Brother XL2230 31-Stitch Function Free-Arm Sewing Machine With 11 Built-In Stitches

Comment: I have bought two Samsung TVs this year, a 46" and a 26". With the first one I had low sound volume after the dealer set it up and left. I went back to Best Buy where I got it, asking how to get better volume, and they said, "You don't buy these large flat screen TVs for sound, just for the picture, then you add a sound system." OK. So I bought a sound system. While trying to connect it up, I happened into the Menu for the Samsung and found that the "Auto Volume" was off. When I turned it on, I had plenty of volume and good sound, so I took the sound system back, got a refund and have been happy with the sound on my Samsung ever since. Low and behold, when I bought the second Samsung (THIS ONE FROM AMAZON), I had low volume, and sure enough, when I checked the "Auto Volume" in the menu, it was off. Turned it on, I have plenty of volume and good sound. It makes me wonder if the places that sell Samsung make sure the "Auto Volume" is off before they deliver it, so dummies like me will come back and buy a sound system. I don't know. What do you think? Anyway, we really enjoy these two TVs and have NO problems!! GET ONE!

Comment: I've had this machine for about 2 years and while I've been able to create lots of projects, a recurring problem has been inconsistent thread tension. Most recently, the bobbin case moves too much and the thread gets jammed and bunched up. I am probably using the wrong bobbin case and some of my thread are of poor quality, so these are likely contributing factors. I am now in the market for a new machine!

Comment: This is the first Brother sewing machine I have ever owned; all others were Singer. Takes a little getting used to. So far so good. Good value for the price I paid.

Comment: GENERAL: I have had some issues with the bottom thread getting bunched up and gathering up the fabric as I sew. The material/fabric has actually gotten stuck down into where the needle goes up and down.
This has happened only a handful of times, hence the three stars. For basic, occasional needs, the machine usually performs fine and is really user-friendly. The bobbin is easy to load (one of my pet peeves!), the sewing is smooth and the machine is pretty quiet. It's also light-weight which is great for me because I don't have a devoted place to leave it out. I keep mine on a shelf above the washer and dryer and it stores easily and I don't have any trouble moving it around when I have a project.

MORE DETAIL: I have never been able to fix the bunching issue, I just have to take a break and walk away for a while (sometimes minutes, sometimes days) and try again. I've tried adjusting everything there is to adjust and nothing seems to work. I've also been online looking for fixes and referred to the manual.
Only once has the bunching issue been catastrophic (I hemmed all the dresses for my sister's wedding and that's when it went haywire on me! One layer of a bridesmaid dress was very sheer and it actually tore the material! I was in a time-crunch and ultimately had to borrow someone else's machine).
I got this machine for Christmas a few years ago. I do not do any specialty sewing.

Comment: This is a great machine, and so far, I haven't found any cons about it. I got it on a gold box deal, for a great price. I used to sew quite a bit, using my Mom's old Singer machine, and had been looking on and off for one of my own. I don't do a lot of sewing right now, but I can see doing more now.