Trading in my Husqvarna for a Brother cs-6000i sewing machine

Why I'm trading in my Husqvarna sewing machine for a brother cs 6000i. 

This is the post that I've been dying to write about why I'm kicking out my expensive Husqvarna sewing machine for a cheap Brother sewing machine.

Before I begin, I must say that brother is NOT paying me to write this post. I have purchased this machine on my own after loads of research and want to share my experience. 
If you use any affiliate links that I have included, you are helping me stay home with my sweet little ones - thank you in advance. :)

Back in 2008 I sold a sewing business, and I decided that with some of the proceeds I would buy a coveted Husqvarna sewing machine. I couldn't wait to see what the hype was about, and how amazing it must sew.

After using it for a while, I found that I had the same issues as my old machine, and learned that I simply wasn't caring for my machines properly. Such as changing needles to the correct size for my fabrics, constant cleaning, and using the right presser feet for the job.

Because it was such an expensive brand, I chose to buy one on black friday. Although I only spent $500 on a $1000 machine, it was still the lowest version of any Husqvarnas that I could afford. I only had 8 stitch options and the machine came without any bells and whistles.

Husqvarna is in the top 3 category of sewing machines. It's heavy duty, there are fantastic options on the expensive models, and it's a lot like sewing with a cadillac. That is, if you buy the expensive version.

After using the machine for 8 years, I finally confided in my husband that I didn't care for it. I almost felt like it was blasphemous to get something else! He was very supportive and got me thinking about my options. Although I could spend the money on an expensive brand, he encouraged me to look at the brands that most people are buying.

View of front controls on Brother cs 6000i

When I researched the things that I wanted a sewing machine to do, I decided very quickly that I wanted to do tutorials for my customers. So I knew I needed to buy one that they would be familiar with. I also realized that I don't need an industrial strength sewing machine anymore....and my customers would not typically have one either.

Thread Cutter on Brother cs 6000i

That's when I discovered my Brother cs-6000i. It's perfect. It has the most reviews of every sewing machine that I could find. It was top sold in 2016 and 2017. Top rated on amazon, walmart, and all of the big stores that sold it. At the time of my purchase, I found a total (conservative) of about 8000 reviews. That means alot to me!

Drop in bobbin. You don't even need to thread it through!

What had me baffled when I was searching was the price tag. This machine has every bell and whistle imaginable, yet cost less than $200. I ended up ordering from Amazon and it was here in 2 days. I love prime!

Presser foot and threader

After I opened the box, I started sewing right away. I read at least 600 reviews so I knew where to start, but I still felt like there was so much I didn't know. I had no idea what any of the extra presser feet did, or how to use them. So I did what any sensible person does....I read the manual. It took me a few nights laying in bed to get through it, but I am so glad that I did!

A snapshot of the stitches. Whew! Get out the manual!

Some of the things in the manual that are extremely valuable are:

• Button holes  
• How to use the foot and how to make them easy!
• Twin needles - (I always called it a double needle)
• How to use them and settings on the machine to use them with
• Thread tension
• What the fabric looks like if the tension is wacky and which way to adjust
• Overcasting stitches
• Which ones for various types of fabric
• Basic stitches
• Which ones for various types of fabric
• How to sew a blind hem
• How to attach a button with the machine
• How to sew a zipper
• How to sew stretch fabrics and elastic
• How to attach appliques
• How to use the quilt foot
• How to use every stitch on the machine
• How to clean the machine

Here's a video of me opening the box for the first time! :) It's like Christmas...

The sewing machine came with everything that it said it would....including a new walking foot! I already had one with my old machine and I loved it. I really think everyone should have one, regardless if their machine comes with one or not. This is the one that I was using previously.

This is my favorite walking foot

Another thing that this machine has going for it, is how it's so easy to thread and start sewing immediately. Do you see the top of the machine? I love the built in diagrams that are up there! When I first brought the machine down to my sewing room, I was excited that I didn't have to take the manual out immediately just to try it out.

A snapshot of the top of the threaded machine

I have yet to use the quilting table, but I will sometime! I love the large work area and I know I will love it even more when I'm using it.

This is what the quilting table looks like attached

Overall, I think that I got a great deal. I have a new machine that purrs when it sews; a plethora of stitches that I don't know if I'll ever use; a fantastic brand that has maximum support for it's customers, a machine that I can do tutorials with easily; I didn't break the bank and I get to share it with you. :)

A snapshot of the side of the machine

If you are interested in this sewing machine, Feel free to click any of the images in this post. It will take you directly to amazon. All of the links are monetized and help me stay home with my sweet little ones. Thank you in advance!

Free Bib Pattern

Lets face it, keeping baby faces clean is a full time job. Keeping their clothes clean doesn't have to be though. OK, maybe that's not true, cleaning baby clothes is definitely a full time job; but keeping drool and food off of them can be a bit easier. That's where bibs come in.

Baby bibs are really a necessity when it comes to making supplies for our little ones. They can be pretty expensive to purchase, but when you make them yourself, they can cost next to nothing!

Lets get started.

To begin making baby bibs, you'll need to make a plan. 

Which bibs do you need to make? What phase is your baby in and going to be in soon? Take a look at the checklist below to see what you need to have in your bib arsenal.

• The Drool Bib
• 0-6 months (for when your baby is in the drooling phase)
• The Cereal Bib
• 4-8 months (for when your baby is starting baby food)
• The Shoulder Snap Bib
• 4-8 months (similar to the cereal bib, but snap is on the shoulder)
• The Dinner Bib
• 5 months - 4 years (for when your child is eating solid foods)
• The Spaghetti Bib
• 4 months - 4 years (A large bib with a snapping pocket for messy meals)

Joy is modeling the Cereal bib

How many bibs do I need to have?

This is a real question that really depends on a few factors. 

First factor is your individual baby. If your baby is a drooler, and you make drool bibs, you might get away with having only one per day. But if your baby drools excessively, you'll want to change the bib 4-5 times a day. 

Second factor is how often are you washing? If you wash your baby's clothing and bedding separately from the rest of the family's, then you might only wash it once a week. In that case, you'll need more bibs than if you wash them with the rest of the family's laundry. 

What's someone to do who doesn't have a baby yet? 

I'd start with making 3 of each type of bib. Once the baby comes, you'll get a better idea of what your needs are. When you reach the stage where you want the baby to start using bibs, you'll have a desire and time to do something at your sewing machine. Don't feel like you need to rush to get it all done before the baby arrives.

5 baby bibs that coordinate make a great baby gift!

How to make baby bibs as a gift?

Making baby bibs as a gift is easy and fun! For a gift, I usually make one of each type. That's a bundle of 5 bibs that goes from birth to 4 years old. If you make the bibs in coordinating colors and fabrics, it is a pleasure to give the gift, and even more of a pleasure to open!

So how do I make a baby bib?

I have a sewing pattern for the baby bibs here. 

If you want even more of a visual, I have free bib making class with two of my daughters while we made a few of these bibs. View the free bib video below.

Don't forget to get the printable bib sewing pattern for the template and the step by step tutorial.

Happy sewing!