Brother XR3240 Review and Guide: Is It Practical Enough for a Beginner?

The ability to sew has for many years become a lost art. It was something left to the older generation and a few creatives who relished designing and constructing their own wardrobe. beginner 

The rest of society has simply forgotten how to work a machine and construct clothing, but that has simply been the result of a market saturated with cheap and disposable clothing.  

But a new perspective has arrived with the advent of COVID. Many people have taken up a new hobby while in quarantine and have found that sewing is not only a cathartic pastime. It is also a fantastic way to design a unique, economical, comfortable, and sustainable wardrobe.

These are all meaningful terms that have provoked this upcoming generation to think and act with concern for how they spend their time and their money and how these decisions will impact the world around them.

If you have become enamored with the idea of sustainability, then you should consider delving into your creative side. Even if you have never even sewn on a button, you can learn this wonderful skill. It will provide you with an amazing way to share your style while expressing your views on how to care for the resources you have.

Sure, this will take a little time and effort to get started, but don’t fret; Craft & Stitch is here to walk you through the process of finding the tools you need.

Today, we are going to walk through the process of finding the best sewing machine for you, the beginner sewist. Namely, we are going to review the Brother XR3240 to find out if this is the machine you should get.

We will take time to walk through its features and also compare and contrast it to a few other sewing machines, so the decision-making process is informative but simple.

Sewing Machine Features

Before we look specifically at the Brother XR3240, it is a good idea to learn about the features that make up all sewing machines.  With some knowledge of the basics, we can then decide whether or not the Brother XR3240 is worth the purchase.  

Material

Years ago, sewing machines were primarily constructed from metal pieces, and this made them more durable and easier to fix.  Sewing machines were a true investment for families and businesses, so it made sense that the machine should be easy to fix or a broken part should be easy to replace.  

Today, most machines have a few metal pieces, while the majority of their structure is constructed from plastic pieces. This makes for a less expensive machine, but it also means that it is not as durable, and broken pieces are more difficult to replace.

You’ll have to decide for yourself if you prefer a modern, less-expensive option or a sturdy but difficult to use, vintage sewing machine model.

Parts

Older machines were very basic and only included a few special parts. Today, sewing machines come with numerous add-ons and special features that can be helpful but overwhelming when you are just beginning. To make things less frustrating, let’s simplify by listing out the features that are essential for modern sewing projects.

• Free Arm – This part is mainly to provide extra workspace for larger projects.  
• Metal Rotary Hook – This part is better in metal because it is less likely to break under all the stress of working through tough sewing projects.
• Needle and Bobbin – What you are looking for when you examine a needle and bobbin is the ease of threading each one. If users comment that either is difficult to thread, you may want to opt for a different model.
• Presser’s Feet – This is the part of the machine where the needle and thread are working. These feet help to hold down the fabric while providing a focused area for stitching.

Stitches

Modern sewing machines come with a large selection of stitches. The problem is, beginner sewists may find that so many stitch options are overwhelming, and it can cause them to walk away before trying this craft.

Let’s just make this feature very simple by saying you don’t need all the stitches a sewing machine offers, nor should you feel overwhelmed by seeing them listed on your machine.  

As long as the machine you purchase has the ability to do a straight stitch, a zig-zag stitch, a blind hem stitch, and a button-hole stitch, you are set. All the other stitches the machine offers are there if you want to experiment with them after getting familiarized with your craft and your machine.

Technology

This is an area that can go either way. Some beginner sewists will take to modern, computerized sewing machines very easily since most of our world is computerized, but there are others that need a very basic mechanical machine as they are learning a new craft.

Consider your technological skills and how easy it is for you to learn to run a computerized machine versus a mechanical machine so that you can make a good decision about what type of sewing machine you should get.  

But don’t limit yourself either.  If you want to use a computerized machine even though you are not very tech-savvy, do so. There are so many ways to learn how to use these machines that there is no reason why you shouldn’t give it a go.

The Features of the Brother XR3240

We’ve taken time to cover the basic features to look for in every sewing machine, and now we can apply what we’ve learned to the Brother XR3240.

Material

This is a basic machine with some modern features.  It is primarily constructed from plastic but has a few metal pieces. Even still, you will find that it is durable enough to use regularly.

Parts

While it is a basic machine, it includes a lot of great parts. You will be glad to know that it comes with the essentials and a few extras.  These include:

• A free arm or a wide table for your larger projects
• A needle threading system that is easy to use
• A drop-in top bobbin design that is easy to use
• 9 presser feet
• Sewing start and stop button
• The sewing speed is variable
• LED-lit work area
• LCD display screen
• Dust cover

Stitches

The Brother XR3240 has all the stitches you will ever need. With 140 built-in stitches, including a button-hole stitch, you should be set to design and construct anything on your to-do list.

Technology

Many reviews for this machine have highlighted the fact that it is built with beginners in mind. This means that the technology it implements is just right. There’s nothing too complicated about learning how to use the machine, but it also has enough technology to feel compatible with a tech-savvy culture.

Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Warranty is available with the purchase
• Includes a feature that shows when the thread is running low
• Environmentally friendly automatic threading mechanism
• Reasonably priced
• Computerized stitch selection
• Comes with 140 built-in stitches

Cons

• Backward stitching is slow
• Cheap thread can get caught in the shuttle

Comparing & Contrasting the Alternatives

We’ve taken a thorough look at the XR3240 with all its parts and features, and now we will take the opportunity to look at some alternative machines. By comparing and contrasting these sewing machines against the XR3240, you should be able to decide if it truly is the best sewing machine for you.

Brother XR3140

This is a sewing machine that is suitable for beginner or intermediate sewists. It is easy to learn and has plenty of features that will allow you to experiment and try new techniques; plus, it comes with a reasonable price tag.

Pros

• Automatic threading system
• Detachable wide table for larger projects
• Drop-in top bobbin feature
• Included nine pressure feet
• One-click stitch selector
• Sewing speed control feature

Cons

• Cannot handle thick fabrics or multiple layers of fabric
• Does not provide features for advanced sewing or quilting techniques
• Skilled sewists may find that it is too basic for their needs

Brother 1034DX

This is an updated version of the popular Brother 1034D. Both are excellent machines that provide great stitching for your projects. Either machine would make a great alternative for the XR3240, but you will have to look at the pros and cons to decide for yourself.

Pros

• Can sew multiple layers of fabric, including denim
• Can sew up to 1,300 stitches a minute
• Comes with a 1-year limited warranty offer
• Comes with a cover to protect the machine
• Constructed from a metal frame
• Designed to be durable
• Designed to be easy to thread
• Includes a foot pedal that controls the stitch speed
• Includes three snap-on presser feet (standard, gathering, and blind)
• Users have found that it is an easy to learn machine

Cons

• The need is difficult to thread
• The warranty is difficult to claim

Brother XR3340

Although this is a modern and computerized machine, it is actually built with beginner sewists in mind. If you have even the slightest experience using a computer, you will excel with this machine.

Consider how nice it is to have a high-tech machine that can perform so many different techniques, even if it takes a little extra time to learn how to find and properly utilize them.

Pros

• Built to be both lightweight and sturdy
• Comes with 140 built-in stitches
• Comes with 55 alphanumeric stitches for monogramming
• Comes with an extension table for larger projects
  
• Comes with eight 1-step button-hole stitches
• Designed with an LCD screen
• The needle is easy to thread

Cons

• Does not include a foot pedal
• Line markings on the needle plate are difficult to view while sewing
• Users agree that while it is sturdy for basic sewing projects, it is not sturdy enough for upholstery or leatherworking projects.
• Users have commented that the thread tension is not ideal

FAQs

Tying it All Together

Ultimately, buying a new sewing machine will be up to you, but you may have noticed that the Brother XR3240 is definitely worth considering. This sewing machine offers everything you need to get started in the world of fabric art.

It will also help you expand your knowledge of techniques so you can work on almost any type of project. All this together has swayed me into thinking this is a great machine that I would love to own.  

Now it’s up to you. What machine will you choose, and what project will you work on first?  

Research Citations:

• Sewing Machine Greeks
• Cast Off
• Brother

Check more interesting crafting tool guides below:

• How to Find the Best Handheld Sewing Machine
• How to Find the Best Cricut Machine
• Best Monogramming Machines to Consider This Year