Toyota FSR21 Review

Toyota FSR21 can be a good choice for those who want a reliable sewing machine with limited features. It lacks quite a few features that you see on modern machines though.

Toyota FSR21 Main Features

  • 21 built-in stitches
  • Free arm

Toyota FSR21 Review

Toyota fsr21 reviewSewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : MODERATE

Toyota is a famous automobile manufacturer in US, but it is not that popular as a sewing machine manufacturer. Toyota has been making sewing machines since 1946, but not many in US know that fact. Toyota sewing machines are now available in US and FSR21 is one of their many entry level mechanical sewing machines. Toyota FSR21 has 21 built-in stitches including a 4-step buttonhole.

FSR21 is a mechanical sewing machine, so the stitch selection is done by turning the dial. The bobbin is side loading type (not drop-in) and it uses the tried and tested metal bobbin case. Toyota is playing it safe by not including too many modern features, which means FSR21 misses out on an automatic needle threader as well. You will have to rely on the power of your eyes to thread the needle. The machine is free arm convertible for sewing cuffs and collars.

The stitch length and width on Toyota FSR21 are preset. The motor can deliver 800 stitches/min, which is pretty much the standard for entry level mechanical sewing machines. A retractable handle is provided for portability. Weighing around 15 pounds, you can’t say that it is very light, but you can easily carry it. The machine comes with a dust cover as well.

Usability

As you expect from Toyota’s cars, there is no compromise on build quality here as well. Toyota FSR21 comes with less plastic parts and heavy duty metal is used for internal parts. The durability factor looks very promising. The machine doesn’t have a lot of fancy stitches (this will suit people those who don’t want 100 built-in stitches to boast off and never actually use them). All the stitches available on FSR21 are pretty useful. I am very much impressed with the stitch quality, especially on thick fabrics like denim. 8 layers of denim is a walk in the park for this machine.

Toyota FSR21 is not too light, it is not that heavy either. Since it has some decent weight, it doesn’t vibrate at high speeds. All in all, FSR21 is a very simple sewing machine. It doesn’t have a plethora of buttons and controls to scare you. The machine is reasonably easy to thread (except for the fact that it lacks an automatic needle threader). Threading instructions are a bit vague but you can figure it out quickly. The operation is quiet and smooth.

Limitations

As I have said earlier, Toyota FSR21 is not feature packed. It lacks some of the basic features like automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole which can make the life of a beginner much easier.

There is no drop feed option for doing free-motion quilting.

Pros

  • Top notch build quality
  • Excellent with thick fabrics
  • Good stitch quality

Cons

  • No automatic needle threader
  • No drop-in bobbin
  • No 1-step buttonhole
  • No drop feed option

Is It Worth Buying?

Yes, Toyota FSR21 lacks some features that you see on even $100 machines nowadays. But it is very good in terms of stitch quality and durability. If you are a person who can be happy with a great stitching mechanical sewing machine with limited number of stitches and features, you will be satisfied with what FSR21 offers. As of now, it is priced aggressively as well. So I am pretty sure that it will give a tough time for Janome HD1000, which is the leader in the price segment.


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