Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have had this machine for about 3 months now and I actually like it better then my Brother PE770. I like my PE770 cause it can embroider up to 5x7" designs. The Brother PE500 has a maximum embroidery size of 4x4". I had it working within 5 minutes of taking it out of the box. I had my PE770 for 2 years and it was never opened when I got this machine...I was scared to take it out of the box. After using the PE500, I couldn't believe that I was intimidated my machine embroidery. The PE500 has a self threader that has worked for me every time...my PE770's threader has never worked for me yet. The only thing I don't like about the PE500 is that you have to connect it to a computer to load designs...it has some nice designs preloaded on it already and a few fonts too! The memory in it is capable of holding 12 more designs that you load onto it...if you want more, you have to delete some. All The Brother machines use the .PES format, and once you get this machine, you will go crazy searching for designs.The PE500 is so easy to use...it might take you a few ruined projects to get used to your machine, but practice on old scraps of fabric and get used to stabilizers and what kind to use with each fabric and you won't regret owning this machine! This machine will make you become an embroidery junkie!!!! Before you know it, you will be wanting a bigger machine! After playing with this machine for a week, I finally opened my PE770. The PE500 was much easier to get used to. This machine takes regular sewing home machine needles. If you have any troubles with this machine, do not adjust your tension!!! Before adjusting the tension, make sure that your bobbin is in correctly and that you are using the correct stabilizer for the job. Also make sure you have a sharp needle or if using stretchy material a ball point needle. Also if having trouble, make sure your bobbin area is clean of lint and that there are no little pieces of thread caught in the tension discs. Most of the time, this will fix any issues that you think might be tension. Poly thread works better also, as it doesn't make as much lint. I love this machine and I have no regrets at all!!!! This machine is Brothers solution to entry level embroidery only and is billed as the first embroidery machine for under $300.