The ST371HD from Brother is a mechanical sewing machine that is designed for heavy-duty projects that require a durable but flexible sewing machine. It’s great for mending and everyday sewing.
Brother advertises the Brother ST371HD as a strong and heavy-duty sewing machine. But how well is this fitting for heavy-duty applications – for sewing outdoor fabrics, pieces of denim, and leathers, to elegant and lightweight fabrics like silks and other fabrics? Well, in this Brother ST371HD review, we will break down how well this machine works.
Here in this Brother ST371HD sewing machine review, we’ll give you a full review of the overall sewing performance of the machine, the ease of using it, the sewing speed, built-in stitches and buttonholes, the lighting features, and finally, the durability and warranty offers of the machine.
Brother says that this is a strong and tough heavy-duty sewing machine. So let’s see how heavy duty this actually is.
First, we have to say that what we really liked about it is the sound that it makes. It sounds really smooth, just like a well-oiled machine. It goes from point A to point B and it doesn’t have any hiccups along the way. It doesn’t stutter.
The Brother ST371HD is the best choice for anyone who is looking for a heavy-duty sewing machine.
What makes it great for heavy-duty applications is that it comes with heavyweight needles as well as a needle plate made of metal. So it’s really ideal for thick and smooth fabrics.
The machine has zero issues with sewing through thick pieces of denim. It handled sewing through thick pieces of denim with a universal needle better than most other machines sew through denim with a denim needle.
This machine is heavy, built for heavy-duty uses, and also easy to use. It comes built-in with a needle threader for ease of threading the needle. Other features that ensure the machine is easy to use are the free arm (for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and jeans) and the Quick-Set top bobbin that resists jamming. Additionally, the machine has an automatic winding system for the bobbin. The sewing machine also comes with an extra high presser foot lifting capability.
Also, its drop feed function lets you make free-motion sewing easily. The machine is so easy to store. This is thanks to its built-in handle. This allows the machine to be carried from the sewing table and stored quickly. Despite its heavy build, it is also a machine which you can easily carry with you to your sewing class.
For ease of operating the machine and controlling its features, the machine comes with an LCD screen. The LED lighting also helps with visibility at night. You’ll be able to have a good view of the needle area and your working surface.
We liked that the machine comes with an instruction guide packed in a DVD to help newbies and those new to Brother machines get started quickly. The user manual is prepared in Spanish and English manual.
With a maximum 800 stitches per minute sewing speed, the machine will be able to quickly complete sewing works without a drop in quality. When you compare the speed with other mechanical sewing machines on the market and from the brand, you will see that it’s in no way the fastest, but it’s not that slow either. Considering the under $300 price tag, the sewing speed is not poor at all. This average level of sewing speed, thus, makes it a great option for beginners and intermediate users. It’s also great for semi-professionals who make use of this commercially with various types of fabrics.
The machine has 37 built-in decorative and utility stitches for making blind hems, buttonholes, stretch stitches, zipper insertion, buttonholes, and more. The machine also comes in one buttonhole style.
The machine comes with an LED bulb if peradventure you intend to pass the night in your sewing workshop, working with the machine. The LCD of the machine also contributes to the lighting.
This machine is a strong and tough machine. It was designed for heavy-duty fabrics. The machine does what it’s advertised to do. It is tough and strong. You can sew through five layers of faux leather. This way, it worked perfectly fine and never skipped a stitch.
We also liked that it’s backed up with a 25-year warranty. This warranty service and will also include free technical support by phone throughout the lifetime of the machine. The electronic parts of the machine however come with just five years of warranty.
The Brother machine, despite being a middle-range sewing machine, is packed with plenty of features that ensure ease of use and extend the scope of applications when it comes to the fabrics that can be worked on it. Some of these key features include:
Brother ST371HD comes to the market for around $200 to $300 price range. While you won’t find many machines with the same quality at that price range, it is cheaper than most mechanical sewing machines made and sold by Brother. This medium-range machine is a great option for beginners and intermediate users. It’s also great for semi-professionals who make use of this commercially with various types of fabrics.
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The Brother ST371HD is truly a heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine that is designed for working on smooth and elegant fabric materials such as silks to heavy-duty materials such as faux leather, denims, and more. The key to its heavy-duty strength is the extra strong needle and the metal needle plate. We think the speed could be better but asides from that, it comes with almost no flaw. It’s a Brother quality machine and is ideal for beginners and semiprofessionals looking for a strong, durable, and heavy-duty machine that can outlast their sewing careers. We hope our Brother ST371HD review has helped you determine whether this is a machine built for your needs and applications.
