92.0 The Brother GX37 is a mechanical sewing machine with 37 stitches. It is generally quite affordable and the owner ratings are very good. This is a lightweight unit and as a result is a good choice for people taking classes or going to sewing gatherings. Owners report that the machine runs smoothly and quietly, and they also like that it feels very sturdy. However, this isn’t the best machine if you are dealing with heavy fabrics.
Consumer Ratings
We found 129 owner ratings from several quality online retailers and we have compiled them in the table below. We also averaged these ratings to get an overall score for the GX37. The unit scored 92 out of 100 which is a very good score. You can see the score of all the sewing machines on our site in our Sewing Machine Ratings table.
| Source | Consumer Rating | # Ratings |
| Amazon | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 73 |
| Walmart | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 40 |
| Joann | 4.6 stars out of 5 | 16 |
GX37 or XM2701?
The Brother GX37 and the Brother XM2701 are very similar sewing machines - but, they are not the same machine. The following table provides the main feature differences:
| Brother GX37 | Brother XM2701 | |
| # Stitches | 37 | 27 |
| Stitch length | 5mm | 4mm |
| Stitch width | 7mm | 5mm |
If you are having difficulty finding the GX37 or you want to save a few bucks you might consider the XM2701 - reviews and ratings are very good. The link below shows the current XM2701 price on Amazon.
Pros & Cons
A thorough review of GX37 owner comments has provided the following pros and cons:
PROS
- Runs smoothly and quietly
- Lightweight
- Feel sturdy
- Includes 6 presser feet
- Bright LED lighting
- Handy thread cutter
- Fairly easy to set up
- Comes with a good number of stitch options
CONS
- Getting the tension right can be tricky
- Not great on heavier fabrics like canvas or heavy denim
- Some folks struggle inserting the bobbin
- Some people find it tricky to thread
- May not be that easy for a beginner
What Are Owners Saying?
We are seeing positive comments regarding value – “good machine for the money”, “worth every penny”, “excellent buy”, etc. This, coupled with the high score (92/100), are encouraging signs that the GX37 is a good purchase.
“Smooth" and "quiet” are terms commonly used to describe the GX37. Characteristics not always common in machines at this price point. Also, most owners (but not all) report that the machine is reasonably easy to setup and to use.
Owners like the handy thread cutter, the automatic needle threader, and the clear plastic bobbin window (makes it easy to see the remaining thread). The GX37 also has bright LED lights that illuminate the sewing area. We’ve seen a lot of machines with dull lighting but this isn’t one of them.
This is a lightweight sewing machine and quite a few folks report taking it to classes or other sewing gatherings. It comes with a cover, but you may want to buy a case if you are doing a lot of moving/carrying. Despite the light weight we were surprised at the number of owners that describe the unit as “sturdy”.
The machine has a respectable number of stitches (37 to be exact) which are enough to satisfy most beginner and intermediate seamstresses. In addition, people are pleased with the large number of accessories that are included.
There are a host of comments from owners highlighting that this machine is a great choice for beginner to intermediate level sewists. However some owners are also saying that the GX37 may be a little complicated for a beginner, and that the unit can be a bit finicky at times. You may want to be a little careful if you or the person you are getting this machine for is new to sewing.
There are reports that the tension can be difficult to set properly and while most owners find threading the machine pretty striaightforward, some find it tricky. The DVD that is provided does help and it is worth a watch before attempting setup.
The GX37 is capable with most lighter materials but it will struggle with heavier fabrics like heavy denim /canvas/ leather/etc. So if you have a lot of heavier materials to sew then this machine may not be a good choice.
See more Brother GX37 reviews on Amazon.
We have also noticed a number of people struggling with inserting the bobbin. We found detailed instructions and videos on the Brother website on to how to insert the bobbin into the bobbin case. Check those out here.
Key Specifications
- 37 built-in stitches (utility and decorative)
- Sews straight, satin and zigzag stitches
- 1 Automatic one-step buttonhole
- Automatic needle threader
- Drop-in top bobbin (jam resistant)
- Free arm
- 7 point feed dog
- Stitch selection dial
- LED lights illuminate sewing area
- Adjustable stitch width (max = 7mm)
- Adjustable stitch length (max = 5mm)
- Thread tension dial (adjusts upper thread tension)
- Reverse sewing lever
- Independent bobbin winding motor
- Max sewing speed = 850 stitches per minute
Stitches
Following is a chart showing the 37 stitches you get with the GX37:
What You Don't Get
Some things you might want but you won't get with your GX37 include the following:
- No case
- No knee lifter
- No speed control slider
- Feed dogs cannot be dropped (however the darning plate is used to cover the feed dogs for free motion quilting)
- No presser foot pressure adjustment
- No needle up/down
Other GX37 Characteristics
Many people have highlighted that they like to take this sewing machine to classes and this is, in part, due to the unit's light weight. We find that a good portable machine is generally under 12 lbs (ideally) and the GX37 weighs in at only 10.14 lbs. Given the weight and the very good score (92/100) this machine will be added to our list of the best portable sewing machines.
This is a 110V sewing machine so you don’t want to get this if you live in a country that supports 220V (unless you are comfortable buying a transformer – but that adds cost). Those buying in the USA and Canada should have no voltage issues.
Some owners also report that the unit struggles on thicker/heavier fabrics. As a result many folks are asking what weight of fabric the machine can handle. Our research found that the GX37 can handle material up to 6mm thick.
The feed dogs on this machine cannot be lowered – but the unit does come with a darning plate which can be used to cover the feed dogs for free motion work.
Accessories
A host of accessories are provided with the GX37 including 6 presser feet: zipper foot, button sewing foot, buttonhole foot, narrow hem foot, blind stitch foot, zigzag foot. You will also find bobbins (4), needles (3), a twin needle, a screwdriver, an additional spool pin, and a darning plate.
In addition, there is a power cord, a foot controller, a soft cover, an instruction DVD, a manual written in both English and Spanish, and a quick start guide in English and Spanish.
Warranty
The Brother GX37 carries a 1/2/25 Year Limited Warranty. This breaks down into the following:
- 1 year on parts, labor, and accessories
- 2 years on electronic components
- 25 years on chassis casting
Sewing Machine Manual
This is a pretty good manual. It is lengthy with good illustrations and it covers machine setup, machine features & controls, sewing basics, different stitch options, sewing buttonholes & buttons, using attachments & applications, optional accessories, maintenance, and troubleshooting. We’ve seen sewing machines at this price point with much less detailed manuals. You can see a copy of the manual here: Brother GX37 Sewing Machine Manual
Hello! My name is Alison and I started Sewing Machine Ratings over 10 years ago. Since then I’ve reviewed scores of sewing machines. Sewing has been a hobby for me since I was a young and I love to make my own clothing.