New sewing machine.
 

I ordered this one this morning from Amazon. Brother PC420PRW for my take to retreat machine. I'll post the pros and cons of it as soon as I find them out.

Good Luck. Hope that you read the reviews on Amazon.

I like the Brother brand and am always interested in seeing what's being said, so I went on Amazon and read a lot of the reviews, which are overwhelmingly positive.

Looks like a good choice to me. After reading the reviews, I am guessing that you will enjoy it.

It is virtually identical to the NX-400 Pacesetter that I purchased in 2003 and was at the time, the upper middle of the Brother sewing only machines. It has been a reliable and strong performer and very much still in use today. It requires only minimal maintenance, a synthetic grease on gears every year or two depending on usage. The service manual is available and the process isn't difficult, but taking the outer shell off can be a bit intimidating the first time.

Not just on Amazon but the quilting blogs and Facebook groups. The only negative reviews were plain to see it was user error. Amazon has a great return policy just in case.

Looks like a great travel machine and I love the sale price.

I have this machine. Only one con, I wish I had tested it before I bought my Bernina 350. I would have saved a LOT of money.

I'm always apprehensive in buying a machine online but I tried buying a Brother XR3140 from Costco. It wasn't too much in cost so thought if it didn't work out I wasn't losing a whole lot of money. I have to admit though that I love this machine. True it doesn't have the automatic foot lift like my old Viking D1 has or automatic thread cutting but since I acquired it I haven't gone back to my D1. True I purchased this machine basically to set up onto my cutting table for when I need to add borders and binding on those huge quilts plus I'm standing up using this machine. But I find I'm enjoying this machine much more than I thought I ever would. I still use my D1 for apparel sewing so depending on what I'm interested in doing that particular day the machine is set up.

I have a Babylock too so can interchange the bobbins and feet with the Brother.

I have the Brother PC420. I bought it from Amazon 4 years ago and have done a lot of sewing on it. Including some upholstery. It has been a fantastic machine. I have put all kinds of thread through it. It is not picky about thread, though it does like to have it's bobbin case cleaned frequently. I've quilted large quilts on it and used all of the decorative stitches for my wall hangings. I also regularly use it to couch down various cords and other objects for my quilted pieces. It's an amazing machine at an amazing price.

Rob

It will be delivered tomorrow so I'm excited. I have a retreat to go to in March and a new machine will add to the fun.

how exciting... I'm sure you'll be on the porch to greet the UPS driver. : )

that's what I need, a smaller machine for classes. I have two large Janomes (20 lbs +) and it is difficult to haul them around in the winter especially and I've been told it's not that great for my machines either.

I've used this machine for my guild meetings for a couple of years now. I like the machine, the main fault I find is that I've never been able to center the needle when it's turned on. The needle position defaults to the left position and I break needles all the time, every time I turn it off it immediately defaults to the left. Since I use multiple machines I have a hard time remembering to center the needle on this machine. I guess I could buy a zigzag needle plate but I use it mainly for piecing and I don't like to piece with a zigzag plate. I'm sure breaking needles isn't good for the machine but this machine is sturdy. I keep it in my car year round, caught my foot in the cord and pulled it off a table onto a chair & before I could catch it, it tumbled to the floor. Picked it up and started sewing without a hitch. Takes a lot of hard use and keeps on sewing.

That makes no sense. ? The machine makes many decorative stitches so why would it have a single hole needle plate instead of the wide needle plate? All zig zag machines come with the wide plate, the single hole is the one that is extra.

Hey, that's my machine! Actually it's my main machine for anything other than straight stitching. I have it in a Gidget table. Great machine, no issues at all, likes any and every kind of thread. I'm not really sure what sassysews means either; the standard plate is the zig-zag, and yes it does default to the left when you turn on the machine which is pretty standard (I've had other machines that did the same). I wish you lots and lots of great luck with your new machine!

I would put a sticky note on the machine! Reminder to change needle position! I love sticky notes!!

I went to Amazon and looked, and it seems like a very good deal! Enjoy!

Dina

Sewed on the machine. It was confusing at first because it starts with a twin needle set up. I wound bobbins, threaded it, used the auto lock stitch and auto thread cutter. I have to remember this is a fashion machine so the 1/4 inch seam is not that easy to get with the feet provided. I have a Janome and all the feet fit the Brother so I'll try the 1/4 foot. I bought it for a portable machine for paperpiecing using the auto thread cutter so I am pleased. I like the auto thread lock stitch too. I haven't tried any of the decorative stitches.

Onebyone,
When I'm sewing a quarter inch seam on my PC420 I use the J foot. Using the J foot, you can then move your needle over to either the 5.5 or the 6 position and get a very nice quarter inch seam using the right edge of the foot as your guide. I test each time I start a project to see which position will give me the best seam with the type of fabric and thread I'm using. Usually it's the 5.5, but sometimes, if I'm using a thicker thread I'll move it to the 6 position.

I tried using the quarter inch foot manufactured by Brother, but because this machine is a 7mm machine, the feed dogs are a little too far apart to work well with the quarter inch foot for my liking.

Let me know how the Janome feet work for you. You'll still want to move the needle to the right--just use the plus/minus keys on the front of the machine and start with the needle in the default position. There is a way you can save the setting, so if you use the same weight fabric and thread for all your piecing, then you can set it up and then save the setting. I've never done that since I use so many different fabrics and threads for piecing, but check your user's manual. I think it's under custom stitch or something like that.

Speaking of the manual. I was amazed at the size of the manual that comes with it, it's like a sewing course book.

enjoy your new toy!

Rob

Thanks Rob for the info. I tried your way an it works great. The Janome feet fit but some don't cover both feed dog teeth. The 1/4" marking on the machine bed is puzzling. I had trouble with the bobbin thread not getting picked up but it cleared up. I have no idea what I did or didn't do. Seems like a lot of extra when all I wanted was a small machine that had the auto thread cutter. Hard to find under $400.

Glad to help.

Rob

Congrats on a great machine... I've had this one for years and have loved it... I recently upgraded to the NQ3500D and will soon sell my beloved PC 420 (space issues), but I did make a video to help other people who struggle with the default needle left issue... I was breaking too many needles on the machine with the quarter inch foot on and wanted the machine to start always in the middle needle position... I hope this helps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfq-GW88DsA

I've had a Brother SQ9050 for a few years now, and just can't say enough good things about it. The only thing your machine has that mine doesn't is the thread cutter..that should be a great feature to have! I think you will be very happy with the new machine.
The only thing to watch for is lint building up in the bobbin area..really messes with your stitches! I can tell with mine because the sound changes...(by the way..it is such a quiet machine!)..but it's a learning curve and you'll learn fast enough that if your stitches don't look right or the sound gets a little louder, you need to clean your bobbin area!

Donna, the PC 420 boasts many more features than just the thread cutter that set it apart from lower end machines... it has a metal internal frame, a 1 touch, 1 finger needle threader that works the first time every time, adjustable presser foot pressure, a knee lifter, and the My Custom Stitch feature.... truly, it's a value packed work horse!

I should have added "that I'd like to have"...but you're right..it does have a ton of features! Be sure to let us know how you like it as you get used to it.

Congratulations! I also have a retreat machine. A little basic Pfaff about 20 years old. Awesome for retreats.