mooshie

So, I was birthday shopping for my babies last night (twins, they're 6 today!) and came across the Brother SE-400 at Walmart. I admit, I don't know much about embroydery machines, but I want one someday.

This one looks like it might only work with the small hoop it comes with, and I can't tell if you can create your own designs or re-size the ones it comes with. It has a USB cable, so I'm hoping maybe there's some flexibility with it. But it's so inexpensive (for an embroydery machine) I just don't know how much it can actually do.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking that this machine could fulfill all my hopes and dreams. LOL! But it happens to be in my price range.

I should probably look around more and save my pennies a while longer.
But I'm still curious about it. I keep thinking maybe I should start with a less expensive one in case I don't end up using it as much as I think I will, and then if I really use it a lot I could upgrade later.
I'm such an indecisive person when it comes to large purchases!
So, anyone know anything about this machine or where I can learn more?

Thanks!

Oh, and I just read this on Walmart's site
"can be connected to a computer, allowing you to enjoy future machine updates and easily import and digitize embroidery designs directly from your computer."
hhhmmm...

quilt51

I bought the same machine 2 years ago for the same reasons you are thinking about and I really love it. I've made several large quilts on it before I tackled learning the embroidery and I still have a lot to learn for that but it is so nice. You can download lots of free 4x4 designs off the internet and they stitch so nice. I used mine recently for baby burp cloths and they were really cute when I finished so go for it! You'll like it. The only problem i had so far was I broke a needle and it did knock the timing out and when I took it to the brother store they would not honor the warranty saying I didn't buy it from her and they do not honor big box merchandise sales, which I found out later from another Brother store that is a bunch a hooey, that Brother would most definately have took care of that free of charge. Bet I never darken that Brother store again! Good luck. It's a great way to learn machine embroidery before you buy an expensive machine.

Dolphyngyrl

You can do a lot with it but a lot of nice designs are bigger than 4x4 which means you have to split them to use them. But if you are satisfied with 4x4 you can have lots of fun. There are lots of sites that sell really nice designs you can download. As for making your own designs you would need software which is expensive, but with all the sources out there i don't feel the need to create designs. I would say if you already have a good sewing machine and are really interested in embroidery to go for at least the pe-700 with a 5x7 hoop. It cost a couple hundred more but you can do more with it like a lot of the in the hoop designs require a 5x7 and those are fun to make

ljptexas

Wow, you found a treasure! I love my Brother 270D but my dream would be to have an upgrade. This one only takes the cards & a device to transfer patterns off net on to blank cartridge is expesive. I just love the thread cutter on this one,which I really miss on my trusty New Home Memory Craft 4000! I really don't want Disney designs any more since my GKs are older. So, do I sell my 270D or buy the device? A larger hoop would be wonderful too...

mooshie

Isn't the pe-700 and pe-770 embroidery only machines? I like the 5x7 hoop, but I have a hard time with buying a sewing machine that I couldn't use for regular sewing if my main machine was in the shop. So I don't know about that one. Anyone here do that (get an embroidery only machine)? Thoughts?

mooshie

Anyone have input on the PE-700/770?

EllieGirl

I have this machine and bought it for the embroidery. I have since learned I like quilting more than embroidery and wish I had a machine with a larger throat. It does do appliqué and that is something I would like to learn. Overall I like the machine a lot.

carla m

i have a brother as well that happens sometimes mostly when i try to sew thick stuff on it. my sewing machine repair man only charged me $45 to fix it. he also did regular cleaning on it at the same time so i was set for awhile lol. i dont know what ill do if he if he ever quits cause its a drive to the next repairman and my repairman is an older gentleman so i sure hope hes healthy. he lives 2 blocks from me and i usually get my machine back that day or the next.
carla m

gzuslivz

My niece just bought the SE400. She is bringing it over on Tuesday for me to help her learn how to use it. She has had it for about 3 weeks and has been afraid to take it out of the box. It's been years and years since she has sewn. I am really excited to have that special bonding time with her. Is it a difficult machine to operate? I have the Brother XR9000, which is a pretty basic, low end machine.

gzuslivz

Well, we had our first sewing lesson. My niece can load a bobbin, thread her machine, stitch and go reverse. I sent her home with some scrap fabric to practice on and a charm pack for a quick and easy project. We had a great time.