Brother ST150HDH Review (Pros, Cons, & Features)
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Brother has released their new Brother ST150HDH Strong and Tough computerized sewing machine, and we’re all wondering the same thing.
How does it compare to the other heavy-duty sewing machines for home use? And with several of Brother’s other heavy-duty machines discontinued, will the ST150HDH be a suitable replacement?
I think you’ll be impressed with this new “Strong and Tough” sewing machine!
When Brother says “Strong and Tough” in their description, what they really mean is this is a heavy-duty sewing machine.
Thus, it’s set to handle pretty much any fabric you want to sew with–canvas, leather, denim, thick quilts, you name it.
However, you’re not just stuck sewing heavyweight material every day. It also sews thin, delicate fabrics like silk and chiffon and can function as an everyday sewing machine.
Not every user who sews thick materials must purchase a heavy-duty sewing machine, though. Most regular sewing machine motors can withstand sewing reasonably thick fabrics on occasion. Heavy-duty sewing machines (for home use) are for users who consistently craft with heavyweight fabrics for more extended periods.
Keep reading this Brother ST150HDH review to see if the Brother ST150HDH’s features are what you’re looking for in a new heavy-duty sewing machine!
Brother ST150HDH Review of Features
This computerized heavy-duty sewing machine boasts the following features and specifications:
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.14 pounds |
| Dimensions | 16.26" x 7.01" x 12.48" |
| Stitch Options | 50 stitches |
| Buttonholes | 5 autosized, one-step buttonhole stitches |
| Presser Feet | 9 |
| Feed dog points | 7 |
| UL/CSA Listed Voltage | 110V |
| Warranty | 25-year limited |
What accessory feet come with the Brother ST150HDH, and what do they do?
The following 9 sewing machine presser feet are included with the Brother ST150HDH:
- Spring action zigzag foot – a general all-purpose presser foot allowing you to sew using a straight or zigzag stitch
- Buttonhole foot – create automatically sized buttonholes in one easy step
- Button sewing foot – hold the button in place while you sew it on
- Zipper foot – easily sew zippers onto projects
- Overcasting foot – use along with overcasting stitches to finish fabric edges and create a seam
- Walking foot – evenly feed thick layers of fabric, great for quilting lots of thick layers
- 1/4″ piecing foot – create perfect 1/4″ seams when quilting
- Monogramming Foot – use with the included decorative stitches; this is not an embroidery machine, though.
- Blind stitch foot – create practically invisible blind hems
If you want more sewing feet, you can purchase Brother accessory feet that are compatible with this low-shank sewing machine.
What can you sew with the 50 stitches?
The 50 stitches included in the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine are broken down as follows:
- 2 straight stitches (needle left and center)
- 5 buttonhole stitches
- 1 stretch stitch and 1 triple stretch stitch
- 1 zigzag stitch and 1 three-point zigzag stitch
- 4 overcasting stitches
- 2 blind hem stitches
- 1 each of: applique stitch, shell tuck stitch, satin scallop stitch, and bar tack stitches
- 2 decorative quilting stitches and 1 piecing stitch
- 3 joining stitches
- 2 fagoting stitches
- 14 more decorative or heirloom stitches, 5 satin stitches, and 2 cross-stitches
Being a computerized heavy duty sewing machine, stitch selection is done using a pattern selection dial, and the stitch number is displayed on the back-lit LCD display screen. If applicable, select the desired stitch length and width using the buttons next to the screen.
Something that noncomputerized heavy-duty sewing machines can’t do is tell you which presser foot works best with your selected stitch.
On the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine, a letter corresponding to the correct presser foot is displayed once you select a stitch.
Heavy Duty vs. Industrial Sewing Machine
Now, for realistic expectations: The Brother ST150HDH sewing machine is still a home sewing machine, and it WILL NOT work as efficiently as an industrial sewing machine, nor will you be able to run a production line on it where you sew 8+ hours a day.
Industrial machines are made from almost all metal parts, will last decades, can sew super fast, and are intended for mass production or sewing super duper thick fabrics.
Perks of home heavy-duty machines, however, compared to industrial machines:
- Industrial machines are typically straight stitch only
- Home heavy-duty machines are MUCH less expensive
- Home machines weigh a fraction of the weight and take up less space (industrial machines usually come mounted in their own heavy-duty tables.)
- These require significantly less maintenance and attention (like constant oiling)
- Home machines are easier to learn to thread and use, and support is more readily available.
Other Brother ST150HDH Features
First, the ST150HDH Strong & Tough also includes a built-in free arm. If you’re regularly hemming jeans or other cylindrical items, you’ll love the ability to sew tubular items this accessory provides.
Speaking of jeans, the manual boasts that this sewing machine can sew up to six layers of denim. That’s how strong the motor is in this new Brother ST150HDH Strong & Tough sewing machine.
The 7-point feed dogs are also longer and contribute to smooth fabric feeding and accurate stitching. The center feed dog holds the thread, while the left and right feed dogs grip the fabric.
A bright LED light is included to illuminate your workspace, and once you start sewing with a light, your eyes will never want to return to stitching in a dimly lit space.
Furthermore, the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine has a unique twin-needle capability that’s super simple to set up and use.
While this heavy-duty sewing machine doesn’t come with an automatic thread cutter, you can pull the threads to the manual thread cutter on the side of the sewing machine.
How do you set up the Brother ST150HDH?
Bobbin winding is completed on the top of the sewing machine and is done slightly differently than a regular Brother sewing machine. Nonetheless, you can follow the instructions in your manual or the diag ms on the top of the sewing machine. It is easy to set up for a beginner!
The bobbin is a quick-set, top-droop bobbin, which is VERY convenient. Open the bobbin cover, drop the bobbin in from the top, thread as directed on the diagram on the machine, and that’s it!
There’s no need to pull up the bobbin thread; the machine will do that automatically once you start sewing. The bobbin cover is also clear so you can monitor your thread level. No one likes to run out of thread mid-seam!
Threading the needle is also easily accomplished by following basic instructions.
Follow the thread guides and begin threading with the presser foot up. Otherwise, you may cause yourself some tension issues.
Pulling the thread through the eye of the needle can be done by hand or with the automatic needle threading lever. The needle threader sounds impressive, but learning how to use it is not so simple. It’s also made of cheaper plastic and doesn’t match the heavy-duty features of the rest of the sewing machine.
Once things are set up, you’re ready to start sewing! If you’re new to sewing, I recommend reading your entire manual to get to know your machine better. Beginner mistakes can make sewing much more complicated and less fun. So, prevent them by learning what to do!
How do you start sewing on the ST150HDH heavy-duty sewing machine?
You’ll see three circular buttons on the front of the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine. While you can use the optional foot pedal to start sewing and control sewing speed, you can also use these buttons and a slider on the front of the machine.
The needle up/down button controls needle placement, the reverse button performs a reverse/reinforcement stitch, and the start/start button begins and ends your sewing. I’m a huge fan of versatility with how to sew. I LOVE to sit cross-legged in my sewing chair, so not having to rely on the foot pedal is a huge plus.
One cool feature of the Brother ST150HDH is it can also be programmed to automatically sew a reverse/reinforcement stitch at the beginning and end of your sewing project. While you may want to turn this feature off for some projects, I think it’s a great option on a heavy-duty sewing machine for this price.
Can you quilt with the Brother ST150HDH Strong & Tough sewing machine?
A heavy-duty sewing machine may be a great investment if you regularly make thick quilts.
I think you’ll be pleased to find the Brother ST150HDH is set apart from some of its heavy-duty competition by being so quilter-friendly.
First, it includes two quilting-friendly presser feet: the walking foot and 1/4″ piecing foot. If using the piecing foot, there’s a built-in 1/4″ piecing stitch and two other quilting stitches.
While there is no oversized, detachable wide table like other Brother sewing and quilting machines (Brother XR9550prw, HC1850, or CS6000i sewing machines), the workspace of this heavy-duty sewing mac ne is an expanded 6. 4” W x 4. 1″ H. The increased needle-to-arm workspace will allow you to sew larger quilts and bulky items better than a regular sewing machine. (It’s still no long-arm quilting machine, though.)
Brother ST150HDH Sewing Machine Advantages
- Automatic bobbin winding and needle threading are easy for beginners and more experienced sewists alike.
- A computerized heavy duty sewing machine, so it has more versatility and options than noncomputerized competitors
- Automatically sew reinforcement/reverse stitches
- Twin needle ease of sewing is a nice perk.
- The foot pedal is optional.
Cons of the ST150HDH
- While it’s nice to have a stitch reference chart not only in the manual, it is a detachable chart that attaches to the back of the sewing machine. However, it’s a little awkward and could be easily lost. I wish they had displayed the stitch opt ns on the right side of the machine. Also, the handle is not molded plastic, so carrying it around can be a little weird.
- More costly than other Brother heavy-duty sewing machines, but this does offer more functionality to more advanced users
- Reliable and very strong, but it’s not a heavy-duty sewing machine for industrial use. That’s going to cost a whole lot more!
Brother ST150HDH vs ST371HD
Both sewing machines feature automatic bobbin winding and automatic needle threading and are set up similarly. The bobbin is a top-drop, quick-set bobbin.
The Brother ST371HD costs significantly less and is much less feature-rich. Unlike the ST150HDH, the ST7371 sewing machine is not computerized. It also has only 37 stitches and one automatic buttonhole stitch. Also, there are only 6 presser feet included.
The Brother ST150HDH is an impressive heavy-duty sewing machine that Brother added to their “Strong & Tough” lineup. It’s easy for beginners to use, and with its large selection of stitches and accessories, it will appeal to more experienced crafters.
If you only want to sew heavyweight fabrics occasionally, you may be better served by a sewing and quilting machine. I do my everyday sewing with the CS7000X, and it has yet to fail me when sewing jeans or other thick materials that I only occasionally sew.
However, if you’re looking to sew thick fabrics for long hours, the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine provides excellent value for the price!
Hello^^, which one do you think is better between the Brother ST150HDH and the CS6000i? I saw many mixed reviews about the durability of the CS6000i so I’m not sure which one I should buy as a beginner. Thank you!
I loved my cs6000i for the 5ish years I had it! If you plan to sew thick fabrics (ex leather, canvas, denim) frequently, though, it might be worth it to consider a heavy-duty sewing machine like the ST150HDH.
First off, I love your reviews! Secondly, this helped me a lot as my cs6000i was giving me some problems just recently (after ~5yrs) when trying to sew a more advanced project holiday coat for our French bulldog. Quilting stitches with a few layers and faux fur xmas trim. I also noticed a few error messages while working on this project that I can’t seem to resolve. However, in general, I think it’s time to upgrade given my projects have become more complex. This review helped me confirm that the st150hdh is probably a good upgrade from my cs6000i as I work my way up the sewing ladder. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment! I hope the new sewing machine serves you well for all your upcoming projects!
What does UL/CSA Listed Voltage 110V mean?
Can i use this without a problem in the US (i though US voltage was 120)?
thanks
Yes, you can use this in the US. This is just the voltage measurement from Brother’s specs for this machine: https://www.brother-usa.com/products/st150hdh
I greatly appreciate the time and detail you put into this review. I am a pre-beginner and although that’s probably not a thing it’s the best word I can think of for it. What I mean is; I have always wanted to learn how to sew, and using a machine very much had intimidated me. I am a “hands on” type of learner. Although I’m a woman who can easily read instructions and figure things out; using a sewing machine with concern of incorrectly doing something causing it to break is a huge fear for me. Through your review, I have found less anxiety moving forward towards my sewing & sewing machine attempts. I found your review through a google search after receiving a homemade Christmas card from my boyfriend that informed me of my late arrival Christmas gift (Brother ST150HDH), which was not the same model I had asked for. After reading your review, I am excited to receive my new, first ever sewing machine and hope that I am able to find the correct channels out there too quickly learn and adapt to the sewing world, lingo, and all it entails. I want to be the best I can be because I’m all reality I have always dreamt of designing clothing even if only for myself and closest people. Are there any websites, bloggers, YouTube channels, or the like that thoroughly teach/instruct how to use a sewing machine as well as the ins and outs within the sewing process and creations of any given adventure. That pre-beginner statement is me only going as far as looking up the best Sewing machine out there based on reviews, not yet to read anything else about sewing. So I’m diving in with faith and wish to have some direction. Thanks again for your review!
Best wishes with your new machine!
As for resources, I’d first start with YT videos that specifically show how to use and thread the Brother ST150HDH so you can get to know your machine.
As for YouTube channels, I just can’t ever learn by video, so I haven’t watched many to recommend. So sorry!
I learned to sew from my mother and grandmother, but I rely on reading books to learn new things, so I can make recommendations here. DK’s Sew Your Own Wardrobe is a fun book if you’re interested in clothing. (It doesn’t teach you how to actually use a sewing machine, though, just how to make the clothes. For learning to use the actual sewing machine, First Time Sewing: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide, is really helpful!)
There are tons and tons of sewing bloggers and sewing video makers out there, so if you ever run into difficulty, a simple Google search should give you all the answers you need.
Glad I saw this video after much agony shopping around for a hard core Brother machine. Working on double layered valence curtains with thick batting (like quilt curtains, but the quilted part just shows outside).
less than 2 panels in, my ancient Brother LS 2125 is not cutting the slack. The curtains are blackout and heavy too. Working at home in WI, my windows and running heater at 76 not great.
Canceling the I order for the Brother 100 stitch CP100X I placed today! I though it might be too gimpy.
Don’t judge me on my old machine! I’m petite and altering med school dress clothes cost S$ and not even good job. I has maintained of 20+yr old huge Abercrombie and Fitch wardrobe. I worked there don’t judge!
Proud to say I was making quilts at 4 yrs old with a Fisher Price machine.
P.S. to my last comment. I wanted the new feature of setting the speed on the machine. Last night I decided to take apart the old Brother LS2125 foot pedal. The machines motor is dying. It’s 20 yrs old. Time for a new one! My pickup turned 20 yrs old and never letting it go 🙂
For anyone with one of those old cheap machines that the pedal messes up, you can take the top plastic and 2 springs off. And handle a little slide bar down to keep the speed slow. I actually broke a part of plastic holding the strong spring, bc I had build my own custom spring with less tension. Wish I had discovered that earlier. Probably most pedals you could play around with this, just be gentle w old plastic.
I have been using my new ST150HDH on heavy canvas period garments and it has been doing well. It is a LOT smarter than the 50+ Year-old Kenmore machine I had been using, and more powerful. Putting tiny buttonholes in a heavy coat for antique buttons worked very well also. The con is that accessory parts for this machine may not be available at all, Brother authorized dealers were no help. I was told that this is a “Internet Model”, and I shouldn’t expect much support. I’ll try hard not to break it…
I love my “Internet Model” machines, and all of them have lasted many, many years without costing me a lot of money, so I hope yours does, too!
Which accessories are you specifically looking for? I’ve had a lot of success finding obscure parts online (places like Ken’s Sewing Center, Sewing Machines Plus, Pocono Sew & Vac, AllBrands, and even Amazon), and if I can’t find a certain part, I check with Brother directly and they can usually direct me to a source.
Hi there,
I am a beginner and I just purchased this machine. It says that I can only use transparent nylon thread with any of the heavier duty needles. Is this correct in your experience? I’m also having a hard time finding the thread sizes on any thread, is this something I need to pay attention to?
I rarely pay attention to thread size. You should be able to use any thin threads with no problem. As for thicker options, I cannot use anything thicker than ~12wt on my machines without difficulty (the threads will go in the bobbin but not as the top thread.) If my thread doesn’t have a weight on it and it seems thicker, I just make sure to use a needle with a larger eye size and watch for problems. Almost any thread sold for machine sewing (not hand sewing) should work on the ST150HDH, though. As for transparent nylon, I usually use a 90/14 Microtex or topstitching needle. Any size bigger than that, and I don’t like the size of holes punctured in the fabric for that thin little thread!
Hope that answers your questions?