Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $499.00
Sale Price: $297.95
Today's Bonus: 40% Off
I bought this machine a couple of weeks ago. It is an upgrade for me from a VERY basic Brother machine. I bought mine at a sewing machine store; actually cheaper than Amazon and I get their expertise/service.
One major feature I was looking for in my new machine is speed control. I am teaching my daughter to sew; this machine can be set to sew very very ssssslllloooww. Great when trying to teach a nine year old. Threading is pretty simple; there is a nifty automatic needle threader. I'm using it but threading a machine needle was never a big deal for me. I also like the automatic needle up feature. On every machine I ever used previously, I had to turn the wheel when done sewing a line to raise the needle. This machine does it automatically.
This Brother makes a very nice buttonhole; not as nice perhaps as a machine twice its price but still, just fine. It has this neat buttonhole foot in which you put your desired button in the back and it uses that button to automatically make the proper sized buttonhole. All in one step. This is WAY better than my old machine.
The bobbin is a top-drop-in. No more bringing up the loop, just put in in and sew.
One feature I've yet to use is a front stop/go control button. I guess that if you didn't want to or couldn't use a foot pedal you could use this button instead. I can see it being nice for buttonholes; you just position your fabric, push the "go" button, and it makes all the side of the buttonhole and stops automatically.
This machine trys to make things oops-proof. If you've ever jambed your machine because you started sewing with the presser foot up, well, that can't happen with this machine. If things aren't "right", it will give you an error beep.
Another nice feature is that the machine automatically sets an "ideal" stitch length/width. You can overide it but for the most part, the defalt is perfect, especially with the decorative stitches.
There are several decorative stiches; I haven't quite figured out the best way to put them to use but that's just my own lack of creativity.
One last nice feature is a built-in foot holder. In front of the free-arm is a flip-down compartment that has molded, labeled spots for all your feet. It comes with a standard foot, zipper foot, blind hem stitch foot, decorative stitching foot, overlock foot, button attacher foot, and buttonhole foot. Also in the compartment is a molded space for a seam ripper and 4 bobbins (included). I've found it nice to have all these feet in one spot. I have a couple specialty feet from my old Brother machine and they fit and work just fine on my new one. An added plus.
One note; this machine takes bobbins that are a bit thicker than older ones. Buy a bunch of new ones; they say old ones won't work.
All in all, I'm very happy. I'm glad I went with this model and would buy again.
***edited to add: my one gripe about this machine is that the built in lights are lacking. My old machine put out quite a lot of light; this one is MUCH dimmer.
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