Do you want to buy a beginner-friendly sewing machine without putting a dent in your wallet and can’t decide which model would be right for you? Well, you aren’t alone – many novice seamstresses face this problem. But, you don’t have to worry about a thing because we are here to help you out.
There are a wide variety of inexpensive beginner-friendly sewing machines currently available in the market, which provides good value for money. One such model is the Brother LS2125i. The Brother LS2125i is an affordable, easy-to-use sewing machine that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Many customers have left positive reviews about this sewing machine. But, can it be the right option for you? Well, we will take a look at the features of the Brother LS2125i and talk about its pros and cons to help you decide whether you should get it or not. So, without further ado, let’s see what this budget-friendly sewing machine has to offer.
Our Review of the Brother LS2125i Sewing Machine
The Brother LS2125i is a portable and lightweight sewing machine for light-duty sewing jobs. It is designed for beginners or people who want an easy-to-carry sewing machine to take with them to their sewing lessons. Thanks to its built-in handle, you should be able to easily carry it around. Moreover, since the machine only weighs 12 pounds, you may not have to invest your dollars into a sewing machine rolling tote – you can just put it inside a carrying bag.
Brother is known for offering impressive features in its sewing machines at an affordable price. The LS2125i sewing machine is no exception, as it boasts several features that are hard to find in other machines at this price range. Ease-of-use features available in this sewing machine include a foot pedal for controlling stitching speed and operation, reverse stitching lever, tension control dial, and quick bobbin winding.
Several accessories accompany this machine, including three presser feet, foot pedal, screwdriver, extra spool pin, three bobbins, needle pack, and a darning plate. Brother also offers a 25-year limited warranty on the LS2125i, which shows that this machine is built to last and should help you learn the sewing craft before you can transcend to a more advanced sewing machine.
Brother LS2125i Pros
- The lightweight unit allows you to easily carry it with you
- Great for everyday sewing
- Easy to operate
- The machine’s free arm has the convertible capability which helps in organizing sewing accessories
- Good value for money
Brother LS2125i Cons
- The bobbin may not wind correctly at times
- The tread may lock under or on top of the fabric
- Doesn’t come with a carrying case
Easy Bobbin Winding
Bobbin threading is a troublesome task, even for professional seamstresses. So, if you are new to the art of sewing, you will find it extremely difficult to the thread the bobbin in the first few months. The LS2125i can ease your troubles, as it allows you to wind the bobbin instantly. The upper thread needs to be placed at a specific position and then the bobbin is to be placed on the winder. After that, all you need to do is push the bobbin to the right. This fast process will save a lot of seamstresses from the headache of threading a bobbin.
10 Built-in Stitches
The Brother LS2125i sewing machine comes with 10 built-in stitches including stretch, zigzag, and blind hemstitches. This should be enough for beginners. However, intermediate and professional seamstresses generally prefer more built-in stitches in a sewing machine. Since the Brother LS2125i is aimed at beginners, we can’t complain about the low number of pre-built stitches.
Automatic 4-Step Buttonhole
Creating buttonhole is complex, especially for beginners. An automatic buttonhole feature is found in the majority of sewing machines these days and the LS2125i is no different. It comes with an automatic 4-step buttonhole and a buttonhole foot that should allow you to quickly create a buttonhole on your garments and more.
Tension Control Dial
The Brother LS2125i features an upper thread tension control dial to ensure that your stitches are smooth, instead of being loose. You can increase the tension according to your needs by just turning the dial to the right side. Similarly, turning the dial to the left decreases the tension. Basic settings would work for lighter fabrics. However, if you are stitching hard fabrics such as leather, you might have to increase the tension to nail those stitches.
Easy Stitch Selection
Beginners may find it hard to select a stitch with computerized controls. Fortunately, the Brother LS2125i doesn’t feature any complicated control for stitch selection. Instead, there is a dial that you can turn to select the stitch of your choice out of the 10 options.
Accessories
The Brother LS2125i comes with several accessories that might save you from the trouble of shopping for additional sewing gear. These include three bobbins, draining plate, needle set, twin needle, extra spool pin, and a screwdriver. Three presser feet also accompany the LS2125i sewing machine including a buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, and a zipper foot. That’s not all – you will also get a bilingual Spanish/English operation manual.
Alternatives to the Brother LS2125i
The Brother LS2125i is a pretty good option for beginners. However, it is missing one important feature – an automatic threader. If you fancy automatic threading option, you could consider going for another model, like the Brother XM2701. Brother XM2701 comes with 27 built-in stitches to help novice seamstresses get accustomed to the art of sewing. These stitches can be selected by turning a knob, similar to how you would select a built-in stitch in the LS2125i. The Brother XM2701 also boasts a top drop-in bobbin that reduces the likelihood of bobbing popping out while you are working. The best thing about this sewing machine is that it comes with an automatic needle threader, a feature that is missing in the Brother LS2125i.
If you can live without an automatic needle threader and need a machine that comes with more features to assist you in your work, consider the Janome Arctic Crystal. This is a beginner-friendly sewing machine but boasts better features than the LS2125i. These features, however, don’t come cheap so the Janome Arctic Crystal is more expensive than the Brother LS2125i. The Arctic Crystal comes with 15 built-in stitches and has a 4-step buttonhole. It also boasts an impressive 3-piece feed dog system that should allow for smooth fabric feeding, improving the finishing of your work.
Some novice seamstresses find it hard to adjust the tension of the thread. If you are one of them, you could consider getting yourself the Singer 2277 Sewing Machine. This machine comes with 23 built-in stitches that can be selected by turning a dial. It also boasts an automatic needle threader and snap-on presser feet. Not only that, but the Singer 2277 includes an automatic tension feature, which makes it a great choice for beginners. This sewing machine has more features than the LS2125i, but it is also more expensive. So you could consider buying it if you aren’t short on budget. Otherwise, settle for the LS2125i.
Our Final Thoughts
The Brother LS2125i is an inexpensive sewing machine that boasts plenty of beginner-friendly features that can help you get better at sewing. It is lightweight, portable and easy to operate. It can help you with everyday light-duty sewing chores and provides good value for money. There are only a few minor issues in it – like the bobbin doesn’t always wind correctly and the thread can sometimes lock under or on top of the fabric. So if you have a limited budget and don’t fancy advanced or complicated functions and features, the Brother LS2125i sewing machine can be a good option for you.
However, if you can afford to spend a few dollars more for extra features, we recommend you go for the Singer 2277, the Brother XM2701 or the Janome Arctic Crystal. The reason is that these sewing machines come with better features. Even though they are more expensive than the LS2125i, but they will give you more convenience with your sewing chores. They are all designed for beginners, so you won’t have to worry about getting the hang of them.
We hope you like our take on the Brother LS2125i. If you have any questions about this sewing machine, ask us. If you want us to review any other sewing machine for you, feel free to let us know. We will do our best to bring you an unbiased review of the product you are planning to buy so that you can make the right decision.
