Brother Project Runway PC420PRW 294-Stitch Professional Grade Reviews

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List Price: $649.00
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This a nice machine. I read the manual through once and was able to sew on it with confidence. I usually have trouble getting used to a new machine. It's very quiet and sews like a dream. There are many features that most seamstress' would love. My favorites are the automatic threader, the adjustable sewing speed (you can go real slow when working on something intricate), the auto thread cutter and the one touch reverse stitch. There are so many more features that I haven't used yet. I've only found one thing I don't like and that is the automatic presser foot lift and lower feature. There is a metal bar thing that goes under your sewing table and you use your knee to raise and lower the foot. It's kind of hard to do although I'm sure it would get easier with practice. I just do it manually. This is a solid, well built machine. I was using a $700 Husqvarna. Boy did I get ripped off when I bought that one. This machine can do so much more and was almost half the price. I did a lot of research looking for a new machine. Consumer reports recommended a different "Project Runway" machine. I looked everywhere but couldn't find one to purchase. I came across this machine and found it was similiar to the other but with more features. So I started reading reviews about it by people who purchased it. I could not find one bad review! That tells me all I need to know. If you're considering this machine you can buy it with confidence. It is a fantastic sewing machine at a fantastic price!!!

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I did a lot of research before buying this machine. I have been using a 50 year old Kenmore for my home decor and clothing sewing/design. Therefore, I am used to working with what I have, and being creative with my machine's capabilities. That being said, I decided it was time get a new, computerized machine that could do things that my ancient machine never dreamed of. My budget was $400 to $500. The PC-420 was so highly reviewed that I thought I couldn't go wrong!

Well, my machine arrived and right away it can't do a reliable straight stitch. It's not a tension issue, so I tried five sizes of needles and three brands of thread. I call Brother and get customer assistance. Still, the straight stiches are horribleugly skipped stiches and weird loops at intervals on the back of the fabric. Maybe a timing issue? So, I do an exchange for another machine. Amazon, by the way, has a wonderful return policy. So easy!

Well, my second machine comes and the automatic needle threader breaks on the second use. The stitches are fine, though...

Hmmm. Is this machine a good value if it isn't reliable? Am I just really unlucky by getting two lemons in a row, or will I be using my 25 year warranty on a regular basis? I'm worried.

A word about some of the stitches that come with the machine. Many of the decorative and utility stitches are very clean and tight, but some are pretty sloppy looking. Don't be surprised if you find that you just choose not to use some of them.

If this machine actually functioned properly, I'd give it five stars for value: the number of features it comes with is insane for the price. I wish I could rate it higher.

*UPDATE*: Well, I've now had this machine for a while since my original review. The automatic needle threader somehow fixed itself (so I didn't need to do a 2nd return), but on occasion the threader still "jams" for no reason. Again, each time fixing itself spontaneously... Also, the bobbin carrier sometimes freaks out on me and wads up a tangled mass of thread under the needle. Obviously, that's a problem, especially with light fabrics! Not something that happens very often, but often enough to mention it. Additionally, I will say that the feed dogs do need help with heavy fabrics or multiple layers, such as hemming jeans.

Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase, given the price point, and honestly I have friends who have more expensive machines, and they complain about them too...

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I bought this sewing machine from Amazon 2 months ago to replace my 38 year old Singer Futura that had been a wedding gift. I am not a professional seamstress but did do a lot of sewing when first married. Simple clothing, baby clothes, aprons, curtains etc. The Singer still worked but I had been away from sewing for several years and needed some motivation to get back into it again. Boy did this machine get me motivated!! I have become obsessed with sewing and doing projects I never dreamed of doing before. It is so easy to use, the manual is very clear and easy to understand. The machine comes with a TON of accessories including many, many different presser feet. The machine is quiet, sleek, handles all thickness of materials and I LOVE the presser foot knee lifter! I will agree that the onboard machine light is a little lacking but I use an 18 Watt Daylite table lamp for all my crafting and it works great illuminating my sewing area also.

I have made fine lingerie items using delicate tricot and thin liner materials without problem, and also have worked with heavy duty upholstery fabrics which the machine handles with ease after I equip the proper needles, presser feet and adjust tension. Right now I am making purses and tote bags using heavy fabrics with contrasting vinyls and the machine sails right through them! I can't speak to long term reliability yet since I have only owned it 2 months but so far I have not had a single problem with it. The auto-threader is a great feature and saves lots of time for these old eyes. Simple and quick bobbin winding. It took me just a few minutes to get totally comfortable with the basic machine threading and using the LCD screen to view menu options. I have been playing around with the variety of stitch patterns and lettering. It adds such a nice custom, finishing touch to your projects.

I pulled out my old White SuperLock Serger and use it side-by-side now with the Brother PC-420 PRW. I am discovering the fun of sewing again thanks to this machine! I would highly recommend this sewing machine to anyone who wants full featured professional capability at a non-professional price.

UPDATE: 11-26-11

I have owned this sewing machine for 1.5 years now and still LOVE IT! In fact, I took up quilting just over a year ago and this machine works great for piecing and free motion quilting. The throat space is a little small for working on really large (queen/king size) quilts but works great for wall hangings, lap quilts, crib size and larger sizes are still possible with a little patience. I have not had one minute of trouble with the machine so far and have done all my own maintenance by using a mini vacuum to clean out the lint and fuzz in the bobbin/faceplate area and removing the head cover when necessary to pull out any broken threads that get caught in the tension discs.

I know some people report that the automatic threader doesn't work consistently for them, but what I found is you have to make sure the needle is in the uppermost position for the auto threader to work. The best way to guarantee it works perfectly every time is to just hit the needle up/down button til the needle returns to the up position. The threader is not designed to work if the needle is in any other position. The machine is very sturdy and quiet when sewing, yet light enough to easily pack up and take to a sewing class.

For the number of presser feet and high end features this machine comes with it is well worth the cost. In fact with the recent sale price + $30 Brother rebate I just purchased my second machine today! One will be used exclusively for quilting and the other for piecing or basic sewing. When and IF I ever have to take one to a repair shop for general cleaning/maintenance I will not be left without a machine for 2-3 weeks. I think this Brother PC-420 PRW model is a fantastic little machine that will give many years great service and will not break the budget!

Honest reviews on Brother Project Runway PC420PRW 294-Stitch Professional Grade

I have done some very basic sewing in the past, but was asked to create some costume items for my husband, and decided that I needed something better than my little "Tiny Tailor" which is good for hemming cuffs and mending seams. I spent a week looking at various reviews and information, and while I was originally looking at the 'little brother' to this machine, the Brother 210-PRW, the 420 had such glowing reviews that I was truly torn.

I knew I wanted to invest in a good machine that was going to last me for a long while, especially if I really started getting into sewing, and so with my husband's blessing, I took the plunge and paid $80 more for the 420. I needed it right away, and so as an Amazon Prime customer, I paid the extra $4 to get one day shipping. There was a notice that it might take an extra day or two processing, but after placing the order before noon on a Friday, I got a shipment notice that very afternoon, and FedEx brought it to my door a bit before 11 the following Monday (today).

After taking some time to read through the first couple sections of the manual, I was able to unpack the machine, plug it in, fill a bobbin with thread, load it, and thread the machine to start sewing. The automatic threader and the bobbin thread that is automatically pulled up made this machine a cinch to get started with. And then I sewed some simple seams. This machine is a dream! It's very quiet compared to my memory of older machines, and the start/stop button and speed control make it a breeze, even when I'm just getting going and relearning the tricks of using a machine (which I hadn't done in 10+ years).

I would highly recommend this machine to someone who is new to sewing, but really intends to get into it and wants a machine that will be fun and easy to use, as well as sturdy and capable of sewing through thicker fabrics and multiple layers (I've been sewing fake fur today). This machine comes with several types of presser feet, 4 bobbins, numerous accessories like a second spool pin and twin needle, an eyelet punch, two screwdrivers for changing presser feet and the plate, a cleaning tool with brush, and a hard shell cover.

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I sew herbal pillows daily & needed an upgrade from my old Kenmore, so I bought the PC-420 Brother from Amazon. Glad I did, as it is a HUGE improvement over my old Kenmore (which also had great reviews, but is a dinosaur compared to this Brother).... and yet, the PC-420 does have a few negatives you need to be aware of.

BIG HINT ~ buy as many REAL Brother made bobbins as you are allowed to purchase from Amazon, as any other 'similar' plastic ones will cause you much frustration & due to the sensitivity of this machine, will jam thread up quickly. I wanted to order more, but Amazon would only let me purchase a limited supply.... your plastic bobbins may look nearly identical, but trust me they will NOT work properly on this machine.

I personally found the extra presser foot lever to be a silly, unnecessary addition that only gets in the way....if you are lifting the foot, you are probably turning your fabric, so your hands are involved anyway. Also tried the on/off sewing button & didn't care for that either. The foot pedal gives you more instant control.

I really wish Brother had included the extra large, plastic sewing surface along with this machine, instead of its basically useless, plastic cover. Wow. For $60 extra dollars, I say go ahead & buy it, but to me, they would have done their customers a huge service by switching these items out.

For pillow strength, I use the 'triple stitch' or stretch stitch on my products. ALL the stitches of this machine are very nice & uniform, but using this particular stitch makes sewing very, very slow, unfortunately.

Due to it being a highly sensitive machine, you also must have some patience & a bit of mechanical acumen, because you will spend some time unscrewing the housing piece to clear tangled thread from inner parts, as well as taking apart the bobbin shuttle & cleaning it out so that the machine sews properly (Brother did not include a decent tool brush for this, so I use my old Kenmore brush to perform this task, & it works well). At least getting into the bobbin area is relatively easy, as the top plastic piece just pulls out & snaps back into place. No screws.

The auto thread is a great time saver of course (just make sure your needle is all the way up & in position to receive thread... I was pretty slow at realizing why I was having so much trouble). The automatic snipping of your top & bottom threads is also terrific & definitely saves on thread, although on my machine, it still leaves a good inch of each (any one know if this is normal)?.... plus it doesn't cut threads clean all the time.... again, you need to constantly get inside & clean out your bobbin/cutter area, as threads tend to want to stick & jam things in there.

The design of the PC-420 is sleek & professional looking (don't know why so many manufacturers want to make their machines look like cutesy, little girl sewing machines with color & swirls, etc.)... so it looks good just sitting there when not in use. Threading is easy & fast.... machine is sturdy & solid, though not heavy, so it's great for portability... the computerized stitch window is also easy to understand & work, although the little embroidery letters are just okay, nothing more, so don't think you're going to do a lot of good looking personalization embroidered names with this. On the other hand it has a great stitch selection, & really, the stitches again are very, very nice & uniform.

Due to the fact that I sew professionally for my business, & the Project Runway is not designed to be industrial, I should have probably invested in a much more expensive sewing machine, but if you are a beginner or advanced home sewer, I honestly think you will be pretty happy with the Brother PC-420, as all in all it is a well designed, solid little work horse.

ANOTHER HINT: Do invest in fine grade thread, as I believe whole heartedly that even average priced thread can really slow you down if you sew constantly. And don't even think of using cheap, big outlet store thread on this particular machine! Believe me you will be less than happy with your results. Hope this helps!