Skip to content

Best Embroidery Machine Under $1000

Best Embroidery Machine Under $1000

Are you in the market for an embroidery machine that won’t break the bank? Look no further! For under $1000, you can get an excellent machine that will provide you with professional-level stitching and embroidery results.

With features like automatic threading, advanced speed control, and built-in designs, these machines are designed to make your embroidery projects easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll find the perfect machine for your needs. So, let’s get started…

Ready to find the perfect sewing machine for your needs in 2023? Explore our comprehensive guide: How to Choose a Sewing Machine in 2023. Make an informed decision and start your sewing journey on the right foot!

Buying Tips for Best Embroidery Machine Under $1000

Number of Needles: One needle is great, but two needles are better. A machine with more needles means you can embroider faster and more efficiently, making it a great investment for small business owners or avid hobbyists.

Speed: We all want to get things done quickly, and embroidery is no exception. Look for a machine with a high speed to make your projects a breeze.

Compatibility: Make sure your machine is compatible with your computer and other devices. You don’t want to spend hours transferring designs manually when you could be stitching away.

Automatic Threading: If you’re like us and struggle with threading needles, look for a machine with automatic threading. It’ll save you time and frustration.

Embroidery Area: Think about the size of your projects and look for a machine with a large enough embroidery area to accommodate them.

Quality of Stitches: You don’t want wonky stitches ruining your beautiful designs. Check the quality of the machine’s stitches to ensure they meet your standards.

Weight: If you plan on taking your machine on the go, make sure it’s lightweight and easy to transport.

Accessories: Look for a machine that comes with the necessary accessories, such as bobbins, needles, and thread. Trust us, you don’t want to be caught without them mid-project.

Warranty: Make sure your machine comes with a warranty in case of any unexpected problems. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Price: Last but not least, check for a machine that fits your budget and offers the features you need. You don’t want to break the bank, but you also don’t want to compromise on quality.

Top Best Embroidery Machines Under $1000 in 2023

1. Brother PE550D Embroidery Machine

Brother PE550D Embroidery Machine

What We Like
  • High-quality embroidery machine with excellent stitch quality.
  • Large embroidery area for versatile designs.
  • User-friendly controls suitable for beginners.
  • Built-in embroidery designs and fonts.
  • Automatic needle threading and thread cutting.
  • USB connectivity for custom designs.
What We Don't
  • Limited built-in embroidery designs.

The Brother PE550D is an excellent embroidery machine that will appeal to those who want to tread solo but make the most of the Brother range of accessories. There are 125 built in designs included with this machine, which cover a wide range of fabric types including organza, satin, fleece and denim. This machine also comes complete with a 5″x7″ embroidery foot and a 4″ x 4″ embroidery hoop, as well as 9 different lettering fonts, so you can create monograms or custom messages with ease.

Looking for the perfect sewing machine for wig making? Explore our comprehensive guide: Best Sewing Machine for Wig Making. Discover the top sewing machine models that offer the features and versatility needed for wig making projects.

The PE550D is one of the most affordable embroidery machines under 1000 dollars on the market, making it the perfect option for both hobbyists and beginners.

I received no issues with this machine during my testing; however, I did experience some error when attempting to download an embroidery design off of the internet.

I attribute this to the web browser I was using, however, it would be unwise to assume that the PE550D’s 18mb of memory is reliable 100% of the time.

Nonetheless, having this memory easily accessible via the USB port is a brilliant feature. Also, this is a vast improvement over the PE500D, which severely limited its memory, meaning that it struggled to download anything more than 20 designs at a time. The Brother PE550D has a beautiful, large display that lets you preview your designs before embroidering. The LCD display is bright and clear and is big enough to easily discern intricate designs.

Likewise, the PE550D is incredibly easy to use. The menu layout is easy to understand, and the controls are self-explanatory. The user manual that comes with the PE550D can be downloaded online and printed, or the physical manual can also be viewed online.

Unfortunately, there was no method of printing the manual for me, and, therefore, I did not manage to view it as I had hoped. You can also view a video tutorial online, but this is only available in Microsoft PowerPoint format, which I was unable to open.

Brother PE550D

Despite this, I found the manual to be generally informative and clear. My only concern with the PE550D is that it can embroider small designs with relative ease, however, large designs can take longer to complete.

For example, I couldn’t complete a larger design, such as a large wreath, in one sitting.

Overall, I found the Brother PE550D to be extremely easy to use. The PE550D has a 4 x 4 embroidery field, and this correlates with the machine’s generous screen size.

The PE550D has dimensions of 58 x 50 x 102cm, with a weight of 9.5kg. The PE550D has 9 different built-in font styles to choose from: the Lark, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Upright and Italic. You can choose a different font style for a different project, and this is excellent for getting the most from your embroidery designs. The PE550D also has 9 different letter fonts to choose from: the Scroll, Oblique, Gothic, Regular, Italic, Old English, Roman, and Fancy.

The only font style missing from the PE550D is Serif, a feature you typically expect to find on more expensive machines. The PE550D also has 6 different frame styles, and the frames come with various levels of complexity. For example, the floral frame comes with 3 different levels, the ornate frame comes with 6 levels, and the filigree frame comes with 5 levels.

Brother Embroidery Machine

The PE550D also has different designs that are 125 in total, and these cover a wide range of themes including animals, food, holidays, and hobbies. These designs are easy to edit, and you can choose certain elements to alter in order to create truly unique designs.

The PE550D works on a Pro 9.6V – 2500mAh battery. The battery can be easily replaced by pulling out the metal frame, sliding the battery compartment out, and then sliding the compartment back in place. These accessories are very useful for holding embroidery hoops and creating some stunning visual displays.

These accessories are also great for hobbyists who find themselves embroiled in various crafts, and the Brother PE550D is easy to use. The PE550D is compatible with a range of Brother accessories, and these include hoops and bobbins, embroidery hoops, needles and stabilizers.

These accessories also help extend the machine’s life, making them worth the investment. The Brother PE550D is a great machine for beginners who need access to a vast array of embroidery designs and are able to get their feet wet with embroidery.


2. Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine

What We Like
  • High-quality embroidery machine with precise stitch quality.
  • Large embroidery area for versatile designs.
  • User-friendly interface and controls.
  • Extensive built-in design library.
  • Automatic needle threading and thread cutting.
  • USB port for custom designs.
What We Don't
  • Limited built-in memory for design storage.

The Brother PE800 is a most impressive machine, with an elaborate, intuitive design. With 138 built-in designs available to use, a creative fever should be sparked in every single one of you. The PE800 features a 5-inch touchscreen, making it easy to explore and control the machine. The design and editing application is simple and easy to use, with far better graphics than the Brother PE770P that I was using.

With 138 built-in designs available, it’s hard to know where to start. There are the classic designs you’d expect, as well as plenty of quirky options. In total, the Brother PE800 has 138 designs, but the ability to store designs internally is what really differentiates this from its peers.

You can store up to 256 designs, so you’ll never be out of options when you need to switch up your style.

Much like the Brother QL700, the PE800 has a colour touchscreen, which is incredibly easy to use and navigate. Unlike other machines, Brother has integrated the touchscreen into the frame, meaning it doesn’t get smudged or marked when in use it. The design application is easy on the eyes, too. With 138 built-in designs, the software also includes 55 editing features, including 13 different types of border, 3 types of repeat, and 72 stitch positions.

You can resize and edit designs on the PC, which, though annoying, makes sense. For example, you may want to change the border to a larger space or a smaller size. Having the ability to manipulate designs on a larger scale is extremely useful. Memory cards aren’t an option on the Brother PE800, so every design is stored on the computer’s internal memory.

You can transfer designs from your computer to the machine via USB, and import more designs onto the internal memory. Once imported, the designs can be edited as required. By default, the machine comes with 138 designs.

You can name each design, organize them into folders, move them around and delete them, as well as import designs from other applications.

With 138 built-in designs, the Brother PE800 is a beast of a machine that will really keep you busy. That said, the design library might be a little lacking, so digging into the design database to source new, unique fonts could prove difficult. Like many best sewing machines for embroidery under $1000, the Brother PE800 has a huge amount to work with.

You can resize, rotate, and align designs with precision control, allowing you to create some incredible, intricate pieces. The Brother PE800 comes with a large, 5-inch colour touchscreen. It’s larger than I would have liked, but it’s also incredibly smooth and easy to use. The design is simple, but with the touchscreen you don’t need to use the keyboard at all.

Instead, you can zoom in and rotate the designs using a single finger. Once the designs have been loaded, they can be resized, rotated, and aligned with precision. With so many designs available, it takes a while to actually stitch something. However, the Brother PE800 has an incredibly powerful motor, meaning the 5-inch embroidery field will stitch around 28 x 21cm per hour, which is impressive.

Brother Embroidery Machine PE800

It holds it’s shape well, too, and is never too aggressive. Because the design field is fairly big, you could create massive, outstanding designs. The PE800’s 5-inch embroidery field is perfect for massive projects. The design field has a thick, robust frame, which warps and reduces in the size of designs made at the centre. The outer edge of the design is much thicker, though, so stitches can’t be trimmed there.

You can, however, trim stitches at the center. The 5-inch design is large in size, perfect for large projects. Like all embroidery machines, the Brother PE800 can create border designs. It allows you to create up to 16 bars, and you can adjust their spacing.

The border isn’t perfect, though. There is an error within the application that crops up on-screen, which can throw off your designs.

When trimming designs, it’s best to choose the middle of a stitch, rather than the edge of the design. That way, the edges are trimmed perfectly. The Brother PE800 comes with 11 fonts, which is plenty, but doesn’t come close to the likes of the Futura MT Bold font on the Brother PE770P. That said, Brother has done a good job at using embossable fonts, so they’re clearly legible on the pressey.


3. Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Brother SE600 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

What We Like
  • Versatile machine for sewing and embroidery.
  • High-quality stitching and precise embroidery.
  • User-friendly LCD touchscreen display.
  • Large embroidery area with built-in designs.
  • Automatic needle threader and thread cutter.
  • USB connectivity for custom designs.
What We Don't
  • Limited built-in memory for embroidery designs.

 

I’ve become a huge fan of Brother sewing machines recently, their combination of good quality, chunky machines combined with affordability make them one of my favourite brands. The Brother SE400 and SE500 both knocked my socks off when they hit the UK back in 2016, so my expectations for the SE600 were high. Once out of the box, with the pen tool and instructions, setting up this machine is a piece of cake.

You hook it up to your computer via USB, and following the simple instructions, the SE600 creates an automatic bobbin threader, and a drop-in top bobbin. You’ll notice that the machine doesn’t have an automatic needle threader, so you’ll need to put a new needle in the machine before your start.

Once you get the machine up and running, you’ll be impressed by the silky-smooth, responsive nature of the Brother SE600.

The Brother SE600 features a large colour touchscreen that enables you to preview designs, stitches, and fonts before actually stitching them out. With this machine, you can rotate the hoop by 360 degrees which is essential if you have a large project and are working with material that can’t easily be turned. The 4.0-inch x 4.0-inch embroidery area is ideal for most embroidery’s projects, and makes it easy to use on wider projects.

The included 5.5×5.5 inch embroidery hoop is large enough for most projects, and the embroidery field is big enough to fit several lines of text. Once you’re happy with the project, you can preview it on the large colour screen before finalizing it and stitching it out. The Brother SE600 features 80 built-in designs and 6 lettering fonts, so you’ll have plenty of scope to use your own designs. The SE600 includes 3 hooping feet, including a 5.5″ x 5.5″ embroidery hoop, a 4″ x 4″ embroidery field, and an 8″ x 8″ hooping foot.

The 3.2-inch LCD display is incredibly responsive and really easy to navigate. The bright and vivid screen makes it really easy to view the stitches and designs you’re considering. Setting up and using the Brother SE600 requires no prior knowledge, the interface is incredibly intuitive and easy to navigate. The Brother SE600 stitches out well straight out of the box, and my samples stitched out without a hitch.

The SE600 features 103 built-in stitches including 10 styles of auto-size buttonholes, and the Brother SE600 also includes 12 styles of free-motion embroidery stitches. The SE600 features 8 fully automatic fonts, but you’ll also be able to use additional external fonts that you can upload from your computer. If you’re looking to make a professional-looking project from your favorite photos, the Brother SE600 can stitch out photos with 1080 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution.

It also has a 4-level zigzag stitch and 6 different patterns, including satin stitch, satin overlocking, zigzag overlocking, and 4 contrasting buttonhole stitches. The SE600 comes with 3 spools of thread, and a plastic needle kit, which is sufficient for most projects.

Having seen this machine in action, the Brother SE600 is a fantastic option for those looking to dip their toes into the world of sewing, embroidery, or craft.

It’s incredibly easy to use, and once you’ve used it a few times, you’ll really start getting to grips with the capabilities of this machine. It really does feel like a fully-fledged sewing and embroidery machine, rather than a simple craft machine. The Brother SE600 is the best embroidery machine under $1000, so if you’re looking to get creative with your projects, you won’t be disappointed.


4. Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine

It’s December 2023, and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has left most people stranded in their houses, punching out embroidery projects on Brother’s LB5000S sewing and embroidery machine. There’s been no shortage of artistically inclined people in this virtual quarantined state.

But my inner geek is getting twitchy while I have this sewing machine sitting idly in my basement. With four faceplates and 103 built-in stitches, this machine has way more to play with than my time – or patience – will allow.

And, unlike most embroidery machines on the market, the Brother LB5000S has a full colour touchscreen interface, which is a boon for someone like me. Nevertheless, this machine’s sales pitch comes at a hefty price. With the system, 80 built-in designs, 103 stitches, and a larger embroidery field than some comparable machines, this isn’t just your typical entry-level sewing and embroidery machine.

It’s aimed squarely at the better end of the market, and at 57,000, it’s more expensive than some sewing machines, too. The LB5000S comes via Brother’s long-running Create and Craft channel on YouTube, and is pretty widely viewed. With a fanbase made up largely of fans aged 40 and over, they pride themselves on being smart, thrifty, and thrifty. Some people can’t even afford electricity, let alone a sewing machine.

Anyone who’s dabbled with embroidery knows that it can be an expensive hobby. This machine is Brother’s answer to the needs of those customers. It offers 19 pre-programmed stitch options, allowing you to stitch a monogram, or sew a dress. You can also design your own, using the onscreen design tool. The Brother LB5000S comes loaded with 80 built-in designs, all neatly categorised under headings like ‘Botanical’, ‘Children’, and ‘Fun’.

This is ideal for somebody who’s never stitched before. But, if you’re confident you can create your own designs, the on-screen ‘Design’ section lets you open any of the 70,000 free designs the internet has to offer.

Be aware that, if you want to use your own designs, you’ll need to transfer them from your machine’s internal memory (this can be complicated).

The Brother LB5000S offers a large 4″ x 4″ embroidery field, as opposed to many machines’ 3″ x 3″ capability. The included hoop even measures 4″ x 4″.

To put this into perspective, some embroidery hoops are bigger than some sewing machines. This is obviously great for embroidery enthusiasts. But it also means that beginners will find it trickier to get the initial design of a project stitched out. And the design guides aren’t ideal. A larger embroidery field is, however, a mark of quality. If you’re going for an embroidery machine, you want one that’s built to last.

Some cheap models have flimsy embroidery frames, which is likely to end up with broken threads. But this unit’s frame is well-built, and more durable. There’s an audible click when you close the hoop, so it’s reliable. The design guides are accurate, but take a while to load each time. This may be down to my clunky internet connection, but I’ve found that loading and previewing designs can take 10 seconds or more.

When it comes to sewing, the Brother LB5000S doesn’t disappoint. It’s got all the important bases covered. The automatic needle threader, as well as the automatic fabric guide, are invaluable features for a first time sewer. You can use the included needle threader, or one of your own, if you prefer. The unit’s 6-point feed dogs help you to accurately place your fabric pieces for sewing.

Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine, 4 Marvel Faceplates,

Two different pressure settings help you control how tightly or loosely you sew. There’s also a handy slide control for stretching and shrinking fabric, which is invaluable for someone starting out. There’s also a handy slide control for stretching and shrinking fabric, which is invaluable for someone starting out. I found the machine to be relatively quick at sewing even for left handed people.

Some machines, particularly those for beginners, can struggle with poor control or lack of power. The LB5000S has a little more power; I found it a lot of fun to use. The heavy-duty motor also meant that you didn’t have to keep stopping and starting to sew; there’s enough torque that the machine sews, sews, sews. When sewing, the LB5000S offers several useful options; you can adjust the tension and speed of the motor, and the stitch width.

I also appreciate the small starting point, which is really important for first-time sewers. The machine’s frame is 4.5″ wide, which is ideal for large projects. The embroidery frame can also be used for sewing. It opens easily, is sturdy and a little wider than the machine’s length and width. So, you can quickly transfer fabric designs from the embroidery frame to the main sewing machine frame.

There’s also a handy ‘undo’ stitch button, which is perfect for accidentally ripping out your stitches. The Brother LB5000S is an impressively capable machine. It’s a bit pricey, but is a great investment if you’re looking into getting more serious with your sewing and embroidery.


5. Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine

Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine

The Brother PE535 is one of the better embroidery machines at this price point. It’s compatible with iOS, Windows, and Android devices, and has a large storage card. The optional embroidery frames and other accessories are cheap, and you can even use a smartphone or tablet to create a pattern wirelessly. However, the PE535 is let down by its software interface and insufficient stitching speed.

The PE535 is an embroidery machine and does not function as a traditional sewing machine. Instead, you will have to design using a free or paid embroidery software, on a PC or laptop. This means the PE535 requires an existing computer. It also means that you cannot transfer designs over from USB, and that you have to buy new embroidery designs separately.

On the right-hand side of the PE535 is a needle plate with 26 threading ports, a large bobbin, and a built-in LED light. The needle plate is plastic, so it does not feel as solid as the cheaper Brother embroidery machines. Despite this, you should be fine attaching the embroidery hoop via the hook and watching your creation unfold. The PE535 has a large screen above the needle plate.

It is clearly labelled as a touchscreen, but no physical buttons exist. This machine could be better for someone who wants something they can use while they are busy, say in the kitchen. Instead, the Brother PE535 is best used with a free hand, or with an adjustable stand. The PE535 works best if you stitch something out before hand, and only turn it on once you are happy with it.

I’ll cover the software in more detail later on, but I must mention here that the Brother PE535 is compatible with iOS, Windows, and Android devices. This means you can use your phone or tablet to control the PE535 remotely. I had problems transferring designs between my iPhone and iPad.

However, it was simple to get in touch using email with technical support, who were able to send me an email with a password to unlock the transfers. The display screen is too small to comfortably see from a distance, and the PE535 is a touch-heavy device. This means that you have to tap the screen, which can feel intrusive after a short time.

Most of the buttons are touch-sensitive, but the scroll wheel is clicky. This is not great, as I found holding it down and scrolling was quite difficult. The PE535 supports multiple threading, meaning you can create multiple layers of thread at the same time. The threading process is very straightforward.

Just hold down the THREADING button, and make sure the THREADING LED and THREADING SENSOR LEDs are flashing. The SENSOR LED will light once the needle is correctly aligned. In a few cases, the SENSOR LED will not light up, so move the needle up and down. Once the needle is aligned, release the THREADING button.


6. Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine

Janome Memory Craft 400E Embroidery Machine

The Memory Craft 400E from Janome is another midrange embroidery machine from Janome that is ideal for basic and novice users. It also makes a good upgrade option for anyone looking to expand their skills. The Memory Craft 400E offers an excellent price and a solid build. The MC400E has the potential to become a great craft machine for beginners and hobbyists, with excellent stitch quality and a simple, straightforward interface.

You won’t find many frills here, but the MC400E does come with 160 embroidery designs to get you started. For more advanced users, we would have liked to see an embroidery field customisation tool, such as stitches, borders and, most importantly, resizing. The MC400E comes with 160 built-in embroidery designs.

These range from animals and flowers to musical items and landmarks. These designs make it easy to create simple text or monograms without downloading any further designs. Janome’s pre-loaded designs allow you to quickly and easily create your own personalised projects. However, getting creative with your designs after this point can be tricky.

Downloading designs from an external source is fairly straightforward. The Memory Craft 400E comes with a USB port on the machine’s side. Janome also provides Quick Design software, which you can use to import designs from your PC. You can also import designs from the MC400E itself using the handset buttons.

This is very easy to get the hang of, with the LCD screen showing you what function each of the buttons performs. The MC400E is capable of some really detailed designs, with incredibly vibrant colours. However, Janome also decided against offering an embroidery field size customization tool. This would have been useful for advanced users, allowing you to adjust the size and style of your design.

Getting started with embroidery can be a bit tricky, as most of the machine is controlled by the main dials and buttons. It may become cumbersome if you constantly have to move your hands from dial to dial to adjust various settings. The machine’s dials are so small though, they can be difficult to turn. The MC400E comes with a headphone jack for listening to your favorite tracks while working on a machine.

However, the MC400E’s built-in speakers aren’t very loud. Unfortunately, the MC400E doesn’t come with a dedicated embroidery hoop. This means you’ll have to use something else, such as a ring frame or denim hoop. The bobbin casing doesn’t hold much thread, so you’ll need to refill it regularly. It’ll take around 1-2 hours to fill the bobbin casing with thread, which isn’t too bad.

Janome Memory Craft 400E

However, this is something that will need doing more often if you use the 600E’s top-loading bobbin. The MC400E’s touch screen is very responsive. It was easy to scroll through the various on-screen menus and zoom in and out. You can also stitch and pause designs with a tap of the screen. The needle threading mechanism is simple and straightforward.

You thread it from the top, and the bobbin is thread-free, meaning you’re not constantly screwing it on and off. The MC400E’s 6.5-inch LCD screen was easy to read at a quick glance, and it could have been more brightly. You can also adjust the screen’s brightness and contrast settings, making it useful for both dark and bright environments. The MC400E is equipped with an intuitive control panel, which is ideal for beginners.

However, more advanced users may find the on-screen menus a little frustrating. It’s now easy to import designs from your PC, which is ideal if you have a large collection you need to access. The MC400E comes with a USB port on the left side of the machine. This is only good for importing designs from the MC400E, but not for downloading additional designs.


7. Bernette 70 Deco Embroidery Machine

Bernette 70 Deco Embroidery Machine

Designs are available from Brother’s website, or you can upload your own patterns via SD card. The 70D has four hoops, so you can thread up your fabrics and get started, but only one can be used for embroidery, the others just for swatches. After loading your designs, you set the size of your design in millimetres (mm), then select the design (from the paper booklet or, more conveniently, from the machine’s memory), and then edit your motifs.

Although you can adjust individual size, I found the 70D’s automatic resizing to be perfect each time. Once set-up, you can start stitching. The 70D offers quite a range, with sizes from 3.5mm up to 7mm, and the precision cutting function means you have a choice of 10 cutting thicknesses, from 1.0mm up to 3.0mm. The machine also supported some of the more unusual embroidery types, such as backlining.

I found it a bit of a fiddle to use, as it’s so difficult to keep the fabric taut while it’s hooped, and you’ll need to apply some patience to get the backing to stick to the fabric in the right way. With its 30-year warranty, strong design, and superb reliability, the 70D is a great all-round embroidery machine, which will really help you get your feet wet in the art of embroidery.

I’ve long been aware of the delights of embroidery, but despite owning an embroidery machine for just over four years, I’ve yet to actually have a go at it. I’ve always known that I wanted to learn, so with review samples of a Brother 70D Deco Embroidery Machine to hand, I thought this would be the perfect chance. It’s one of the most feature-packed machines I’ve come across.

Brother have packed it with 356 embroidery designs, enabling you to create everything from logos to personalized phrases. The 70D supports 16-colour, multi-colour, and needle painting, although there are limits on the type of files you can use. The 70D’s 5-inch colour touchscreen is wonderfully intuitive, and means you don’t have to fiddle about with fiddly buttons.

There’s also a built-in camera for quick picture-taking. There’s a lot of high-tech stuff here, but don’t worry if you’re a bit technophobic; the machine’s manual is very thorough, with helpful illustrations and diagrams. The 70D has a good selection of embroidery hoops on offer, but only one can be used in embroidery mode.

There are, however, two rotating hoops for transferring your design before stitching, plus a right-angle attachment for neat corners. There’s even a set of 18 removable threads, comprising 10 solid colours, 10 shimmer, and 4 metallics. You use the buttons and dials on the front to create and edit designs, and you can use the touchscreen to select your fonts, change the stitch width and length, and preview your embroidery design.

The performance is good, particularly as it’s easy to use. You can use one of the supplied hoops and thread your fabric, but the 70D won’t recognize fabric placed in the hoop, so you’ll need to use one of the supplied swatches. While the machine recognized my swatches, it struggled to recognize my fabric. The customer support at Brother was brilliant, and I was happily stitching away in no time. The 70D also offers plenty of design flexibility.

There’s a 3.5mm and 5mm embroidery module, which means the 70D supports a surprising variety of embroidery sizes. The 70D is more robust than I’d anticipated, with five motors and 11 pressure feet. There’s also a needle threader, enabling the machine to be completely handsfree. Unfortunately, the 70D doesn’t have a memory card reader, so you can’t save your designs to an SD card.

However, there are 208 embroidery designs preloaded onboard – which come courtesy of Brother’s own Creative Centre -, and they’re kept fresh by using automatic update. The 70D also supports the addition of decorative stitches, which come with 124 designs. You can add a monogram or name, or set the 70D to ‘apply font and stitch’, which will display your font and stitch options, enabling you to create your own designs.

Looking for an affordable sewing machine for quilting? Explore our comprehensive guide: Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Under $500. Discover the top quilting machines that offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.

You can also build collage embroidery designs by adding multiple designs layers. The 70D has a range of 30 quilting stitches and 29 decorative stitches, including satin, satin stitch, lazy daisy, scalloped, and buttonhole. It’s a generous selection, enabling you to create some beautiful effects. You can also apply loops, zig-zags, swirls, and shadow effects to designs.

Bernette 70 Deco Embroidery Machine

You can use both front and backlit designs, which add a special twist to your creations. There’s also a built-in table for starting and stopping your embroidery, so you can use it for work to hand. The 70D comes with a punch needle set, which enables you to manipulate thread (as you’d with a sewing machine). The punch needle is fun to use, enabling you to create a variety of stitching effects. You can also adjust the stitch density, rotate the designs, and alter the needle position. Embroidery comes at a cost.

The machine felt surprisingly solid and weight, with a solid metal frame and a nice clear LCD display. The machine itself weighs a little over 42 pounds, but there are wheels in the base, and a handle for moving it around. The 70D offers 13 selectable sewing feet, including nine embroidery feet, so you’ll have a large range of options to tailor make every stitch. The 70D performed well, although the process for hooping fabric proved fiddly.

The automatic resizing function means the design size is fixed, but I did have problems in getting the backing to stick to the fabric, as it’s a complex task to get the fabric taut while you hoop. There’s also no embroidery hoop memory, so you’ll need to re-hoop and re-swatch your designs each time you want to stitch.

However, designs are available from the Brother website, or you can upload your own patterns via SD card. You can also import JPEG or TIFF files, as well as vector graphics, such as EPS or AI. The 70D is a decent all-rounder, with good features, a wonderful touchscreen, and a reliable build. It did a good job of stitching my designs and trimming my edges.

There’s plenty of support on offer, and the machine comes with a 30-year warranty, so there’s more than enough reassurance if you’re new to embroidery. Overall, it’s a powerful machine with plenty of potential. To find out more about the Brother 70D Deco Embroidery Machine, visit the product website.


8. SINGER | Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine

SINGER Legacy SE300 Embroidery Machine

The SINGER Legacy SE300 is an excellent all-round machine for amateur and professional sewers. It’s fairly compact but has all the functions needed for straightforward sewing projects. There’s a good selection of included accessories too. However, it’s average at handling some tricky pieces of fabric, while it could be better at precisely marking its stitches. There are certainly better quality machines on the market, but it’s a solid, reliable option for those on a budget.

It’s worth taking a close look at the Legacy SE300, the SINGER brand’s most recent addition to the Legacy series, which itself stands out from the other machines in the SINGER Legacy line. It’s the smaller and cheaper version of the 400 and 500 machines, and it’s available for under 300. The Legacy SE300’s main selling point is its combination of speed and precision.

It has nine different embroidery fonts and 200 embroidery designs, covering a range of styles. It comes with three snap-on embroidery hoops, as well as an assortment of embroidery hoops for working on bigger projects. It’s not limited to embroidery, however – this sewing machine has an especially wide presser foot, which can handle thicker fabric. There’s also a free arm, which is useful when working on small, detailed projects.

There are also a wide range of different presser feet available to choose from, including set-it-and-forget-it feet, although that’s the only genuine automatic sewing feature on offer. Aside from speed, the Legacy SE300 also has other features. You can easily attach accessories using its large LCD touch screen, and a line indicator helps you keep a consistent stitch length.

The LCD screen features block numbers for the different stitches, so you can always see the stitch you’re creating. All these additional functions give the Legacy SE300 a lot more versatility than most of its rivals. It’s also fairly easy to get to grips with, although some of the other features are somewhat buried in the interface. The biggest issue I have with this machine is the lack of precision when marking its stitches.

There are certainly worse sewing machines around, but it’s possible to accidentally stitch over a large area, especially if you’re trying to quickly stitch a project. The threads tend to be relatively loose and long, meaning it’s easy to miss tightening the bobbin. If the threads are right, the stitches will jump smoothly, making it easier to line up your fabric.

Another issue is the interface between the LCD screen and the actual sewing machine. I found it more difficult to see the needle than on some of Singer’s other machines. The LCD touch screen doesn’t respond to touch, either, so you have to press or tap the button to operate the sewing machine.

For those who’d like to embroider, but don’t want a complicated machine, the SINGER Legacy SE300 is an excellent choice. It’s a great all-rounder, and its price point makes it a great value for first-time buyers. However, it could be better, and it struggles to get a firm grip on both particularly thin fabric and thicker fabric.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which Embroidery Machine Is Best for Home Use?

The Brother SE600 is indeed a popular and highly recommended embroidery machine for home use. It offers a great combination of features, versatility, and affordability. The machine has a large embroidery area, allowing you to work on larger designs or combine multiple smaller designs. It also comes with a color touchscreen display for easy design selection and editing. The Brother SE600 has built-in embroidery designs and fonts, as well as USB connectivity for importing additional designs. With its user-friendly interface and reliable performance, the Brother SE600 is a top choice for home embroidery projects.

Which Embroidery Machine Is the Most User Friendly?

The Brother SE600 Embroidery Machine and the Janome Memory Craft 400E are some of the best embroidery machines under $1000 on the market, and both offer any beginner a wonderful way to learn the art of embroidery.

Which Is Better Brother or Janome Embroidery Machine?

Brother is a Japanese brand that offers simple, reasonably priced working embroidery machines. However, in Asia and Africa, people prefer Janome embroidery machines. Janome is a Japanese brand that was established in 1951. It is famous for its quality working embroidery machines and accessories. Janome embroidery machines are simple, easy to use, and perfect for first-time embroiderers.

Which Embroidery Machine Is the Easiest to Use?

The Brother SE600 embroidery machine is the easiest to learn and operate. It features an automatic needle threader, the world’s first large colour LCD touch screen with 3.5-inch colour touchscreen monitor, and it is very easy to set up and stitch.

nv-author-image

Jacky Butchers

Hi, I'm Jacky Butchers, managing and writing on LetMeSewing. I worked in the field for almost a decade, and I holds a degree in Textile Engineering from the University of the Punjab. I've an extensive experience with a wide range of sewing machines, and I'm is happy to share my skills with those just starting out.