BrotherPE535 Embroidery Machine, 80 Built-in Designs, 4" x 4" Hoop Area, Large 3.2" LCD Touchscreen, USB Port, 9 Font Styles

This is a great starter embroidery machine. You need to really read through the booklet, because this is not a sewing machine, and if that's what you're used to, this is not the same process. Do what they say, and it will work perfectly. Use the correct thread, the correct bobbins, go in the order they tell you, and don't do what they say not to-- such as, don't try to move the carriage on the embroidery attachment by hand.I am very non-techy, and it worked great for me. The stitches are very even, well formed and just a nice little bit of raised effect, nothing extreme. I'm really happy with this first attempt at an embroidery machine.A couple of important hints: 1. Use stablizer underneath. The washable is best, and worked really well. 2. Change the tension dial at the top of the front of the machine to 2. It comes set at 4, and it just doesn't work as well there. I saw this on a YouTube video, and so I knew to do it from the start. I have only tried a couple of easy monograms, but they came out beautifully. 3. Get a small pair of extremely sharp and very pointy scissors to snip all the ends of the threads. Even if you just use one color, where the thread has to lift up to cross over to another part of the design will be left behind.I have only tried the designs on the machine, not something that I've downloaded onto a thumb drive, but if that doesn't work for some reason, I will edit this post.Do keep one thing in mind, if you are interested in purchasing this: IS IT NOT A SEWING MACHINE!!! I know people who've purchased this, believing it was a sewing machine AND embroidery machine. No, it only does one thing.All in all, highly recommended for getting your feet wet in the embroidery machine experience.

I have never used an embroidery machine before, always doing it by hand. Now that I have arthritis, I needed to switch to something a bit easier. The PE535 is easy to use and I have not had any issues with it at all. I did watch various YouTube videos to learn how to thread it and do the basic commands. The touchscreen is simple, but does not always respond to touch, so you may have to tap it several times to get it to do what you want. Other than that, I have no complaints. Just make sure that you watch videos before hand and think about what you want it to do. I really didn't think much about the 4x4 hoop size when I bought the machine. Many patterns out there are for larger hoops, so you will be limited if you choose this machine. Look into what you want to do before making any type of purchase. If I were to buy a new machine, I would definitely look for one with a larger hoop size, but that is because the art I want to embroider is usually larger. If I was looking for small art only, I would have no issues getting this machine.

I am so very pleased with my new Brother embroidery machine. Ideal for a complete beginner, that I readily admit that I am. It sat at my house for a week or so before I got the courage to try something new to me. Sorry I waited so long to try it. I sure missed out on alot of fun and enjoyment just because I was a little intimidated by an embroidery machine. But this machine could not be easier to use. It came with a great set of manuals in English and Spanish. It has a great design guide booklet also. It is super easy to thread. It makes perfect stitcheshe's everytime.In the short time I have had mine, I have already tried all the designs in the guidebook, as well as the MO ogram alabets in English. I would have loved to see a few dozen more designs at this price point.

I'm a beginner to embroidery, and wanted a not too pricey machine to start. I put this in my save for later list and bought it when the price dropped to slightly over $300. Also bought additional machine designs, thread, filled bobbins, various types of stabilizer and additional needles. Make sure your know the thread specs for the machine so that you buy the right weights of thread. I've only embroidered 4 items and have gone through two bobbins already. I can't stress how much you need to read the manual AND watch the YouTube videos.I already have a Brother sewing machine, so threading this was not a problem. Make sure your lever is up so that the machine adjusts the thread tension.This is a great beginner machine, I'm already regretting I did not splurge and get a bigger hoop size. On my wish list is also a machine that cuts jump threads.Embroidery is not a cheap hobby. Plan your purchases. Make sure the designs you buy will fit the machine.I'll update this if I run into problems and after I start projects - like embroidering on suede.

I love my embroidery machine when it works. It is fun to embroider hats and jackets and blankets. It does have a steep learning curve though. The strings have to be at the perfect tension or it will jam or look awful. And the settings on the tension change each time you change the string even if you change it with the same exact string. It’s hoop is fairly small and you may think that is ok I can create bigger things even with a small hoop but it does not go well. If you use a lower cost embroidery design site the quality is also not great. If the needle is not the perfect one for the job it can also destroy what you are working on. If the needle gets used too much it also should be thrown out. There is a large and frustrating learning curve and sometimes you do everything exactly the same and it still tries to kill your project or jam.