Colour: white
Weight: 17.64lb,
Size: 32.99 x 36.5 x 43.21 cm
Material: metal
Summary
The Brother ST4031HD is a good looking, solid overlocker / serger which is more than just a beginner’s model. It runs comfortably at a maximum speed of up to 1,300 stitches per minute.
It has a metal frame and parts although is not overly heavy, is easy to carry and sits solidly even when running at top speed.
A few key elements which sets this overlocker / serger apart from many others is the large extension table, a free arm (for tubular stitching) and a box to catch off cuts. It also comes with a generous accesory package including a dust jacket.
Strong, reliable and built for heavy duty projects with a sturdy metal frame.
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Stitches
This machine does both 3 and 4 thread serging. It copes well with multiple denim layers, layered knits and heavy duty fabrics but also handles very light weight fabrics well too.
Stitching speeds are easily controllable by a sensitive foot peddle. The stitch width adjustment sits below the needle plate and is easy to adjust.
With this machine it is easy to change the settings and set up i.e. to change to rolled hems and blind hem settings. There is an LED light to see what you are stitching.
Solid and Stable
Perhaps because the Brother ST4031HD is metal, it remains fairly stable on the worksurface and doesn’t jump around even when you are working at highest speeds. It doesn’t feel like an overly heavy machine to carry around.
As overlocker /sergers go, this is not a loud machine. Keep it properly oiled and it will run very smoothly.
Cutting
It has a high durability blade made from extra hard carbon steel which gives a cleaner professional finish and a very smooth cut. You can disengage the blade.
While on the subject of cutting, there is no little thread cutter but this is easily resolved with a pair of sewing scissors.
Threading
This is not the easiest of overlockers / sergers to thread for a beginner although a little practice will get you there. If you are at all familiar with overlockers / sergers you’ll have no problems.
There is an easy to follow colour coded thread guide on the machine and also numbered upper and lower thread loopers to make it more straight forward.
To help you with threading there is an instructional DVD (make sure you can still play a DVD!) and a good instruction manual.
This machine comes prethreaded with large spools of thread so you can do some stitching before you even have to think of threading the machine. The threads it comes with are different colours so you can see exactly what each thread is doing. If you want to change the thread colour without learning the rethreading then tie the thread you want to strands of thread already running through the thread path and pull it through.
The stitch quality of this machine is excellent even at fast speeds.
Accessory Pack
There is a generous and useful accessory pack which includes a sensitive foot control, a 4 piece needle set and a trim trap box to catch off cuts and keep you tidy as you go. There is also a screwdriver, some tweezers, a cleaning brush, a wide table extension, a dust cover, 3 stitching feet (a standard foot, a blind stitch foot and a gathering foot). There are also 4 spool caps and 4 thread nets. A good manual and an instruction DVD are also included.
Large spools of thread are included which gets you working your overlocker / serger straight away!
Those Little Extras Make a Difference
It’s the little extras like the thread nets which don’t cost a lot of money to buy but including them in the pack makes a difference to your overlocking / serging experience. Controlling the thread as it comes off the spools can prevent the thread slipping down in loops (especially if you are using a silky thread) and gives an even thread feed through the machine which helps creates even stitches.
Wide Extension Table
There is an easy to attach large extension table, which we love!! It’s a shame all overlockers / sergers don’t come with these as once you get used to them you don’t want to go back! This extension table is marketed as being for bigger projects but you may find it’s helpful for all projects!
With a heavy fabric, if it is being supported by the extension table then you don’t get a drag on the fabric passing over the feed dogs which can create a distortion in the stitches. The fabric passes through flat and evenly.
Even with small projects, if the fabric is laying flat, then instead of having to support the fabric, you can use your left hand to help to guide the fabric. Particularly at faster speeds we feel you get a straighter line and more even stitch.
Free Arm Option
There is a free arm option which is extremely useful if you are stitching tubular shaped items such as sleeves or trouser legs.
Off Cut Bin
There is a facility to collect all the offcust of fabric as the blade cuts. This is helpful to keep you tidy as you go.
Warranty
Unfortunately the warranty is only available in the USA as this overlocker / serger works with 120 volts in line with US power power supply. To use this machine in the UK, you would also need to purchase a suitable power adapter.
Sadly this might be the deal breaker for non-US would-be overlockers / sergers as its not a low budget machine to invest in without a warranty. You also have to pay more for a power adapter.
Replacement Parts
There are some reports of people struggling to get replacement parts for this machine. We did not test this out in the course of this review process.
Downside of the Brother ST4031HD
As this machine is 120v it is made to work with the US power supply. If you want to buy and use it outside of USA then you will need a suitable power adapter.
Using this machine outside of the US invalidates the warranty. This is likely to be a deal breaker but if the warranty doesn’t matter (and this is not a low budget machine, so it probably will matter!) then this is a great machine!
No little thread cutter. You can get round this easily enough by keeping a small pair of sewing scissors handy.
Small brush. This is really the case with all overlockers / sergers. Invest in a low cost, nylon bristle paint brush with a longer handle so you can keep the machine clean lint free.
No carrying case. Overlockers / sergers usually don't come with them. If you need to travel with your overlocker / serger (e.g. to classes, groups or retreats) then invest in a decent bag or trolley. Does have a dust jacket which is helpful to keep it dust free when you’re not using it.
The DVD is only useful if you still have the facility to play DVDs (many don't now).
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