Looking for a good Brother CS-6000i review? Wondering if the Brother CS-6000i is worth it? This post goes over the details of the Brother CS-6000i. Learn answers to common questions about the Brother CS-6000i computerized sewing machine and reviews for it.
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About the Brother CS-6000i Sewing Machine
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 60 built in stitches | Newer model has 10 more stitches |
| 7 one-step buttonholes | Can be challenged by thick fabrics |
| Automatic needle threader | |
| Detachable extension table | |
| 9 included presser feet | |
| Adjustable max speed slider |
Brother CS-6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine Details
For those of you who love to sew, but don’t want to spend a fortune on sewing machines and supplies, the Brother CS-6000i is an excellent choice. This machine has a ton of great features and capabilities for a machine in this price range. While this machine does not have as many features as more expensive models do, it has everything that most people need for basic sewing jobs. The CS-6000i comes with 25 built in stitches and 11 different presser feet which will allow you to tackle just about any project imaginable.
The Brother CS-6000i is a computerized sewing machine. This machine is very user friendly and can perform many functions such as hemming, decor sewing, quilting, free motion embroidery, clothes sewing, and more. This machine is super affordable, usually under $200. The CS-6000i sewing machine comes with 60 different built in sewing stitches, including 7 styles of buttonhole. This sewing machine has 9 different presser feet included with it including buttonhole, overcasting, monogramming, zipper, zigzag, button sewing, walking, blindstitch, and a quilting foot. This machine also comes with a foot pedal and a detachable table that extends your working space and makes it easier to work on large projects. This sewing machine also has a hard case that it comes with to protect the machine when it is being stored or travelling.
The Brother CS-6000i has many features designed to make it easier to use. This machine comes with a drop in bobbin threader so you don’t have to try to get the bobbin into position and threaded. It also comes with an automatic needle threader so that you don’t have to squint and strain your eyes trying to get the thread in the needle. This sewing machine also has a easy to read backlit LCD display for selecting your stitches, stitch length, tension, and other settings. The sewing area is brightly lit with a LED light so you can see where you are sewing easily. With the Brother CS-6000i computerized sewing machine, you can select how the needle position you want when you stop sewing – either down or up.
The Brother CS-6000i also has the ability to do free arm sewing – letting you remove the detachable table and accessory storage and sew. Free arm sewing is really nice when you are finishing sleeve cuffs, kids clothes, collars and other tight, circular spaces. With free arm sewing you can effectively wrap these small circular items around the bottom of the sewing machine and sew in a straight path, instead of trying to feed a small circle through the machine without bunching up the fabric.
Another neat feature that the brother CS-6000i has is the ability to do free-motion sewing with the right presser foot and settings. Free motion sewing allows you to move the fabric around in any direction as you sew. This feature can be used to create decorative patterns in your quilt tops or custom machine embroidery on your sewing projects. While the CS-6000i is not an automatic embroidery machine, with free motion sewing you can manually create beautiful embroidered projects.
Product Features:
- 60 built-in sewing stitches
- 7 styles of auto-size buttonholes
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin
- Hard protective case
- Detachable extension table
- Can do free arm sewing
- 9 included presser feet: buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, zigzag foot, zipper foot, blindstitch foot, overcasting foot, monogramming foot, walking foot, spring action quilting foot
- 25 Year limited warranty with free technical support for the life of the product
Brother CS-6000i Review
Brother CS-6000i reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and this Brother CS-6000i review is no different. The sewing machine reviews for this Brother machine have over 10,000 five star ratings. Now, I won’t say that this is the best sewing machine in this machine review. That is really going to depend on what you need in a sewing machine. However, this machine is really well liked and is one of the best machines for beginners, basic sewing, and quilting while also having a reasonable price point. It has a lot of features that make it easy to use for both basic and more advanced sewers. It is also on the cheaper end of sewing machines, often priced under $200. In general, people love how user friendly this machine is, with it’s automatic needle threader, speed control, and the ability to do free motion sewing. The 60 decorative stitches are also a super nice benefit about this machine. With all the features that this machine has, it is very versatile. You can use it for quilting, free motion embroidery, clothes making, hemming and tailoring, upholstery and interior decorating projects, and more.
This Brother sewing machine can be used for hemming things like jeans, however you do not want to use it to sew more than a couple of layers of thick fabric or materials thicker than denim.
Like any item, the CS-6000i does occasionally have a lemon. However the 25 year warranty helps to protect you against these. The most common issue with this machine is the “E6” thread twisted error. To troubleshoot this error, you would want to try re-threading the sewing machine. If this does not resolve the error, your sewing machine may have a loose thread in it causing the error, or it may be out of alignment. Cleaning the sewing machine may remove loose threads that are causing the error and let you continue sewing. If cleaning the machine does not work, you will have to take it in for servicing.
Overall, the Brother CS-6000i is a great sewing machine that is good for both beginning sewers and more advanced sewers. With all of the built in stitches, it has tons of decorative sewing choices for any task. It’s great for sewing clothes, especially with it’s ability to do free arm sewing. The detachable extended table is great for quilting.
Comparing the Brother CS6000i vs Brother CS7000x
Brother CS Quick Feature Compare Table
| Features | Brother CS6000i Sewing Machine | Brother CS7000x Sewing Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Built In Stitches | 60 built in stitches | 70 built in stitches |
| Weight | 13lbs | 10.5lbs |
| One-Step Buttonholes | 7 styles of one-step buttonhole | 7 styles of one-step buttonhole |
| Sewing Speed | 850 stitches per minute | 850 stitches per minute |
| Free Arm Sewing | yes | yes |
| Automatic Needle Threading | yes | yes |
| Bobbin Type | Drop in bobbin | Drop in bobbin |
| Presser Feet | Walking foot Zigzag foot Spring action quilting foot Zipper foot Overcasting foot Monogramming foot Blind stitch foot Buttonhole foot Button sewing foot | Walking foot Zigzag foot Spring action quilting foot Zipper foot Overcasting foot Monogramming foot Blind stitch foot Buttonhole foot Button sewing foot |
| Adjustable Presser Foot | yes | yes |
| Adjustable Feed Dogs | yes | yes |
| Adjustable Max Sewing Speed | yes | yes |
| Metal frame | yes | yes |
| LED light | yes | yes |
| Warranty | 25 year limited warranty | 25 year limited warranty |
| ✅ Check Price | ✅ Check Price |
Video of the Brother CS6000i
Common Questions About the Brother CS-6000i
Is the Brother CS6000i a good sewing machine for a beginner?
The ease of use for a Brother CS-6000i really makes it a great sewing machine for a beginner. Newer style sewing machines often have many features that make them easier to use than the more retro style sewing machines. Some features that really help a beginner learning to sew are the drop in bobbin, automatic needle threader, automatic bobbin winding, and a lock stitch button. This sewing machine also has the ability to lock the max sewing speed. This helps keep new sewers from accidentally sewing faster than they can control. These features make the machine easy for a beginner to start sewing, but this machine also has a lot of more advanced features that new sewers can grow into as they learn to sew.
This machine even has automatic features that make it super simple for a new sewer to use. Automatic stitch default selection is really an amazing feature too. No more having to remember what the correct top and bottom tension is for a stitch. It really is select the appropriate stitch and go for most sewing projects.
With 60 built-in stitches and automatic needle threader, it has everything you need for your first project. The great thing about this model is that it does not come with all of the extra features that may intimidate beginners or cause them to spend more money than they had planned on spending when purchasing their first sewing machine. So if you are new to sewing machines, then I highly recommend the Brother CS6000i!
Can the Brother CS-6000i sewing machine sew through several layers of denim or other heavy fabrics?
The Brother CS-6000i sewing machine is not recommended for sewing through several layers of denim or other heavy fabrics. This machine can be used for a couple layers of denim, such as hemming jeans or sewing two layers of canvas together. However when you get to more than a couple of layers you are going to want to use a heavy duty sewing machine to handle the sewing. One trick to help you when you sew heavier fabrics together with this machine is to make sure that you are using heavier “denim” sewing needles and polyester thread. These needles are thicker and stronger and will do better sewing through your heavier fabrics and polyester thread tends to be stronger than cotton thread.
Sewing through multiple thick layers of fabric often requires a heavy duty sewing machine. If you plan on sewing through heavy and thick fabric frequently, you would be better served getting a heavy duty sewing machine instead. Check out our post on the Singer 4432 vs 4452 heavy duty sewing machines for more information!
Can you use the Brother CS-6000i to sew through leather?
Like denim above, you can use the Brother CS-6000i to sew through a couple of layers of light leather like a thin suede or a pleather using the right needle. Anything thicker than the lightest leathers or too many layers can damage this sewing machine. If you do try to sew leather, if the machine resists sewing the material, stop sewing and do not force the machine to continue. Forcing the machine to continue can ruin your sewing machine.
Can you use a metal bobbin with the Brother CS-6000i?
No, you do not want to use a metal bobbin with the Brother CS-6000i. Using metal bobbins with this sewing machine can damage it. Since the machine is not made to use metal bobbins, you would also be voiding your warranty if you used a metal bobbin with this sewing machine. This means any repairs would not be covered by the warranty! So do not use metal bobbins with the Brother CS-6000i sewing machine.
What size bobbin does the Brother CS-6000i use?
The Brother CS-6000i uses Class 15 SA156 plastic bobbins. These are going to be clear, plastic bobbins. You can buy them empty, or pre-wound with thread. I recommend having multiple different bobbins, it makes it easier to be able to switch to a new bobbin color if you have an empty bobbin available. You can find these bobbins for sale here.
What accessories come with the Brother CS-6000i?
The Brother CS-6000i comes with multiple accessories, and has onboard storage for holding all of them. Accessories included are:
- Needle set
- Three bobbins
- Seam ripper
- Eyelet punch
- Detachable table
- Spool pin
- Cleaning brush
- Small screwdriver
- Manual
- Hard protective case
- Walking foot
- Zigzag foot
- Spring action quilting foot
- Zipper foot
- Overcasting foot
- Monogramming foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button sewing foot
Where can I find the CS-6000i Brother manual?
The manual for the Brother CS-6000i is located here. You should always read the manual with a new, complex piece of machinery. It can often give you helpful tips on how to best use and maintain it.
What stitches can the Brother CS-6000i do?
The Brother CS-6000i computerized sewing machine has 60 different built in stitches. These stitches include overcast stitches, basic stitches, blind hem stitches, buttonhole stitches, stretch stitches, applique and quilting stitches, reinforcement stitches, and decorative stitches. For a complete list of all of the stitches, the recommended presser foot, and the settings to use them, check out the manual, here. The directory of stitches starts on page 45 and continues through 49.
Can you quilt with the Brother CS-6000i?
The Brother CS-6000i can quilt quite well and goes through the three layers of a quilt easily. While this is a sewing machine and is not dedicated to quilting, it’s features like an extra large table and the ability to program the needle to stop in the down position help with quilting a lot. Having a wide table like this makes working with larger projects so much easier. Without the oversized table, the quilt would be pulled down by gravity. This would cause the machine to skip stitches (trust me on this, I’ve been there – it’s bad). This machine also comes with a free-motion quilting foot that allows you to make amazing quilting and embroidery patterns on your quilt. This machine is great for smaller and baby quilts, but would be awkward to use with larger quilts. Larger quilts have more material that needs to be moved around, and trying to bunch up and move a lot of material through the machine’s throat (the hole between the needle and the body of the machine where the motor and wheel are) can be difficult.
What feet come with the Brother CS-6000i?
The Brother CS-6000i comes with 9 included sewing feet. This machine also has quite a few different feet that can be purchased separately if the foot you want isn’t listed here. This machine is compatible with most low shank / snap on presser feet. More feet are available to be purchased here.
- Walking foot
- Zigzag foot
- Spring action quilting foot
- Zipper foot
- Overcasting foot
- Monogramming foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button sewing foot
Is the LCD screen useful?
Yes! The LCD screen on the Brother CS6000 is very useful. This screen displays all of the details about your current stitch – it’s length, width, selection; all of it. Having all of the stitch selection information condensed down to a small LCD screen allows the stitch selection diagram to be printed on the machine. With all of the available stitches (60 of them!) plus the buttonholes you would be hard pressed to remember what the machine could do without the stitches printed on the machine. And no one likes to whip out a manual just to be able to select a stitch. This numbered diagram or stitch patterns makes it much easier to pick a stitch, and this wouldn’t be possible without the LCD screen!
Can you embroider with the Brother CS-6000i?
Yes, you can embroider with the Brother CS-6000i. However, this is not a dedicated embroidery machine. This machine would be able to do free motion embroidery, really great for creating beautiful designs with a single stitch. This machine would also be capable of doing freehand monogramming work. However, this machine is not one of the dedicated embroidery machines. So it would not be capable of sewing it’s own beautiful designs like those machines. If you are interested in a dedicated embroidery machine, check out our post on the best machines for home embroidery.
Can you do free arm sewing with the Brother CS6000i?
Yes! This Brother sewing machine can do free arm sewing. Free arm sewing is when the bottom part of the sewing machine can be removed. This allows you to easily wrap smaller and circular objects around the sewing machine, making it much easier to sew them. Free arm sewing is great for hemming pants, sewing cuffs, finishing necklines, or making doll clothes.
Can you do free-motion quilting with the Brother CS6000i?
Yes, the Brother CS-6000i is capable of doing free-motion sewing and free-motion quilting. Free-motion quilting / sewing is when you completely drop the feed dogs. When dropping the feed dogs to their lowest point like this, you can move the fabric freely as you sew. This allows you to create beautiful freehand designs on your project to quilt or embroider it.
Does the Brother CS6000-i have a LED light?
Yes, the Brother CS6000i has a LED light. This bright light allows you to see everything going on in your work area while you sew. This is an important thing that can be often overlooked. You don’t realize how dim your room is until you start sewing with dark thread on a dark fabric. Having a LED light on your sewing machine can make a world of difference with visibility.
Does this sewing machine have an adjustable max sewing speed?
Yes, the Brother CS-6000i has an adjustable max sewing speed. This is a great feature for both beginner and experienced sewers. Being able to cap the max sewing speed means that even if a beginner presses down all the way on the foot control, the sewing machine won’t run away with their project. As beginners increase their sewing experience, then can increase the maximum sewing speed. This adjustable speed control is a really nice feature to have on a sewing machine.
In summary
The Brother CS-6000i is a well reviewed sewing machine. This computerized Brother sewing machine is feature laden, and can take on sewing projects with ease. With the super high rating and reasonable price it is easy to see why this machine is so well liked. If you are looking for a new general purpose sewing machine, then the Brother CS-6000i computerized sewing machine would serve you well.
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