Brother GX37 sewing machine Review: setup, stitches, and real-world results

I still remember the morning the box landed on my doorstep like a friendly thump. For two weeks I’d gone down the research rabbit hole — reading every Brother ST371HD review I could find, then even more Brother ST371HD reviews — trying to decide between “heavy-duty” and “sensible.” In the end I chose the Brother GX37. I wanted something simple, mechanical, and kind to beginners, but still steady enough to grow with me.

Unboxing nerves (and little surprises)

When I lifted the top flap, the first thing I saw was a neat soft dust cover and a tidy tray of feet and needles. The machine itself looked bright and calm, not intimidating at all. A pre-wound bobbin peeped through the clear cover, and a 90/14 needle was already in place. The whole thing felt light enough to move but not flimsy; it sat on my table without scooting around.

I’m not too proud to admit I kept the manual at my elbow. The threading paths are printed right on the frame, so I could follow the numbers like a connect-the-dots page. The top-drop bobbin went in with a little click — no fishing around underneath. The “automatic needle threader” and I had a brief standoff (I had to try twice and be gentle), but when it finally swung the thread through, I cheered like I’d won a prize at the fair.

First stitches, first grin

My first project was a quick fix: hemming a pair of thrift-store jeans. I eased the leg under the presser foot, pressed the pedal with my bare foot (I like the extra feel), and the Brother GX37 purred into a straight stitch. Not whisper-silent, but more hum than rattle. The seam looked balanced on both sides — no loops, no angry tug-of-war. That little win turned into momentum, and I stitched up a pillowcase next, then a torn pocket, then a laundry bag that had lost its Velcro. I kept saying, “Okay, one more thing,” until the afternoon disappeared.

Playing with the 37

The fun of the Brother GX37 sewing machine is discovering how far “basic” actually goes. I tried the buttonhole foot on a scrap first — measure, slide, lower the lever, and let the machine walk it in. Boom: a clean, honest buttonhole. Then I sampled a few of the decorative and stretch stitches. The zigzags were crisp, the little scallop made the edge of a baby bib look store-bought, and the multi-step zigzag saved a wobbly knit neckline I thought I’d ruined.

The stitch dials on the front and top are old-school satisfying — turn, test, keep or tweak. I like that I don’t have to dive through menus. It’s “see it, set it, sew it.”

The “thick-stuff” test

Could it handle real work? I doubled a denim hem and added a folded side seam just to be mean. The GX37 Brother climbed the bump with a steady step. It’s not a bulldozer — six layers of canvas with webbing is about the ceiling — but for jeans, curtains, tote bags, and basic quilting, it gets the job done if you use the right needle and take your time. When I’m layering, I switch to a size 16 needle and lengthen the stitch a bit. Slow and steady wins, and this machine rewards patience.

Little quirks (aka: what I learned the hard way)

• The LED is helpful but not a stadium light. I added a tiny clip-on lamp and now I can see every stitch.
• The accessory space in the front is more “little shelf” than “bin.” Tip it the wrong way and bobbins slide out like marbles. I keep the tiny parts in a zip pouch.
• The presser-foot lever sits inside the throat area. First day it felt awkward, second day it felt normal. Muscle memory kicks in fast.
• The threader wants you to thread exactly by the book. If you skip a guide or use an old metal bobbin, the GX37 Brother sewing machine will complain. Plastic, correct-type bobbins only — lesson learned.
• Tension drama usually means I mis-threaded the top or didn’t seat the bobbin correctly. Re-threading calmly fixes 99% of gremlins.

Teaching day

My niece (age ten and fearless) asked to learn. We started with scrap fabric, practiced straight lines, then corners, then a zigzag around the edges. She loved that the stitch diagram is printed on the machine — it’s like a little menu. We made a reversible headband and she wore it out the door. The next weekend my neighbor — who only speaks a little English — stopped by. I showed her the threading steps, she said “¡Qué fácil!” and left planning curtains. This machine makes me look like a patient teacher.

A month in: real-life projects

By week four I’d:

• Hemmed three pairs of jeans without breaking a needle
• Sewn new kitchen curtains and a matching table runner
• Patched a canvas grocery tote (two layers of canvas + patch = fine)
• Made a quick baby gift: burp cloths with soft flannel and a cute scallop edge

The GX37 hasn’t jammed once when I threaded correctly and used fresh needles. I give it a quick dust and brush around the bobbin area every few projects — five minutes that keeps everything happy.

Why I picked GX37 over “heavy-duty”

Those deep-dive nights with every Brother ST371HD review helped me sort my needs. Heavy-duty is great if you live in denim land or sew vinyl every weekend. I wanted a friendly daily driver that could do clothes, home stuff, light quilting, and occasional thick bits without fuss. The GX37 hits that sweet spot — simple, predictable, and affordable. If you’re deciding between them, think about your fabric stack, not just the label. (And yes, I still peek at a fresh Brother ST371HD review now and then — research never sleeps.)

Tiny gripe, honest fix

The foot pedal is light and likes to walk on smooth floors. A square of shelf liner under it solved that for pennies. Also, on delicate knits I skip the needle threader and thread by hand — fewer snags, faster start. Easy trade-offs.

Who I’d recommend it to

• Brand-new sewists who want a gentle learning curve and clear diagrams
• Returning sewists who haven’t touched a machine since home-ec and want confidence fast
• Practical makers who hem, patch, and decorate more than they wrestle tarps

If you’re chasing speed, industrial horsepower, or constant multilayer canvas, look up a heavy-duty option. But for everyday sewing with surprises of “oh wow, I made that,” the GX37 Brother is a cheerful partner.

Final stitch

A month ago I was nervous about buying “the wrong machine.” Now I roll the Brother GX37 onto the table like an old friend. It doesn’t nag, it doesn’t grandstand; it just helps me finish things I care about — neatly, reliably, and without mystery. If you’re scanning reviews for a sign, take this as one. The GX37 Brother sewing machine turned my “someday I’ll learn” into “hey, look what I made,” and that feels pretty wonderful.

What customers say about the Brother GX37?

Pros — what customers praise about the GX37 Brother	Cons — what customers dislike about the GX37 Brother sewing machine
Beginner-friendly setup: clear on-machine threading guides; many users were sewing within an hour.	Not truly “heavy-duty”: struggles with thick stacks (multi-layer denim/canvas, bulky quilt corners).
Great value for money: often chosen over repairing older machines; “does the basics well.”	Tension can be fussy for some, especially on thicker fabrics; occasional thread popping from the tension arm.
Top-drop, see-through bobbin is easy to load and monitor.	Bobbin sensitivity: must use correct plastic bobbins; metal bobbins cause binding; a few units arrived with bobbin mis-installed.
Built-in needle threader helps (especially for aging eyes) once you learn the motion.	Needle threader is finicky for several users or didn’t work at all until technique improved.
Good stitch quality for everyday projects (hems, repairs, curtains, totes); 37 stitches incl. buttonhole.	Learning curve for some: setup felt “step-after-step”; a few found stitch selection confusing at first.
Lightweight yet stable: easy to move, doesn’t scoot when sewing (per many owners).	Noise and lighting complaints: a subset reports a high-pitched whine and a dim LED.
Helpful documentation: many praise the printed manual and included DVD; YouTube support is plentiful.	Plastic feel on parts (presser-foot lever, spool pin, foot pedal); durability worries from some long-term users.
Nice control feel: simple dials for stitch, length, width; reverse lever praised.	Awkward presser-foot lever position inside the throat area for some workflows.
Accessories included: multiple feet; works with common aftermarket feet (e.g., MadamSew kits).	Accessory storage tray design lets items fall out; no hard case, soft cover feels flimsy.
Quiet for many owners; “smooth hum.”	No feed-dog drop (not ideal for certain techniques).
Good for teaching: kids and returning sewists picked it up quickly.	Isolated defects/support gripes: rare runaway-speed pedal issue; mixed experiences with customer support.
Handles moderate layers when set up correctly (longer stitch, right needle).	Limit on thickness: users note there’s a ceiling—don’t expect heavy coats or multiple webbing layers routinely.

Brother GX37 — Your Most-Asked Questions Answered

What is the Brother GX37 and who is it best for?

The Brother GX37 is a simple, mechanical home machine with a broad set of built-in stitches (straight, zigzag, blind hem, elastic and decorative) and a 1-step automatic buttonhole. It uses easy dials, has free-arm sewing for sleeves and cuffs, and comes with practical feet, so it suits beginners and returning sewists who want basics that just work. See the Built-in Stitches and 1-Step Automatic Buttonhole sections in the manual

Which presser feet and accessories come with the GX37 Brother sewing machine?

Typical in-box items include zigzag foot J, buttonhole foot A, zipper foot I, button sewing foot M, a darning plate, bobbins, a needle set, the oval screwdriver, and a foot controller. (Exact contents vary by model.) Accessory names and part codes are listed in the manual.

What bobbin does the Brother GX37 sewing machine use and how do I load it?

Use SA156 bobbins (SFB type). Many units include a quick-set bobbin system—drop the bobbin in, guide the thread through the slit and cutter, then replace the cover. Always confirm the thread feeds counterclockwise before closing

Does the GX37 Brother have a needle threader?

Some versions do. If your unit is equipped, follow the needle-threader steps after upper threading; it works with 75/11 to 100/16 needles and should not be used with very fine 65/9, twin, wing, or certain specialty threads

How do I thread the upper path correctly?

Raise the presser foot and needle, follow the numbered guides through the front and back thread guides, wrap the take-up lever right-to-left, use the needle-bar guide, then thread front-to-back leaving a short tail. Incorrect threading is a common cause of tangles.

How do I make buttonholes on the Brother GX37?

Attach buttonhole foot A, set the button in the foot’s gauge, lower the buttonhole lever, align the marks, and sew—the machine forms the bar tacks and sides automatically. Practice on a scrap first; the manual also shows how to size for thick buttons

Can I drop the feed dogs for free-motion quilting?

The Brother GX37 uses a darning plate to cover the feed dogs for free-motion work. Fit the quilting foot and darning plate, set a straight stitch, and move the fabric to create the design

Does the GX37 support twin-needle sewing?

Yes—use the optional twin needle X57521-021 (2.0/75) with the extra spool pin, attach foot J, keep stitch width at or below 2.5, and thread each needle separately (don’t use the needle threader here).

What fabrics and projects does it handle well?

Everyday cottons, light denim, fleece, knits, and home-decor basics are ideal. For tricky or sticky materials (vinyl, synthetic leather, thin leather), the walking foot helps feeding and reduces slipping; sew at medium-low speeds and use straight or zigzag with that foot. For very bulky seams, test first.

How do I adjust thread tension if stitches look off?

Use the upper tension dial and re-check threading. The troubleshooting guide points to tension tweaks, correct presser foot selection, and removing any tangles in the race if fabric won’t feed or stitches are irregular.

How do I reverse stitch and use the free-arm?

Use the reverse sewing lever for lock-offs at seam starts and ends, and slide off the flat-bed attachment to access the free-arm for cuffs, pants legs, and other cylindrical pieces

What basic maintenance does a GX37 Brother sewing machine need?

Unplug first, then follow the Cleaning and Maintenance section for lint removal around the race and feed area. The manual includes ‘Restrictions on oiling’—always follow that guidance for your model.

What foot controller does it use and how is speed controlled?

It ships with a region-specific foot controller (KD-1902 for many 110–120 V regions, KD-2902 for 220–240 V). Press gently to sew slowly; press more to increase speed.

Is the Brother GX37 safe for younger users?

Per the safety notes, children from age 8 and up can use it with supervision and proper instruction; cleaning and user maintenance should not be done by children without supervision.

How does the GX37 compare to what you see in Brother ST371HD review articles?

While a Brother ST371HD review or Brother ST371HD reviews may focus on heavier-duty capabilities, the Brother GX37 sewing machine prioritizes ease of use, decorative variety, and straightforward setup. If you mainly sew everyday fabrics and want quick setup and a 1-step buttonhole, the GX37 Brother sewing machine is typically the friendlier pick; add the walking foot for tougher materials as shown in the manual.

Any quick start tips from real-world use?