Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine Review (2023)

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Did you know that while 50% of people want to learn sewing, only one in ten actually stitch the first straight seam? The Brother XR3774 offers sewing fans the accessible option for liberating your latent master-seamstress.

Packing all the automated power you need, this budget beast helps unleash your potential. Just glance at the XR3774’s top marks—an impressive 96 at one retailer—to see why it’s a winning choice for newbies.

The intuitive menu buttons and handy accessories let you skip the frustrations of tangled thread or tricky tuning. This dependable workhorse comes stacked with presser feet for all your hemming, zipping, and quilting dreams.

Now you can stitch, embroider, and monogram with self-assured aplomb. Say goodbye to seam-ripping and embrace your inner sewing sorceress with the XR3774. This full-featured, affordable marvel makes it oh-so-easy to finally go from sewing spectator to sewing spectacular.

What Comes in the Box?

When you open up the box, you’ll find the XR3774 sewing machine, a detachable wide table, 8 different presser feet for various techniques, bobbins, needles, spool caps, a twin needle, and more handy accessories to get you sewing right away.

The inclusion of a quilting guide, zigzag foot, zipper foot, blind stitch foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, and overcasting foot provides versatility for beginners.

Bobbins, extra needles, thread spool caps, a twin needle, and screwdriver come standard.

The instructional DVD walks you through setting up the machine, winding the bobbin, threading the needle, and selecting stitches.

With 37 built-in stitches and a one-step auto-size buttonhole, you can tackle basic sewing and quilting projects.

The accessory pack gets you up and running without purchasing anything separately.

Which Presser Feet Are Included With the Brother XR3774?

The Brother XR3774 gives you eight presser feet in one machine, like receiving a variety of helpful companions that support and guide your sewing projects from start to finish. These presser feet allow you to tackle many different fabric types and sewing techniques.

• The Blind Hem Foot guides your fabric perfectly for invisible hems.
• The Buttonhole Foot creates uniform buttonholes time after time.
• The Button Sewing Foot secures buttons neatly and tightly.
• The Zipper Foot glides fabric smoothly along zipper teeth.
• The Zigzag Foot beautifully finishes fabric edges with a zigzag stitch.
• The Narrow Hemmer Foot makes rolled hems simple and quick.
• The Nonstick Foot effortlessly stitches synthetics and laminates.
• The Overcasting Foot trims fabric edges as you sew.

With this versatile set of presser feet included, the Brother XR3774 empowers your creativity on any sewing endeavor. Changing presser feet takes seconds, allowing you to switch techniques smoothly. Follow the vivid diagrams in your instruction manual to attach feet correctly. With practice, you’ll be able to expertly select the right foot for your project needs.

Do I Need Any Other Accessories Before Getting Started?

This beginner-friendly sewing machine comes with most of what you’ll need to start sewing and quilting projects right away. The included accessories are bobbins, needles, thread spool caps, a seam ripper, screwdriver, foot controller, and an instructional DVD.

However, you’ll still need fabric, thread, scissors, pins, and measuring tools. Consider picking up an assortment of quilting needles and specialty threads like polyester or cotton.

A rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilting rulers are must-have tools for precisely cutting fabric. Don’t forget hand sewing needles for finishing bindings. Lastly, an iron is invaluable for pressing seams and hemming.

With quality fabric, thread, basic sewing tools, and the accessories included with the XR3774, you’ll be equipping yourself for sewing success.

The Buttons and Dials on the Machine

You’ll quickly see how to master the dials for selecting stitches and adjusting stitch length and width once you start experimenting.

• Turn the stitch selector dial to choose from 37 built-in stitches, labeled right on the machine.
• Adjust the stitch length by turning the dial beside the stitch selector to achieve your desired length.
• Tweak the stitch width using the dial on top of the machine to make stitches wider or narrower.

The clearly marked, user-friendly interface allows you to easily navigate the manual settings of this mechanical sewing machine. With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of using the dials and buttons to select your ideal stitch options for any project.

The Brother XR3774 gives you full creative control without overwhelming computerized settings.

How to Get Started on the XR3774 Sewing Machine

After unpacking your new XR3774, you’re eager to start sewing. Here are 5 quick steps to get started:

1. Wind a bobbin and insert it into the bobbin case. Make sure the thread unwinds clockwise.
2. Insert the needle, ensuring the flat side faces the back. Select your desired stitch.
3. Raise the presser foot and place the thread under the foot. Draw the thread ends to the back.
4. Turn the handwheel toward you to lower and raise the needle, catching the top thread.
5. Place the fabric under the foot, lower the foot, and begin sewing! Start slowly and guide the fabric gently.

With a neatly threaded top and bobbin, fabric in place, and your stitch selected, you’ll be stitching in no time.

Now, Here’s My Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine Review!

You’ll love the automatic needle threading and bobbin winding features on the Brother XR3774 sewing machine. This lightweight mechanical machine also comes with a built-in LED light, an oversized quilting table, and multiple presser feet, though it lacks embroidery capability.

Automatic Features of the Brother XR3774 Sewing Machine Are Awesome

Being a beginner, you must love the automatic needle threader and jam-resistant bobbin on your XR3774 for hassle-free sewing. The automatic features make sewing easy and enjoyable, so you can focus on your projects and not fussing with the machine.

Stitch quality and included accessories give you versatility at a fraction of the cost of fancier machines.

Feature	Description	Benefit
Needle Threader	Threads the needle automatically at the touch of a lever	No eye strain or frustration threading needles
Quick-Set Bobbin	Jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin is easy to insert and remove	No fighting with bobbin tension or tangled thread messes
37 Built-In Stitches	Variety of utility, decorative, blind hem, and quilting stitches	Tackle many types of sewing projects with one machine
Included Accessories	Comes with 8 sewing feet, needles, bobbins, screwdriver, etc.	Everything you need to get started right away

What is a Quick-Set Bobbin?

You love the quick-set, top drop-in bobbin on this machine that helps avoid frustrating jams.

• Easy drop-in loading and removal.
• Clear bobbin cover makes monitoring fill level a breeze.
• Jam-resistant design prevents messy tangles and knots.

This bobbin system is a fan-favorite feature on the XR3774 for its convenience and reliability during projects. The quick-set bobbin allows continuous sewing without constant stops to fix errors.

Can You Quilt With the XR3774 Sewing Machine?

The XR3774’s detachable wide table and included quilting foot make basic quilting projects possible. With its generous work area and seven quilting stitches, you’ll have the tools to piece quilts or add decorative details.

Though not built solely for quilting, this versatile machine accommodates straight-line and free-motion techniques. The wide table provides ample support for layered quilts. With some creativity, the XR3774 can bring quilting visions to life.

Can the Brother XR3774 Do Embroidery or Monogramming?

Unfortunately, it cannot embroider or monogram since it lacks those capabilities. The XR3774 is a basic mechanical sewing machine, so it does not include embroidery or monogramming functions. This model has preset stitch options but no ability to customize designs or letters.

If you want a machine with personalization possibilities through embroidery, look for computerized models with those features. The XR3774 focuses on reliable performance for sewing and basic quilting projects.

Will There Be Enough Light?

Since lighting is key, this crafty companion comes equipped with an LED work light to brightly illuminate your projects. The built-in LED illuminates fabrics and stitches under any lighting conditions.

Though natural lighting is ideal, the Brother XR3774’s LED light eliminates squinting when sunlight wanes. This feature allows you to see stitches, thread colors, and fabric details no matter the time of day.

Main Advantages

You’ll love how the Brother XR3774 stitches smoothly and quietly. This versatile sewing and quilting machine has many advantages that make it a great choice:

1. Affordable Price – With a price tag under $200, this machine offers tremendous value without sacrificing quality or features.
2. User-Friendly Design – The XR3774 is designed for convenience, with an easy threading system and a lightweight, portable size.
3. Impressive Capabilities – This machine can handle a wide range of projects, thanks to its 37 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, and included wide table.

The XR3774 receives high marks for its ease of use, stitch quality, included accessories, free arm, and overall versatility. Its excellence and reliability make it one of the best Brother sewing machines available.

Main Disadvantages

You’d be hard-pressed to find any major drawbacks with the Brother XR3774 sewing machine. While one user mentioned the needle threader takes some getting used to, most agree it works reliably once you get the hang of it.

The main disadvantages of the Brother XR3774 include:

Disadvantage	Description
No foot pressure adjustment	Cannot adjust presser foot pressure, which may be problematic on some fabrics.
Needle threader struggles	Some users report issues with the needle threader initially.
No feed dog drop	Cannot lower feed dogs for free-motion quilting, must use darning plate.
No needle down option	No way to keep the needle down when stopping, which is inconvenient for pivoting.

The lack of computerized features helps keep costs down but limits customization. However, the manual dials provide good functionality for most sewing projects. The lightweight design enhances portability for sewing classes or transport.

Overall, reviewers found very few flaws with this versatile, affordable Brother sewing machine.

Brother XR3774 Vs CS6000i Compared

Let’s compare these two popular Brother sewing machines. Both the XR3774 and CS6000i offer excellent functionality and ease of use.

The XR3774 has 37 built-in stitches, while the CS6000i boasts 60. Both include an automatic needle threader, drop-in top bobbin system, free arm, and a variety of presser feet.

However, the CS6000i edges out with its larger table, speed control, and backlit LCD screen. It offers more stitch options like the buttonhole, quilting, and heirloom stitches.

The XR3774 still performs well but lacks some of the convenient features of the CS6000i. Consider your budget and sewing needs – the CS6000i is worth the extra investment for avid sewers who will utilize the additional stitches and settings.

Casual users or beginners, however, will be plenty satisfied with the XR3774’s simplicity and lower price tag.

Brother XR3774 Vs XM2701 Compared

With the Brother XM2701, budget-conscious home sewers get a reliable starter machine minus some extras of the XR3774.

	Brother XM2701	Brother XR3774
Built-In Stitches	23	37
Included Feet	6	8
Work Space	6.7 x 4.1	6.7 x 4.1
Max. Sew Speed	800 spm	800 spm
Warranty	25 years	25 years

Both models offer value for money. The XM2701 has essentials for simple projects, while the XR3774 provides decorative stitches, extras, and a quilting table. For basic needs on a budget, the XM2701 is a smart choice, whereas the XR3774 gives growing sewists more options.