Want a really good deal for under $200? Add the Brother CP7500 to your short list. The rounded styling and pink trim are just the pretty icing on an incredibly functional, computerized piece of cake.
Come December, this one is sure to be a holiday gift favorite. The model is comparably priced to the manufacturer’s most popular model, the CS6000i, and matches it in every way but with an added bonus of 10 additional decorative stitches.
This is a sewing machine that works great for beginners and will grow with the user no matter what kind of sewing projects are pulled into the mix. More than one person noted they purchased this as a backup only to stop using their original model all together because of all the great features that come with this one.
Table of Contents
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Stitch Count / Presser Feet / Functionality / Accessories / Customer Reviews / Pros, Cons & Manual
UPDATE: June 21, 2013 – It’s almost impossible to find the CP-7500 online anymore at price that competes with the similar CS6000i. Brother doesn’t show it as a discontinued model but considering its lack of availability I have to wonder if it got axed. I’m shocked because I thought the color, price, and extra stitches made it one of their best bargains for beginners. If you can’t find it, take a look at the CS6000i or CP-6500.
REVIEW SUMMARY
MODEL: Brother CP7500 Sewing Machine
REVIEWED BY: Erin
RATING: 4.7 
LAST UPDATED: April 8, 2015
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Brother CP7500 Sewing Machine Stitches
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You’ll find an assortment of 70 built in stitches that include utility stitches, decorative, heirloom, and quilting. You can make clothing, perform alterations, hem jeans, appliqué, take up quilting, make home decoration items like blankets, pillows, drapes, curtains, and bedspreads, and even do the most delicate heirloom work.
There are 7 styles of 1-step buttonholes – my favorite. These are literally 1-step, as in push one button and let the sewing machine create a buttonhole. You just have to cut the slit in the center when it’s done. If you’ve ever struggled to do well-balanced buttonholes by hand or with an older machine, you’ll be amazed at how easy these are. Even kids can do buttonholes like this with no problem.
Many stitches can be modified in width or length for a total of 110 stitch functions (total variations of the built in stitches). Stitch width can be modified up to 7mm and length up to 5mm for select stitches which means you can create a super sized zigzag stitch with this sewing machine.
Comprehensive Set of Presser Feet Come with the Brother CP7500 Sewing Machine
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The Brother CP7500 comes with 9 snap on presser feet. The original package included only 7 presser feet but two important quilting feet have been added as a bonus:
- Zigzag (general presser foot)
- Overcasting
- Monogramming
- Blind Stitch
- Zipper
- Buttonhole
- Button Fitting
- Quilting Foot
- Walking Foot
Beginners Love the Brother CP 7500 Sewing Features and Automation
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As I mentioned, this is one feature-rich sewing machine. All the favorite features that make today’s sewing machines so much easier to use are included:
- Quick-set, drop-in bobbin
- Automatic bobbin winder
- Automatic needle threader
- Built in manual thread cutter
- Automatic presser foot pressure
- Start/stop button to start or stop sewing with the push of a button
- Variable speed control
- Speed control slider
- Reverse/Reinforcement button
- Thread tension control dial
- See through bobbin cover
Drop in bobbins are usually easier for beginners to use. The additional enhancement of the Quick-Set ™ bobbin with the one step replacement makes things just that much faster to set up. You literally plop the bobbin in the case and hook the thread to one side and it’s ready to sew.
The combination of the Start/Stop button and the speed control slider allow you to sew without the foot pedal, if you so choose. While a foot pedal is included, the combination of the Start/Stop button and the speed control slider can be used to sew completely with your hands – no foot pedal required. If you’ve grown up sewing with a foot pedal, you might not care to use this feature but beginners LOVE this option and often never use the foot pedal.
The Brother CP 7500 sewing machine is built to keep thread flowing smoothly through the machine to minimize thread jams, too:
- Threading diagram printed on the machine
- Horizontal thread delivery
Operating controls are very simple. An LCD screen display selected stitch information and tells you which presser foot you need for each stitch. Two pairs of up/down arrow keys control stitch selection, stitch width, and stitch length.
The stitch pattern reference guide is printed right across the top so there’s no need to pull out the manual or check a printed sheet to figure out the number of the sewing stitch you want to use.
The Brother CP7500 sewing machine is capable of tackling advanced sewing projects with these features:
- Drop feed dog lever
- Free arm for sewing circular tubes of material such as pant legs and sleeves
- Twin needle sewing for two rows of stitches for reinforced seams or decorative accents
- Variable needle positions
- Can be used to attach buttons with 2 or 4 holes
It’s really lightweight, too. Sturdy enough to handle heavy fabrics and large projects, especially with the included extra-wide extension table, but still light enough to move around your house without complaint. This is a practical for those who take their sewing machines to classes or quilting guilds.
The spool pin is a little unusual in that it’s the fold out style. Most sewing machines in this price range have a vertical or horizontal pin that is firmly affixed to the sewing machine while this one folds out from the top. Some people have mentioned a concern that because of the joint, perhaps the spool pin could be prone to breaking but I could not find a single complaint of that happening to date. If you’re going to move the machine or cover it, just make sure the spool pin is folded back into place.
Brother puts a nifty little option on a number of their home sewing machines including this model. You can program the needle stop position so that the needle ALWAYS stops in the up position or ALWAYS stops in the down position. You can switch this from one preference to the other depending on your project.
A hard cover is included but be aware this is truly a cover and not a case. There is no bottom. You can fit this over the Brother CP7500 sewing machine to keep it from prying hands or falling objects but there’s also a cutout in the top so you can reach the carrying handle which means it won’t really protect from dust.
You can buy the Brother 5300 Universal Sewing Machine Carrying Case
Because the Brother CP7500 sewing machine so closely resembles the Brother CS6000i (read more here) in regards to features and price, one of the questions that come up most often lately has to do with the differences between the CP7500 and the CS6000i. Here’s what’s different:
- Both sewing machines have the same 60 stitches but the CP-7500 comes with 10 additional decorative stitches for a total of 70 built in stitches
- Design – pink trim and rounded shape vs. blue trim and more boxy look
- Price (sometimes) – at times, they’ve had the same price so all the same features and accessories with 10 extra stitches makes the CP7500 a real online bargain
Everything else is the same – even the operating manual!
Dimensions: L 16.26” x H 11.65” x D 7.01”
Weight: 14 pounds
Accessories
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A number of sewing notions and accessories are included:
- Hard cover
- Seam ripper
- Extra bobbins (3)
- Set of 3 extra needles (1-75/11, 1-90/14, 1-100/16)
- Twin needle
- Ball point needle (gold colored)
- Cleaning brush
- Disc-shaped screwdriver
- Spool caps (1-large, 1-medium, 1-small)
- Extra spool pin
- Foot pedal
- Eyelet punch
- Quilting guide
- Extra wide extension table
The Brother CP7500 Sewing Machine Gets Consistently Strong Consumer Ratings
I’ve been keeping an eye on reviews since this sewing machine first came out. It was hard to ignore how much it matched the CS6000i and that always catches my attention. The next thing I needed to understand for this review was how consumers would respond after enough time had passed to run it through a few projects. Month after month, ratings have held stable and the review comments continue to be extremely favorable.
All the same features and price of the bestseller and yet a more sleek design? And at this price? It’s just one of the best ways beginners can get into a sewing machine that starts easy, handles basic tasks, and yet will grow with them in so many ways.
Beginners love that it comes with so many extras and doesn’t feel like a cheap machine. It’s sturdy and performs very well. The controls are simple and easy to learn. You won’t have to worry about buying extras down the road to try quilting, bags, blankets, or clothing. All of these features make it not just a good choice for a beginner sewing machine but also one of the best priced choices for anyone who needs a new sewing machine and wants to stick with a budget of under $200.
You can read more here: Ratings
Average Rating: 4.7
Pros, Cons & Manual
Pros: Great with denim and thick fabrics. Easy to use. Lots of stitches to choose from. Runs very quietly. Nice looking stitches. Lots of presser feet. Included hard cover, extra wide extension table and bonus quilting accessories. An excellent choice for beginners.
Cons: Dim work light. Might need to keep a lamp handy. Spool pin doesn’t feel very sturdy (although no one has complained about it falling off or breaking yet).
Manual available online here: See the Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: As of this date, Brother offers a 25 year limited warranty.
For current pricing information, follow this link:
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Features Summary Review:
Hi!
I’m so glad to have found your website! I’m a total beginner and it is so overwhelming looking at all the different options between machines. I’m torn between the brothers 7500 and the singer 7258 model. My goal for projects is to be able to do fairly basic things- hem pants, making simple little summer dresses for my toddler, Halloween costumes and eventually basic little quilts for babies. I want to have a machine that will be able to grow with my needs, in case I really get the hang of it and want to do more ambitious things ( though I’m not even sure what those projects would be!) and in case I never really pick it up, I don’t want to regret spending a large amount of money on a machine. Both these machines I think are reasonably priced right now, I cant decide if having more stitches is better or having more included accessories, like the footplates with the Brother. And it seems like both machines would need a dustcover, right off the bat. Any thoughts?
Thank you so much for you time & well researched site!
Emily – You’re the second person in two days to have narrowed their choices down to the Singer 7258 and the Brother CP 7500. Which means I’m pretty freshly up to date on these two and can give you some thoughts pretty easily.
Here are the three differences to consider between these two models:
1. Stitches (as you already noticed) – The Singer 7258 has 100 and the CP7500 has 70. It looks like there’s a big difference between the two, HOWEVER, 23 of the stitches included in the Singer 7258 are really just the reverse image of other stitches so there are really only 77 unique patterns with the 7258 vs 70 unique patterns. Both have all the basic utility stitches and quilting stitches so if you’re torn between the two sets just look at the decorative stitches and see if any on either machine are must haves for you and the projects you have in mind.
2. Size – Both machines weigh the same but the Brother CP 7500 is a couple inches longer than the Singer. This translates into a few more inches in the “throat” area of the machine – the opening between the controls on the right and the needle. Having more space here is handy if you work on large projects, like quilts, where you might have to sew in the middle of yards of fabric and you have to roll the fabric on one side to fit through the throat area. It just gives you a little more work space.
3. Accessories – The Brother CP 7500 comes with the quilting foot, walking foot, quilting guide, hard cover, and extension table. The Singer 7258 does not come with those accessories although they can be purchased separately.
You are correct in that neither come with a dust cover but that’s such a great first project and you can personalize one to go along with your new toy.
Outside of those differences, the controls are very similar, threading is easy on both, and they have the same level of automation. Both are also highly rated by consumers and have lots of great reviews online.
Of course, you could always pick by color preference, too….blue or pink trim? 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
PS – Glad you like the site!
Hi Erin,
Thank you so much for the fast & detailed reply! I’m leaning more towards the 7500 now, as the extra throat space sounds like a good benefit I hadn’t thought about. Thank you for pointing out that 23 of the stitches are not unique, that helps a lot too, because the difference between 70 and 77 Is much less than when I first thought it was 100 vs 70! And the funny thing is, I’m expecting my 2nd child now so I do ponder the blue vs pink question a lot these days (we won’t know the sex for another month)! I don’t even know if I’m completely delusional thinking I have the time to pick up a new hobby at all these days, but I think part of the nesting behavior is imagining all these wonderful things I could make IF I only had the perfect sewing machine…
Thanks so much again!
Emily
Emily – Congratulations! That’s so exciting. As I type this, my 2nd baby (now 13) is sitting next to me on the sofa. I remember being pregnant with him and wondering how I’d juggle two small children along with everything else and then he was such an incredible sleeper I often found myself bored waiting for him to wake up and need me. You just never know. Of course, I figured that was only fair because it felt like my first child never slept more than 15 minutes at a time. 😉
Either way, you really will settle into a routine and you will find yourself with some free time again. When the mood strikes to try your hand at making bibs or diaper covers or a new baby blanket, you’ll be ready to go!
Pretty funny that you’re two choices had pink trim and blue trim, all things considered!
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi, I’ve been going through various reviews on your site and this has been amazing and helped me narrow it down to two machines. Brother CS6000I and Brother CP-7500.
When I head over to the brother site the accessories for the CS6000I come up with lots of additional presser feet including the side cutter which I very much want. Unfortunately the CP-7500 which would be my machine of choice has no such list.
Do you know if the additional feet are identical for both of them? Thank you so much!
AnnaMarie
AnnaMarie – As both of these sewing machines are 7mm machines (meaning the max stitch width is 7mm), both will take the same list of presser feet.
Glad the reviews helped!
Sincerely,
Erin
Thank you so much!
AnnaMarie
Thanks for this review! I’m new to sewing and wanted something affordable but also had the latest technology. This review had the exact comparison I wanted – between the 6000 and 7500 models. Definitely choosing this sewing machine as my final choice 🙂
Hi! Im planning to get a sewing machine and I’m glad i found you website. I’m a beginner and I’m looking forward to sew. But I have a question, can I embroidered an initial or a name with a free motion embroidery feature? If i want to that do i need to get the sewing and embroidery machine? I only wanted to do initials and name. Hope you can help me with my question. Thanks. God bless!
EnEn;o)
EnEn – If the sewing machine, like the Brother CP7500, allows you to drop the feed dogs or cover them with a darning plate, then you can do free motion embroidery. What this means is that the feed dogs would not guide the fabric in any way. Instead, you would manually move the fabric under the needle so that the stitches form a letter or a name. To see what that’s like, put a piece of paper on a table and put your hands on the paper as if it were fabric on a sewing machine. Have a friend hold a pen with the point on the paper. Have your friend hold the pen in place against the paper. Then, see if you can form an initial by moving the paper under the pen. That’s what free motion embroidering is like.
You don’t need to buy any special accessories to get started as long as the machine has drop feed dog capability.
If that seems too complicated, you can buy a sewing machine with a built in font like the Brother SQ9000 (read my page) or a combination sewing and embroidery machine like the Brother SE400 (thorough report here).
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Erin
Erin,
Recently, I bought a Brother CE8080PRW at Walmart even though I couldn’t find any reviews for it. I figured it was probably REASONABLY close to the CS6000i but without the start/stop button (which wasn’t a factor for me) and more decorative stitches. HOWEVER, I’m finding I’m having ALL KINDS of problems with it. In the first machine, the feed dogs starting sewing only in reverse. I brought it to my friend (she’s been sewing for years, I’ve been sewing for two weeks) and she couldn’t fix it. We called Brother, they tried to help, but ultimately said return the item (I bought it at Walmart). I brought it back and got the same machine, even though I REALLY wasn’t happy about how difficult it was to get the thread into the guide to wind a bobbin. The second machine never worked at all– no matter WHAT I do, the bottom thread continues to get snarled. Again, called brother, same result, return the machine. Now I’m ready to try a different machine, but I’m not sure what to do. My friend swears by brother machines, and I don’t want to give up on them, but now I don’t know whether to get the CS6000i or the CP 7500. The CE8080PRW had the same spool issue as it seems the CP 7500 does, but do you know how the bobbins wind on the machines? I was so excited to help my friend start her costume business, and now I’m getting discouraged.
Andrea – That’s terrible! To have problems with two purchases is completely frustrating. Especially when you had a specific project in mind such as helping your friend with her business.
It’s really strange, too, because I read reviews about sewing machines until my eyes fall out of my head and Brother machines really do get high marks repeatedly for so many models. Your friend’s loyalty to Brother is well placed as overwhelmingly large numbers of consumers have had great experiences. That being said, no manufacturer is blemish free.
The bobbins on the CS6000i and the CP 7500 wind the same. There is an automatic bobbin winder with an auto declutch mechanism. Just push the spindle to the side, set up the bobbin and push the Start button or step on the foot pedal to start winding. The spindle will slow and then stop when the bobbin is full.
The CS6000i and he CP 7500 are IDENTICAL in every way EXCEPT the CP 7500 has 10 more stitches and a different exterior. Usually, you can find them for nearly the same price and if that’s still the case in your area or online, then go for the CP 7500 just to get the additional stitches. I did a comparison of the CS6000i, the CP 6500, and the CP 7500 here with a chart if it helps: See the Chart.
I hope you’re able to replace the machine soon and get back to doing what you planned. It sounds like an exciting venture. New businesses are always having to solve problems so maybe this is just one of those little hurdles you’ll be able to look back on and laugh about…someday. 😉
Good luck!
Erin
Forgot to mention that I also need whatever machine I end up buying to be able to sew with a lot of different fabrics. My friend and I are sewing period costumes, so it’s really important that the machine is able to work with lighter fabrics without snarling them.
Andrea – I just caught this additional comment. Both of those machines can work with lighter fabrics. Just make sure to use the right needle and thread combination. Play around with some scrap fabric to see which presser feet work best. If you don’t get a nice, smooth glide then you might want to use a non-stick presser foot with some fabrics.
Sincerely,
Erin
I am considering the CP7500 and the CS6000i. I have read your comparisons, thanks so much for the hard work, this has gotten me to my decision point. It looks like these are great machines for the money. My only question, based on the design of the body, is one longer in the “throat” area than the other? The CS6000i looks longer, but it could be the photography. I would appreciate a professional view on this! Thanks again!
Darlene
Well, I went with the CS6000i. Not because of the earlier question I had, but because of the way the controls and the LED screen are positioned. I just liked it better. The addtional 10 stitches were not a deal maker for me, 60 is enough, way more that what I have now. So, I get it Friday, and I will let you know what I think!
Thanks so much for letting me blather on!
Darlene
Hello –
I am looking to buy my first sewing machine and am interested in this model or the Brother CS6000i. My husband would like me to be able to sew patches on his leather vest and I was wondering if either of these models would be heavy duty enough to sew leather? Thanks!
Melissa
Melissa – If the leather sewing is infrequent, you would be fine with either of these machines. Just make sure to use the right needle. If, however, you’d be sewing on leather regularly you might want a more heavy-duty machine built to go through heavy fabrics repeatedly. The Singer 4411 (detail found here) or the Janome HD1000 are two such options with high marks.
Sincerely,
Erin
Thanks for the wonderful info at this site! Can you tell me about ‘stitch functions’? I read somewhere that this machine offers mirroring of stitches. Is that correct? Does the cs6000i have that? I almost bought the cs6000i and then saw this site and comparisions. I’m now thinking this cp7500 is a better deal. Thank you!
I just browsed through the manual for this machine and did not see any mention of a mirror stitch function. I really like this function on my Brother SE400.
Christine – Stitch functions are the additional stitches that can be made from built in stitches. By either lengthening a stitch, widening it, flipping it, or sewing the mirror image of a stitch gives you a function of an existing stitch that allows for more flexibility from your machine. You have to watch stitch descriptions for sewing machines pretty carefully as some product descriptions play up the total stitch functions vs built in stitches but for the sake of comparison it is best to look at the base, built-in stitches for one machine to another and then consider the additional functions that are provided for modifying those stitches.
Neither the Brother CP7500 nor the CS6000i have the mirror stitch function. 🙁 As Rick mentioned, the Brother SE400 (read the detail) does have that function.
Sincerely,
Erin
PS – Glad you like the site! 😉
Hello. I am a husband wanting to surprise my wife with a sewing machine. She is a beginner, she has some limited experience but has never owned a machine.
In this case do you suggest one of the two above or another one?
Thanks for all your help- I am learning a lot from you.
Alfred – Such a great gift idea for your wife! I’m sure she’ll be thrilled!
I’d go with the CP 7500. Right now it’s only $4 more than the CS6000i on Amazon and it has a few more stitches. Outside of the stitches they have the same features and performance. For the money, this is the best deal under $200 for a beginner machine AND they’ve been on the market for awhile, have great reviews, and hold up well over time.
She’ll be able to do any kind of sewing that she wants with this machine, too – alterations, clothing, quilting. Plus, it includes a great number of accessories that don’t come with the other machines in this price range.
Happy (early) holidays!
Sincerely,
Erin
Thanks so much Erin. You really are a big help. Thanks for taking time to help us beginners out!
Not a problem! 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Erin,
I have read that the Brother CP7500 requires special bobbins not usually available in stores like JoAnn whereas the CS6000i takes a standard bobbin. Is that true?
I am new to sewing and love all of the information I am reviewing on your website. My question is, does the Brother CP7500 allow you to drop the feed dogs or use a darning plate?
sincerely,
Janet
Hi. I am new to sewing & stumbled upon your website. I want something affordable with excellent reviews & latest technology. I have learned a lot of excellent information from your website.
I ap was looking at the Brother CS6000i & now I am considering the CP7500. My question is… Does the CP7500 allow you to drop the feed dogs or come with a darning plate? If not, I was also looking at the SE-400.
Sincerely,
Janet
Hi,
Thank you for your site. it really helps me get motivated to buy a sewing machine. I am actually a beginner with no knowledge on how to use or start. There are two sewing machine I am looking. One is CP7500 and XR9500PRW. What are your opinion for this machines?. Help me decide. Thank you
Sincerely,
Charrie
After days of comparing with lots of help of your website I just put in my order on Amazon for the Brother CP7500 over the Singer 7258. I’m just starting to sew, the last time was about 10-15 years ago and I’m just starting out with small projects, a dust cover i found online and some christmas stockings. Is there any other materials that you feel are essential at this time other than pins and scissors?
Thank you again for all of your knowledge,
Tiffany
Hi Erin, I am thinking about getting this machine, and I have been handsewing for some time now, and I have never used a machine before. Is the manual sufficient for learning how to use this? And also, is it sufficient enough to make clothes projects from Youtube channels such as Threadbanger, Craftovision, and Secretlifeofabionerd?
Thank you!
I stumbled across your blog on Goggle and I am so glad I did. Your posts are very informative and detailed. I went with the Brother CP7500 after reading and comparing it to the CP6500 and CS56000i. I can’t wait for it to arrive (I ordered it from Amazon) and get stuck into my first project – making cushions. It’s my first ever sewing machine. I’ll check back in with you in a few weeks and let you know how I’m getting along with it.
Just like to say how amazing this site is before i start! Could have done with coming across this weeks ago and saved myself alot of stress and worry on my new purchase!
I am after a new machine that i can grow into but is suitable for beginners. I really like the Brother CP7500 but am really struggling to find it in the UK.
I was wondering if you could reccomened me 2 machines (that are avalible in the uk) that you think are suitable.
The machine will be used for small items like Aprons, Cushion covers and Bags.
I look forward to your reply as im literally itching to get sewing!
Thanks so much
Becky xx
I went with the Brother CP7500 after reading your comparison…reading all the reviews has made me cross eyed! I was very happy to find your website. Thank you SO much for helping me make my decision as this is my first sewing machine purchase ever! (My Mom still has her Singer from when I was little) I was worried that Amazon had so many reviews on CS6000i and not so many on the CP7500 but am taking the chance on the newer model. Now just have to wait a week or so until it’s delivered to my Wal-Mart!
You rock,
Glory
wow, thanks so much for the reviews as my eyes were crossing over the choices. I don’t do embroidery. But I grew up w/ commercial machines and really want a side cutter. Would I be better off buying the SE-400 or just stick w/ the CP7500. I looked up the manual. While the CP7500 has a side cutter, it doesn’t seem to have built-in stitches for them like the SE400. Does this mean that the CP7500 can’t quite pretend to be a serger like the SE-400?
smurfett – The Brother SA177 side cutter presser foot will respond the same on the Brother CP-7500 as it does on the Brother SE400. The difference is that you use it with the regular zigzag stitch and a few of the stretch stitches instead of the specific stitches noted on the Brother SE400 (although it will work with those other stitches on the Brother SE400, too).
Since performance of the foot itself is going to be the same on either machine, I’d save the money on the price difference between the two and go for the CP7500. Most people really like the quality edge that foot provides even though it’s a two-thread stitch instead of a three or four thread stitch like you’d see on true home sergers.
If, after you try it out, you decide you really want the stronger, traditional serger, you could get something like the Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger. My mother has had that model for several years now and LOVES it. The cost of that serger and the CP 7500 together are about the same as you’d end up paying for the SE400.
My thoughts, anyway. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin
thanks. i can get either one for free as i’m using frequent flyer miles. just trying to decide if it’s worth it to spring for the SE400 if I don’t embroider at all. or if I can save the miles for something else.
The serger stitches I’m familiar with are like #66 stitch (Overcasting side cutter). Do the regular zigzag stitches perform the same as those overcasting stitches?
Hi, there!
I’ve been digging up some info on this since last night. It appears you can use the SA177 with the overcast stitch on the Brother CP7500 so it would be very much like the stitch you’d get on the SE400. The presser foot itself is compatible with the 7mm Brother machines and since it accommodates a zigzag stitch to that width, the needle can put down the overcast within the space allotted.
That being said, I haven’t tried this myself and the manual is sketchy on the directions. I’m going to try to get my hands on one this week to test it out for sure.
Either way, though, if you’re not going to use the embroidery function of the SE400, I wouldn’t waste those miles just to get those specified stitches. Even if you can only do the zigzag stitch with the side cutter on the CP7500, the performance difference in that stitch vs. the overcast stitch on the SE400 isn’t going to significantly different mostly because you’re still using just the two threads. I’m thinking the difference is not enough to justify the extra miles. (There’s got to be something cool and fun in their catalog that you can use them for instead!) 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
wow, thanks so much for the detailed replies! I will go ahead and get the CP7500. So excited!
I love this website! You have provided such good information. I have not sewed since Home Ec in Junior High (25 years ago), but decided that I was going to sew my own drapes, box pleat valance and cornice. After a lot of research, I decided to go with this Brother CP-7500. But I ended up returning it to Amazon, because it started to malfunction. Thankfully they took it back even though it was a couple days past the 30 day return. It would sew correctly only on setting 00 (straight stitch) but would not always pick up the bobbin thread on any other setting. Troubleshooting, I re-threaded both the top thread and the bobbin thread, tried different needle sizes, better quality thread, different fabrics, took out and cleaned the bobbin case, and nothing helped. I called customer service, and all they told me was to take it to a Brother service center, and the service center would decide whether it was covered by warranty.
I ended up purchasing the Singer Stylist 7258 as a replacement, because I’ve decided I love the option of sewing without a foot pedal. I’ve had the Singer 7258 for a day, and I thought you might appreciate my comparisons.
The Brother outclasses the Singer in terms of included items. The Brother includes a walking foot and a button foot, a twin-needle and an extension table. I don’t know that I need any of these items, but while I had the Brother, I did use the walking foot and the extension table. Also the Brother comes with a hard plastic cover, while the Singer has a flimsy plastic cover, which I’ll probably never use. I also loved (and miss) these features of the Brother: fast bobbin winding, automatic bobbin threading, and the up/down button that actually moves the needle up and down. On the Singer, you have to go thru a couple more steps to wind a bobbin, and to pull the bobbin thread and top thread behind the needle. On the Brother you simply drop in the bobbin, thread the top needle, and you’re ready to start sewing. On the Singer, up drop in the bobbin, thread the needle, turn the hand wheel to catch the bobbin thread, use an implement to pull the bobbin and top thread behind the needle, and you’re ready to start sewing. Also, on the Singer, you have to use the hand wheel to move the needle up and down, the up/down button simply sets your machine so that when you stop sewing, the needle is up or down. So on the Brother, you could basically sew without touching the hand wheel or foot pedal.
Finally, I noticed that with the Brother, the machine would sew at whatever pace the speed slider was set to, but with the Singer, the machine would sew the first couple seconds slowly, then speed up to the speed that the speed slider was set to. Thus, you could sew projects VERY SLOWLY on the Brother, where the slowest setting on the Singer is a bit faster.
This all said, the Singer is heavier than the Brother (aluminum frame vs plastic frame) and, it just seems sturdier. Unless the Singer malfunctions within the 30 day return period, I will probably keep it. It just “feels” like a better machine, even though it has fewer features. I wanted to get a Janome, but the lowest price model with a start/stop button (non-foot pedal sewing) is out of my price range. (I got the Singer and Brother for about the same price.) I loved the bells and whistles on the Brother, but they’re not any use, if you can’t actually sew on the machine! I didn’t want to get another Brother, because the customer service was so lacking, and the machine’s basic functions – sewing and stability of the machine on a table were not great.
Oh my goodness, I adore you!! That’s an excellent comparison between the CP7500 and the Singer 7258 (read my overview)! This will come in very handy for shoppers of both machines.
I’m glad the Singer worked out for you and even though you’re missing some of the features you liked on the Brother, hopefully they’ll just fade into a distant memory with the great projects you and your machine will create.
You’ve given me some ideas for some side by side video comparisons. My mother – the REAL sewer in the family – is coming to town and I’m hoping to take her on a mission with me for some new demos. Very timely!
Hope you enjoy your new toy and let us know how it goes. Thank you so much for the compliments on the site, too! Always makes me want to work harder on it. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin,
After narrowing my choices to Singer 7258 and Brother cs6000i, I read in your review that the Brother reinforce button worked on all decorative stitches (whereas the Singer was only with straight stitches.) Well now I’ve come across your review of the Brother CP7500 with 10 extra stitches but I cannot find here or on any other websites if the 7500 reverse/reinforcement does all decorative stitches or just straight. Can you let me know? Also, which machine you would recommend: Singer 7258, Brother cs6000i, or CP7500 – I’m returning to sewing after many years and replacing a very old Singer machine. I’ve sewn lined drapes, bedspreads, shower curtains, pillows, quilts, am thinking of trying out clothes.
Thanks.
I bought the CP7500 and I love it! I bought it to learn to quilt on. The piecing stitches are great and love that you can set them automatically. The only thing I can’t seem to get perfect is the free motion quilting. I let the feed dogs down, and put the quilting foot on but you still have to drop the presser foot and it is a pretty tight fit putting the sandwich under the foot. Also I suppose it takes lots of practice with setting the tension to free motion quilt. I wasn’t dropping the presser foot and kept getting the E1 error, until I let the quilting foot down. Now I don’t get the error but the speed and tension has to work together to do the stipple, I am working on it. Thanks for all of the reviews they are very helpful. I would like to know if anyone has a video on quilting and stippling on the CP7500?
Thank you
Judy
NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THIS TOPIC…. WHAT MACHINES HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TENSION SETTER. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS. DIALS ARE NOT GOOD TO ME SINCE I REALLY CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. RIGHT NOW STILL LOOKING FOR A MACHINE THAT GOES FROM “BASIC THINGS” TO INTERMEDIATE LEVEL”. DO LIKE BROTHERS “QUILTING TABLE” THOUGH. NO MORE THAN $200 & NO LESS THAN $100. PLEASE. THANKS SO MUCH. REALLY WANT TO GET BACK INTO SEWING AGAIN!
OH, YES. I FORGOT ALSO WHICH HAS BETTER LIGHTING??? EYESIGHT IS JUST NOT AS GOOD AS IT ONCE WAS & I REALLY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO PUT ANY LAMP ON THE TABLE. SPACE SCARCE. THANK YOU.