Are you in the market for a new sewing machine and making model comparisons? If so, two machines most likely highest on your list are the Singer 7258 and the Brother XR9500PRW.
Both these machines have gained praise for their many advanced features, functions and accessories. Your only problem is attempting to choose between the two, and this can be a really challenging, but exciting decision.
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Singer Stylist 7258: Major Features
This high-functioning Singer machine has a sturdy metal frame to support heavy sewing and prevent skipped stitches from machine movement while sewing.
Thanks to its quality automatic needle threader, you can have spool and needle threaded in a mere six seconds.
The convenient LED display screen shows both stitch type selected and stitch length/width settings. It offers ten presser feet: all-purpose, buttonhole, zipper, blind hem, overcasting, satin stitch, gathering, darning & embroidery, rolled hem and quarter inch. This is also one of the best sewing machines for beginners in the market today.
This wide variety will ensure smooth machine operation for all your sewing, quilting and crafting projects.
To know more about this model read my Best Singer Sewing Machine For Beginners: Singer 7258 Review post.
Brother XR9500PRW: Notable Specs
This full-feature Brother sewing machine has 100 built-in utility, heirloom and decorative stitches.
Each one of these stitch types has multiple functions. Both decorative and zigzag stitches are extra-wide at 7 mm. Built-in sewing font is also included to perform basic monogramming.
This machine is excellent for working on a wide array of sewing projects. Whether you want to make clothing or design and create colorful quilts, embroidered wall hangings or unique items for home décor, this Brother will do a great job.
Brother XR9500PRW is computerized, lightweight and portable. Start on your path to avid fashionista today with this versatile, advanced model.
Comparison of Major Features of These Two Machines
How do major features and accessories of the Singer 7258 and the Brother XR9500PRW compare? Which model should you buy for your own sewing or creative crafting projects? You can make the best decision by looking at each main feature on both machines.
Number of Stitch Types
Both these sewing machines include a versatile selection of stitching types and styles for sewing and quilting projects as well as creative fabric crafting.
The Singer 7258 is equipped with 100 different stitch type options including fashion design, heirloom, crafting, quilting, home design and decorative stitching. The 100 built-in stitches include 9 essential sewing stitches, 8 additional stretch stitches, 7 buttonholes and 76 decorative stitches. The majority of stitches allow a maximum of 6 mm in width.
The Brother XR9500PRW provides 100 built-in stitch types, including heirloom and decorative stitches. Each one of these stitch types has multiple functions, for a total of 140 options. Both decorative and zigzag stitches are extra-wide at 7 mm. Built-in sewing font is also included to perform basic monogramming. You can choose from the 55 built-in alphanumeric stitches to accomplish monogramming projects.
Our Analysis: As you can see, both models have great potential in all areas of sewing and crafting. However, the Singer seems the better choice for the definite stitch styles called for in sewing patterns and lightweight quilting directions. With its 76 decorative stitches, it is an ideal choice for creative stitching to adorn clothing and household items like curtains or tablecloth and napkin sets.
Its 8 stretch stitches are especially helpful for reinforcing seams on all fabric textures and types. This Brother model also offers a wide array of sewing and crafting options. Because every one of its stitch types has multiple functions, it has a definite edge over the Singer for creative sewers and quilters.
With its 55 built-in alphanumeric stitches and extra-wide zigzag and decorative stitches, this model is perfect for creating stunning monogrammed clothing and fabric art or craft items.
Each shopper will form an individual opinion when comparing these two machines. However, in general, the Singer is the recommended choice for sewing enthusiasts, whether beginners, experienced or professional. This machine can handle everything from the simplest mending jobs to complex, heavy-duty sewing on all fabric types and weights.
The Brother model is praised for its capacities to accomplish every imaginable type of sewing and crafting involving fabrics. For this reason, it is a great choice for sewers who will also be spending many hours creating unique quilt designs and crafted items using a wide variety of fabric and thread textures, qualities and thicknesses.
The Verdict: Both machines win a point in this feature area.
Bobbin Placement
Both machines offer top drop-in bobbin placement, a very convenient feature. The Singer also has a transparent bobbin compartment cover for easy visibility, and the Brother is designed to prevent bobbin thread jamming. The two machines seem equally attractive in this area. The non-jamming feature is certainly helpful, and the clear cover can be a plus for quickly checking to confirm that correct bobbin thread color and type are inserted before starting to sew.
The Verdict: Each machine scores a point in this category.
Speed and Tension Adjustment
The Singer Stylist has electronic autopilot control for advanced speed adjustment and sewing without the foot pedal. It also comes with automatic tension to produce stable quality of stitching on all fabric types and weights.
The Brother Project Runway model offers an advanced needle threading system, but its thread tension adjustment is manual. The Singer’s slower speed of 750 stitches-per-minute compared with the Brother machine’s 850 makes the Singer better suited for steady and heavy-duty sewing functions.
The Brother’s higher stitching speed is most helpful when working on larger projects such as quilts or big fabric wall hangings that require stitching large segments of fabric.
The Verdict: Both models gain a point here.
Built-in Buttonholes
With the Singer, you get seven automatic built-in buttonholes with exact sizing.
This Brother model offers eight different styles of 1-step auto-sized buttonholes, so you can complete clothing with perfectly sized buttonholes.
The Verdict: It seems fair to declare the Brother the winning model by one buttonhole.
Automatic Thread Sensors and Stitch Tie-Off
A helpful feature of the Singer is an auto thread tie-off function for both straight and decorative stitches, while the Brother provides auto upper thread and bobbin sensors to detect potential jams in the pre-tangle stages.
The Verdict: Since these two features seem equally helpful, the two machines get a tying score in this category.
LED Lighting
Both sewing machines offer bright LED lighting to provide steady illumination for your sewing workspace. The Singer also has an LED display screen showing both stitch type selected and stitch length/width settings.
The Brother provides a back-lit LCD screen with digital stitch selection and use of a flip-stitch guide.
The Verdict: Again, it looks like another tying score card for the two sewing machine models in this area.
Free Arm
Both sewing machine models come with a handy free arm for easy sewing on sleeves, cuffs and pants legs or other cylindrical items.
The Verdict: They both win a strong point in this category for inclusion of this very popular sewing accessory.
Accessory Feet
With the Singer, you get ten presser feet: all-purpose, buttonhole, zipper, blind hem, overcasting, satin stitch, gathering, darning & embroidery, rolled hem and quarter inch.
With the Brother, you get just seven accessory feet—zipper, zigzag, overcasting, blindstitch, monogramming and button sewing.
The Verdict: For this feature, the Singer wins the prize.
Detachable Wide Work Table and Storage Space
While the Brother machine features a detachable wide work table, the Singer offers an accessory storage compartment in the free arm. Which one wins this vote?
It really depends on your personal preferences and needs as a sewer, quilter or craftsperson. Most quilters and crafters will favor the wide work table for large projects, and some sewing enthusiasts may prefer having the built-in storage space.
The Verdict: In reality, though, the Brother seems to have the winning vote here.
Machine Cover
The Singer machine comes with a soft-sided dust cover, and the Brother has a hard cover.
The Verdict: The Brother model gets a point in this area for offering a more protective cover for storing and carrying purposes.
Which Sewing Machine To Buy?
Score Result: Brother = 9/9, Singer = 7/9
The Winner!
When deciding between these two choices for your next sewing machine purchase, consider what you will use your machine for most frequently. Are you more a sewing enthusiast or a quilter or crafter?
Although both the Singer and Brother models are well-equipped for performing all these functions, the Brother machine has an edge for creative work other than regular sewing functions. For this reason, if your focus is on designing and creating unique quilts using fabric pieces of varied texture, weight and thickness, the best choice for you is the Brother machine.
It is specifically designed for working with a wide variety of materials and textures and is the favorite of many fashionistas who sew with all varieties and weights of materials obtainable today.
The Singer model, however, offers an array of features and functions to aid you in all areas of sewing, whether basic stitching, mending or making clothing, curtains or tablecloth and napkin sets. Its ten different presser feet are mainly designed for sewing functions, and its slower speed of 750 stitches-per-minute compared with the Brother machine’s 850 makes it better suited for steady and heavy-duty sewing functions.
Another helpful feature of the Singer, the automatic presser foot adjustment function, is especially useful when working on several garments during one sewing session.
Since the presser foot adjusts quickly each time you feed a different fabric into your machine, you never lose sewing time from having to stop and make this adjustment yourself.
Summary
Personally, I believe you truly cannot go wrong with a purchase of either of these top-tier modern sewing machine models. When choosing between the Singer 7258 and the Brother XR9500PRW sewing machines for your next machine purchase, focus on your specific sewing preferences and needs. Both these advanced models provide a wide array of sophisticated modern features, functions and accessories to assure you of a versatile and excellent sewing experience. Choose the one that best suits your sewing, quilting or crafting needs and fancies, and enjoy!
