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Brother SE400 Combination Computerized Sewing and 4x4 Embroidery Machine With 67 Built-in Stitches, 70 Built-in Designs, 5 Lettering Fonts
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Brand | Brother |
Color | White |
Product Dimensions | 14.96"D x 20.28"W x 15.16"H |
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About this item
- 185 UNIQUE BUILT-IN STITCHES: The RSQ9185 comes with 130 built-in stitches including 8 styles of auto-size buttonholes, plus 55 alphanumeric stitches
- Automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: this sewing and quilting mAChine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- Included ACcessories: included with the rsq9185 is a wide table, 10 sewing feet, instructional DVD and more
- Lcd screen: the bACklit lcd display allows you to easily view your stitch selections
- At your side support: the rsq9185 quilting and sewing machine comes with brother at your side support offering free technical support via online, live chat or phone for the life of your machine
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 20.28 x 14.96 x 15.16 inches |
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Item model number | SE400 |
ASIN | B003AVMZA4 |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Item Weight | 10.9 pounds |
Department | General Home Products |
Manufacturer | Brother |
Date First Available | March 20, 2010 |
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Product Description
Product Description
The computerized SE-400 combination embroidery and sewing machine is designed to help you give your projects a customized, high-end look -- all while being priced to fit your budget! Featuring 70 built-in embroidery designs, 67 built-in sewing stitches, 120 frame pattern combinations and 5 embroidery lettering fonts, the SE-400 is the perfect machine for all your sewing, embroidery, crafting and home décor projects. Computer connectivity allows you to enjoy future machine updates and easily import and digitize embroidery designs directly from your computer. Features like the automatic needle threading system and backlit touch screen LCD display make working on the machine easy on your eyes, while the Quick-Set drop-in top bobbin, easy bobbin-winding system and built-in push-button thread cutter add a new level of convenience to your sewing and embroidery crafting. With an impressive assortment of included accessories, the SE-400 is truly an affordable, feature-rich choice for the budding fashion designer.
Amazon.com
Embellish your projects beautifully and affordably Brother SE400 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine
The computerized SE400 combination embroidery and sewing machine is designed to help you give your projects a customized, high-end look all while being priced to fit your budget. SE400 offers both a full range of sewing features, with 67 sewing stitches and 98 stitch functions, and the ability to embellish home décor, clothing and gifts with its included 4”x4” embroidery capabilities. Choose from the built-in embroidery design library of 70 decorative designs, 120 frame pattern combinations and 5 lettering fonts, or import designs from your PC. And getting started with embroidery is easy, with the intuitive LCD screen display, built-in tutorials, and quick start guide. With an impressive assortment of included accessories, the SE400 is truly an affordable, feature-rich choice for sewers, crafters, and budding fashion designers.
Spacious 4" X 4" Embroidery Area
Give your creative freedom room to run free.Easy-to-Use Backlit LCD Touch-Screen Display
Access built-in designs, control design editing features, view tutorials and more. All through the LCD display.Worry-Free Automatic Needle Threader
Forget the tweezers, and toss away the magnifying glass. One touch and the machine is threaded.Computer Connectivity
Keep your SE-400 up to date by downloading machine updates. You can also import designs. The SE-400 uses industry standard .pes files for digitizing design and .pen ibroidery files so designs are widely available after product purchase.Smooth Fabric Feeding with 7-Point Feed Dogs
Easily advance fabric with the assistance of the 7-point feed dogs..Brightly Lit Workspace
No more task lights needed, as brilliant light floods the needle area.Easy Bobbin Preparation
For ease of threading, the SE-400 offers a convenient bobbin-winding system, which prepares bobbins quickly.Reliable, Quick-Set Drop-in Bobbin System
It's smooth sailing with the jam resistant drop-in top bobbin. No more "fishing" for bobbin thread.Full Assortment of Included Accessories
• 4" x 4" embroidery hoop • Embroidery arm • Soft cover • Accessory feet: buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, zipper foot, button fitting foot, monogramming foot, blind stitch foot, embroidery foot • English/Spanish operation manualIn the box
• SE400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine • 4" x 4" 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) • English/Spanish operation manual • 25 year limited warranty
Exciting Range of Built-in Designs
Great Selection of Built-in Sewing Stitches
Got Designs? Check out iBroidery.com • Pay-per-Design • Exclusively for Brother Customers • Affordable
Brother embroidery customers can easily purchase thousands of fabulous exclusive, downloadable embroidery designs on www.iBroidery.com. Choose from a multitude of selections, including licensed characters from Nickelodeon, Disney, Disney-Pixar, plus limited edition designs from the Brother design library. All at your fingertips at a price you’ll love. Thousands of designs you can have anytime you please!What's in the box
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of use, value, embroidery and sewing capabilities of the sewing machine. For example, they mention that the pre-programmed embroidery patterns are nice, the selection of stitches is nice and that the price is well worth it. They appreciate the sewing capability and say that the stitching is beautiful in both capacities.
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Customers like the quality of the embroidery machine. They say it has the best needle threader in the industry, and the high-quality thread is color-coded to match Brother patterns. Customers also say that the embroidery turned out beautiful and gave a nicer finish.
"...Still works really well. Machine feels sturdy. Have transported it in a small suitcase by car, and plan to take it on its first airplane ride...." Read more
"...never tried anything else, but I'm happy to stick with them; they last plenty long and I haven't had any trouble...." Read more
"...And I've discovered the Embossing technique which is truly an elegant look (and look for toile designs as well)--look for these types of files on..." Read more
"...the design came out beautifully, and I love it the it cuts the thread when it's done.after that I wanted o try the computer connection...." Read more
Customers find the sewing machine easy to use. They mention that the threading is very easy to understand, the bobbin thread is easy to bring up, and the set-up was simple. They also say that the touch screen makes it a snap to navigate the menu and find what they want. Some mention that it's easy to change the feet and that the automatic needle threader works satisfactorily.
"...the embroidery hoop attaches has been redesigned to make it easier to operate. I like the bigger bobbin design which holds more bobbin thread...." Read more
"...I LOVE the drop-in bobbin, and this one is ridiculously easy to thread and leaves no questions about whether it is done correctly...." Read more
"...loaded with features: tons of different, adjustable stitches, one-step buttonholes, button sewing... If it's done with thread, you can pretty much..." Read more
"...installing the arm is pretty easy as well, snapping the hoop is a bit hard, but you just need to apply some little pressure on it, making sure the..." Read more
Customers like the value of the embroidery machine. They say it's well worth the price, has valuable money-saving tips, and is one of the best buys. Customers are also impressed with the thorough, lengthy, and comprehensive manual.
"...But it is free, and has an active Yahoo group, so it's worth some investment of my time to play with it and see what it can do...." Read more
"...is a fabulous machine limited only by your creativity, and the price is incredible for all you get...." Read more
"...mean this machine doesn't have some deficiencies, but the capabilities for the price-point makes it the perfect machine...." Read more
"...Bottom line: I love this machine, I think it is a great value for the home embroiderer and it is very user friendly if you have just basic..." Read more
Customers like the embroidery on the sewing machine. They say the pre-programmed embroidery patterns are nice, and the selection of stitches is nice. They also say it's fun to make your own patterns, and impressed by the number of outside designs available.
"...It's so much fun to make your own patterns!). The sewing function is pretty much what you'd expect from any machine...." Read more
"...As a sewing machine, the SE400 is loaded with features: tons of different, adjustable stitches, one-step buttonholes, button sewing... If it's done..." Read more
"...Brother web store for Embroidery designs is excellent source for great designs.-..." Read more
"...Embroidery hoop seems too tight and puckers fabric around the embroidery edges, even with cotton...." Read more
Customers like the ease of sewing with the sewing machine. They say the built-in stitches work beautifully and there are no problems with stitches jamming. They also appreciate the automatic sewing and the fact that it can both embroider and sew.
"...machine, the SE400 is loaded with features: tons of different, adjustable stitches, one-step buttonholes, button sewing... If it's done with thread,..." Read more
"...plenty of sewing functionality like stitches- low bobbin thread alertCons- no hard carrying case...." Read more
"...It’s a really neat stitch, but without the ability to quilt large items, I’m not sure there’s a lot of benefit to having it...." Read more
"...I am glad this has the sewing capability, though, because now I can give my Mom my "old" sewing machine...." Read more
Customers like the features of the sewing machine. They mention that it has a lot of great features, including many stitches and functions to use. They appreciate the automatic thread cutting option and the fact that it provides more options than anyone they know of. They also mention that the screen is easy to read and provides more choices than anyone could. Overall, customers find the machine versatile and love the capabilities.
"...embroidery function is easy to learn for beginners but the capability is pretty advanced (the harder part was learning to use the computer program!)...." Read more
"...Its ability is diverse and this is my first time with an embroidery machine; I had spent a bunch of money getting baby blankets embroidered at the..." Read more
"...As a sewing machine, the SE400 is loaded with features: tons of different, adjustable stitches, one-step buttonholes, button sewing... If it's done..." Read more
"...I love my Husqvarna, it does a lot of very different & beautiful stitches, the online software the machine came with is great and most importantly..." Read more
Customers like the noise level of the sewing machine. For example, they say it runs very quietly, has a sturdy feel, and the smooth and quiet utility stitching is superior to their old machine. Some mention that it's very easy to use and can sew very quickly.
"...I feel the noise level is good also for I do this in the middle of the night and do not wake anyone up so that is a plus for me...." Read more
"...For a sewing machine, the Brother SE400 is quiet, moves well at full speed and vibrates very little.Things I love:..." Read more
"...portable machine that makes very nice sewing stitches, is quieter than my other machine and does beautiful embroidery!..." Read more
"...First of all the machine makes a lot of noise!..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the size of the embroidery machine. They mention that the hoop size is only 4x4, the design is too large for embroidery area, and the storage space is limited. They also say that the machine will only do projects up to 4x4 and that the throat space is very limited.
"...; unfortunately, unlike some competing products the SE400 does not offer on-board storage for its numerous easy-to-lose accessories, just a flimsy..." Read more
"...The throat space is very limited and it would be very difficult to quilt anything larger than placemats or perhaps a table runner...." Read more
"...I like the bigger bobbin design which holds more bobbin thread. The auto needle threader and thread cutter worked perfectly...." Read more
"...Yes, it's small. The repositionable hoop is a must in my opinion. It is only $30 or so but really helps extend your machines capabilities...." Read more
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Sewing & Embroidery test)
I was very happy with my test results on utility sewing, decorative stitching, and embroidery. Machine feels solid and of high quality. Bobbin winds better than my $3000 ULT. All tensions were solid performers at the default setting, again better than my ULT. Feed dog seem to have strong traction, even on heavy decorative stitching. Top and bottom fabric fed evenly. Machine had a factory tested seal on the bobbin door, and it felt like it was thoroughly tested, much better than usual even for expensive machines. I am glad I waited so long to buy this, because the SE400 seems much more sturdy than previous similar models from Brother and Janome. My friend had 2 previous models that I tried, and at that time I was not at all happy with them. Those earlier models had felt flimsy. Those machines also weighed a few pounds less, so probably had less metal inside. Slight redesign makes it better than previous models. During embroidery, the non-color screen shows an overall image of the current and next up element, so it's a little easier to see where I am without having a color screen. The snap points where the embroidery hoop attaches has been redesigned to make it easier to operate. I like the bigger bobbin design which holds more bobbin thread. The auto needle threader and thread cutter worked perfectly.
My one qualm is that I smelled burning machine oil after 8 hours of sewing, but there is no place to oil in these new machines. Even a non-oiling machine usually does need oiling in heavy friction areas. I will have to open it up after a month or so to see where it needs oiling and a small amount of lubing. I think it would have been better if the designer had left a few holes where sewing machine oil can be added. They were eliminated in new models to prevent user error, so it's a form of dumming down the design. Traditional machines have holes to add oil after 8 hours of sewing. If you are thinking of oiling, use only sewing machine oil, which evaporates and does not gum up the parts. The embroidery speed had been decreased from 600 stitches per minute in earlier models to 400. So, it takes longer to stitch out the same design. This was probably done to reduce user error, again a form of dumming down. Maximum sewing speed is a little slower, around 700 stitches per minute. This seems adaquate for a portable. I have a Juki quilter's machine that sews 2000 stitches per minute, and I feel a rush when that baby is going, but I only use it for large projects such as a curtain or a sofa cover. Most good home sewing machine speeds are 850 stitches per minute.
Portability)
The machine weighs 19 lbs with all accessories and fits comfortably inside a hardshell carryon 24"x15"x9.5". I attached the embroidery unit and lay it on its side. There is plenty of space for extra sewing tools after all machine accessories are enclosed. I will use towels to wrap the machine and each component so nothing gets scratched during transit, but it's the perfect size. I wanted a combo unit because once I was using a borrowed sewing machine while visiting my brother and found myself wishing I had even the smallest embroidery capability. Therefore, the 4"x4" embroidery field is perfect for that. I have 3 other machines, 2 of them are huge and weigh 45 to 50 lbs. The embroidery attachment and accessories on my ULT are huge too. I used to lug them around when I went to visit my mother-in-law, but it will inevitably get banged against a door or car, because it was so heavy and unwieldy. Now I will be able to travel in style and still get to work on my sewing projects. I am super happy with my purchase.
Long-term durability)
About 10% of users have said that their machines broke down after a couple of months, though they loved the machine while it was working. I was worried about this point and will update in 6 months with my own experience. However, after examining this machine, I feel comfortable that this is a very well made machine. Generally, if you use your machine for a few hours everyday, you will either need to take it to a servicer every 6 months or learn to service it yourself. This is true of all home sewing machines. Service cost of $60-$100 is normal. I service all of my own machines, because I think this cost is outrageous, but you do need to be a mechanically comfortable person to do this. Most important part is to clean out the bobbin/feed dog area thoroughly with q-tips everyday. The race should be oiled every few days with sewing machine oil. Every 1-6 months, you can open up the head and oil or lube friction areas where the vertical metal moving bars touch other gear or shafts. Once a year the bottom plate can be completely removed and all stray thread removed from below the feed dog and feed dog gears can be lubed. Use silicon sewing machine lube for the gears, but don't use too much. Your warranty will be voided when you remove the bottom plate, but you will no longer be covered under full service warranty after one year, so this is no biggie. Your limited warranty should still cover you if the motor or computer part burned out, but it's probably a good idea not to tell the servicer that you opened up your machine if this were to happen all the same. Even so, there are lemons, so I will report back if mine happens to break within 6 months. Happy sewing :-)
Update 9/29/2012 after two months:
Still works really well. Machine feels sturdy. Have transported it in a small suitcase by car, and plan to take it on its first airplane ride. Have finished several sewing and embroidery projects, all came out well. Minor problem with bobbin thread sometimes not locking with top thread during embroidery. Only way to fix it is to remove hoop, manually pull up the bobbin thread about 6", rehoop, then sew slowly while holding the top thread with fingers until threads lock, about 6 stitches. Then continue with embroidery as usual. Another minor problem is that I now have a large burr (groove) on the throat plate at leftmost needle position. I am pretty sure this happened when I was sewing neoprene to make a camera case for a friend. I don't have burrs on any of my other machines even though I sewed on them for many years. I think this machine cannot feed stretch material well, such as neoprene or nylon/lycra sports fabric. I must be pulling the fabric towards the back to coax it to feed because the burr is behind the needle. A solution would be to use a light stabilizer (or tissue paper) under the fabric to provide a little traction for the feed dogs. Embroidery hoop seems too tight and puckers fabric around the embroidery edges, even with cotton. It was much better with hydrostick stabilizer, which does not hoop the fabric. Also the slow embroidery speed of 400 spm instead of 800 spm on my ULT is getting to be a drag. I timed embroidering a flower topiary (14th built in design), which shows 20 minutes sewing time. Actual time to embroider with 8 thread color loadings was 35 minutes, which comes out to 1 minute 52 seconds per thread loading. It may be possible to get thread loading time down to 1 minute if I am less careful. The 20 minutes of sewing time seems accurate. I wish Brother had kept the embroidery stitch speed at 600 as in my small embroidery only machine, PE150. Happy sewing :-)
My machine just arrived a few days ago, so this review is based on the limited projects I've been able to do in that time.
The first thing I made was a simple sewing project to test out the functions of the machine- a pillowcase style cover for my dog's bed with button closures. Immediately, I noticed that threading the machine is super simple. I LOVE the drop-in bobbin, and this one is ridiculously easy to thread and leaves no questions about whether it is done correctly. I did not use the automatic needle threader for the upper thread because I was unfamiliar with it and wanted to get started immediately. I just threaded it the old fashioned way and it worked fine. I set the machine on medium speed, which was slightly slower than I'd have liked, but the machine sewed beautifully. There is another foot that cuts as you sew to mimic a serger (trims the edge of a zig zag stitch) but I only discovered that afterward so I haven't tested it yet. Changing the foot to put on the button-hole foot was very easy and the button holes sewed quickly and neatly. I was unfamiliar with automatic button-hole stitching, so I didn't realize at first that I needed to lightly hold the fabric in place. Still, they turned out nicely.
My next project was a quick design on a napkin to try out the embroidery. I purchased 40 Large Spools Embroidery Machine Thread for Brother With Thread Locking Spool from Amazon. The colors are bright and have a beautiful sheen and the thread feels nice. I followed the instructions to set up the napkin for embroidery (with stabilizer )and chose one of the pre-programed kitchen designs that only uses one color. I was nervous because of complaints in other reviews so I was careful to follow the directions. When attaching the embroidery foot, I made sure it was straight and that the needle had clearance on all sides so it wouldn't strike the foot and break. I fiddled with the layout on the screen and found it easy to rotate the design and adjust its position. Once it was as I wanted it, I held my breath and pushed start... then I got very excited and took a video to send to one of my craftiest friends. It's really amazing to watch the machine go! It took only a few minutes and the design was perfect!
These are my first, limited, experiences with the machine, but I see tons of potential. The machine is easy to use and the computer aspect is easy to navigate. I fully expect to update this review in a few months (after xmas craft season) and add the fifth star.
*****UPDATE 5/26/2014, fifth star added!*****
After a year and a half with this machine, it's definitely love! I've only broken one needle, and that was my fault because I rushed through switching from sewing to embroidery mode and didn't tighten the foot enough. It was easily replaced and I continued on my embroidering way.
I love the simplicity of use. The embroidery is GREAT. I've used designs from the internet/downloads and of my own creation (I highly recommend getting some design software! It's so much fun to make your own patterns!). The sewing function is pretty much what you'd expect from any machine. It does what it's supposed to do. I'd like it to sew a little faster (my old machine was super speedy!) but the foot pedal allows good control of the speed. I now use the automatic threader if I'm switching colors a lot because it's so easy, but much of the time I just thread the old school way. I still haven't tried all the functions or the serger foot; there's so much included I just forget about some of my options!
Regarding accessories: Some of the threads I bought work better than others. One yellow, in particular, unravels and jams the machine so I've stopped using it. No big deal because the set of threads I bought had plenty of other options. YMMV. Also, I love the pre-wound bobbins ( Brother PWB250 Prewound Embroidery Bobbin Thread 10 Piece, White or Polystar 10-Pack Plastic Prewound Style SA156 / 15J (PWB250) Sewing Embroidery Bobbins For Brother, Singer, Janome and Babylock Embroidery Machines . I've never tried anything else, but I'm happy to stick with them; they last plenty long and I haven't had any trouble.
If you're looking for one machine that will meet many needs, this may be it. It does all the things a moderate sewer/crafter needs. The embroidery function is easy to learn for beginners but the capability is pretty advanced (the harder part was learning to use the computer program!). I would definitely buy this machine again.
Top reviews from other countries
Mit dem Zoll gab es keine Probleme ( 77 euro Zoll musste ich noch bezahlen aber das war mir es wert den die Maschine in Deutschland ist viel teurer ist baugleic hmit der Inovis 955 )
Und mit einem Spannugswandler geht das super
Bin Top Zufrieden
MFG