Brother Project Runway Sewing Machine Comparisons & Reviews
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With many Project Runway Limited Edition sewing machines available, you’re sure to find a near-perfect sewing machine for you, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced sewer.
If you’ve been inspired to start sewing new designs, this post introduces you to some of the most well-loved Brother Project Runway sewing machines.
I’ll start by covering some of the basic features of all these Limited Edition sewing machines and finally transition to reviews and comparisons.
The Inspiration Behind Brother Project Runway Sewing Machines
Since 2004, Project Runway has inspired fashion designers to create fabulous fashions.
Competing head to head for an opportunity to break into the fashion industry by showcasing their designs at New York Fashion Week, contestants also win $100,000 to launch a clothing line.
With restrictions on designs such as time, theme, or materials available, designers need a reliable and versatile sewing machine.
Thus, Brother Project Runway sewing machines are feature-rich, high-tech, and reliable sewing machines that will help aspiring designers get started with dressmaking and other designing fun!
Brother Project Runway Sewing Machines – Reviews
Here I’ll describe and review some of the best Brother Project Runaway sewing machines, outlining similarities and differences between models.
Common Features of Brother Project Runway Sewing Machines
First, with all these sewing machines, bobbin winding is accomplished easily on the top of the sewing machine.
The bobbin also is a top-drop, quick-set bobbin meaning it is from vertically into the case. Being quick-set means the bobbin thread is drawn up automatically by the machine rather than manually by the user.
The bobbin cover is also clear, so you can better monitor the remaining thread on the bobbin.
Buttonholes are all easily constructed using the buttonhole presser foot and one of the buttonhole stitches. For all these sewing machines, buttonholes are made automatically in one step. This is more beginner-friendly.
In all the below Brother Project Runway sewing machines, a built-in free arm allows you to sew hems on pants, shirt sleeves, and other cylindrical items. It’s easily accessed by removing the accessories compartment from the front of the sewing machine.
There’s also an LED light over the workspace to illuminate your stitching, although some Brother Project Runway sewing machine reviews will complain it’s not adequate for those with decreased vision. If you have poor vision, just place an extra lamp near your workspace.
Lastly, all Brother sewing machines come with a 25-year limited warranty. By “limited,” this means that only the sewing machine body is covered for 25 years. The electrical components have a warranty of 2 years. Labor, parts, and accessories are warrantied for 1 year. Proof of purchase is required to take advantage of the warranty.
1. Brother Project Runway XR9550prw Sewing and Quilting Machine
If you want the most features you can get within this Project Runway Limited Edition lineup of sewing machines, consider the Brother XR9550prw combination sewing and quilting machine. My XR9550prw in-depth review will answer all your questions and give you all the details, but here’s a quick overview.
The Brother XR9550prw sewing machine is a computerized sewing machine with automatic features such as automatic bobbin winding and an automatic needle threading lever. Sewing is controlled with the optional foot controller or using buttons and a sliding lever on the front of the Brother XR9550prw. The maximum sewing speed is 850spm!
XR9550prw Features:
- 110 stitches, including 8 automatic one-step buttonholes
- 8 presser feet: zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, button sewing, overcasting, blind stitch, spring action quilting, and monogramming foot
- One monogramming font including 55 letters, numbers, and symbols
- Oversized, detachable wide table (useful for large projects: quilting, costumes, elegant dresses, etc)
Friendly for beginners to learn on, its expansive set of features will still allow beginners to continue to use the sewing machine for more advanced projects. The easy-to-use LCD display allows for stitch selection and changing the length and width of the stitch. Furthermore, it displays a letter when a stitch is selected that corresponds to the presser foot needed for the project. And if you’re not great at troubleshooting sewing errors yet, the screen also shows an error code that will help you pinpoint why your machine’s suddenly stopped working perfectly.
While not a heavy-duty sewing machine, the Brother XR9550prw can sew through reasonably thick denim and leather as long as the appropriate needle and thread are used.
It’s also great for creating quilts with its oversized, detachable wide table and included spring-action quilting foot, which allows for free-motion quilting. If you’re wanting a 1/4″ piecing foot or walking foot, you can purchase compatible accessories that will work on the XR9550prw. The feed dogs also drop with the switch of a slider on the back of the XR9550prw sewing machine.
It also weighs only slightly more than 10 pounds, so it’s a lightweight, portable sewing machine as well!
Read my Brother XR9550prw review to learn even more!
2. Brother CE1125prw Sewing Machine
The Brother CE1125prw sewing and quilting machine also offers at ton of features for the price. It’s a computerized sewing machine as well that comes with automatic bobbin winding and needle threading. Using the CE1125prw to create stunning garments, quilts, or crafts is so easy!
Brother CE1125prw Features:
- 100 stitches, including 8 automatic one-step buttonholes
- 7 presser feet: zigzag, buttonhole, button fitting, zipper, overcasting, blind stitch, and monogramming foot
- One monogramming font including 55 letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Oversized, detachable wide table
Setting up the CE1125prw sewing machine is simple using the included quick-start instructions and diagrams on the sewing machine. It’s a very beginner-friendly sewing machine with a lot of versatility. It’s also one of the least expensive Brother sewing machines that comes with a built-in monogramming font.
Compared to the Brother XR9550prw sewing machine, though, the CE1125prw has to be operated with a foot pedal. There are no needle up/down or start/stop buttons or sliders to control speed.
The LCD display does allow for stitch selection using buttons. You can also alter stitch length and width here as well. As with the XR9550prw sewing machine, the display informs you of the ideal presser foot selection to match your stitch.
Feed dogs drop to allow for free motion quilting, although the sewing machine does not come with a spring-action quilting foot or walking foot. Also, there is no detachable, wide table, which is helpful for larger quilting projects. The CE1125prw does feature a large array of decorative stitches specific to quilting, though.
Read my full Brother CE1125prw sewing machine review to have more of your questions answered!
3. Brother CE7070rpw Sewing Machine
The Brother CE7070prw sewing machine is another computerized sewing machine from the Brother Project Runway lineup of sewing machines. It’s easy to use for beginners and has plenty of features to allow you to design and sew new fashions.
CE7070prw Features
- 70 stitches, including 7 one-step automatic buttonholes
- 7 presser feet: zigzag, buttonhole, button fitting, overcasting, blind stitch, zipper, and monogramming foot
- Oversized, wide table (great for quilting and other large projects such as costumes or large dress design)
You are able to select your stitch and adjust its length and width with the buttons next to the LCD display on the front of the sewing machine. The CE7070prw will remind you of the proper sewing foot to use to maximize stitching success.
As with all the other sewing machines, bobbin winding happens on the top of the sewing machine. Automatic needle threading happens with the touch of a lever. Starting to sew brings the bobbin thread up on its own.
Unlike the fully computerized XR9550prw sewing machine, the Brother CE7070prw sewing machine does not start or stop with the press of a button. Like the CE1125prw and CS5055prw, you will have to use the foot pedal to control your sewing speed.
The CE7070prw is a little bulkier than some of the more portable Project Runway sewing machines, so it might be a little heavier if you’re on the move.
The oversized, wide table is useful for quilting and other large projects, which is a nice perk. There are no included quilting feet, though, if you regularly use a walking foot or spring-action quilting foot.
4. Brother Project Runway CS5055prw Electric Sewing Machine
This computerized sewing machine is one of the most affordable Project Runway sewing machines. Despite its lower price, it’s still packed with features and options for aspiring fashion designers or experienced sewists alike. While not as feature-rich as the Brother CE1125prw or XR9550prw, it’s adequate for aspiring designers.
It’s not going to overwhelm you with too many options, but at the same time, you’ll still have everything you need to get started making garments, quilts, or other craft projects. It will also not set you back financially as much as the other Brother Project Runway sewing machines. Thus, if you find that sewing isn’t for you, you aren’t out a ton of money for indulging your desire for a new hobby.
CS5055prw features:
- 50 stitches, including 5 automatic one-step buttonholes
- 7 presser feet: zigzag, buttonhole, button sewing, zipper, blind stitch, overcasting, and monogramming foot
- Does not include a monogramming font or oversized, wide table
Stitches are selected with buttons next to the LCD screen. Stitch length and width are also selected with buttons. There are no alphanumeric stitches on the CS5055prw sewing machine. Thus, you will not be able to do basic monogramming like with the CE1125prw or XR9550prw.
Weighing in at less than 11 lbs, you’ll be able to tote this sewing machine around your house or out to classes or sewing groups. Portability and a small footprint are huge advantages!
With automated bobbin winding and automatic needle threading, it will perform like all the other reviewed Brother Project Runway sewing machines. It also features a maximum sewing speed of 850 spm. And like the above two sewing machines, you will need to use the foot controller to control sewing speed.
For quilting, there is no oversized wide table, nor are any specialty quilting feet included. The feed dogs do drop though to allow for free-motion quilting.
Read my in-depth Brother CS5055prw sewing machine review for more information.
Conclusion
As you can see, this lineup has a lot to offer new and more experienced sewists alike.
Brother Industries has been in the sewing machine market for a long time and is known for producing reliable sewing machines. These machines are both technologically advanced yet still affordable for the budget-minded.
They’re jam-packed with stitch options and included sewing accessories and are easy to set up and sew with. Ease of sewing and troubleshooting are a plus for beginner sewists looking for the perfect beginner sewing machine. The range of functions and options also will delight more experienced sewists who already know the “ropes” of garment making and want a feature-rich sewing machine.
So, what are you waiting for? Get started sewing those runway-worthy fashions!