Maybe you don’t have aspirations of becoming the next Project Runway fashion designer, but perhaps you’re looking for a sewing machine that will serve you for many years in both durability and features. You may want to consider a mechanical sewing machine.

A mechanical sewing machine doesn’t have the complexity of a computerized machine, so it tends to need fewer costly repairs. Mechanical machines also generally have a lower learning curve; there’s not as much to remember.

Take a look at the Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough sewing machine. It isn’t the least costly machine on the market, but it certainly falls into the modest price range. You can see the current price on Amazon.

If you only plan to use a sewing machine for an occasional hem or to repair a torn seam, this machine is a bit of overkill. However, if you plan to sew regularly and hope to expand your skills, the Brother ST371HD sewing machine will keep up with your increasing expertise and projects.

How Strong And Tough Is It?

Let’s get real here. This machine is absolutely not as strong and tough as a commercial sewing machine or a machine that is specifically built to work with canvas, leather and denim. If you plan to start a home business making heavy-duty items, you should look further for a machine that can stand up to rough wear and tear.

A heavy-duty machine can do that kind of sewing day in and day out without a need for repair or servicing while a machine like the Brother ST371HD can handle a heavy job occasionally without a problem.

That being said, with a little patience, the proper needle and thread, the Brother ST371HD sewing machine will work just fine for hemming your denim jeans, sewing a canvas tote bag, making outdoor cushions or installing a strap on a duffle bag.

Lots Of Stitches You’ll Actually Use

There are loads of machines that have many more stitches than the Brother ST371HD offers. However, once the novelty of the stitch selection wears off, you’ll probably never use most of them again. After all, who really needs five different buttonhole stitches?

The Brother ST371HD has 37 stitches you may actually use. It has a fair number of decorative stitches and utility stitches, a one-step buttonhole stitch, a blind hemstitch, zigzag and stretch stitches for knits.

Feet For Every Sewing Task

This machine comes with six sewing feet that cover all your sewing needs. Along with the general-purpose sewing foot, the selection includes a zipper foot, a blind stitch foot, a spring-action zigzag foot, a nonstick foot, a buttonhole and button sewing foot. Not sure what you’d use them for? Here’s a helpful article that describes the different types of sewing machine feet.

The springy zigzag foot is perfect for sewing over thick seams. The zipper foot works great for sewing cording on a cushion as well as sewing a zipper in place. The nonstick foot easily slides over suede and other fabrics with a heavy texture that can bog down your stitching.

Features And Accessories To Make Sewing A Breeze

Your Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough sewing machine includes all the features you look for in a good, all-around machine.

Threading the machine is simple and straightforward; just follow the numbered markings and your machine is threaded in seconds. Then, press a lever and your needle is threaded in one smooth motion.

There is an automatic bobbin winder on the top of the machine, and there’s a clear plastic cover over the Quick-set drop-in bobbin system that prevents jams and thread “nests.”

The Brother ST371HD has a free arm feature for sewing small circumferences like cuffs or baby clothes. The feed dogs can be lowered for free motion quilting or machine darning.

For sewing convenience, the machine has a bright LED light that is directed onto the stitching table. LED lights last for thousands of hours, so you never need to worry about replacing the bulb.

All adjustments to the machine are simply done by turning a dial. Across the top of the machine, you’ll find dials for adjusting the tension, the stitch length and the width of the stitches. The maximum stitch length is 4mm, and the maximum stitch width is 4mm.

On the right side of the unit is a dial to select your preferred stitch, and there’s a visual graphic on the front that shows each of the stitches and their corresponding dial numbers.

Accessories To Get You Started

You won’t need to run to the store for additional accessories, nor will you have so many miscellaneous parts that you’re left scratching your head trying to figure out the function of every part.

Included in the package is a three-needle set with a #11, #14 and #16 needle. The #11 is used for general duty or lightweight fabrics. The #14 is good for multiple layers of fabric like sewing a quilt. The #16 needle is thicker and has a larger eye for heavyweight fabrics. There is also a twin needle for sewing perfectly even double topstitching.

Other necessary goodies include an extra spool pin, two spool caps, a screwdriver and four bobbins. You also get an instructional DVD, a quick start guide and a printed product manual.

The machine has a limited 25-year warranty and free telephone technical support for the life of the product. And, as if that weren’t enough, it has a handy-dandy dust cover to keep dust and grime out between sewing projects.

Sewing On The Go And Compact Storage

The Brother ST371HD sewing machine isn’t the lightest or smallest machine on the market, but it certainly can be toted to a sewing class or tucked in the back of a closet between uses. It has a built-in handle that is tucked away when the machine is in use and pops up to carry the machine when a universal hard case isn’t available.

Weighing in at 14.3 lbs, this Brother sewing machine is light enough to transport easily, but it’s heavy enough to stay in place when sewing at high speeds. That movement is called ‘walking’ and can be very annoying when you’re trying to sew.

The Brother ST371HD has dimensions of 12.21 x 16.10 x 7.87 inches and fits nicely in a universal sewing machine carrying case. This compact size makes it perfect for even the smallest of work areas.

Although everyone seems to be jumping on the computerized sewing machine bandwagon, the Brother ST371HD sewing machine combines quality with simplicity.

Whether you’re a sewing novice who’s looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-use machine or a full-time sewist who needs a dependable back-up machine, this machine really fits the needs of the vast majority of sewers. There are machines that have more bells and whistle for less money, but the Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough sewing machine is a lot like Goldilocks’ porridge – it’s just right.