You have a pile of plain towels, a stack of blank t-shirts, and a vision. But standing in the craft aisle, you realize the machine you dreamed of costs as much as a used car. Babylock machines are excellent, but they carry a premium. That is where Brother steps in.
Brother makes some of the most reliable embroidery and sewing combo machines on the market. Their models offer similar stitch quality, larger hoops, and wireless connectivity at a fraction of the price. The trick is picking the right one for your skill level and projects.
This review covers five top Brother products: two versions of the SE700, the PE900, the Skitch single-needle machine, and a thread set to keep you stitching. Each fills a different role. I will tell you what works, what does not, and who should buy each one.
Here is a quick look at how the four machines compare on the specs that matter most.
| Features | SE700 Combo Bundle | SE700 Standalone | PE900 Wireless | Skitch Single-Needle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery Field | 4” x 4” | 4” x 4” | 5” x 7” | 4” x 4” |
| Built-in Designs | 135 + 500 cards | 135 | 193 | None (via app) |
| Stitch Speed | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | 400 spm |
| Connectivity | USB + Artspira app | WLAN + USB | WLAN + USB | Bluetooth + Artspira |
| Best For | Total beginner kit | Budget sewing + embroidery | Larger designs | Casual hobbyists |
Brother SE700 Combo Bundle
This is the machine for someone who wants to open one box and start embroidering immediately. The SE700 Combo Bundle packs the sewing and embroidery machine with four hoops, forty thread spools, and a full accessory set — including scissors, bobbins, and feet. It is a turnkey package.
What stands out is the sheer volume of extras. You get two 4” x 4” hoops, a 4” x 6.75” hoop, and a tiny 1” x 2.5” hoop for monograms. The thread set alone saves a trip to the store. The machine itself offers 135 built-in embroidery designs and 103 sewing stitches. Plus, the bundle includes 500 design cards from Sofontsy — each card good for 30+ patterns. That is thousands of designs out of the box.
The trade-off: the 4” x 4” embroidery field limits you to smaller projects. You cannot stitch a design across a shirt back in one go. The Artspira app works, but design transfer over USB can feel slow compared to wireless models. Also, the bundle is bulky — storing forty thread spools requires shelf space.
- 4” x 4” embroidery field (two hoops included)
- 135 built-in designs + 103 sewing stitches
- 40 spools of polyester thread (500m each)
- 8 sewing feet, seam ripper, scissors, and more
- 500 design cards (Sofontsy) for additional patterns
Best for: A beginner who wants everything included and is okay working on small hoops for the first year.
Brother SE700 Standalone
If you already have thread and accessories, skip the bundle and grab the standalone SE700. It is the same machine — same embroidery field, same 135 designs, same 103 stitches — but without the extra hoops and thread. You save money and shelf space.
The key difference is the wireless LAN. This model lets you transfer embroidery files from your PC over Wi-Fi using Brother’s Design Database Transfer software. No USB drive needed. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen is the same as the bundle version, with on-screen editing and design preview. The Artspira app works here too.
Honestly, the 4” x 4” hoop still feels cramped if you want to do large jackets or quilts. The machine also lacks an automatic needle threader — something you will miss after the tenth thread change. For the price, many competitors offer a larger hoop, but the SE700’s stitch quality and ease of use are hard to beat.
- Wireless LAN for file transfer from PC
- 3.7-inch color touchscreen with editing
- 135 built-in designs + 103 sewing stitches
- 8 sewing feet included
- Artspira mobile app compatible
Best for: A sewist who already owns thread and wants the convenience of wireless design transfer without paying for a bundle.
Brother PE900 Wireless
The PE900 is strictly an embroidery machine — no sewing arm, no straight stitch. You buy this when embroidery is your main game. The 5” x 7” field lets you stitch larger motifs like a full back panel or a towel monogram in a single hoop. That alone separates it from the SE700.
Two features save serious time. Color Sort reorders threads so you change colors less often. Jump Stitch Trimming snips loose threads automatically between design elements. Both reduce post-stitch cleanup. The machine holds 193 built-in designs including florals, scrollwork, and quilt patterns. Thirteen fonts cover English, Japanese, and Cyrillic.
No sewing capability is the obvious limit. If you only embroider, that is fine. But if you occasionally need to sew a seam, you will need a second machine. The PE900 also costs more than the SE700. For dedicated embroiderers, the larger hoop and auto-trim features justify the price.
- 5” x 7” maximum embroidery field
- 193 built-in designs + 13 lettering fonts
- Wireless LAN and USB design transfer
- Advanced Color Sort and jump stitch trim
- 7.4” space from needle to arm
Best for: Someone who embroiders often and needs a larger hoop without paying for sewing functions they will not use.
Brother Skitch Single-Needle
Brother
Brother Skitch Single-Needle Embroidery Machine Bluetooth
ARTSPIRA CONNECTION: Draw your next embroidery project on the free and required Artspira(1) App and get ready to add a dash of you to your next cool project with Skitch PP1 Single-Needle Artspira Enabled Embroidery Machine
Buy on AmazonThe Skitch is Brother’s answer to the casual crafter. It is a single-needle machine that connects to the Artspira app via Bluetooth. You draw a design on your phone or tablet, then send it to the machine. No computer, no USB, no learning curve. The footprint is tiny — it fits on a desk corner.
What makes it stand out is the simplicity. The Skitch accepts PES, PHC, PHX, and DST files through the free Artspira app. You can store up to 20 designs and swap them out anytime. The stitch speed tops out at 400 spm, which is slow compared to multi-needle machines but fine for small projects. It is designed for store-bought clothes: jeans, towels, blankets.
The downside is severe. Single-needle means you change thread for every color. If your design has ten colors, you will manually rethread ten times. The 4” x 4” hoop matches the SE700. And the machine is scarce — Amazon shows limited stock availability. It is not a production tool; it is a toy for fun weekend projects.
- Single-needle, max 400 spm
- Bluetooth connection to Artspira app
- 4” x 4” embroidery field
- Import PES, PHC, PHX, DST files
- Store up to 20 designs in app
Best for: A beginner or casual hobbyist who wants instant, low-commitment embroidery on pre-made clothing.
New Brothread Thread Kit
Once you own a machine, you need thread. This kit gives you 40 spools of polyester embroidery thread, each 500 meters long. The colors cover a wide spectrum — brights, pastels, neutrals, and darks. A color chart helps match Brother and Madeira numbers.
Polyester thread handles commercial laundering and bleach better than rayon. It also has good tensile strength, so breaks and fraying happen less often. The spools are standard size and fit most Brother machines without adapters. The kit does not include a wooden rack, though — you will need to buy or build one to keep the spools organized.
One honest limitation: the color chart is printed on paper, and the shades can look different in person versus on the card. Also, 500 meters per spool runs out fast if you do large designs. But for under fifty bucks (check current price on Amazon), it is a solid starter set that covers the basics.
- 40 spools, 500m each, 40 weight
- Polyester — good colorfastness and strength
- Color chart with Brother/Madeira conversion
- No wooden rack included
- Ideal for general embroidery projects
Best for: Anyone starting embroidery who needs a affordable thread stash without hunting for individual colors.
How We Chose These Products
I focused on machines that balance price, features, and real-world usability. The Brother SE700 and PE900 dominate the mid-range market because they offer wireless connectivity and solid stitch quality at accessible prices. The Skitch fills a niche for ultra-casual users. The thread kit is a practical add-on.
I did not test every model. Instead, I looked at customer feedback, specification sheets, and hands-on reports from sewing communities. Machines with poor hoop alignment, frequent jams, or frustrating software were excluded. Every pick here has a track record of reliability and strong support from Brother.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Hoop size determines what you can stitch. A 4” x 4” field handles monograms, small patches, and pocket logos. For towels, quilts, or clothing backs, you want at least 5” x 7”. The PE900 is the only machine in this list with that larger field. Do not overestimate your needs — most beginners rarely go beyond a 4” hoop.
Connectivity matters if you design on a computer. Wireless LAN saves the hassle of USB drives, but Bluetooth (like the Skitch) is simpler for mobile-only users. Artspira is Brother’s app ecosystem; it works on iOS and Android. Make sure the machine you choose is compatible with your device.
Needle and thread changes add up. Single-needle machines force manual rethreading for every color. Multi-needle machines automate that, but they cost thousands. For most home users, a single-needle model like the SE700 or PE900 is fine — just plan your design colors wisely to minimize swaps.
Our Top Recommendation
The Brother PE900 is the best all-around embroidery machine in this roundup. The 5” x 7” hoop, automatic jump stitch trimming, and 193 built-in designs make it a serious tool for dedicated embroiderers. It costs more than the SE700, but the larger field and time-saving features justify the bump.
If you need a combo sewing and embroidery machine, choose the SE700 Standalone. It offers the same stitch quality as the PE900 plus a full sewing arm, all for less money. The 4” hoop is the only sacrifice. For absolute beginners on a tight budget, the Skitch is a fun entry point, but you will outgrow it quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stitch with a Brother SE700 while the embroidery unit is attached?
No. You must remove the embroidery arm to use the sewing functions. Switching between modes takes about 30 seconds.
How do I transfer my own design files to the Brother PE900?
You can use a USB drive, or send files wirelessly via the Design Database Transfer software on a PC. The Artspira app also supports PES files.
Is the Brother Skitch compatible with embroidery design software like Embrilliance?
Indirectly. The Skitch only works through the Artspira app. You can import PES, DST, PHC, and PHX files into Artspira, so any software that exports those formats will work.
What maintenance does a Brother embroidery machine need?
Clean the bobbin case and feed dogs after every project. Oil the hook race every 8-10 hours of use (check your manual for oil type). Replace needles after every 8 hours of embroidery to prevent skipped stitches.