Brother CS7000X Review

The Brother CS7000X is an inexpensive computerized machine that comes ready for quilting. For under $300, it includes a detachable wide table and 10 presser feet, among them a walking foot, a 1/4-inch foot, and a free-motion quilting foot, along with 70 built-in stitches and seven one-step buttonholes.

The drop feed mechanism lets you lower the feed dogs for free-motion quilting, and the automatic needle threader and Quick-Set drop-in bobbin make setup easy for new sewists. At about 10.5 pounds, it is light enough to carry to classes and retreats.

It is a compact machine, though. Brother does not publish its throat space, it has no knee lifter, and its 750 SPM top speed is modest. Quilters who move on to large bed quilts will eventually want more room, but as a first machine for piecing and for quilting baby and throw quilts, it is very good value.

For piecing, attach the included 1/4-inch foot and the CS7000X sews accurate seams at a comfortable pace, with the wide table supporting fabric as it leaves the needle. The included walking foot keeps layers aligned for straight-line quilting on small quilts. For free-motion quilting, drop the feed dogs and use the included quilting foot; as with any entry-level machine, expect to control your speed carefully while you learn. The main limit is size: the compact harp makes it hard to quilt a large bed quilt on this machine. As a first machine, or a lightweight machine for classes, it covers the essentials.