Brother RLX3817A Sewing Machine Review: Is It Worth It?

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the Brother RLX3817A 17-Stitch Sewing Machine in blue (Renewed). If you're on the hunt for a reliable sewing machine that won't break the bank, this could be the one. We'll be covering everything you need to know, from its features and performance to its pros and cons, so you can make an informed decision. Let's get started!

Unveiling the Brother RLX3817A: Your Entry into the World of Sewing

The Brother RLX3817A is a fantastic entry-level sewing machine, especially for beginners or those who need a basic machine for occasional use. Don't let the term "renewed" scare you off – it simply means the machine has been inspected and tested to ensure it's in good working condition. This can be a great way to snag a quality machine at a lower price point. This machine is a gateway to a world of creative possibilities, making it easier than ever to mend clothes, create home décor items, and even embark on more ambitious sewing projects. With its user-friendly design and versatile features, the RLX3817A empowers both novice and experienced sewers to bring their visions to life. It is a reliable companion for anyone looking to explore the art of sewing without breaking the bank. This compact machine is designed to handle a variety of fabrics and sewing tasks, making it a versatile addition to any crafter's toolkit. Whether you're hemming pants, sewing curtains, or creating unique garments, the Brother RLX3817A offers the functionality and ease of use you need. The affordability of the renewed model makes it an even more attractive option for those on a budget, without compromising on quality or performance. The Brother RLX3817A's ease of use extends to its maintenance as well, with simple cleaning and care routines that keep it running smoothly for years. The machine's durable construction ensures that it can withstand regular use, making it a dependable choice for both beginners and seasoned sewists alike. It provides a solid foundation for learning and mastering sewing techniques. The RLX3817A is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to expand their crafting abilities. Its lightweight design also makes it highly portable, allowing you to easily transport it to sewing classes, workshops, or even to a friend's house for collaborative projects. The machine's intuitive controls and clear instructions make it a breeze to set up and start sewing right away.

Key Features: What Makes the RLX3817A Stand Out?

One of the main selling points of the Brother RLX3817A is its simplicity. It boasts 17 built-in stitches, which might seem like a small number compared to more advanced machines, but it's more than enough for a wide range of basic sewing tasks. These stitches include essential options like straight stitch, zigzag stitch, and a four-step buttonhole, covering all your fundamental sewing needs. The inclusion of 17 stitches provides ample versatility for various sewing projects, allowing you to tackle everything from basic repairs to more creative endeavors with confidence. Each stitch is carefully designed to ensure precision and durability, resulting in professional-looking finishes every time. The straight stitch is perfect for seams and hems, while the zigzag stitch is ideal for reinforcing edges and sewing stretch fabrics. The four-step buttonhole feature simplifies the process of creating perfectly sized buttonholes, a task that can be quite challenging on machines without this functionality. Additionally, the stitch selection dial is incredibly easy to use, allowing you to quickly switch between different stitch patterns with minimal effort. This intuitive design makes the machine user-friendly, even for those who are completely new to sewing. Beyond the basic stitches, the RLX3817A also includes decorative stitches, which add a touch of flair to your projects. These decorative stitches can be used to embellish garments, create unique borders, or add personalized details to your home décor items. The combination of practical and decorative stitches makes the RLX3817A a versatile tool for a wide range of sewing applications. The machine's robust construction and reliable performance ensure that each stitch is executed flawlessly, providing you with consistent results and a satisfying sewing experience. The variety of stitches available on the RLX3817A allows you to explore different sewing techniques and expand your creative horizons.

17 Built-in Stitches: Versatility in Simplicity

As we mentioned, the 17 built-in stitches are a key feature. These stitches cover a wide range of essential sewing tasks, making the machine suitable for various projects. You'll find straight stitches for seams and hems, zigzag stitches for finishing raw edges and sewing stretch fabrics, and even a four-step buttonhole function. This variety ensures that you have the tools you need to handle most common sewing tasks with ease. The 17 built-in stitches are carefully selected to provide the most essential options for both beginners and experienced sewers. The straight stitch is the workhorse of any sewing machine, used for joining fabric pieces, creating seams, and hemming garments. The zigzag stitch is equally important, offering flexibility and strength for finishing edges, preventing fraying, and sewing stretchy materials like knit fabrics. The four-step buttonhole function is a particularly valuable feature, as it simplifies the often-intimidating task of creating buttonholes. This feature allows you to create buttonholes of various sizes with consistent precision, ensuring a professional finish on your projects. In addition to these fundamental stitches, the RLX3817A also includes a selection of decorative stitches, which can be used to add unique embellishments and personalized touches to your sewing projects. These decorative stitches open up a world of creative possibilities, allowing you to express your individual style and flair. The combination of practical and decorative stitches makes the RLX3817A a versatile machine that can handle a wide range of sewing tasks. Whether you're mending clothes, creating home décor items, or designing your own garments, the 17 built-in stitches provide the functionality you need to bring your ideas to life. The ease of selecting and using these stitches makes the RLX3817A a user-friendly machine, even for those who are new to sewing.

Automatic Four-Step Buttonhole: Buttonholes Made Easy

Let's be honest, buttonholes can be intimidating! But the Brother RLX3817A's automatic four-step buttonhole feature makes the process much simpler. This feature allows you to create buttonholes in four easy steps, ensuring a professional finish every time. Say goodbye to uneven and messy buttonholes! The automatic four-step buttonhole feature is a game-changer for sewers of all skill levels, but especially for beginners who may find buttonholes challenging. This function simplifies the process by breaking it down into four manageable steps, each clearly marked on the machine's stitch selector dial. By following these steps, you can create perfectly sized and shaped buttonholes with ease and consistency. The four-step buttonhole feature eliminates the guesswork and frustration often associated with manual buttonhole creation, ensuring a professional finish on your garments and other sewing projects. The first step typically involves sewing one side of the buttonhole, followed by the second step to create the top bartack, the third step to sew the opposite side, and the fourth step to create the bottom bartack. The machine automatically adjusts the stitch length and width for each step, ensuring a uniform and durable buttonhole. This feature not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors, making the buttonhole sewing process more enjoyable and less daunting. The Brother RLX3817A's four-step buttonhole function is a valuable addition that enhances the machine's versatility and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to create professional-looking buttonholes without the hassle. This feature is especially beneficial for those who sew garments frequently, as it allows them to add button closures to their projects with confidence and efficiency. The clear instructions and intuitive operation of the four-step buttonhole function make it accessible to sewers of all levels, from novices to experienced crafters.

Free Arm Sewing: Perfect for Cuffs and Sleeves

The free arm is another fantastic feature of the RLX3817A. This allows you to remove a section of the sewing bed, exposing a narrow arm that's perfect for sewing cuffs, sleeves, and other cylindrical items. No more struggling to maneuver those tricky areas! The free arm sewing feature is an essential element for any sewing machine designed for garment construction or alterations. This feature allows you to remove a portion of the sewing bed, exposing a narrow, cylindrical arm that is ideal for sewing cuffs, sleeves, pant legs, and other tubular items. The free arm provides better access and maneuverability when working with these tricky areas, ensuring a smooth and even seam. Without a free arm, it can be difficult to sew these items neatly and accurately, often resulting in puckered or uneven stitches. The Brother RLX3817A's free arm is easy to engage and disengage, allowing you to quickly switch between flatbed sewing and free arm sewing as needed. This versatility makes the machine suitable for a wide range of projects, from simple alterations to complex garment construction. The free arm is also beneficial for sewing smaller projects, such as baby clothes or doll clothes, where the narrow sewing surface provides better control and precision. The ability to access hard-to-reach areas with the free arm significantly improves the sewing experience, making it easier to create professional-looking garments and other items. The Brother RLX3817A's free arm feature is a testament to its thoughtful design, catering to the needs of both beginner and experienced sewers. This feature enhances the machine's functionality and versatility, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of sewing projects. The free arm ensures that you can achieve precise and neat results, even when working with challenging shapes and sizes.

Performance and Handling: How Does It Sew?

In terms of performance, the Brother RLX3817A is a reliable workhorse. It handles a variety of fabrics well, from lightweight cotton to thicker materials like denim. The stitch quality is consistent, and the machine operates smoothly and quietly. Of course, being a mechanical machine, it's not as feature-rich as computerized models, but it gets the job done efficiently. The Brother RLX3817A delivers impressive performance and handling for a machine in its class. It is designed to handle a variety of fabrics, from delicate silks and cottons to heavier materials like denim and canvas. The machine's consistent stitch quality ensures that your seams are strong and durable, regardless of the fabric you're using. The smooth and quiet operation of the RLX3817A makes it a pleasure to use, even for extended sewing sessions. While it may not have the advanced features of computerized models, its mechanical design provides a straightforward and reliable sewing experience. The manual controls are easy to understand and operate, allowing you to adjust the stitch length and width to suit your specific project requirements. The machine's sturdy construction and powerful motor contribute to its overall performance, ensuring that it can handle a wide range of sewing tasks with ease. The Brother RLX3817A's performance is particularly noteworthy for its consistency. It maintains a uniform stitch quality, even when sewing through multiple layers of fabric or thicker materials. This reliability makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced sewers who value consistent results. The machine's handling is also user-friendly, with a comfortable sewing surface and easy-to-access controls. The clear instructions and helpful diagrams make it simple to set up and operate the machine, even for those who are new to sewing. The Brother RLX3817A strikes a perfect balance between performance and ease of use, making it a valuable tool for any sewing enthusiast.

Fabric Handling: From Lightweight to Denim

The RLX3817A is surprisingly versatile when it comes to fabric handling. It can comfortably sew through lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, making it ideal for quilting and garment construction. It also handles medium-weight fabrics like twill and upholstery fabric without any issues. While it might struggle with very heavy-duty materials, it can even tackle denim with the right needle and settings. The Brother RLX3817A's fabric handling capabilities are a key factor in its versatility and appeal. This machine is designed to accommodate a wide range of fabrics, from delicate and lightweight materials to heavier and more durable options. The ability to handle various fabrics makes it suitable for a diverse array of sewing projects, from delicate garments and quilts to sturdy home décor items and even some light-duty upholstery. The RLX3817A sews effortlessly through lightweight fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk, making it an excellent choice for creating blouses, dresses, and other lightweight garments. It also performs admirably with medium-weight fabrics like twill, canvas, and upholstery fabric, allowing you to tackle projects such as curtains, cushion covers, and tote bags. While it may not be designed for extremely heavy-duty materials, the RLX3817A can even handle denim and multiple layers of fabric with the appropriate needle and settings. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of sewing tasks, whether you're mending jeans, creating a denim quilt, or adding decorative stitching to a denim jacket. The machine's consistent stitch quality and reliable performance ensure that you can achieve professional-looking results with various fabrics. The Brother RLX3817A's fabric handling capabilities are a testament to its thoughtful design and robust construction, making it a versatile and reliable sewing machine for a variety of sewing projects. This machine empowers you to explore your creativity and tackle a wide range of sewing endeavors, knowing that it can handle the fabrics you choose with ease and precision.

Stitch Quality: Consistent and Reliable

One of the most important aspects of any sewing machine is its stitch quality, and the RLX3817A doesn't disappoint. It produces consistent and even stitches, which is crucial for creating durable and professional-looking projects. Whether you're sewing straight lines or intricate curves, you can expect neat and tidy results. The stitch quality of the Brother RLX3817A is a standout feature that contributes to its overall value and appeal. This machine consistently produces even, well-formed stitches that are essential for creating durable and professional-looking sewing projects. Whether you're working on simple seams or intricate designs, the RLX3817A delivers reliable stitch quality that enhances the appearance and longevity of your creations. Consistent stitch quality is particularly important for projects that require precision, such as quilting, garment construction, and home décor items. The RLX3817A's ability to maintain a uniform stitch length and tension ensures that your seams are strong, secure, and visually appealing. This consistency also prevents puckering, skipped stitches, and other common sewing issues that can compromise the quality of your work. The machine's smooth and reliable operation contributes to its excellent stitch quality. The RLX3817A operates with minimal vibration and noise, allowing you to focus on your sewing without distractions. The precise engineering and durable components of the machine ensure that it delivers consistent performance, stitch after stitch. The Brother RLX3817A's stitch quality is a testament to its design and construction, making it a reliable and valuable tool for sewers of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced crafter looking for a dependable machine, the RLX3817A offers the stitch quality you need to achieve professional results. The even and consistent stitches produced by this machine enhance the beauty and durability of your projects, making them worthy of pride and admiration.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Options

Like any product, the Brother RLX3817A has its pros and cons. Let's break them down:

Pros:

• Affordable: This is a budget-friendly option, especially the renewed version.
• Easy to use: Perfect for beginners, with simple controls and straightforward operation.
• Versatile: The 17 built-in stitches cover a wide range of basic sewing tasks.
• Portable: Lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and store.
• Free arm: Great for sewing cuffs, sleeves, and other cylindrical items.

Cons:

• Limited features: Lacks the advanced features of computerized machines.
• Mechanical: Requires manual adjustments and might not be as precise as computerized models.
• Not for heavy-duty sewing: Might struggle with very thick fabrics.

Final Verdict: Is the Brother RLX3817A Right for You?

So, who is the Brother RLX3817A for? If you're a beginner looking for an affordable and easy-to-use sewing machine, or if you need a basic machine for occasional sewing tasks, this is a great option. The 17 built-in stitches provide enough versatility for most basic projects, and the free arm makes sewing cuffs and sleeves a breeze. However, if you're an experienced sewer or need a machine for heavy-duty projects, you might want to consider a more advanced model. Overall, the Brother RLX3817A is a solid choice for those who value simplicity, affordability, and reliability. It's a fantastic entry point into the world of sewing, and it's sure to provide you with years of creative enjoyment. So, guys, if you are looking to start sewing this is the perfect machine for you!