The Brother SE400 is a computerized sewing-and-embroidery machine with a roughly 4-by-4-inch embroidery field and USB transfer for PES designs. Brother lists 67 built-in sewing stitches, 70 embroidery designs, and five lettering fonts. It may suit projects that fit within a small embroidery area, but its specifications alone cannot tell you how it will perform on your fabrics or whether a used unit is complete.
What the Brother SE400 offers
Brother’s product specifications describe the SE400 as a combination sewing and embroidery machine. It has 67 built-in sewing stitches and 98 stitch functions, along with 70 embroidery designs, 120 frame pattern combinations, and five lettering fonts. The distinction between stitches and stitch functions matters: these are separate counts in Brother’s listing, not 165 unique stitches.
The machine has a 2.7-by-1.4-inch LCD, a start/stop button, a quick-set bobbin, upper-thread and bobbin sensors, and computer connectivity. Brother lists six included presser feet and a 110V power specification. These are manufacturer-listed features, not independent test results. Brother’s product page directs buyers to locate a dealer; it does not establish current price or stock. Brother SE400 product specifications.
How large can an embroidery design be?
The practical answer is about 4 by 4 inches. Brother’s product page gives the nominal field as 4 by 4 inches, while its support answer specifies a maximum embroidery area of 3.93 by 3.93 inches: Brother USA Support’s maximum-area answer.
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- Sewing and Embroidery in One: The SE700 Brother sewing and embroidery machine is the ideal machine to start your sewing and embroidery journey with a host of built-in designs, fonts, patterns, and cutting-edge technology
- Wireless Lan Enabled: Transmit embroidery files from your PC to your embroidery sewing machine via the free downloadable software Design Database Transfer(1), or connect via the built-in USB port
- Artspira Mobile App for Customization: Make custom embroidery patterns by drawing on your mobile device, or download patterns from the collection and transfer them to your SE700 wirelessly
- 4" x4" Embroidery Field: This computerized combo home sewing machine with embroidery is built with a 4" x 4" embroidery field with an included hoop, embroidery arm, and 8 sewing feet
- Large 3.7" Touchscreen: The 3.7-inch LCD color touchscreen enables easy on-screen editing of embroidery designs, and allows you to preview your designs before stitching
That limit applies to an individual design. A multi-position hoop may let you hold more fabric and combine designs with less rehooping, but it does not make a single oversized design fit. Brother explicitly says the maximum area for any one design remains 4 by 4 inches: Brother USA Support on multi-position hoops.
Can you use downloaded embroidery designs or Windows 11?
The SE400 accepts PES embroidery designs transferred from a computer over USB. Brother’s Mac instructions describe copying pattern data to the machine with a USB cable: Brother’s Mac transfer instructions. Brother’s Windows 11 support answer also says USB design transfer is compatible: Brother’s Windows 11 answer.
Rank #2
- 27 Unique Built-in Stitches: The Brother XM2701 sewing machine includes 27 built-in stitches including decorative, blind hem, zigzag, and stretch stitches and an auto-size buttonhole
- Automatic Needle Threader and Drop-in Top Bobbin: This beginner sewing machine is also great for experienced users; it includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes thread through the needle and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- Included Accessories: The XM2701 comes with 6 sewing feet, 3-piece needle set, twin needle, 4 bobbins, manual and more
- Versatile Free Arm: This free arm sewing machine is a simple sewing machine, perfect for a wide range of everyday sewing projects, and users from beginners to advanced
- At Your Side Support: The XM2701 small sewing machine comes with Brother At your side support offering free technical support via online, live chat or phone for the life of your machine
Operating-system support can change, so check Brother’s current support information for your computer and setup before relying on an older compatibility answer. Brother’s Mac support answer says an iPad cannot be used for this transfer because it does not have a hard drive; this is not a general statement about every possible iPad workflow.
Requirements for designs on embroidery cards
Brother’s separate instructions for embroidery-card patterns specify PES format, a maximum design size of 4 by 4 inches, no more than 30,000 stitches per pattern, and the correct 100-by-100 mm or 110-by-110 mm hoop-size setting. These limits apply to the card workflow described in the support article: Brother USA Support on embroidery-card pattern requirements.
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Rank #3
- 60 UNIQUE BUILT-IN STITCHES: The Brother CS5055 sewing machine includes 60 built-in stitches including utility, decorative and heirloom stitch functions, and 7 1-step auto-size buttonholes
- IMPROVED NEEDLE THREADER: Easier than ever to use, the automatic needle threader reliably pushes the thread through the needle. The convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin easy to load and helps ensure your bobbin stays in place
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: The CS5055 includes 7 sewing feet, 4 bobbins, a needle set, a trilingual English/Spanish/French user manual and more
- METAL FRAME and FIXED NEEDLE BAR: The durable metal frame construction allows your machine to tackle any project, and the needle is fixed in place while you work, allowing for cleaner stitching and even lines
- LARGE NEEDLE-TO-ARM WORKSPACE: A larger workspace with increased width in needle-to-arm space allows users to work on larger projects
What comes with the machine?
Brother’s product listing names the embroidery arm, accessory bag, needles, twin needle, cleaning brush, eyelet punch, screwdrivers, touch pen, spool caps, extra spool pin, scissors, embroidery bobbin thread, instruction CD, stabilizer, USB cable, power cord, and operation manual, among other contents. The listing also specifies six presser feet. Check the product page for the manufacturer’s full carton list: Brother SE400 included items.
For a used machine, ask the seller to show what is actually present and confirm condition rather than assuming the original contents are included. In particular, check for the embroidery arm and hoop, USB cable, presser feet, power cord, manual, and accessory bag. A missing part may affect the functions you intend to use.
Rank #4
- 165 unique built-in stitches: The Brother XR9550 computerized machine includes 110 built-in utility, decorative and heirloom stitches including 8 styles of auto-size buttonholes, plus 55 alphanumeric sewing stitches
- Automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: The Brother fast needle threading system takes care of threading the needle for you and a convenient, jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- Included accessories: Included with the XR9550 quilting and sewing machine is a protective hard cover, wide table, 8 sewing and quilting feet and more. The hard cover case is coated in Styrofoam to protect from scratching the machine. The Styrofoam inside the hard cover case should NOT be removed
- LCD screen: The intuitive LCD display allows you to easily choose your stitches and settings with the push of a button
- At your side support: The XR9550 quilting and sewing machine comes with Brother at your side support offering free technical support via online, live chat or phone for the life of your machine
Replacement bobbins, needles, and thread
Brother’s SE400 support page lists SABOBBIN plastic bobbins, SANEEDLEMIX universal needles, SASEW6 thread, and SA156 clear plastic bobbins as compatible supplies. Confirm the specific item’s compatibility and current listing before buying: Brother SE400 support and compatible supplies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should consider the SE400?
On the published specifications, the SE400 is worth considering if you want one machine for regular sewing and small embroidery projects, and your designs fit within an approximately 4-by-4-inch field. USB transfer of PES files offers a route beyond the built-in designs, subject to the machine’s format, size, and computer-compatibility requirements.
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- 150 UNIQUE BUILT-IN STITCHES: The Brother CS7205 sewing and quilting machine includes 150 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, heirloom, 1 alphanumeric font, and 8 1-step auto-size buttonholes
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER: This sewing and quilting machine includes an automatic needle threader that perfectly pushes thread through the needle
- QUICK-SET DROP-IN BOBBIN: Features a convenient, jam resistant 1-step bobbin replacement and fast, automatic bobbin winding
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: The CS7205 includes a wide table, 11 sewing feet plus a quilt guide, a bilingual English/Spanish user manual and more
- LCD SCREEN: View your stitch selections on the easy view, LCD display
It is a less suitable match if you need to embroider a single design larger than the stated field. A multi-position hoop can help with combining designs, but does not remove that single-design ceiling. Brother’s specifications also do not establish stitch quality, speed under load, long-term durability, repair history, current availability, or the machine’s condition in a particular used listing; those questions require information specific to the unit and seller.
Warranty and buying considerations
Brother’s product page advertises a 25-year limited warranty. A limited warranty’s terms and eligibility can depend on region and other conditions, so review the current warranty documentation applicable to the machine before relying on that figure. The product listing does not establish that a particular used machine remains eligible.
Before buying, match the machine to your intended design sizes and transfer workflow, then verify the seller’s actual included parts and the unit’s condition. For a new purchase, check with a dealer for current availability and pricing; Brother’s product page does not provide those details.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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