It hasn't been on the market very long, but the Brother CP6500 sewing machine is sure to get a lot of attention when ahead of Christmas 2011. In essence, it's an updated version of the every popular CS6000i by the same manufacturer but it's updated look is pretty sharp.
Here's a look at all its features and stitches and a thought about why this is a great machine for anyone who doesn't want to spend a fortune but wants all the automation and flexibility of a more expensive machine.
Brother CP6500 StitchesThere are 60 built in stitches which include 7 different styles of buttonholes. All seven are 1-step, auto-sizing buttonholes so you can produce a number of them in a matter of minutes.
The assortment of stitches can be used for lots of creative sewing. You can make clothes, curtains, drapes, costumes, pillows, tablecloths, home goods, mend jeans, quilt and even decorate your scrapbooking work with pretty stitches. There are joining, piecing, heirloom and smocking stitches for heirloom sewing so items as delicate as christening gowns and bridal veils are very doable.
Embellish the hems of collars or childrens clothing, or create your own quilt designs with free-form stitches. Because the feed dogs can be lowered you can do free hand embroidery, monogramming or quilting with this machine.
Presser FeetWhen you buy the Brother CP-6500 sewing machine, you get 7 presser feet in the box. These include:
- Buttonhole foot
- Overcasting foot
- Monogramming
- Zipper
- Zigzag
- Blind Stitch
- Button Fitting
Presser feet are the simple, snap-on style which can be changed easily with one hand. The Zigzag foot has a small, black button on the back called a leveling button. If you have to climb a small hill of fabric on a thick seam or overlap, just push that button and the presser foot will level out to the highest point and continue to sew consistently through the seam without dropping stitches or getting hung up on anywhere.
FunctionalityThe Brother CP6500 is a computerized sewing machine which means that you control the machine's settings through push buttons and a screen which interact with a small computer component inside the machine. This allows for more automation to be built in so that more time can be spent sewing and less time spent on set up or routine tasks.
Features include many of the most user friendly options such as automatic bobbin winding, an automatic needle threader, six point feed dog system, drop in bobbin, start/stop bobbin, reverse button, free arm sewing, twin needle capability, adjustable thread tension, and a drop feed dog lever.
The CP-6500 comes with a foot pedal but you don't have to use it. Leave it unattached and you can start and stop the needle by a press of the Start/Stop button. The speed control slider controls the sewing speed. This is a great setup for beginners, especially kids, because you can keep the machine at a low speed for easier fabric control. It's also useful when working on complicated sewing techniques where you need to be very precise.
According to Brother, the CP6500 has the same motor as the well rated Project Runway sewing machines they produce. The outside is redesigned with more round curves and different trim. It might have a different look but the performance appears to be the same as the models that have been so popular for so long.
