Features:

  • Enjoy true versatility with a full range of 67 sewing stitches, comprehensive sewing functions, plus 4-inch-by-4-inch embroidery design and editing. Easy-view back-lit touch screen LCD display accesses all your stitches and designs
  • Creative embroidery design options - with 70 built-in designs, 120 frame combinations and 5 lettering fonts; computer connectivity to import designs purchased from iBroidery.com, other sites, or from your PC, or Brother memory card (Not compatible with MAC)
  • Comes complete with 4-inch-by-4-inch embroidery hoop, 7 specialty sewing feet, designer rolling bag, USB cable, embroidery bobbin thread, soft cover, and more.Large 4” x 4” Inch embroidery area
  • Reliable, easy threading of both top thread and bobbin for even, consistent stitching. One-touch automatic thread cutter cuts your top and bobbin thread with ease. Maximum Sewing Speed (Stitches Per Minute) : 710
  • Bilingual user manual, 25-year limited warranty, and free phone support for the life of the product. We do not recommend using this machine in countries that do not support 120V AC even if a voltage adapter is in use
Great machine for the price

I like this machine a lot. You can't beat it for the price. It's a great machine for a beginner or experienced sewer. I am a quilter and use the machine a lot. The only thing that would make this a perfect machine would be a knee lift. The embroidery is great and easy to use. It has lots of stitches for experimenting with. It doesn't bulk over seams and that's what all quilters want in a machine. One thing you should invest in if you're a quilter and want to do piecing with machine and that is the 1/4" foot. It's extra but it's worth it. I have two of this model. One I bought in 2011 strictly for doing embroidery on quilt labels and it hasn't failed once in all of this time. It really out sews my $1600.00 Janome.

Great product for the price and versatile for anyone who need a machine to grow with your skills.

I have had this LB6800PRW for about 2.5 years now. So I think this is an adequate amount of time to give a decent review. First of all, I base everything I buy on reviews. I like to see some of the pros and cons of a product. At first I didn't use this sewing machine for about 4 months because I was a bit intimidated by the learning curve of sewing. People on tv make it look so easy. There are many factors involved such as thread type, needle type, foot type, & material you are using. Then you gotta decide if you are going to sew or embroider on your machine... so many choices. Well the best way for me to get started is by starting a free class with my small local library to learn with others about sewing. Success, my group started at 8 but now we still have 5 of us meeting bi-monthly. Women in my class have a variety of machines. But many of them wish they could have a machine like mine. Reasons are: the products are less expensive to buy for brother than others, this brother machine can do much more than just sew because it can embroider too and theirs cost the same as mine. I guess I knew before I bought this that I might want to take it on the go. The rolling bag fits the machine great and makes it easy to go to sewing class. In summary, this machine is a great price for a great versatile products that I highly recommend. Just make sure to send it to a dealer for a tune-up every few years to keep it running smooth.

Perfect choice!!!

I'm very happy with my new machine, it is my first time using a Brother sewing machine (I used to have a Singer, not computerized) My first impression yesterday was that is good to work, the sound I heard on videos is not loud, it doesn't shake when it's working, was easy to follow the instructions by reading the illustrated steps. I was able to test the built-in stitches, change the foot to embroidery (Q) and test to write my name in a towel. I feel in love for how I managed everything well without YouTube "how to" support. I recommend this machine!

First sewing machine and very satisfied

I love this for the sewing machine and embroidery. I use it more for sewing than anything. The first one sent to me was not working. I figured it out that it was not me, it was the machine. Once I got a better model, the fun began. I have made five shirts so far, two pillow cases, a dress, hemmed up 6 pairs of jeans/khakis and made a bunny rabbit stuffed animal. My kids are having fun helping me with the automatic bobbin threader. It is fun after you put the thread on the bobbin. Just press a button and the thread starts to spin into the bobbin. The automatic thread for the needle is so convenient as well. This is my first sewing machine so I wanted it to be a nice one. I am very satisfied with my purchase. Make sure to read all the instructions before starting. It is the most important thing to do!

Just what I needed!

I purchased this machine because I've come back to the world of sewing (mostly crafty things - not garments) and I found myself fighting my old machine (bobbin, thread tension, etc.) Even after a good cleaning and oiling, my old machine and I just couldn't get along. So, I wanted to upgrade to a machine that also embroidered. I've been extremely pleased so far with this machine. Features I love - self threading needle, button to cut the thread, option of using foot petal or just the front buttons! Only drawback so far is the lighting - even though it's LED, it needs to be brighter for this girl. Oh, and the rolling case came with no instructions on how to put it together. It's still in a heap on the floor because I'm too busy sewing to take the time to figure it out.

I LOVE IT!!! And I own a Viking.

I love this machine. I had been shopping for one and almost dropped a fortune on a Bernina or Viking and just decided it was too much money but I wanted a computerized touch screen sewing machine. I saw this one on amazon and I was a bit skeptical but the reviews were good for it so I took a chance. It did not disappoint. I love the automatic threading of the needle and the easy instructions on the screen to thread the machine and how to do the bobbin. So easy. It sews great and the automatic thread cutting is awesome and there aren't big tails of thread to cut off when you are done. I have a Viking from the 1990's and this machine sews circles around that machine. Great purchase!

Love it!

I love this machine! I am not a expert in sewing and am still learning but I love this machine and it makes learning easy. I made sleep pants for all my nieces and nephews for Christmas and embroidery their names and it was great! There are so many different things you can do with this machine and I am excited to learn all of them. One thing I will note is that you need a PC not a Mac to run the software. I have a mac so I have not been able to use the software, but I have no complaints so far. Make sure you use embroidery thread or the thread will break or choke up.

LOVE IT!! An absolute beginners review...PLUS update!

I absolutely LOVE this machine! I've been using it for about 2 months and I am totally brand new to sewing. I have never, ever used a sewing machine before in my life. I never even learned how to sew by hand, but I developed an interest in sewing and fabrics when I began collecting vintage clothing about 3 years ago. While I can't compare this to other machines, I can offer some insight as a novice sewer. I have to say that I do more embroidering with this machine than sewing (probably 70/30 or 60/40). However I have used the sewing features of this machine to make 3 sets of curtains, about a dozen pillows, aprons, change-out zippers, shorten hems and various other projects - with minimal difficulty. My family cannot believe how many things I've made as a brand new sewer. The automatic needle threading and thread cutting features of this machine make it an absolute breeze to use for a beginner. Although I felt overwhelmed at first - I had no idea what a bobbin or a pressor foot was and actually had to use Google for definitions - I was up and running in no time. I think this is a fantastic machine for a novice. Prior to purchasing, I did extensive research into all aspects of sewing machines and found this machine to offer the best features for the price, and consistently high reviews. Many of the negative reviews have similar complaints: needle breaking and/or bobbin issues. My theory is that the machine has an internal flaw/weakness that occurs on about 10% of machines. Maybe some machines are handled rough and become "tweaked" so that bobbins misfeed and needles aren't precisely aligned. My guess is that Brother is aware of this issue but feels it's an acceptable loss. (Brother is a huge company that makes a wide range of products = less attention to details) If it were a safety issue, there would probably be a recall. The problem seems to occur right away, so I would definitely just return the machine if this happens to you- one of the benefits of Amazon's 30-day return policy. In terms of the negative reviews, you also have to consider the amount of variables that factor into the equation - type of sewing, stitch selection, sewing speed, quality of thread, type of fabric- PLUS cleaning the machine - very, very important. The instruction book is a "must read" and contains very detailed instructions on stitch selection, needle selection, thread selection, how to sew hems, buttons, darn socks, etc. I've learned a lot from the book and refer to it often. I also bought the Brother Embroidery Starter Kit which I would strongly suggest if you are new to embroidery. It contains everything you need to embroider, plus every item is the correct size and compatible with the machine, so you don't have to stress over sizes of bobbins and needles. I also bought the Brother Sewing Starter Kit which I would also suggest. However, if I had to choose only one, I would go for the embroidery kit. OMG- the embroidery is addicting! I absolutely love embroidering designs on towels, bibs, napkins - so easy! The machine comes with a hoop, but CAN be used with the optional Brother SA434 4-Inch-by-6 3/4-Inch Large Hoop for sewing multiple patterns in an area without having to re-hoop. You CAN sew larger designs, and there are large designs that are broken into smaller sections, you just have to carefully re-hoop the fabric. It's a pain, but it's do-able. You CAN download designs using a Mac computer. The machine comes with a USB cord that you simply plug in, and the sewing machine pops-up on your desktop as a "No Name" device. I simply download patterns directly to my desktop (there are free patterns available at the Brother website), and drag-and-drop them into No Name - you do NOT need to buy the additional $100 Brother PED-Basic Software for Downloading Embroidery Designs and you DO NOT need to download special software. (There are free programs available, if you want to be able to open and view a pes file on your Mac. Google "StitchBuddy" and/or "Needle Works" for free software). Occasionally, the "No Name" device does not show up on my desktop when I plug the USB cord into my laptop, but if I turn the sewing machine off for a minute, and back on - it solves the problem. You CAN use the cheaper thread, but you have to clean the machine more often, as it leaves more fuzz behind. You also must pay very close attention to the spools, as they bind up easier and will bend/break your needle. I used and reviewed both radiant threads 40 Spools Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread and thread art Polyester Embroidery Thread Set - 40 Spools (500 meter spools/40 wt.) - Set A Vibrant Colors The bag is well-worth the extra cost of this model vs. the SE 400 Brother SE400 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine- especially if you are in need of a bag or are considering ever taking the machine out of the house- as long as the price difference is reasonable. I looked at the cost of comparable bags and would say that this bag is easily worth 50 bucks, if not more. When I bought mine, the LB6800PRW was only $30 more than the SE400. The bag and wheeled handle weigh a solid 10 pounds and are sturdy and well made. The bag is not attached to the handle - there is a strap on the back of the bag that slips over the handle. It also has a handle on the top so you can carry it without the wheels. The bag is thick nylon and comes with 6 nylon padded pieces that you attach inside the bag to make the sides and bottom stiff and to create storage sections inside the bag. When not in use, you can remove these and the whole bag/wheels folds flat for easy storage (About 5" high so you can easily slip it under the bed or in a closet). Since the bag is made for this machine, it fits inside perfectly with no extra room to bang around or parts poking into the sides - a big plus over buying a generic bag from JoAnn's. Plus there is plenty of room for accessories, notions, etc. If you are put-off by the Project Runway label, it's easy enough to cover up and there is only the one label on the front. All in all, this is probably one of the best purchases I have ever made! I decided to buy this machine over the similarly priced PC-420 because of the embroidery feature. Brother PC-420 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine. (I had narrowed it down to the 2 Brother PR machines because I liked the features of both, not because of the PR thing - I have never even watched the show). I had no real interest in embroidery, but for the price, I figured it was a nice feature to have. What an understatement! The embroidery is a total blast and as I mentioned, I am totally addicted! I probably should not be posting this, but here goes: I was craving more designs, but was discouraged by the prices of the Brother cards and the popular websites. I ended up buying a CD off of Ebay that has 9000 designs for < 20 bucks. All I can say is WOW! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS MACHINE!!! ************************************************************************* Just wanted to post an update - as of October 2012. I have used this machine to death! Well, not literally...but I have been using nearly every single day for 10 months, and it still functions flawlessly, like NEW - and even looks brand new. It has held up through literally 100s of sewing projects, including fur, denim, minky, satin, silk, organza...you name it. As far as the embroidery, I am as hooked as ever and have probably embroidered close to 1000 items - truly, it never gets old! I am now expecting my first baby in February and have been going crazy sewing and embroidering blankets, burb cloths, diaper covers, bibs -anything and everything! A few helpful hints I have to offer based on my experience: 1) Clean your machine - frequently! Especially after sewing fuzzy materials like velvet and minky, and/or if you are using anything other than Brother/Pacesetter threads. The cheaper threads (like Radient Threads) create a lot of fuzz that clogs up the area around the bobbin case. Use the tiny screwdriver included in the kit, remove the two tiny screws on the bottom metal plate and get in there with the tiny brush/picker that came with the machine. Anywhere the brush can reach should be cleaned. I even stick my vacuum cleaner tip in there to get the fuzz out and vacuum the entire machine off. (just be careful not to vacuum up the little screws). 2) Buy this--> Machine Oil-3/4 Ounce Dritz (sewing) machine oil - the 3/4 oz size is plenty. Use a few drops of this on a toothpick to lubricate the automatic threader once a month or anytime it shows signs of sticking. TWICE I thought the automatic needle threader was broken, and a quick lube job did the trick. Simply PUSH and HOLD DOWN the little lever on the side of the machine (labelled number 9) and put this stuff up and down the metal shafts and all over the threading mechanism. 3) Change needles FREQUENTLY. I sometimes go through a few needles a day. Buy these--> Brother SASEW8012 Sewing Machine Needles by Organ Organ size 80/12 needles - 100 of these is about 12 bucks. At 12 cents per needle, you can't go wrong plus these needles come in a convenient little plastic, reusable, flip-top box that holds 10 packs of ten. I find this size to be perfect for both basic embroidery (on cotton fabrics) and general sewing. Also, use the correct needle size for the job - 100/16 needles like this Schmetz Leather Machine Needles 5/Pk- Size 16/100 for leather, 110/18 needles like this Schmetz Jean & Denim Machine Needles - Size 18/110 for denim, 75/11 for satin, etc. 4) Use lots of pins, spaced every 1.5-2 inches when sewing through multiple layers or slippery fabrics. I like these Wrights 881428 Flower Head Multicolor Pins, 75-Pack flat head pins the best because they are 2 inches long, very thin (don't leave holes) and you can iron over them. Also, sew on a very slow speed when sewing through layers and slippery fabrics. I also LOVE these Clover wonder clips to hold fabrics together Clover Wonder Clips, 50 Per Pack 5) For best embroidery results, always use stabilizer. My favorite is the tear away sheets like these 50 PRECUT SHEETS FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINES, EASY TEAR AWAY LIGHT WEIGHT STABILIZER PAPER TEARAWAY 9 x 12 INCHES FITS THE JUMBO HOOP AND 5 x 7. I cut these in half and they fit great. Sometimes I use masking tape or painters tape to tape an edge to the top of the hoop (to keep from shifting) and/or tape the fabric to the sheet - especially if it's too small of an item to fit in the hoop (like a baby's bib). 6) For really beautiful embroidery results, google & download "Stitchbuddy" to open and customize patterns in .pes form. This program comes with like 100 free downloads and allows you to see pattern size, stitch count, simulate stitch pattern (so you can visually see exactly how the pattern will stitch) and even change colors - giving you the exact color match & number that correlates to the Brother thread color and number. 7) For best embroidery results, use the built-in features of this machine to adjust pattern size and layout. I always check the layout of the design first and customize it from there. The other incredibly helpful features are under the "adjust" setting of the embroidery menu. You can re-do specific stitches and/or re-do entire colors, if you want a "deeper" or more dramatic 3-D effect. I posted a picture of a Minnie Mouse I embroidered onto a bib above. I embroidered each color twice and it just came out gorgeous (uses more thread, but worth it for certain items).

So easy to work on right out of the box

This machine was an upgrade for me. So easy to work on right out of the box! Haven't gotten to try all the embroidery aspects of it, but what I have tried, I would say it is very easy to use. Can't wait until I need another upgrade, I would totally choose another Brother sewing machine. I have non complaints.

... as a birthday gift from my adult kids and love the machine

I was given this as a birthday gift from my adult kids and love the machine. It does everything the U Tube videos says it does. I only does a 4x4 embroidery and it does a beautiful job. If i was doing this for other than a fun hobby, I would recommend one that takes multiple threads and does a bigger embroidery area. I bought extra hoops and they work great. Even the larger size works good, I just have to move it from one set of connections to the next to use the whole area.

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