Stars: 4 out of 5
Brand: Brother
Model: SE-400
Specialty: Embroidery & Sewing
Features
Super Bright LED Lit Work Area
Built-in Memory
On-Screen Editing
Easy Computer Connectivity
Automatic Thread Cutter
Super Easy Needle Threading System
Instructional CD and Written Manual
Included Accessories
4x4 embroidery Hoop
Embroidery Arm
Soft Cover
Free Arm Accessory Compartment
Accessory feet:
Buttonhole foot
Overcasting foot
Zipper foot
Button fitting foot
Monogramming foot
Blind stitch foot
Embroidery foot
Embroidery bobbin thread
USB cable
Power cord
Accessory bag with seam ripper, needle set, cleaning brush, screwdrivers (2), touch pen, spool caps (3), scissors, bobbins (3)
Review
I received my Brother SE-400 as a birthday present from my parents, and it has been extremely useful over the past 10 months or so. I kind of compared this model to plug and play hardware/peripherals for your computer. It really is good to go as soon as you set it up. The written manual is easy to read and organized very well to take you step by step through the process of your first embroidery project. If the manual bogs you down, you always just pop in the CD and watch the tutorials instead. I haven't watched all of them, but the ones I have used I really liked.
There are 70 built in embroidery designs, 67 built in sewing stitches, 5 embroidery fonts, 98 stitch functions, and 120 frame pattern combinations. The build in embroidery designs are pretty basic (floral scrolls, country kitsch stuff, and some decorative flourishes). I have used quite a few of the decorative stitch functions on the sewing side of things. They are great for adding little decorative trims to the edges of sleeves, collars, skirt hems, etc. It also does smocking, buttonholes, and stipple quilting to name a few.
Aside from the decorative stitch functions, there really isn't anything particularly special about the sewing machine functions. It's very similar to every other sewing machine that I've had as far as the way it operates with a couple exceptions. I love, love, love the needle threader. It is super easy to use as long as you remember to always have the needle in the uppermost position when pushing the lever to operate the threader. If the needle is in the wrong position, it will not thread properly. I also really appreciate just being able to push a button to cut the thread. Another nifty little extra is an on-screen message that pops up to let you know that the bobbin is running low on thread. This is particularly useful when doing embroidery because you can't see the bobbin once the hoop is in place. A second built in cutter is up on top where you wind your bobbin. It makes it very convenient to cut thread when the bobbin has finished.
As far as the embroidery functions go, I have been super impressed with this machine. It's on the lower end of the scale for pricing. When I got mine, it was on sale for about $460. I noticed this Christmas they have lowered the regular price down to $399. Considering that most of the embroidery machines range from $800 to multiple $1000, this one is a great deal for a beginning embroiderer. Regular, all purpose thread doesn't work so well in embroidery mode. It will work, but I have found that there is a lot of breakage and bunching of thread overall. It really is worth the investment to get a set of embroidery thread. If you search on Amazon, there are some really good deals on sets of up to 300 colors of thread. Well worth the investment. Also, stick with bobbin thread for the bobbin. It really does make a difference. I don't know what about the bobbin thread is different, but it just works so much better with far fewer hitches. If you follow those couple of tips, the operation is really smooth and hassle free.
This machine will only use a 4x4 hoop. You cannot use anything larger than that, so it does eliminate some of the bigger embroidery designs. Luckily most doesigns are readily available to fit a 4x4 hoop. While it doesn't come with a wide variety of built in designs, there are TONS of free and low-cost embroidery designs for download online. I have literally hundreds of free designs I have downloaded. One of my favorite places to buy designs is the Urban Threads website. Once you have the designs downloaded onto your computer, you just connect your computer to your sewing machine via the included usb cable and transfer the files. Your computer will recognize the sewing machine as an external drive just like it does for a flash drive. You can save up to around five designs on the built in memory of the machine. I rarely save a design unless I am making multiple items using the same one. I just delete them off the machine when I am done so that way it is empty each time I transfer a new design over for use.
As a final note, I would say this machine is a great value for someone just beginning to use an embroidery machine. It's great for embroidering hand towels, baby bibs, diapers, purses, and other small items. It's easy to use and affordable. Keep in mind that if you ever play on being able to create your own designs or make major edits to existing designs, you will need to purchase additional computer software to do that.
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