Brother NX-400

dont recommend – i bought nx400 very disappointed monogramming very small , same problem as others jams up over thick seems embroidery stitches no different from other older machines, i have a twenty yr old janome 5000, witch is far superior i thought when i bought the brother i was up dating to a better machine ,not worth the money

Love my machine!! – Use my machine constantly and have no complaints. It is quiet and smooth and has many functions. I love the auto thread cutter and has a great auto needle threader. Like the drop in bobbin and has a huge range of stitches. Three speed control is very helpful and can be operated by push button rather than foot pedal. Very smooth,good range of stitches and functions. Slightly pricey but money we'll spent.

Should sew thick seams – I have the NX200 which I bought at Spotlight(no help there). It jammed soon after, had it fixed, but it is supposed to be a Quilters special, and it won't sew over a few thicknesses, and the bobbin makes loops, then I have to unpick and start again. Manual does not help with broken thread or loops. I don't think the machine does what it supposed to, which is disappointing. It's easy to use, and I like the buttonholes, but it gets stuck on several thicknesses. Always stopping on seams, where there are 3 or 4 fabric thicknesses

OK – Certainly the easiest machine I've ever used, BUT, considering the vast number of similarly-featured 21stC machines, I do not think it is value-for-money,was even given I got it for $900au. I truly feel it should be about $600. Not suitable for quilting because it doen't do 1/4" seams easily. However, I'm pleased to have a machine that is quick and simple, and I'll use the experience to buy a better machine (maybe back to Pfaff simply beacue of their fine walking foot), and one with a direct USB computer connectable port(available in all major brands). Brother is only brand available in my remote rural location, so it has aknowledgable dealer and back-up. It was an urgent purchase, to replace a Pfaff that dies during a quilting class.

It is a computerised machine - my first, and amy first machine purchase for 20 years. It was a demo model for $900 with 1 yr warranty. Currently listed at $1499 RRP with 5 yr warranty.

LIKES:

Changing threads very quick, and this has certianly stimulated much more sewing, especially for small jobs such as pegging trouser seams.

Bobbin likewise, very, very simple drop in and no need to pick up upper thread as uses new, time-saving system. Setting up bobbin winding easy but doesn't cut off (see below)

Fiddly needle threading assist OK if taken slowly, and remembering to put needle in original default position, otherwise my close to 60yr old eyes still manage hand-threading. It's debatable which is quicker!

Easy to select from 290+ stitches, good stitch quality, esp. on embroidery stitches, especially when using a particular thin bobbin thread (as recommended by dealer)to pull upper thread through to back and this contributes to profesisonal look.

Press-button thread cutter and needle up/down.

Easy to transport to craft classes; cords and instrution book fit easily into external compartment on hard case as does removable knee-lift mechanism. Bobbin-winder will not stop automatically no matter what variation I make to the thingo that supposedly stops it - it doesn't stop.

Thread cutter leaves threads too short, and this is a SERIOUS FLAW as it causes threads to bunch or nest when fresh sewing starts, and threads are too short to pull through or put fingers on to stop this 'nesting'.

I especially dont like the deafult needle position to the left. This means narrow, 1/4" seams, aren't over all of the feed-dogs. It takes 14 presses of the button to reposition the needle to the far right to allow narrow seams to cover the feed-dogs.

Narrow seams (1/4") tend to feed through the centre of any of the feet I use - a very serious flaw, and one I can't yet overcome.

Despite the hype, my machine simply does not pass over thick seams (as in quilt piecing, or jeans) at all, without a bit of a tug, and lifting the foot even a fraction, stops the machine!! Grrr....

The 'walking foot' is a cumbersome tool, and very awkward to fit, and simply does not do the job, forcing the end 2cm of seams apart!!

Lag-time between taking foot of presser and sewing actually finishing. If you have a digital camera, then you know what I mean. The lag-time makes it easy to under or oversew, and I am still learning the correct timing to remove foot off presser and have stitch stop where I want it.

As with electronic models, sticth length and width is fixed and not fully variable, maing free-hand embroidery a little disjointed.

The knee lift is a fixed shape and should have telescopic arms to allow for variable proportions of knee to foot-pedal ratios. I'm sort of used to its awkward design, and does help 'hands-free' sewing, but needs better design.