Brother ST371HD Strong & Tough Sewing Machine

How to choose a beginner sewing machine

1. 1The three stitches you will actually use — A first machine only has to sew a straight stitch, a zigzag and a buttonhole well. Those three cover every project in Levels 0 to 2 of The Pattern, and a 170-stitch machine sews them no better than a 20-stitch one. Count the stitches you will use, not the ones printed on the box.
2. 2How the buttonhole is made — A one-step buttonhole sews the whole hole in a single pass once you drop the buttonhole foot; a four-step asks you to turn a dial at each side and stop in the right place. Both produce a working buttonhole, and a four-step is not a reason to reject a machine. It is, though, the feature that most changes how a beginner feels about their first shirt.
3. 3How the bobbin loads — A drop-in bobbin sits under a clear plate where you can see the thread running out; a front-loading bobbin lives in a removable case behind a door. Drop-in is easier to learn, easier to unjam and is what most machines under $250 use. Neither sews better than the other.

The full checklist, and every pick compared

Our read

Written from the manufacturer's listing, the published specs and public owner feedback. We research and analyse — we don't lab-test, and we don't claim to have stitched with this ourselves. Reviewed by the SewingPath team · Hilly Shore Labs · updated October 8, 2026.

What owners say

Paraphrased from the themes that recur across Amazon owner reviews (2,877 ratings on this listing). Consensus, not quotes, and we don't turn it into percentages.

The specs that matter to a beginner

Built-in stitches

37

Buttonhole

1 one-step auto-size

Maximum speed

800 stitches per minute

Stitch width / length

7 mm / 5 mm

Heavier-fabric features

Metal needle plate, heavyweight needles, non-stick foot

Drop feed

Yes, for free-motion sewing

Needle threader

Automatic

Weight

14.3 lb

As the manufacturer states them: Brother's ST371HD product page.

In the box, and what you'll still need

• 6 feet: spring action zigzag, non-stick, blind stitch, zipper, buttonhole, button sewing
• 3-piece needle set (sizes 11, 14 and 16) and a twin needle
• Bobbins (4)
• Spool pin
• Foot controller and power cord
• Operation manual (English and Spanish)

Box contents as listed by Brother's ST371HD product page.

You'll still need

• Thread — an all-purpose polyester thread in a couple of colours to start.
• Fabric Scissors — a pair kept for fabric only.
• Pins & Fabric Clips — to hold layers together before they go under the foot.
• Bobbins — a few spares. Brother's product page doesn't name the bobbin class, so check your manual before you buy.

Brother ST371HD or SINGER 4432?

Both are sold on heavier fabric and usually sit at the same price. The SINGER 4432 is rated faster, 1,100 stitches per minute against 800, and SINGER states a 60% stronger motor and a metal interior frame. The ST371HD has more stitches, 37 against 32, a wider 7 mm zigzag, and a non-stick foot and heavyweight needles in the box. Pick the SINGER for speed on long seams, the Brother for the extra stitches and feet.

Read our SINGER 4432 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine page · $239 when we last checked (this one: $239.99)

Questions buyers ask

Is the Brother ST371HD a heavy duty machine?

Brother markets it as Strong and Tough and describes it for everyday sewing and mending on everything from durable outdoor fabrics to lightweight silks, with a metal needle plate and heavyweight needles for layers of heavier fabric. It is a domestic machine, not an industrial one.

Is the Brother ST371HD hard to thread?

Threading is the recurring complaint in owner reviews. Brother gives it an automatic needle threader and a drop-in bobbin, and the manual walks through the thread path. If stitches go wrong, rethreading from scratch with the presser foot raised is the standard first fix.

The StitchScore, unpacked

Our published method blends owner satisfaction with what the thing gives a maker for the money. No hidden math.

Specifications

Model

ST371HD

Size

37 Built-in Stitches

Dimensions (H × W × D)

12.21 in × 16.1 in × 7.87 in

Weight

14.55 lb

Manufacturer

Brother International

First listed

2016

Specs from the manufacturer listing and Amazon's public product data; confirm the current listing before buying.

What the listing specifies

• 37 unique built-in stitches: The Brother ST371HD features 37 built-in stitches including an auto-size buttonhole
• Automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: This sewing machine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes the thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
• Included accessories: The ST371HD heavy duty sewing machine includes 6 sewing feet, needle set, manual and more
• Versatile free arm: This free arm sewing machine is perfect for a wide range of everyday sewing projects, and users from beginning to advanced
• At your side support: The ST371HD sewing machine comes with Brother at your side support offering free technical support via online, live chat or phone for the life of your machine
• This product is intended for sale only in the US at 120 volts, and any other use or sale voids the warranty.

Manufacturer's copy as published on the listing — their claims, not our assessment. Confirm the current listing before you buy.

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