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Brother LX 2500 Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Brother LX 2500 review was originally written in 2013, and has been revised and updated in 2023. We have added similar alternatives such as SINGER Making The Cut, SINGER | 4432, and Elnita EM16.
When I reviewed the Brother LX 2500, I was impressed with the ease of operation. This is definitely a sewing machine that I feel comfortable recommending for home sewers of all skill levels – even children.
Brother LX 2500 Overview
LX2500 is an entry level mechanical sewing machihne by Brother. It comes loaded with 17 decorative and utility stitches, 1 four-step buttonhole, vertical quick set bobbin among many others. Stitch length and width can be adjusted up to 4mm and 5mm respectively. Tension adjustment and threading system is manual. All of this is aided by LED lights that leave no room for shadows in the work area.
The calming blue face plate and easy to understand threading guides and stitch selection dial let you know at once that this is one sewing machine that really needs very little ‘get acquainted’ time.
As far as any seasoned home sewer is concerned, the Brother LX 2500 is one of the simplest sewing machines on the market to day.
Even someone who is brand new to the art of sewing would be quite comfortable working with this one.
What are the features on Brother LX 2500?
The Brother LX 2500 is a very basic sewing and mending machine that offers practically none of the bells and whistles that one might expect to find on a more costly machine.
The features available on this machine are:
- 17 built in decorative and utility stitches
- 1 four-step buttonhole
- Variable stitch length up to 4mm
- Variable stitch width up to 5mm
- TVertical quick set bobbin
- Manual tension adjustment
- Manual threading system
- LED lighting
Working on the Brother LX 2500
The brilliant LED light is a definite plus – especially for a sewing machine in this class. Sewing on the Brother LX 2500 is just as simple and uncomplicated as it appears to be.
Threading it was as easy as 1-2-3. All that is necessary to wind the bobbin and thread this machine properly is to simply follow the numerical guides on top.
The next step, inserting the bobbin, is a piece of cake. Merely open the clear plastic bobbin cover and insert the bobbin according to the icon that appears on the worktable.
Once the bobbin is wound and in place and the machine is threaded, the only thing left to do is sit down and sew. As with almost all other reviews, I sampled many of the utility and decorative stitch options.
Selecting various stitch options involved turning the stitch selection dial to the desired stitch. Although the Brother website and manual imply that the LX 2500 has ‘adjustable stitch length and width’, this is, in my humble opinion, somewhat misleading.
In truth, the stitch length and width are adjustable only within the parameters set by the manufacturer. If you look closely at the stitch selection guide, you will see that stitch options 2 through 7 not only regulate stitch length, but needle position as well.
The same holds true for stitch options 8 through 11. In fact, stitch option number 11 has three different zigzag stitch settings. It is impossible to adjust the size of the decorative stitches altogether, meaning the user has no control whatsoever when it comes to customizing stitches on the Brother LX 2500.
The website also states that the Brother LS 2500 has 38 built in stitches. This, too, is misleading. In fact, for the life of me, I can’t figure out how they came to that conclusion.
If you separate each step in the four step buttonhole process and the three different zigzag options under number 11, you still do not come anywhere near 38 stitch options.
In a way, I was a bit disappointed with the stitch quality. The stitches were well defined. However, even after adjusting the tension the stitches seemed to be a little looser than I prefer.
They appeared to be sturdy enough, however, so that when is tugged, they held together without showing signs of weakness or ripping apart.
What are some alternatives for the Brother LX 2500?
We have reviewed several home sewing machines similar to the Brother LX 2500 and here are some alternatives we highly recommend.
The Singer M3330 Making the Cut Sewing Machine, featured on Amazon Prime's MAKING THE CUT, is the machine you might want to add to your sewing room if you're searching for a reasonably priced sewing machine with enough capabilities for beginners who want to learn how to sew and for advanced sewers who want to make a variety of sewing projects. This machine offers 97 stitch applications, adjustable stitch options, a built-in needle threader and a built-in cutter for efficiency, and "Making the Cut" technology for unique designs. Its one-step buttonhole, LED lighting, and durable metal frame make it perfect for quilting, garment making, and DIY projects. The included essentials make it ideal for project kick-starts.
- Offers 97 stitch applications, suitable for various fabrics and sewing projects
- Full metal frame ensures long-lasting performance, providing stability during use
- Built-in needle threader and one-step buttonhole simplify the sewing process
- Long-lasting LED lighting provides bright, cool-to-touch illumination for precise work
- You won't be able to use this basic sewing machine, if you're a top-tier professional, to work on complex sewing jobs
The Elnita EM16 Mechanical Sewing Machine is a reliable and durable machine that is perfect for beginners and those who prefer a simpler approach to sewing. With 16 built-in stitches, including straight, zigzag, and decorative stitches, this machine offers a range of options for basic sewing tasks. The EM16 also features a front-loading bobbin system, making it easy to load and replace the bobbin, and a free arm for sewing cuffs, collars, and other hard-to-reach areas. The machine is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport and store. The EM16 also comes with a range of accessories, including a hard cover, four presser feet, and a seam ripper, to help you tackle any sewing project with ease. With its simple and straightforward design, the Elnita EM16 Mechanical Sewing Machine is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use machine for basic sewing tasks.
For more mechanical sewing machines, review our best mechanical sewing machines list here
Which fabrics work on the Brother LX 2500?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) | Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Upholstery Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Leather/suede |
What are the accessories that come with Brother LX 2500?
The list of accessories that come with this no-frills sewing machine includes:
- 4 snap on presser feet
- Buttonhole
- Button
- Zipper
- General purpose
- 4 bobbins
- Extra needles
- Darning plate
- Oval shaped screwdriver tool
Quilting feet are listed as optional accessories which can be purchased separately.
How to maintain the Brother LX 2500?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Brother LX 2500 Summary
To conclude my review, the Brother LX 2500 is a good sewing machine for beginners. It is easy to operate and an excellent resource for anyone to learn the basics of sewing machine operation.
If clothing construction is your only concern, then this machine would serve your purposes adequately. However, if you want to explore machine embroidery or quilting, even at the very basic levels, I suggest you look elsewhere.
I am not at all pleased with the fact that the user has no real control over stitch length or width outside the parameters set by the manufacturer. This, to me, is one of the very basic necessities any home sewer should have total and complete over.
The scallop stitches are not dense enough for my taste, and there is no way to make them any tighter. Of course, the same holds true for the other decorative stitches as well.
Any child who is able to read would be very happy with this machine. It is basic enough that an elementary school child will be able to operate it with ease and take pride in being able to sew on a ‘grown up’ sewing machine.
An older child or adult beginner could benefit from working on such a basic sewing machine, but could run the risk of getting bored with its limitations if they want to take their sewing to the next level.
An experienced home sewer would be able to use the Brother LX 2500 for mending and basic clothing and accessory construction only. Any attempt on the part of someone who has real sewing experience under their belts to do anything more would lead to frustration.
If you sew a lot and have only one sewing machine in your arsenal, the Brother LX 2500 is a good choice for a backup machine that is used only when your main machine is in the shop for regularly scheduled servicing or repair.
It could also come in handy when you are working with two different thread colors and don’t want to stop to re-thread your machine every time your job calls for you to switch from one thread color to another.
After careful reviewing, I do not recommend the Brother LX 2500 for heavy use. It is a lightweight portable machine, and therefore, not built for heavy use by someone who really uses their sewing machine a lot.
Having said all that, I think the Brother LX2500 might be a very good choice for a child, a high school or college student who wants to have a sewing machine in the dorm, or an older beginner who may be intimidated by a sewing machine that has a lot of added features.
In addition to the machine’s very basic operation and features, the easy to understand owner’s manual, quick start guide and instructional DVD are excellent resources for the novice home sewer of any age.
Brother LX 2500 Review
Summary
The Brother LX 2500 is a basic sewing machine that is perfect for beginners. It has 17 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, reverse stitching, LED light, and carrying case. It is easy to use and a good value for the price. However, it does not have as many stitches or as much power as some other machines, so it may not be the best choice for heavy-duty sewing projects.
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Happy Stitching.
I received this as a gift for Christmas 2012. I haven’t used a sewing machine in 20 years. It’s very easy to use even for me, I am not good with machines at all 🙂 I did have to exchange it because after 3 weeks of light use, the foot pedal stopped working. Walmart just traded me for a new one and haven’t had any problems with it. I’ve been really happy with how easy it is, especially being new to sewing. I don’t find it overwhelming or intimidating with too many options.
I also want to add about the 38 stitch functions, I noticed that before, too. I couldn’t figure it out at all but I looked into and I am pretty sure what they are doing is counting each combination of length and width as a stitch function.
I am curious as to where you got the “38 stitch functions”. Everything I have seen indicates 17.
Kathie –
Believe it or not, the manufacturers insist that there is a difference between ‘stitch options’ and ‘stitch functions’. The best way to distinguish between the two terms is to describe stitch options as the number of different types of stitches a machine can render. All of those stitches, however, can be adjusted in length and/or width, giving them a different appearance.
In my opinion, this is just a marketing ploy. To be honest, anyone who knows their way around a sewing machine can figure out how to get the 38 stitch functions and maybe even more without the people in the marketing department telling them how many ‘functions’ are available to them.
I include the date in reviews primarily for those people who like to be told how many different ‘functions’ are available to them.
Happy stitching.
Good machine for occasional sewing or beginner. For heavier fabrics, I use a #14 top-stitch needle. There’s not much maintenance except cleaning fuzz out of the bobbin case every now and then. See end of this tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9yn2mqLjjY
I got mine on ebay for $50. great deal.
I use refurbished units of this model for my sewing classes. For the price, I am very satisfied. They stand up to the rigors of new and experienced students admirably.
Does the LX2500 stitch in place?
I have a brand new in box lx2500 for sale. My mother in law didn’t know how to sew so she gave to me. I have a bernina I am partial too and don’t see myself using it. let me know if you know some one interested. Thank. Lisa
Hello, Lisa –
I suggest you try selling the extra sewing machine on e-bay. Don’t forget to include shipping costs. When you list it, you can stipulate that the cost for shipping will be added to the winning bid. You might want to make the opening bid more attractive by setting the opening bid below the MSRP, but not so low that you will be giving the machine away.
Happy Stitching.
can i use this machine for quilting?
I use mine for quilting with no problem.
Dear Issis –
You would probably be very happy working on small quilting projects with this sewing machine. However, I wouldn’t recommend using a machine this light for heavy quilting. In my opinion, the best options for machine serious machine quilting would be a machine with a metal chassis that is specifically designed for working with thick multiple layers of fabric. The LX 2500 is also very light. A serious quilter who intends to do a lot of machine quilting needs a machine that is more substantial than this one.
Have been trying to use my Brother LX2500 for about two months and still am not sure the bobbin tension is right. Sometimes it has a proper stitch and then quickly changes to very loose stitches. It often gathers without reason. I have worked many hours trying everything in the manual without any success. I paid $80.00 for this machine and according to a repair man in my town, it would cost 120.00 to fix/show me how to set it. I am very frustrated. If I can find an older metal machine, I may buy it. this is my second Brothers in 3 years and will not by another.
I am wondering why the back of my stitches are loose. Sometimes when I am sewing the top of the stitch looks fine, but when turned over, it is all knotted up in places, or the stitch comes completely undone. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you for visiting Sewing Insight.
You may want to check your tension setting. Very often the upper tension needs adjusting when the bottom stitches don’t come out right and vice versa.
Happy stitching.
I find the Brother LX 2500 sewing machine to be very easy to use. After not having sewn for 40+ years, I was able to get comfortable with this one right away. However, the more I use the machine, I am having trouble with the needles breaking. They are hitting the metal plate and just need a very minimal adjustment. I have taken it apart and read the manual to try to find a way to make this adjustment, but to no avail. Can anybody tell me how to move the needle back a tiny bit?
Have had mine almost 2 years. I have been sewing since before most of you were born but haven’t used this machine much because it will not hold it’s lower tension thread or it just does not like denim! Then that upper catch deal on the left before you thread it tightens up to tight. Then the spool wobbles and thread tangles around the spool stem. I go to sew not to play with all this so I can sew one hour and start a repeat of the whole thing. I have no patients with machinery that does not work properly.
I’m having the same problem as Joyce and Betty. Stitch quality is important to me, and I have tried everything to get the stitches at the proper tension.
I can not for the life of me figure out how the heck I am supposed to sew buttonholes with my machine. I’ve read the directions over and over again, but I still don’t get it. I’ve made some “corset” back t-shirts, and I essentially need to use the buttonhole function to make the slits I thread the ribbon through sturdier. I’m the kind of person that always wants to know how things work, so I don’t see myself feeling comfortable using the buttonhole function until I understand how it works. I just can’t figure out the buttonhole foot.