Annie Bailey Adelaide S.A. a very good machine for the price I paid. a bit noisy

Excellent – my first sewing machine i like it very much because simple to operate great for beginners like me eazy to clean and carry around it is eazy to use and operate

Terrible – Used this machine for the first time today and after 2 minutes of sewing it started making horrible clunking noises, the needle started jumping all over the place and I had a birdsnest of thread coming from the bobbin. Tried a few more times and gave up. Can't get a refund, have to send it to be fixed under warranty but I'm off to buy a Janome… Read more

tomorrow ...something I should have done in the first place. price, lightweight pretty much everything else, especially the bobbin cover that comes off completely and could be easily lost.

Excellent – I got given this by my mum and dad for my birthday last year, I have only just got it out of the box to use. It is easy to thread, the instructions booklet is easy to follow and very helpful. I have just started quilting and bought the feet that i needed. Have not had any problems with it. Great Machine. Price and easy to use

Excellent – I haven't sewed since school. This machine is user friendly.Great for someone whom has little knowledge. It has easy step by step instruction how to thread needle & bobbin on machine. I'm currently taking a quilting class & it works wonderfully. Lynnette Panania, NSW Easy to use! Have not found any con's

Terrible – It's an OK machine if you're just starting out. I found that it didn't produce very neat stitches. Especially when using the zigzag function. The tension is also very hard to set properly which didn't help the untidy stiching. For simple straight forward sewing it does the job. Light weight. Simple to use. Tension setting is really bad.