Brother SE-270D Computerized Sewing Machine

I personally started out with an old singer from a pawn shop as my first purchase. Oh, and don't mention that dreadful thing that was considered top notch back in the fifties that was my grandmothers I used as a child. And lets forget the ones we had to use in highschool if you chose the sewing elective.
After receiving this for Christmas, I have used it daily for the past 6 months and then off and on before that for the past two years. It seems to hang in there with the best of em'. I love it so much that I have been thinking about purchasing anouther one just to have on the side "Just in case". I really use this machine. It is great for your general sewing use. I would not suggest using it for heavy duty use such as leather or really thick types of materials like suede, leather, ect. These just seem to heavy for it and when put in motion, will let you know it can't handle it and make an awful noise engaging a safety mechinism that will stop the machine to keep from doing damage to the machine. But for cottons, and normal every day blends seem to do fine. I have not had any problems.

I love the auto threading option. This is an eye saver! I like the fact that it has many differant feet options too. Believe me, I almost have them all.
I no longer hand sew buttons on since I can now do this on my machine.
Threading the machine is a breeze.
The bobbin loading it so easy.
It is a load and go machine. Within seconds, not minutes, your machine is threaded and ready to go.
The touch choice panel is easy to use and very user friendly. I didn't even have to use the owners manual to figure it out!
I also like the fact that software options are available for purchase that make many differant embroidery patterns from my computer and load in the machine.

Personally, I love mine. It has been the best gift my husband has bought. I have three differant machines and this is the one of choice. It has actually taken permanent residence on my kitchen table and only seems to be moved if company is coming for dinner but is promptly returned afterwords.


EDITS AS OF 10/01/2008
I still love my machine but after daily use for the past several years, it is finally starting to show the signs of use. (I have wore it out) It is still a great machine and I intend to replace it with the same make and model. Just a heads up,mine has been dropped (GRRRRR), taken on power surges during storms, and used for long periods of time on a daily basis and is just now after several years starting to show signs of abuse.

This is my first embroidery sewing machine [$209.00]. It is easy to use machine once the directions are read. Purchase good polyester embroidery threads otherwise thread breaks often.
Various web sites will allow you to download free embroidery design patterns, but you must buy a Brother PED-Basic software, hardware, and rewritable memory card [$129.73]. I have an HP computer with Windows xp and USB ports to download free Inet embroidery designs and write designs to memory card [in .pes format]. Memory card is of odd type/shape used primarily in embroidery sewing machines.
The SE270D is limited to only embroider a maximum sized design of 4"x4" even if you use the 5"x7" hoop. If you buy a larger hoop, you still are limited to 4"x4" or smaller designs. The advantage of a larger hoop is that you do not have to remove hoop as often since you can adjust design position within hoop with the SE270D sewing machine.
The SE270D can embroider alphabets capitals & small in two fonts. To put blank space between words arrow over to the underscore alphabet; to put a second, third, etc line, use the adjust location on-screen.
If you embroider on stretchy-knit material, you need to purchase a "stiffener" backing. If you embroider on hand towels, use a water-soluable stiffener. If you embroider on non-stretch fabric, the "stiffener" is not necessary.
I love this sewing machine. Cost is affordable. It was intimidating at first. Be patient. It does work. I love the built-in Micky Mouse designs.
It is advantageous to purchase extra bobbins and white polyester bobbin threads. Winding bobbins on SE270D is easy and fast. I use rubber bands on thread spools to prevent unraveling of thread.

When I first bought this machine I was scared to use it. I have had sewing machines for years so it was not because of lack of experience with them.
I read the manual for 3 weeks and my husband said if you are not going to use it we will take it back to the store. So I decided to get over my fear of messing it up.
I kept the manual beside me every time I used it till I felt confident enough to sew or embroidery without it.

I would definitely buy another one of these machines if I had it to do over. It has turned out to be the easiest to learn on and it sews just beautifully.
Not only does it embroidery well, there are many fancy stitches you can use to decorate childrens'or adult clothing, pillowcases, pillows,curtains, etc. There are 67 sewing stitches to be exact.

It has a beautiful button hole stitch to use on applique for Sunbonnet Sue quilt blocks or whatever applique you like. There is also a feather stitch that is very pretty for the edges of the applique items. People have ask me if I did these stitches by hand. They look so good.

There is an eyelet tool that comes with it and an stitch you use to make the eyelet design and you use the tool to make the hole for it. It looks just like the eyelet fabric you buy. This is good for making lace trim with for many items.

The scallop stitch is very pretty to go on the edge of the fabric when making pillowcases or curtains, tablecloths, or fancy dresses for little girls.

One of the stitches looks just like cross stitch designs. I made a pair of curtains for my bathroom and used this stitch along the edge of the bottom and top and it looked really good.

Another stitch I like to use is what I call the star stitch. It stitches little stars in a row. This makes a very decorative stitch to use for many items.
There is a stippling stitch to use for quilting. I have used this for potholders and for small baby quilts. The end result was very successful.
Buy the walking foot that goes with the machine. It is perfect for the quilting. There is also a guide attachment that goes with it that helps you keep the quilting in row.

I forgot to mention the beautiful buttonholes it makes. It is so easy to use. The machine sews on buttons too. They will stay on better than when you hand sew them on. The triple stitch is great when your kids rip the seat of their pants. It will not come loose after you triple stitch it together.

I have only touched a few excellent points about buying this machine. It could go on and on. I would highly recommend this for a first machine for someone who has no sewing experience. It is great for the experienced seamstress, too.
I have used it for three years and it still sews just perfect. I sew a lot so it is used very often. I have 2 embroidery machines and I have a lot less problems with this machine than the other more expensive one.

The only dislike I have of this machine is that it does not use a large enough embroidery hoop. Once you get into the embroidery you will find more designs for larger patterns and you can only use the 4x4 size hoop with this machine.

Besides the fancy stitches, there are many different feet to use, it cuts the thread, and automatically threads the needle for you after you set it up.
There are many beautiful embroidery designs built into the machine. Lots of fonts for doing Monogramming for towels,pillowcases, or clothing. It is a great machine and well worth buying for the price you pay.

I decided to purchase an Embroidery machine to monogram my daughter's towels and sheets for college. I have now fallen in love with the little thing and I can't say enough great things about it. It is easy to use and understand. The instructional manual isn't written in another language like other I have had. It is probably the best thing i have bought on ebay so far.

I started out with brothers back in the late 90's. Wouldn't switch to another brand mainly due to the support of the company.
I now have the SE-2700D and the Innov-is 2500D.
The SE is a great little machine and works really great I use it mainly for my main sewing and small embroidery work. And to think it cost just a small fraction from what my Innov-is did.
For those that are thinking of going into the machine embroidery work and unsure this is a great buy.
You can also buy the brother Ped-basic to save loads of money for designs. With the ped-basic you can unload FREE designs off the internet and put them on a card that will go straight into your SE-2700D
I have a ebay group here Called "PES Machine Embroidery Designs " come join us for more talk about machine embroidery and support in doing crafts.

This sewing machine is a good, stable machine. It gives you what was paid for it. It does have some idiosyncrasies that can make it frustrating at time. The upper thread cassette is very touchy, and can waste a lot of your time, trying to get the machine threaded. Also, with the embroidery unit comes the need for embroidery thread, which I found, is fairly expensive. But it has been a delight to embroider with the machine and sewing is as stable as my other "Brother" Machine. All in all, I would spend the money again for this machine. It is very quiet and has many built-in stitches.

I have always wanted an embroidery machine and had heard that the Disney 270 was the best for a starter or small projects. I do like it but was alittle intimidated by it. The instruction book should be alittle more informative. I feel that the machine was well worth it but the manual leaves alot to be desired. It is very time consuming and expensive to figure these things out by yourself or thru trial and error. But I truly do enjoy the machine and am so pleased when I create something!

Machine is easy to use. Never did machine embroidery before and machine makes it easy. For all of us who have trouble threading sewing needles this machine is the answer. Thread cassette does all the work for you.

Wish that it could do more than 4 x 4 area.

Built in disney characters are a plus.

This machine does it all - it sews and it embroiders. The price and value on the machine was also unmatched. After looking for 2 months I found this machine on ebay at an excellent extraordinary price. I paid half of what I was seeing everywhere else. It was shipped promptly and arrived in pristine condition. Thanks so much for offering such a great deal. I would definately purchase again from this company.

This is an awesome machine. I had been wanting one for a long time. My experience with Brother machines has been wonderful. I own a PE-150. It is a wonderful embroidery machine, but this one sews as well. So I can sew and embroidery with the same machine. It's like having 2 machines in one!

Hi,
My name is Dot and my husband bought this fabulus machine for me and I think it is the greatest thing since corn flakes.Just about all you have to do is,sit down turn it on and sew it's just about as easy.Ofcourse you need to do more than that but it makes it so easy.I would give up my first born before I'd give up this machine.If you are in the market for a new machine please do yourself a favor and give this machine a look.Unless you are a professinal and need one that can do more than this machine(which I don't believe there's such an animal)then please,please at least read about all the things this one can do for you,and I mean do for you.
Thanks for reading my review and of course these are my thoughts on this machine,you will have to judge for yourself.And just to add,I use to sew in a factory when I was younger so I do know alittle about what I'm talking about.
Thanks Again Dot

I like to sew and have always wanted an embrod. machine. I got it at a good price and it works wonderful. Will enjoy it more when I get the PED to go with it.

The machine was better than I expected it does more and has the ability to do more with a memory card. I have used it several different times and I am very pleased with the preferomace. I bought it because it was a good price and I could not find one in my home town.

THIS MACHINE IS GREAT!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER MACHINE. I AM A FIRST TIME EMBROIDERY AND IT IS PERFECT TO LEARN FROM. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MACHINE 100%

I'm so in love with this machine, it's one of the best purchases I've made in a while. Love the little things it will do, and it's perfect for what crafty things I'm doing.

my auto threading doesn't work right. I e-mailed the seller asking about what I needed to do to get this checked out last week , so far i haven't heard from her. My sister has the same machine for 2 years now and i used it a lot so it's not like I don't know how to operate this machine. I could use a little imput from some one whoknows more mechanically about the thread casseftt and why it 's not connecting but about every 10 to 12 times . I can't figure out what to do . If I can just get this resolved , there is nothing I don't love about my machine. quiltmom-2007

The SE-270D does much more than I thought it would. My finances only allowed for a entry level embroidery machine. I bought the machine and PE Basic. With the machine and software I have had lots of fun. I have embroidered blankets, T-shirts, and made small stuffed animals with it. The design area is 4 X 4, but there are lots of designs and projects available for this size. It is amazing the see the machine do all the work and all I have to do is change the thread. I would definitely purchase this machine again.

This brother machine I think is overpriced at the retail level, unless you get it at a discount on ebay, but I quess everything is a little overpriced these days, what I love about it is it has many stiches, and an overlock stich that works and looks very well, and tells you if there is a problem before it damages the machine, it is a bit complicated to learn how to use at first but when you understand how it functions its very easy to use I haven't even gotton into the embroidering functions yet, They should provide a toll free number to call when theres a problem of not understanding, there is an email to contact but takes several days to get a response. Overall if you want a machine that does everything this is it.

The seller responded very quickly and shipped in time. I am very happy with my new sewing machine. The price is very good and the machine works beautifully. It is very easy to use but such a length reading about the manual book. I love it and I have emboidered several diaper bags and even made heirloom dress.

I am a true Disney fan. When I saw that I could learn to make the characters at home, I was excited. I put this Brother SE-270D sewing machine on my Christmas wish list. As my current sewing machine is a 1974 model, I have a lot of careful learning to go through before I actually make anything. I do not even know how to use the computer disc that came with the package. In 1974 the machines did not thread themselves or cut the threads when you finished. This was the last machine before free arm machines came out. That, itself, should be an enjoyable feature. At the moment,I am still using my old machine. I am building a desk for the new Brother sewing machine. I am carrying the instruction manual with me to read in any spare time.
The only thing that I lack so far, is an address for parts and supplies. I live in a small town that is not close to anywhere. I always appreciate having phone numbers and addresses for supplies that I may need.

For some reason just as time was ending & I was highest bidder ebay removed this seller's active listings and suspended the seller's trading privileges. Upset with seller "NO", upset with ebay "YES". I finally had this long wanted item within my budget provided by Social Security Disablity and was the highest bidder and the rug was pulled right out from under me. Disappointed doesn't even come close to what I felt. I have since given up any hope of ever getting this item.

My husband got this for me right before Christmas and it has taken me awhile to get the nerve to turn it on, for fear that I will tear it up. I have been using an old cabinet Singer, that only sews a straight stitch.
Once I got it out and turned on it was a breeze to operate. I was darning a hole in some pants in minutes, after that I was on to fixing a decorative shirt hem.
I can't wait to try embroidering. Two other friends that bought the same machine have assured me that it is very easy once you get the hang of it. Apparently there is a product at Lowes that works the same as the backing that you put on the embroidered patterns, it is around $30 for a large roll that lasts even prolific embroiderers for years. I am heading to Lowes tomorrow and will be off to embroidery land.
One of my friend's husband got her SE-270D from the store and spent a lot more. This machine offers a lot for a reasonable price and getting it on eBay really makes it a huge deal.
The manual is easy to follow as is the info screen on the machine. I was able to thread using the thread cassette and spool extender on the first try (what a great tool; seems a bit gadgety but I admit to feeling like a magician performing this feat for anyone who will watch).
Like the option of having the foot presser and the auto sewing; I am still a little nervous about the auto stitch having used a knee presser for so long, but it works great and is so easy to use.
I did initially use the wrong foot for darning (my error) and bent the needle. The machine and the manual quickly helped me realize and fix my mistake.
Still getting used to using a machine that did not come over on the Mayflower and I am loving it.

We purchased this itme and item was shipped quickly in excellent shape. We took item out of box and was using immediately without any problems. The item was in excellent condition and we are very pleased with the item and purchase. We would recommend this seller to friends if looking to purchase similar items.