The Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough is a heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine engineered for versatility, durability, and peak performance. Designed to handle everything from lightweight silks to dense, multi-layered fabrics like denim, canvas, and leather, this machine brings industrial-grade reliability into a portable, user-friendly tabletop design. Whether you are tackling everyday mending or demanding upholstery projects, its metal frame construction and specialized feeding system ensure consistent, skipped-stitch-free results every time.

Key Features

• Metal Internal Frame & Needle Plate: Built with a rigid metal chassis to handle heavy-duty fabrics and prevent machine vibration during high-speed sewing.

• 37 Unique Built-In Stitches: Includes an extensive selection of utility, decorative, stretch, and blind hem stitches to expand your creative capabilities.

• One-Step Auto-Size Buttonhole: Create perfectly sized, professional buttonholes automatically to match your specific button.

• Drop Feed for Free-Motion Sewing: Easily lower the feed dogs with a switch for free-motion quilting, darning, and free-hand embroidery.

• Advanced Easy Needle Threading System: Save time and reduce eye strain with the built-in automatic needle threader that pushes thread cleanly through the needle eye.

• Quick-Set Drop-In Top Bobbin: Jam-resistant, clear-view top drop-in bobbin system allows you to monitor your thread supply instantly.

• Free Arm Capability: Removable storage compartment converts the machine into a free arm for easily sewing cuffs, sleeves, skinny jeans, and other cylindrical items.

• Bright LED Workspace Lighting: Illuminates the needle area with crisp light, making it easier to work on dark fabrics or during late-night projects.

Why Customers Love This Machine

• Conquers Heavy Fabrics with Ease: The specialized heavy-duty needles and aggressive feed dog system feed multiple layers of thick denim, canvas, outdoor gear, and leather without bogging down or skipping stitches.

• Precision Mechanical Reliability: Free from complicated computer screens, the tactile dial selectors provide dependable, straightforward adjustments that seasoned sewists prefer for high-torque tasks.

• Ultra-Smooth Feed Control: The 7-point feed dogs ensure precise fabric control, delivering clean, uniform stitch quality across both delicate chiffons and coarse duck canvas.

• Grab-and-Go Portability: Featuring a built-in carrying handle and weighing just over 14 lbs, it provides industrial-level stamina without the permanent footprint of an industrial sewing table.

Perfect For

• Heavy-Duty Crafting & Upcycling: Ideal for makers working with denim jackets, canvas tote bags, sailcloth, and faux leather accessories.

• Home Decor & Upholstery: Excellent for sewing thick home textiles, drapery panels, slipcovers, and outdoor cushion replacements.

• Everyday Mending & Alterations: A reliable workhorse for heaping laundry piles, jeans hemming, patching work uniforms, and general repairs.

• Beginner to Advanced Sewists: Straightforward enough for a beginner stepping up to thicker projects, yet rugged enough for experienced users demanding raw puncture power.

Included Accessories

The Brother ST371HD comes complete with a comprehensive set of heavy-duty needles and quick-change snap-on feet:

• 6 Specialty Sewing Feet:

  • Spring Action Zigzag Foot (on machine)

  • Blind Hem Foot

  • Buttonhole Foot

  • Button Sewing Foot

  • Zipper Foot

  • Non-Stick Teflon Foot (for gliding over leather, vinyl, and suede)

• Heavy Duty Needle Pack: Includes a #16 needle for heavyweight fabrics (canvas, denim), a #14 needle for midweight fabrics, and a #11 needle for lightweight woven fabrics and knits.

• Twin Needle: For decorative double-row stitching.

• Additional Accessories: 4 bobbins, extra spool pin, 2 spool caps, screwdriver, foot controller pedal, power cord, instructional DVD, and an operation manual.

Specifications

• Machine Type: Mechanical Heavy Duty Sewing Machine

• Stitch Count: 37 Built-In Stitches (with 74 stitch functions)

• Maximum Sewing Speed: 800 Stitches Per Minute (SPM)

• Lighting: Bright, Long-Lasting LED

• Threader: Built-In Automatic Mechanical Needle Threader

• Bobbin System: Jam-Resistant Quick-Set Drop-In Top Bobbin

• Feed Dogs: 7-Point System with Drop Feed Lever

• Machine Dimensions: 12.21" H x 16.10" W x 7.87" D

• Machine Weight: 14.3 lbs

• Warranty: 1/5/25 Year Limited Warranty

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the Brother ST371HD actually sew through genuine leather?

A: Yes. Thanks to its heavy-duty motor, internal metal frame, and included Non-Stick Teflon Foot, it can comfortably sew through garment-weight genuine leather and multiple layers of faux leather or vinyl. Always use the included #16 needle and high-quality heavy-duty thread for optimal results.

Q: What makes this machine "Strong and Tough" compared to standard sewing machines?

A: The ST371HD features a reinforced interior metal frame for structural stability, a durable metal needle plate for smooth fabric feeding, and a high-torque motor engineered to handle high-density fabrics without stalling.

Q: Does this machine have a drop feed feature for quilting?

A: Yes! It features a physical drop feed switch on the back of the free arm. Lowering the feed dogs allows you to completely control the direction of the fabric manually for free-motion quilting, darning, and monogramming.

Q: Can I use regular bobbins in this machine?

A: This machine requires standard Class 15 (SA156) clear plastic bobbins. Avoid using metal bobbins, as they can scratch the plastic bobbin case and disrupt the magnetic tension of the drop-in system.