Brother PE800 vs SE1900: embroidery only or sew and embroider

PE800 vs SE1900 at a glance

Both machines come from the same Brother family and use the same 5x7 inch embroidery field. That means any design that fits one fits the other. The table below lists only what the product listings state, so you can see exactly where the two machines match and where they split.

What the shared embroidery features mean

A 5x7 inch field (about 130 x 180 mm) is the most common size for home embroidery. It handles monograms, shirt chest logos, tote bag designs, quilt block motifs and most patches. If you plan to stitch large jacket backs or big quilt panels, a 5x7 machine will need split designs, and you should look at our large hoop embroidery machine guide instead.

The 138 built-in designs and 11 fonts are the same on both machines, so lettering and monogram work is identical. The 3.2 inch color touchscreen lets you preview a design, check placement and make simple edits before you stitch. Most people end up loading designs they buy or digitize, and the PE800 listing confirms a USB port for importing designs. Brother machines in this range read the PES format; our page on Brother embroidery file formats explains converting other files.

If you are not sure a design will fit, the embroidery hoop size guide compares a design's dimensions to standard fields, including 5x7.

Where the SE1900 earns its extra cost

The SE1900 converts from embroidery to sewing by removing the embroidery unit and attaching a sewing foot. With 240 built-in stitches, 10 auto-size buttonhole styles, an advanced needle threader and a drop-in top bobbin, it works as a full computerized sewing machine for garments, home decor and quilt piecing.

That matters most if you are starting from nothing. One SE1900 can replace a separate sewing machine and an embroidery-only machine, which saves table space and keeps the total spend down. It also suits people who embroider on items they sew themselves, such as quilt blocks, bags and kids' clothes, because you can sew and embellish on the same machine.

• You do not own a sewing machine yet, or yours is worn out.
• You have limited space for two machines.
• You want buttonholes and decorative stitches as well as embroidery.
• You mostly embroider pieces you sew yourself.

The case for the embroidery-only PE800

The PE800 makes sense when you already have a sewing machine you like. Long embroidery runs can tie up a machine for an hour or more. With a separate PE800, your sewing machine stays free while the embroidery unit stitches, which is a real time saver if you sell embroidered items or make gifts in batches.

Having two machines also means one breakdown does not stop all your work. If the embroidery machine needs service, you can still sew, and the other way round. And because the PE800 has no sewing mode, there is no conversion between modes to slow you down: the embroidery unit stays attached.

If you are thinking about small-batch selling, also look at our embroidery machine for small business guide, since multi-needle machines save thread changes on larger orders.

Compare Brother embroidery machines →

How to decide in three questions

Beginners who are new to both sewing and embroidery are usually better served by the SE1900, because it covers both learning curves in one machine. Our guides to the best sewing and embroidery machine and the best embroidery machine for beginners cover more options at each price level, and what you need to start machine embroidery lists the stabilizer, thread and needles to buy with either machine.

1. 1

   Do you already own a sewing machine you are happy with? If yes, lean PE800.

2. 2

   Will you embroider for long sessions or in batches? If yes, a separate PE800 keeps your sewing machine free.

3. 3

   Do you need buttonholes, stretch stitches or decorative stitches and have no other machine? If yes, choose the SE1900.

Supplies and setup are the same for both

Because the embroidery side is shared, the supplies are too. You will need embroidery thread, bobbin thread, stabilizer suited to your fabric and embroidery needles. Our machine embroidery stabilizer chart and embroidery needle guide apply to both machines. Hooping technique, tension and design density matter far more to stitch quality than which of these two models you pick.

If you run into thread nests or breaks on either machine, start with embroidery machine bird nesting and embroidery thread shredding. Those fixes are the same for the PE800 and the SE1900.

Frequently asked questions

Is the embroidery on the SE1900 the same as the PE800? Based on the listings, yes for the basics: both have a 5x7 inch field, 138 built-in designs, 11 fonts and a 3.2 inch color touchscreen.

Can the PE800 sew regular seams? No. The listing describes it as an embroidery-only machine. You need a separate sewing machine for seams, hems and buttonholes.

Can I use designs I download on both machines? Yes, as long as they are in a format the machine reads and fit within the 5x7 field. The PE800 listing confirms a USB port for importing designs.

Which is better for a beginner? If you have no sewing machine, the SE1900 is the simpler path because it does both jobs. If you already sew on a machine you like, the PE800 adds embroidery without paying again for sewing features.