You can download three Brother SE400 Operation and User’s Manuals in PDF format from Brother’s website. Here are the direct links because it can be hard to find the exact place.
Quick Reference Guide
A very handy illustrated guide in color that you can keep referring to for the built-in stitches, embroidery designs, fonts, and frames. Contents:
- Bobbin Winding and Setting
- Upper Threading
- Selecting Stitch Patterns
- Summary of Stitch Patterns
- Preparing to Embroider
- Selecting Embroidery Patterns
- Alphanumeric Character Patterns
- Frame Patterns
- Embroidery Pattern Color Change Table
- Color Thread Conversion Chart
Operation Manual
A 172 page manual describing the Brother SE400 and how to use all the various functions: Getting Ready, Sewing Basics, Utility Stitches, and Embroidery.
Instruction Manual: USB Connection
This manual describes how to use the USB port and cable to connect the SE400 to your computer; how to import embroidery designs into the SE400 from the computer; and how to use a computer to upgrade the SE400’s software.
Hi Kamala
I have my brother machine SE 400. I am trying to do embroidery and it’s hard for me to do it I’m learning to get used to it. Need your help. Please let me know how to download and do other designs downloaded and sent to me by emails. Hope to receive your answer.
Hello my dear
Ihave this machine is nice
Iwant ask you about the letter arabic how imaket
You have software ican make designe and right whati want
I have a Brother SE400, I have misplaced the embroidery manual of the built in designs & the colors, do you know how I can download & print a new one.
Just happy to find you.
Hi Victoria, Thanks so much for visiting. I’m happy to find you too.
I have an entire service manual that I scanned and turned into a PDF document if you are interested in having it for your site.
Hi, I’m not sure if she wants it but I’d love to have it. My step-daughter borrowed my wife’s machine and loaned it out. When she got it back the upper tension control won’t tighten I can’t get the front cover off, but I can see the tension spring and it don;t move when you turn the knob. Maybe the service manual would show how to get the front cover off? lol
Hi Ken, I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t want the service manual. It’s that I’m concerned about copyright issues. Bother makes the User Manuals freely available on their site. But they’re hard to find, so I link to them here as a service. That’s entirely different than posting a scanned manual. I’m not running a repair or support service. I’m only trying to help people with a hobby that I love.
I’d like to have a copy of that manual, thanks a lot – Larry
Hi Larry, just click on the links in the article and save the pdf file that opens. Sorry, I guess it’s not so obvious that the blue headers are links. :-(
My friend’s machine has stopped working (the needle now hits something below). She’s used it quite a bit (so I suspect something’s jiggled out of place and is now blocking the operation). So I’d appreciate receiving the Service Manual if that’s convenient Kathy (I can be reached at 67c0a5cf@opayq.com ).
Don
I’m looking for the service manual too if you could email it to me. Thanks sew much. vebbie@gmail,com
Hi I lost my instructional DVD? can you tell me where I can find the instructional DVD? as I cant seem to find it on your site thank you
where can i buy a instructinal dvd for brotherse400 i have lost mine
Hi Inez, I’m sorry I don’t know. Have you tried eBay?
Do you know where I can purchase the accessory pkg that usually comes with the SE400, I did not receive anything except the foot pedal? Also is there an instructional DVD? Thank you.
Hello, this has been very help. I have been reading everywhere and this may be a crazy question but can you use an material such as a shirt to embroidery? Can I use this machine to embroidery on shirts and jackets?
Hi Ronda,
Yes, you can embroider on shirts and jackets. Cotton shirts and tee-shirts are fine. It’s not so much that it’s a shirt, but what material is it made of and where and how big do you want the embroidery. This is a complicated topic involving stabilizers. Knits need different stabilizers than cotton to keep them from stretching. A flimsy shirt like a gauze of light silk might not work so well. It also depends on the design. A heavy, dense design will need a heavier fabric to support it. Knits and light fabric need a very, light open design. You need access to the embroidery area. For example, you would have to remove a pocket to stitch in the middle and stitch it back on. (unless you don’t mind closing the pocket with the design – making a faux-pocket.) For jackets, it depends on the material — leather, I would say no. Or heavy, with layers of lining would be difficult. Medium or light-weight denim would probably be OK. How heavy, I really can’t tell you. I live in the Bay Area, California and I don’t have very heavy clothes that I embroider. It also depends on the size of the design. If you want to embroider the back of a jacket, for example, you’ll need a larger machine. The SE400 can only embroidery designs 3.9×3.9″. Hope this helps.
sewing machine se – 400
I am trying to figure out how to get the designs from the computer to the sewing machine,it is so different then my other machine, which has a reader writer ,could you please direct me
linda
Hi Linda,
Have a look at my tutorial, How To Download Designs To The Brother SE400. Hope it helps.
Thanks for the info! I am new to the se400, but I have been embrodering since 1997 when I got my first emb machine. learned on a friend’s jannome and purchased a singer xl1000 and a magic box and went to work. later I traded up to th xl6000 and we made lots of things! But surgury stopped my progress, along with my little shop and I had to move to a senior home, with little space to move around in. My xl6000 went into the floor when I tried to drive it around the sewing table into the corner of the tiny bedroom She fell off and was destroyed. I sold her parts for little or nothing and bought the se400 about 6 months ago. she is tiny and I am not at all sure of how much she will handle, but I don’t handle as much any more either! so I want to learn what she is able to do and maybe she will be all I need to keep me fasinated! I saw something about a flip-pal for scanning and ideas begin poppin in my old retired brain——-is it possible ? can I once again be creative? and not break this little jewel?
Hi Opal, What a story! I’m not quite yet in a senior home, but I certainly hope to take my SE400 with me when I go and be able to continue making things even though I’m a lot slower than I used to be. Congratulations on your perseverance and having creative ideas. Blessings, Kamala