Brother PE-770 Embroidery Machine

While recovering from foot surgery last year, I purchased this embroidery-only machine. I don`t do a lot of reviews, but I felt the need to take the time for this machine but needed to do so after many uses. This summer I have just completed an embroidered 12 block project. I've had a needle break, run out of bobbin thread, not had good tension in my hoop, etc. I have found the problems to be human error, not the machine! The manuals are great and must be read!! I have been sewing for 50 years (started very young!). I do the bulk of my sewing on a 30-yr. old Viking (990) and, also, use a Singer and Janome to supplement my older machine. Because of these machines, I didn't need another sewing machine. I did a lot of research before purchasing this machine. I even called a quilt shop owner in PA to get her recommendations! She uses a Singer which was my other choice, except I didn't want to be tethered to a computer and it is a big machine. I wanted a USB/design card machine and one which could fit in a limited space. As recommended I purchased Embroidex thread (40 really large spools), which has worked wonderfully! I, also, purchased pre-threaded bobbins, no winding of my own-saves time. The tear away backing, a package of 100 sheets, 12x10 work perfectly. I purchased everything at Amazon and it arrived in 2 days! My husband was not real happy with this purchase as I have so many sewing machines, but of course he was here when it arrived a day early! I told him because of the great deal I got on the sewing machine, around $500.00, if it wasn't what I expected we would resale it and wouldn't lose anything! It came with a 5x7 hoop, but later on I did purchase a 4x4 Brother hoop, which I use all the time. I started real slow by embroidering my quilt labels and simple personalizing. The USB function works great! I purchase patterns from EmbroideryDesign.com and download to my USB. I have had no problem with the machine recognizing their designs. As an experienced sewer, I still had a learning curve but between the manuals and YouTube, I have found it to be user friendly! Bottom line, this machine is amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to venture into machine embroidery for the home sewer!

Love love love this machine. I wanted to mention a few things for other reviewers that have had some issues .firstly You don't Need to buy a 4x4 hoop for 4x4 designs if you can fit your project into the 5x7 hoop. You can still use the 4x4 designs. It will stitch the 4x4 design no problem .I use the 4x4 hoop for tiny things like baby clothes. Another thing is storage, you cannot use any USB drive larger than 2 gigs _the embroidery machine processor is not capable of sorting through large quantities of information on larger drives. It's not a computer and cannot do that. Also, even on the 2 gig drive you can't load a million things into it and expect it to be able to read all those files. It will work best of you put 3 or 4 on at a time and delete them when you're done. Again, the processor just can't handle it. And at this price point it you can't add a more powerful processor . Thread breakage -make sure you are cleaning out the upper thread path when you have thread breaks to make sure particles of thread aren't left behind." Floss" the thread path with unwaxed dental floss to pull out the pieces left behind. And also keep the bobbin case clean and lint free. There is also a product called sewers aid that is used for keeping thread lubricated it nothing short of miraculous. It's liquid silicone .trust me it's awesome. This is a wonderful machine and it is very user friendly but you have to maintain it. Don't get too frustrated when you're learning how to use and maintain it. Check out YouTube videos and there are numerous groups on facebook to join that have other users willing to offer advise.

I got this machine for Christmas 2013 and it worked great with zero problems right out of the box on the first couple of projects. I'd watched a lot of YouTube videos on this machine to determine it was what I wanted since I'm new to home embroidery. I've done embroidery and applique for a few projects and they've turned out great. After a tension adjustment to -2, everything is humming along fine. I have found the machine to be a bit touchy in that if the fabric isn't hooped just right, and the stabilizer isn't just right, and the thread isn't just right, I'm headed for thread-snag trouble. I called the local Brother dealer and a tune/lube/maintenance is $180 with a 15-19 day wait in the queue. Ouch. At this point, I'm willing to accept that it could be my own inexperience with the machine and I'm not doing something correctly or I need to use it more to just get better habits with it to make the thread snags less frequent. They don't ruin the project, they're just a pain. UPDATE NOTE APRIL 15: The thread snags were a total user error on my part. I took the machine to a local repair guy and he let me know I wasn't threading it properly. Seems there is a set of tension disks between thread guides 2-3 that I wasn't using correctly. He said to "floss" the thread into the guides by holding it tightly with the thread coming off the spool in my right hand and the thread below #3 in my left hand (before going to the take-up arm in #4) and floss the thread back and forth until I can hear the little click of the tension disks holding on. This has solved ALL of my problems. I've now successfully embroidered some pretty hefty designs from SmartNeedle and have had zero problems. The images show designs since I learned how to properly thread the machine. Love it. (The drinks are for a "5 O'Clock Somewhere" wall hanging quilt I'm making.) I've been machine quilting on my sewing machine for a couple of years now and there's a new trend to "longarm" quilt with an embroidery machine so you can have the pretty designs that longarm quilting machines make. I've found some quilting patterns on embroidery websites and have been pretty successful with this. Spray-basting the quilt sandwich with 505 works well and I use a heavier needle to work through the batting. I do not recommend this for anything larger than a baby quilt because the weight of the quilt pulls the designs all wonky. The machine's digital screen is easy to read but it goes no bigger to read a pattern than 5x7 with 5 being left to right. If you want to embroider larger designs or use the larger hoops you can, but it will ask you if you want to turn the design 90 degrees. You might need need to re-hoop the fabric to turn it 90 degrees (I turn mine to the left so the bottom of the design is facing to my left), which I've done successfully on an un-sandwiched quilt top corner to sign and date my quilt before sending it to the longarmer. It's no big deal, you just have to re-think the layout. Needless to say, when I begin embroider-quilting (sans the longarmer) I'll be using the medium pattern designs that fit my 5x7 layout turned sideways, and just have to re-hoop more than if I were using a machine that provided a larger layout. The USB feature works well and I've been able to transfer many designs I've gotten from third party websites into the machine. It reads the PES and DST formats from the TOP folder level of a USB drive. I felt all smart when I bought a USB drive just for the machine and created an Embroidery folder on it. Then inside the Embroidery folder, I made folders for Flowers, Baby, Animals, etc. so I could keep all my designs organized. Then I took the USB to the machine and it looked like none of my designs were there. Back on the laptop, the designs were there. Huh? So I re-read the user manual, felt a little dumb, and then moved the chosen design so it's right beneath (outside of) the Embroidery folder. Then the machine saw the design and it worked great. I've found the hoop works well and it goes on and off pretty easily. To get it off, I pull the lever back with my left thumb and reach through the throat to lift the back of the hoop with my right hand and it comes right off without any issues. To get it on, I line up both notches with the little metal "buttons" and push straight down until it snaps in place. I've read other reviews about issues with the hoop but I've not experienced them. This is a great machine that I'm pretty happy with. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

LOVE this machine. Works beautifully, and I'm very happy with the fine detail it has been able to do for me. It does recommend using regular sewing machine needles, but in actuality, I prefer my SCHMETZ Embroidery Needles which tend to have less thread breakage. It also seems to do better with SULKY thread as opposed to THREADART. I don't fault the machine itself for these items, and I'd buy another one tomorrow if given the same circumstances. I really don't think you can go wrong with this one. This picture attached is of a dragon I did by: [...]. I think this was called Shadow Dragon. It's about the max size for this machine, 5x7. I did it on the back of an inexpensive denim jacket from Ross or TJ Maxx. I plan to do several more dragon designs on it. I love doing items that are customized and personal. This machine allows me the affordability for unique items on a budget!

I was upset when the machine arrived and I realized I ordered the wrong one. I researched so many, I guess I thought I was purchasing a combination sewing,quilting,and embroidery machine, but this machine is embroidery only. I expected to hate it. Wow! I was wrong. I absolutely love this machine. The manual helped some, but YouTube videos is the way to go when learning how to use. I am a first time user, so I expected this machine to be difficult, but to my surprise it is very user friendly. The only problem is I spend too much time having fun, and not enough time doing wifely things.

I am new to embroidery. I did a bunch of research to find this machine and am happy with the results. All the problems I have had so far are my doing. The machine is easy to use, intuitive-ish, and easy to fix most problems. I am a small business looking to gain customers I was turning down (small embroidery jobs) and I believe this machine will remedy that. Out of the box I sewed out a few heavy samples and immediately sewed a 5x7 name on a horse blanket (heavy duty and really expensive). Of course the machine bound up because I was focused on something else. I took everything apart and cleaned it. I figured out how to move through the design and restart the process. Machine did great. Wouldn't recommend for horse blankets - but really did a good clean job. Highly recommend for home enthusiast or small business.

I absolutely adore my machine! It's perfect for someone who is rather new to embroidery like me, I've had a little bit of experience with a SE-400 so I was already acquainted with the Brother brand. It was pretty much ready to go straight out of the box, just had to plug in my flash drive with my embroidery files & you will need to purchase your stabilizer separate. It does come with some files already loaded on the machine but they aren't really my style, like you see on the T-shirts. It does only come with the one 5 x 7 hoop so I will be buying more hoops very soon; however, I do use the 5 x 7 hoop for most items so I'm quite happy with it. It also comes with some white thread and a few bobbins. You will definitely need to get more bobbins and a variety of thread colors. This machine is also great for those on a budget, it has a 5 x 7 embroidery area which is a decent size starting out and will allow you to monogram and applique quite a variety of items. Buying more hoop sizes will further expand the items you can monogram with this machine; however, a 5 x 7 area is the largest this machine can do even if you purchase a larger hoop. The only real downsize to this machine is that if you are like me then you will soon find yourself wanting a machine that embroiders a larger area so you may outgrow it rather quickly. But for the money, it is certainly worth it and I would say if you are wanting to get into embroidery then this is the machine to learn on or to use if you are just looking for a fun hobby to do in your spare time. There was a big learning curve for me and the more expensive machines look so much more complicated. Plus I wouldn't and couldn't spend that much on it right off the bat, I'd rather be sure I can get the hang of it AND enjoy it. The only complaint I really have about this machine though is that sometimes the hoop is a little hard to put on when the arm is moved toward the top, it's a bit frustrating but I have learned to live with it and it has seemed to gotten a little better over time. It seems only a few people have this problem so maybe I just have a stubborn hoop.

Be aware that this machine is ONLY an embroidery machine. My other Brother embroidery machine was a drama queen during the holidays and I needed a machine to complete all my projects pronto. This machine fit the bill, as it was quite economical and would do up to 5x7 inch patterns. As an entry-level machine, it does what it's supposed to do. The manual threading system is simple and the manual needle threader works great with just a single push of a lever. The package comes with a single, 5x7 hoop, but you can purchase additional sizes at a reasonable price. The hoops are not quite as high quality as those that come with more expensive machines, but they work easily. They snap in place, and the pressure required took a bit of getting used to, but once you figure it out, it's very simple. I removed the top cover, as many of my threads are large cones that don't fit on the thread spindle. I use a holder behind the machine for the cones and the cover needs to be removed to accommodate this. The screen is small and is hard to read, but it's an entry level machine. If you're familiar with embroidery machines, it only takes a few minutes to learn the steps to using the on-screen display. If you're a newbie, you'll need to take your time to understand the steps and how to use the machine, but it's not too complicated. Just be patient and read carefully and you shouldn't have any problems. The machine uses the same PES format as the other Brother machines, so I didn't need to re-format my designs. It also uses the same bobbins as my other Brother. The machine has a number of designs and fonts built in. I haven't used them, as I create all my own designs. However, learning to do designs on the machine will just require a little practice and studying the manual. I make my embroidery designs on my computer with an embroidery design program, copy them onto a memory stick and transfer them to the machine. There's a number of embroidery programs available, or you can purchase ready-made designs and transfer those with your memory stick. This machine is a very good back-up machine and would be perfect for a beginner. A machine in this price range will give you only so many features, and while more expensive machines have larger, more readable screens and can do far more, they also have a much greater learning curve. If you're looking for your first embroidery machine, this little guy will get you started just fine. I recommend it as a machine that is easy to use. At a cost of less than $600.00, you're getting a lot for your money. It will take care of most of your embroidery needs without a huge investment.

This machine is awesome. I am so very happy with my selection in Brother and in choosing this particular machine that brings me fully into the digital age of sewing and crafting. Setting the merits of the machine aside for a moment, little did I realize just how many beautiful patterns are out there for download at surprisingly little cost. I see that machine embroidery is a lifelong hobby of which I will never tire because I am presented with endless possibilities that will enhance my crafting, making it more fun and satisfying. Back to the machine. The Brother machine was easy to set up and is easy to use. While I have done plenty of sewing over the years, I had never used an embroidery machine and had only viewed You Tube videos of how the machines operate. I admit that I am still learning how to use some features, but I was able to produce a pattern within my first hour after initial set-up. Since then I have worked out the kinks to produce some beautiful patterns for mini-pillows and kitchen towels. Yes, I've had a few broken needles because I allowed the thread to become tangled, and I have had some thread breaks. One does need to monitor the machine throughout the stitching process. However, these issues allowed me to learn how to change the needle and how to correct errors and still come out with a nice finished product. I have learned how to correct errors using the machine's computer to back up and re-stitch, and how to advance to a specific portion of a pattern when I've had to turn the machine off in the middle of a project. Changing the bobbin in the middle of a pattern is easy. It seems as though Brother has thought of pretty much everything in designing a machine that is user-friendly and one that produces surprisingly professional results for home crafters. I am very much amazed at the advances that have been made in home sewing. I note that it's important to choose good thread. I tried Embroidex but returned it after suffering through machine jams, and I could see that the thread was twisting as it came off the spool before it ever reached the needle. Coats and Clark works well but is prohibitively expensive. I have settled on ThreaDelight which is both very affordable and seems to be a quality product. I hope to get the full spectrum of 260 colors soon. While Brother provides quite a few starter patterns and some lettering that resides in the machine, the best way to produce beautiful projects is to purchase online patterns and fonts. I am using Embroidery Library patterns and will remain loyal to this online site because of the pricing and the fact that customers are treated to free patterns on occasion. Also, every pattern is quality -- every one has stitched out perfectly and accurately. The site also offers thread color conversion which makes it easy for using most any type of popular embroidery thread. The company employs digital artists who spit out wonderful patterns on a daily basis. I now have an "Embroidery Library" of patterns in my computer that will keep me in projects for the foreseeable future! I tried using two freeware digital editors to produce my own patterns or edit purchased designs but found that they were very limited in what they could do, and they both seemed to have bugs. I will eventually purchase Embird or one of the other editors for sale so that I have all available and up-to-date software features for functions such as pattern splitting, True Type font manipulation, etc. For anyone considering their first embroidery machine, I recommend that you be as organized as possible from the start. You will be downloading lots of stuff! Each pattern and pattern size that you choose to purchase online has its own digital file. Each pattern has its own associated "color change" sheet. I already have a couple hundred files in my computer for embroidery. While there's nothing confusing about downloading, it does require being organized. Since the Brother machine only stores a few patterns, and the patterns are not that easily discernible on its LCD screen, I maintain all of my embroidery files in a folder on my hard drive and bypass using the Brother machine for pattern storage. I load only one embroidery file at a time onto my thumb drive, for whatever project I'm going to produce, upload it into the machine, and delete it from both the machine and thumb drive when I'm done. This works for me. Brother might have done us a favor by revealing that maximum stitch count for any one pattern is 50,000 stitches. I discovered this on the Embroidery Library site (the site has a list of embroidery machines and the maximum stitch count of each). This limitation is no problem, however, considering that most every 5 x 7 pattern at Embroidery Library is under 50,000 stitches. Also, there is no information available, as far as my research found, of the stitch life of the machine, if there is one, and when servicing should occur. These facts would have been helpful in analyzing which machine to purchase. The spool holder might have been a little better designed because it does seem to lend itself to thread tangles, but the machine is sturdy, heavy, and looks nice on your sewing table. I'm still fascinated watching it stitch out the patterns. And while I don't relish thread breaks when they do occasionally occur, I figure it's part of the process of machine embroidery and partaking in this hobby. Overall, the Brother machine does what it purports to do at an affordable price. For the home crafter, it opens up a whole new world of crafting possibilities and allows one to turn creative impulses into completed projects that are professional, colorful and beautiful. I don't write Amazon reviews often, but the Brother PE770, in my opinion, deserves a 5-Star rating.