Review Brother HF27 Strong & Tough Heavy Duty Sewing Machine

The Brother HF27 is a mechanical sewing machine with a metal frame and a solid set of features designed to suit everyday sewing and heavier tasks. With 27 built-in stitches and a sturdy design, it’s often recommended to beginners who want a machine that can grow with them and handle more than just the basics.

Overview Brother HF27 Strong & Tough

The Brother HF27 is marketed as a heavy-duty model, and it’s easy to see why. It’s built to take on a range of fabrics, from lightweight cottons to tougher materials like denim or even vinyl, thanks to its included non-stick foot. With 27 stitches and a straightforward, dial-based interface, it’s aimed at beginners but also includes a few thoughtful features that more experienced sewers will appreciate.

Packaging and Unboxing

The machine arrived well-packed in a box measuring about 37.5 x 48 x 25.8 cm and weighing 7.29 kg. While the packaging did its job in keeping everything secure, there was quite a bit of plastic inside—which felt like a missed opportunity for more eco-friendly materials. Still, all the components were neatly organized and arrived in good condition.

Aesthetics and Build

At first glance, the Brother HF27 has a clean, simple look. It’s not flashy, but the overall design is tidy and functional. The combination of plastic outer casing and a metal interior gives it a sturdy feel without making it too bulky. While the styling is basic, the machine feels well-built and solid enough to take on regular sewing tasks with ease.

What’s Inside the Box?

Inside the box, you’ll find the machine itself, a foot pedal, a plastic cover, and a decent range of accessories. There’s a printed manual, an instructional DVD, and several presser feet to help tackle different projects, the manual can also be found online. The included tools like the seam ripper, extra bobbins, and spool caps are useful additions, especially for beginners getting started.

Exploring the Brother HF-27

This machine offers 27 stitches, selected using a mechanical dial on the side. It includes essentials like a reverse stitch button, a lock stitch function, and width adjustment. You’ll also find a built-in needle threader, manual thread cutter, and a see-through bobbin cover to help monitor your thread.

The hand wheel has a grooved surface for better grip, and the free arm section hides a drop feed switch, which is great for free-motion work. Though there’s no stitch memory or automatic tension, the core features are well thought out for general-purpose use.

Features and Design

The HF27 blends durability with convenience. At just over 7 kg, it’s relatively lightweight for a heavy-duty model and easy to store or move. It runs on AC power only and doesn’t include a hard case—just a soft dust cover.

The stitch variety covers the basics well, including a 1-step buttonhole. While there’s no auto tension, manual control allows more customization depending on your fabric. Twin needle compatibility, a rotary hook system, and the ability to handle thick materials like denim, canvas, and leather make this a versatile choice for a wide range of home sewing projects.

Using the right accessories makes a big difference here. The included non-stick foot helps when working with tricky fabrics like PVC or faux leather, while a denim needle is recommended for tougher textiles.

Key Features

Versatile Stitching Options

With 27 stitch types, including utility and decorative options, the HF27 is well-suited for day-to-day sewing and basic projects. It’s not designed for embroidery, but the variety covers most needs.

1-Step Buttonhole Type

The 1-step buttonhole foot makes creating consistent buttonholes quick and simple—a nice touch, especially for garment making.

Integrated Needle Threader

Threading the needle is made easier thanks to the built-in threader. It saves time and reduces frustration, especially if you’re working with fine thread or have less-than-perfect lighting.

Free Arm and Free Motion Sewing

The 29.5 cm free arm is helpful for working on sleeves or pant legs. Drop the feed dogs for free-motion quilting or creative stitching—a useful option that isn’t always found on beginner models.

Built-in Light

The built-in LED light is bright enough to help you see your work clearly, even when sewing dark fabrics or working in the evening.

Manual Tension Control

Rather than automatic settings, this model uses a manual tension dial. It takes a bit of trial and error to get used to, but gives you more control once you get the hang of it.

Accessories and Extras

The Brother HF27 comes with a well-rounded set of accessories to help you get started:

• Zigzag foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Zipper foot
• Button sewing foot
• Blind stitch foot
• Non-stick foot (for sticky or thick fabrics)
• Extra spool pin
• Spool caps
• Bobbins
• Needle set (denim needle recommended for heavy fabrics)
• Disc screwdriver
• Seam ripper
• Cleaning brush
• Foot controller
• Soft cover

There’s no hard case or felt pad for thread spools, but overall the extras are solid for the price.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Good stitch variety: 27 stitch options provide flexibility for different projects
• Fabric handling: Works with thick materials like denim and faux leather
• Non-stick foot included: Helpful for PVC, nylon, and similar fabrics
• Three-year warranty: Offers peace of mind
• Drop feed and free arm: Supports free-motion and cylindrical sewing

Cons:

• No auto tension: Manual tension adjustment can take practice
• No hard case: Only includes a soft dust cover
• Foot speed only controlled by pedal pressure: No slider or button to set max speed, which may be tough for beginners
• Low wattage: At 51 watts, it’s slightly underpowered compared to other heavy-duty models

Conclusion

The Brother HF27 isn’t the most high-tech sewing machine out there, but it’s a dependable, capable option for beginners and hobbyists who want something strong enough to tackle a variety of projects.

Its compact size and sturdy frame make it easy to store but tough enough to handle heavier fabrics. While it lacks automatic features like thread tension and speed control, it makes up for that with thoughtful design choices like the drop feed, see-through bobbin cover, and integrated needle threader.

If you’re looking for a machine that can sew everything from garments and home décor to tote bags and even vinyl projects, the Brother HF27 is worth considering. It’s especially appealing to those who want a no-fuss machine that covers the basics well, without being overly complicated. While not perfect, it’s a solid choice that delivers good value for the price.