Briefly, the Brother SE-400 Computerized Embroidery and Sewing Machine is the same as the Brother SE350 with an USB Port for computer connectivity. This USB port enhancement means that you don’t need to buy expensive software and a card reader/writer when you want to expand beyond the built-in embroidery patterns.
The Brother SE350 has been discontinued and replaced with the SE400. Except for the USB port, the Brother SE-400 is identical to the SE-350.
The USB port on the side of the Brother SE400 connects the SE400 directly to your computer with the included USB cable. You can then download embroidery designs from your computer into the SE400 for stitching. You can also upgrade the internal software in the SE400 when Brother releases a system upgrade.
Note: The USB port on the Brother SE400 is the type of USB port that accepts a USB cable and attaches to a computer’s USB port. It is not compatible with a USB thumb drive or memory stick.
Brother SE400 vs SE350 is really a no-brainer. The SE350 has been discontinued, but is still selling new for a price equal to or greater than the upgraded SE400. You can sometimes find a better deal, but remember to include the cost of the software and card reader/writer you’ll need to download additional embroidery designs. No matter how many built-in designs an embroidery machine has, sooner or later, you will want more.
I am wanting to buy a Brother SE 400 – I’m a beginner sewer and embroiderer- what supplies do I need to buy that don’t come with the machine? Threads? Software? Hoops? I just don’t know where to start and want to make sure I have everything I need. Thanks
Hi Ashley,
To get started: Buy some cotton or blend, medium weight, woven fabric to test and learn on. Not a knit and no piles like towels. Buy some spools of embroidery thread in different colors. The bobbin thread comes with the SE400. Buy some medium-weight cut-away stabilizer. I think that’s all you need to get started. The standard hoop is included. You don’t need the optional hoops to start.
I strongly recommend not thinking about software in the beginning. Practice and learn the machine first using the built-in designs. Also there are many choices in software and you’ll have a better idea what you need after you learn a few things.
Start with the Quick Start guide. Learn to use the machine–the controls, menus, touch panel, threading top and bobbin (very important). Learn to hoop and position fabric and stabilizer. (look on YouTube for videos.) Use the built-in designs and learn how to select and position them, stitch, change colors, etc. Get your embroidery looking neat and the way you like it first with a built-in design. Once you’re comfortable with the machine and like your test embroidery, go on to downloading and real projects. This seems slower at first, but is actually a faster way to learn because you’ll save yourself a lot of time and grief fussing with software, etc. before you’ve learned the basics of the SE400 and embroidery. Build yourself a strong foundation and then go step-by-step.
my se 350 has the indention/place for the usb can it be added. there is just an empty plate there. Thanks for any help
Hi Angela, I guess it would be theoretically possible, but I don’t know of anyway. I think it would require a hardware and software factory upgrade.
I just wanted to know what the difference is between the Brother Computerized Embroidery Machine and the Brother SE-400. I am thinking of buying one but would like to know which one is the best of the two. Thank you
Hi Bonnie, the main difference is that the SE400 is a combination sewing and embroidery machine. Whereas the Brother Computerized Embroidery Machines only do embroidery. They don’t do regular sewing. Other than that, it depends on which model of the embroidery machines you’re looking at. The PE500 is just like the SE400 except it doesn’t have sewing features and I think it has some extra accessories. So if you don’t need a sewing machine, the PE500 could be the one to get.
Hi! I really wanted to purchase the Brother SE400, on ebay and have it shipped to my country. But I’m worried of its ac wattage requirements, will not be compatible with Kuwait’s power outlet voltage 220 – 240. What is “se400” voltage? Thanks
Hi Lynette, The voltage for the SE400 is US 110v. Both Brother and Amazon advise not to use a step-down transformer with the SE400 to convert from your 220v to 110v. You could try looking for a similar model from the UK or other 220v country, but I don’t know anything about them.
I am new to the embroidery world and learning more every day. I have bought a used Brother se350. It does a great job on the monogramming and embroidery I am learning to do but I want to do machine applique. I have read the manuel from cover to cover and I”m wondering if this machine does not do machine applique???? Do you know if it has the internal capibilities to machine applique OR can I add that option??? I would appreciate your help. Thanks!
Hi Andie, Welcome to the fun world of embroidery. I’m so glad you’re learning. The SE350 will do appliqué. Have a look at the manual on page 141. You will need an appliqué design which is a special embroidery design with the extra steps for appliquéing programmed in. I suggest you start with one of the built-in designs to test and learn. Look in the Quick Reference Guide for designs with a *. For example, number 40, 43, and 44 are appliqué designs. One thing that confuses many people: in the manual where it tells you to set the thread color display to the name of the color, it doesn’t mean that it will display any appliqué setting right then. It means to set it to the color name, so that later, when you’re stitching the appliqué, it can display the name of each step. If you’ve never done appliqué before, I found this tutorial helpful, http://www.sewswell.com/applique_instructions01.html. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your site. Although I am having no problems with anything on my SE-400, I am always looking for new ideas and tips for my machine. Again, Thanks for all your time and effort.
What is causing the bobbins to mess up in the middle of a design. I have to start over and it mess up the shirt.
Hi Saundra, Are you sure the bobbin is in and threaded correctly? Also, try taking the bobbin case apart and cleaning it thoroughly. (see p. 152 in the manual for instructions.) Even a tiny bit of dust or lint can cause it. Is the bobbin thread hanging up on something? A burr or scratch or rough spot on the case can cause this. Did you wind your own bobbin and is it smooth and tight? Does it happen all the time or only if the bobbin is near the end where the winding can be especially uneven. It can also be the upper thread tension. Make sure it’s threaded correctly. Just some ideas – hope at least one helps.
When doing an appliqué, it says to press the button that looks like a piece of paper with some writing on it and to set the color display to NAME OF COLOR so the “Appliqué material, appliqué position and appliqué are displayed. Once I set the color display what do I do to get the appliqué stuff to show up on the display I’m getting nothing?
Hi Saundra, It’s confusing because the manual is badly written. It means to set the color display SO THAT LATER when you’re appliquéing a design it can display the instructions. Just select your appliqué design and start the stitching and you’ll see the steps come up. If you need help with the process, have a look at this tutorial: http://www.sewswell.com/applique_instructions01.html.
I know this should be easy but I guess my question is how do I start? I don’t know how to select my design for it to be an appliqué. Or how to stitch.
Hi Saundra, I don’t know how to answer because I don’t know where you are. Have you stitched out any embroidery design? If not, I suggest you start with a regular design before doing an appliqué as it’s simpler and you will need to learn the basic skills of embroidery like hooping and positioning for both.
If you can do a regular design, then you can’t just select that the design be an appliqué. You have to start with an appliqué design which will have the special steps for appliquéing built in. For an example of a built-in appliqué design, look at the Quick Reference Guide that came with the machine. #40, 43,44 are appliqué designs. They are marked with a * and you can see the extra steps (the first three) for appliqués. I would suggest that you start with one of them on a scrap fabric to learn. Appliqué designs look like regular designs except they have the extra steps. You select them and stitch them the same way. Look at the tutorial link I gave you to see where the machine stops and what you do at each step.
What is the differents between se400 and se400 combo. I am going to buy one and don’t know which one.
Hi Saundra,
The SE400 is a combination sewing and embroidery machine. I’ve never heard of an SE400 that wasn’t a combo. Maybe they just didn’t give the full name in the title?
Is the Brother SE-400 compatible with a Macintosh? Im trying to find one that is!!
Hi Kelly, Yes, I have a Macintosh and only use it. Love Macs! Have a look at my post on downloading designs and you’ll see pictures of my MacBook Pro connected to my SE400.
Brother says it’s not compatible, but it works and I’ve never had any problem with it.