Brother XR-9000

I am considering purchasing the Brother XR-9000 but it's not on the Sewing Machine Master List. I've read a couple of reviews online but don't know how reliable they are. I don't really quilt, but I make clothes for myself and my daughter as well as crafts. I have a basic singer and want to upgrade. We just found this Brother for $160 at Costco but it retails for as much as $399 (regular price on Amazon.com). I would love some reviews/pros and cons from users but can't find any I trust. Thanks for any help you can offer!

I purchased the Brother XR 9000 from Costco.  It was $189 at the store with a $30 off coupon.
I have sewn on an old Singer Touch and sew for 40 years and decided I wanted something that had some good decorative stitches on it.  I have been really pleased with it.  I do quilting and clothing sewing and this is a great little machine.  It is very light weight so I will be able to take it to class.
You can always buy the machine and try it out and if you don't like it you can always return it to Costco.  They have a great return policy. 
If you have any specific questions just post some more I will answer what I can. 
Be sure to read the book and watch the video before you use the machine.  I had a hard time with the bobbin winding because it is so different than the Singer I own.
Hope this helps.

Mary

I just got one at Costco the other day and I like it. I have a very basic Brother that is about 30 years old and still works good but was looking to upgrade. Husband was VERY happy that I went for this machine rather than spending $400-500 like I was thinking about 

So far I am quite happy with my purchase and looking forward to passing on the old machine to my Grandaughter!

I have also considered purchasing this machine but am nervous about the negative replies posted at Costco.com.  I have a older White sewing machine that sits inside of its own table as well as a Bernina Cover Stitch and a White 4 thread serger. I usually sew clothes, as well as some home decorating items. 

I really need a machine to do great buttonholes.  Does anyone know of the buttonhole quality of this machine?

I was worried about those reviews also. BUT Costco does have such a great returns program that I decided to try it.

Haven't tried a buttonhole yet though.

I did purchase the machine before the end of the sale.  I watched the video but have not had an opportunity to stitch yet.  From the looks fo the video, the buttonholes will be beautiful.  I hope it will function just as well in multiple layers of fabric.

Hi all,
Does anyone have any more feedback on the Brother XR9000, esp. the original poster? Costco has this machine on sale again until the end of the year, and I am trying to decide between it and the Singer Confidence 7567 which is currently on sale at JoAnn for under $200.
Thanks! 

I am liking mine so far. And I have been using it quite a bit while piecing a new quilt top.

Haven't tried the quilting foot yet though so we will see. Since I am definetly a beginner at free motion quilting I wanted a reasonably priced machine to learn, if I can get the hang of it.

And no - I won't be doing that to the new quilt top - just practice scraps!!!!!!

Well, I went ahead and told my husband to pick up the Brother at Costco last night. It just seemed like too good of a deal with all those features for under $200 - heck, for under $300. I got it out of the box and set up late last night, and today I will take it for a spin to see how it performs.

I would love to know how th spin went.

Honestly, I love it. It's a lot sturdier than it looks. A review on Amazon said that they wouldn't use it to sew through multiple layers of fabric, but I've tried that several times now, and it does just as well as my old mechanical Kenmore.

I really, really love not having to use a foot pedal. One comes with it and I started off using it because that's what I was used to, but I decided to try the other way, and I won't be going back to the foot pedal unless I have to. 

I took it to a sewing class at a shop that is an authorized Brother/Innovis dealer and the owner came by and took a close look at it, since it's a Costco-only model (or something) and he'd never seen it before. He said it looked like a good machine to him and a very good buy.

So yes, I am quite happy with it. 

I purchased this machine from Costco in Nov 2009, and fell in love with it. HOWEVER, the tension just started looping the other day. Tried all the troubleshooting directions and it still won't work. Setting it to 9 on the dial tightens it, but it's still not right. Anyone else have this problem after 2-3 months?

I purchased the XR-9000 and am really liking it so far - looking for new projects and found this great site!  I too had the looping problem on my lower thread.  found it was my bobbin not set right.  There is a trick i found in user manual that you have to catch the bobbin tensioner just right (i had to lift the gray plate off to see it better).  once i reset the bobbin and stepped down top tension the looping stopped.  HTH!!

This machine is on sale again. I got it at costco for $149. I am excited to try it out. I am especially excited that it comes with the quilting table and foot.

I'm considering buying this machine.  I notice these posts were made soon after purchasing.  Is the machine still working well for you?  Also, have you found any particular fabrics that it doesn't work well on? Your replies would be greatly appreciated.