Customer Reviews

Brother PE-400D Combination Sewing and Embroidery Machine

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A previous reviewer left a comment that the hoop is on the wrong side. There is a valid reason for this. Unlike her PE-150, this machine is also a sewing machine. In order for this machine to function as a sewing machine, the embroidery arm has to be removable (so it is on the left side). If it was on the other side, it would be in the way for sewing.

The other major advantage of the PE-400D over the 150 (besides being able to sew), is that it is able to read and use the Disney Brother cards. These cards can only be used by Disney Brother machines.

I've had the Brother PE 400D for a bit over a year now. It is a great little machine. I have NEVER had any needle breaking issues. I'm not sure if the writer of the previos post with that issue was using the correct needle (you need to use an embroidery needle with the embroidery presser foot for embroidery, and you must usse a sewing needle, and coordinating presser foot for general sewing).
The embroidery comes out wonderful. The Winnie the Pooh embroidery patterns that are included are adorable, there are also plenty of pre-set stitches, different lettering fonts, etc.
You can also purchase additional Brother memory cards of numerous subjects: Holidays, Animals, Flowers, etc. Once you get more familiar with embroidery, you may want to purchase the Brother PED-Basic which allows you to download FREE embroidery patterns from the internet, copy them onto a memory card (included) and then place that memory card into your Brother PE-400D. There are MANY things you can do with this great little machine.
This machine is very easy to use. It is my first embroidery/sewing machine combo and I love the touch pad screen. This machine also comes with a DVD instructional video which is very helpful.

I purchased this machine a couple of years ago after hours of endless research! I have not been disappointed-- it is a wonderful machine, but I am now looking to upgrade to a bigger embroidery area. This machine has a 4 x 4 area which is fine unless you are monogramming a long name. I also purchased the extra large hoop to use which eliminated the need to keep rehooping. The cards are a bit pricey-- but the No. 1 Alphabet card is a must. The sewing machine also works great! The machine is tiny and lightwieght, but don't let it fool you! It is solid! A very good buy if you are looking to do both sewing and embroidery projects around the house.

This is a great little machine for the price. It has most of the features of the big home embroidery machines but only weighs 10 pounds. It is light enough to carry to classes but is a little workhorse. I highly recommend this machine.

Wow...When I first got this machine and looked at all the stuff that came with it, I was a bit intimidated by it all. But, a quick view of the enclosed CD and an hour or so of playing around with it, and I had no problem. I starting using the decorative stitches and embroidery designs right away. The machine runs very smoothly...a real joy after 25 years on an old Singer. Great machine.

I purchased this machine some time ago. This was the first machine I purchased that was able to embroider. I found it very easy to use even though it had lots of features and different stitches built right in - even with Pooh/Disney designs! You can also use purchased Brother embroidery design cards - so what you can embroider is almost endless. I also purchased an extra-large sized hoop for doing larger designs. I've been real happy with the embroidery unit and other decorative stitches it does, but sometimes the feed dog seems to "slip" with thicker fabric like denim. I'm not sure, but this may be just a problem with my machine, and I intend to bring it in to be serviced since it is due anyway. But other than that one problem... I think the machine is certainly a great bargain for the price. It is also easy to bring anywhere.... super light weight with a cover that slips over and protects while in storage or transport! I do alterations as a business and have used it to do just about most of the jobs - even bridal gowns. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by this little Brother machine w/Disney embroidery designs. I just purchased the Brother PE Basic so that I can download designs from the internet (either free or purchased ones) and transfer the design and put it on a Brother memory card. Then, you just slip the memory card into the slot on the machine and stitch away. I plan on making my own appliques for bridal accessories and/or dresses that customers want added to or changed in some way. This will give me the ability to customize anything I sew or design for myself, family or customer. This machine gives you lots of freedom to do what you want it to do!

The Brother 400D is a fantastic little lightweight machine that both sews and embroiders. You can carry it everywhere because it is not heavy. It has enough stitches and buttonholes also built in to keep you busy, not to mention some Pooh designs and other miscellaneous designs. You can also use it with the memory card to sew out any design you wish. It's great for the money and the size.

Although I love my other Brother combo embroidery machines, this one was off putting.

The sewing features all "seamed" to work just fine, but when I did some embroidering I was not happy.

The machine case was over heating and I could not hold my hand on the case between Pooh and the screen - yes, it was that hot!

It then started smelling of burning wires - not the normal burn off of manufacturing oils.

So off the machine went and after it cooled down enough I re-packaged it and sent it back!

**THIS REVIEW WAS INTENDED FOR THE 500D MODEL, NOT THIS 400D MODEL***
I was so excited to end my exhaustive research and purchase one of these models. Took it home, read the manual cover to cover before I started in on my first experience of machine embroidery. The first few tries, I went through 5 needles that kept breaking whenever I attempted to embroider. I tried different ways per the instructions to hoop the material; etc. The results were still the same. About a needle every 5 to 10 minutes would break on the feed dogs and plate below the hoop. After about a week, in addition to its ravenous appetite for needles; the annoying 'self-threading' cartridge finally gave out as well. This 'feature' is a major pain in the rear to rethread colors every time; as the spools are too round to fit inside the cartridge case. So, you must string the spool precariously on top of the cartridge unit and hope the thread doesn't break before the needle does! I got fed up and took it back after 2 weeks.
Don't buy it.....Get a Singer CE-100 instead. Right now you can get it very cheap at Amazon (even better priced than Walmart) if you apply promo codes, and that A9 discount gives you about $8 off the total as well.

I don't care for the design of the hoop holder... all the work must go to the inside of the machine and b in that small small area... not able to do it... I like the position with the brother P-150. I have that machine and wanted to upgrade to another model... But will not buy any machine that has the hoop holder on the outside... unless someone can give me a viable explanation...then I may reconsider... Thank you for allowing me to voice my thots.