Brother PC420 PRW Project Runway Sewing Machine Review
Based on outstanding consumer ratings alone, the Brother PC-420 PRW Project Runway sewing machine deserves consideration. When a $400-500 home sewing machine gets almost forty 4 and 5 star ratings, you can’t help but take a look, right?
When it’s also tied to a major hit television show about fashion and design, interest grows exponentially.
Read the rest of our sewing machine review below:
Table of Contents (jump ahead!)
Stitch Count Presser Feet Functionality
Accessories Customer Reviews Pros, Cons & Manual
Is this machine too much functionality for beginners? A lot depends on how much you plan on sewing. The more you are going to sew, the more features you are going to want because as your skills grow, your tools need to grow, too. Shortchanging yourself early on will just have you back in the market for a new machine sooner than you’d like.
This kind of expense, though, is certainly one of those situations where you need to “know thyself”. Are you going to use all the features now or in the future?
Because – when it comes to features – the Brother PC420 PRW sewing machine is loaded with them!
Brother PC420 PRW Stitch Count
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There are 294 built-in stitches including 10 styles of 1-step buttonholes and three fonts of letters, numbers and characters that come with the Brother PC420 PRW sewing machine:
- 67 Utility Stitches – All the most popular utility stitches plus! Straight,several zigzag styles, stretch stitches, blind hem, overcasting, overedge, basting, appliqué, patchwork, piecing, joining, and several styles of one-step buttonholes and more (in fact, the PC420 has the same 67 stitches as the Brother SE 400 combination sewing and embriodery machine).
- 31 Decorative Stitches – Faggoting, shell tuck, scallop, heirloom stitches, smocking, vines, hearts, and scrolls are a few examples.
- 16 Satin Stitches – increase the size of satin stitches up to 5 times the normal size)
- 5 Cross Stitches
- 10 Decorative Satin Stitches with adjustable stitch density
- 55 Letters and Characters in 3 Different Fonts (for a total of 165 stitch patterns): Gothic, Script, and Outline
Brother PC420 PRW Utility Stitches
Brother PC420 PRW Decorative Stitches
Brother PC420 PRW Satin and Cross Stitches
Brother PC420 PRW Font Stitches
Stitches are selected using the panel control buttons and there are 12 direct-select buttons for the most used utility stitches.
The Brother PC 420 PRW sewing machine includes My Custom Stitch creation program so you can design your own stitches and save them to your machine. To create stitches, you draw them out on the supplied grid sheets. The grid sheets then provide you the stitch points (think x and y axis) of where the needle should come down to create the stitch. Enter those points into your sewing machine and save the pattern.
This is perfect for customizing your work. If you’re making a dress for a daughter or granddaughter and they favor a particular type of flower that you’d like to hem along the collar but the PC420 PRW doesn’t include that flower pattern, you can create that flower pattern yourself, save it to your sewing machine and use it to complete the dress.
Up to 70 stitch patterns can be used in combination to come up with patterns, too. This helps with monogramming as you can program the machine to sew the three necessary letters in the monogram without stopping. This can also be used to create your own pattern of decorative stitches, for example a number of satin leaf stitches followed by a number of asterisks and then back to the leaf pattern.
The size of the letters in only the Gothic and Outline fonts have two possible sizes: small and large.
Many stitches can also have a mirror option to reverse the direction of the stitch.
Stitch length adjustable up to 5mm and stitch width adjustable up to 7mm for select stitches.
Brother PC420 PRW Presser Feet
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The Brother PC420 Project Runway sewing machine comes with 13 snap-on style presser feet. Presser foot pressure is adjustable.
- Buttonhole Foot – creates buttonholes
- Overcasting Foot – used to finish off the edge of fabric and prevent unraveling
- Monogramming – beveled edge on the foot keeps it from snagging satin stitches as you sew
- Zipper – used to insert zippers
- Zigzag – includes a leveling button to assist in getting over thick seams (also known as the General Purpose foot)
- Blind Stitch – a guide on the foot keeps the needle perfectly aligned with the seam and manipulates the fabric for a perfect blind stitch
- Button Fitting Foot – for sewing on buttons
- Walking Foot – used often for quilting and working with heavier fabrics, the walking foot provides a set of feed dogs on top of the fabric to move it forward both from below and on top
- Quilting Foot – used for free-motion quilting and designs
- Stitch Guide Foot – includes a small ruler on the foot
- Adjustable Zipper/Piping Foot – works with right or left seams and includes an adjustable guide to suit different piping widths
- Non-Stick Foot – helpful when sewing leather, vinyl or other materials that tend to stick to regular presser feet
- Open Toe Foot – makes it easier to see your stitch work when sewing intricate designs and patterns
Brother PC420 PRW Functionality
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This is the kind of sewing machine that is not only designed to handle so many different kinds of sewing projects but also meant to make sewing easier.
This is especially true for anyone who is going to be making lots of clothes with their sewing machine. The stitch selection covers all bases but things like stitch memorization, push-button thread trimmer, and custom stitch programs mean you’ll spend less time switching from buttons to zippers to seams to decorative trim.
The features on the Brother PC420 include things that enhance the sewing experience by eliminating the most frustrating tasks like pulling up the bobbin thread and threading the needle. A solid, 6 point feed dog system also enables all kinds of fabrics to move easily through the machine.
- Automatic needle threader
- Twin needle function for parallel stitch lines
- Quick Set bobbin – no need to pull up the bobbin thread on your own
- Adjustable thread tension
- 14 needle positions
- Max speed of 850 stitches per minute
- 6 point feed dog system
- Free-arm sewing
- Speed control slider to cap the maximum sewing speed
- Horizontal top thread delivery
- Drop feed dog lever
- Programmable thread trimmer (no hunting for scissors!)
- Start/Stop button lets you sew without the foot pedal
- Reverse/Reinforce button – lays down tie off stitches mirroring your stitch pattern
- Needle Up/Down button tells the machine where to leave the needle when you’re done with your row of stitches
- See-through bobbin cover
- Built-in carry handle
The Brother PC420 sewing machine comes with a knee lifter, too. The knee lifter is a pad at the end of a metal rod that attaches to the bottom of the sewing machine and is intended to rest just above your knee. As you need to raise the presser feet either because you’ve finished sewing or in order to reposition your fabric, raise the knee under the knee lifter pad in order to raise the presser foot rather than having to take your hands off of your fabric to do so. You do not have to use the knee lifter nor do you need to leave it attached to the machine.
LCD control panel is used for stitch selection and settings. There’s even a help button which will scroll threading and bobbin winding instructions.
The top of the sewing machine lifts up to reveal the thread spool and then down to cover up spool and thread when you’re done sewing for the day.
The LCD screen will show your selected stitch, which presser foot is required for that stitch, whether or not a twin needle is allowed for that stitch, the stitch width, and the stitch length.
Graphics on the LCD screen represent various sewing machine functions and settings. Four arrow keys, an OK button, and a Back button help you navigate those icons and settings.
The language on the LCD screen can be changed to any one of the following: English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Japanese
Requires SA156, XA5539-151 bobbins. Bobbins from older models may damage the Brother PC-420
The Brother PC420 PRW has a bright work lamp and built-in carry handle.
Dimensions: – L 17 1/3” x W 11 2/5” x D 7 7/8”
Weight: 17 pounds
Accessories
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Rather than a simple box space in the extension arm, the Brother PC420 has an organizer tray in the machine for all the included accessories. This makes it much easier to locate and store your presser feet and sewing tools.
- Seam Ripper
- 4 Bobbins
- 6 pack of needles (2 75/11 size, 2 90/14 size, and 2 90/14 ball point needles)
- Twin Needle
- Cleaning Brush
- Eyelet Punch
- 2 Screwdrivers (small and large0
- 4 Spool Caps (1 small, 2 medium, and 1 large)
- Extra Spool Pin
- Hard Cover Case
- Spool net (used to protect spools of thread where the thread comes off more quickly than regular thread, like transparent nylon thread)
- Grid Sheet Set for My Custom Stitch design
OPTIONAL – The Brother SA537 Extra Wide extension table can be purchased separately for larger projects. The table has fold out legs and a slot in which you can store the knee lifter. The extension table also attaches to the hard cover case for easy storage.
Here’s a video demonstrating the Brother PC420 PRW sewing machine in action. You can see the quality of the stitch work, samples of a few of the decorative stitches and all of the accessories that come in the box.
Brother PC420 PRW Customer Reviews
“This machine is simple to use. I was up and going in 10 minutes. I thought at first that the knee-operated foot lever would be a pain but it turns out I love it! It a a bit slow and the embroidery size is very limited, but if you are on a budget and are looking for the basics, I would recommend this machine.” – M. Durante
“This machine replaced my older Brother XR-52, which I thought was a good machine. However I didn’t realize that I had been hand cranking my way through many a project. Especially heavy seams on denim fabric, which is my fabric of choice, so I do sew on it a lot. Well, after getting my new Brother PC-420, I found it to go right over a double seam of denim, effortlessly!” – TechnoQueen
You can read more here: Brother PC420 PRW Reviews
Average Amazon Rating: 4.7
Pros, Cons & Manual
Pros: – Adjustable presser foot pressure. Drop-feed dog lever. Needle up/down button. Start/Stop button. Speed control. My Custom Stitch program for creating your own stitches. Excellent selection of utility and decorative stitches for quilting, free motion embroidery and monogramming. Adjustable needle position. Walking foot included. Satin stitch density and size flexibility. Comes with hard cover case.
Cons: No compatible circular sewing foot. Lettering stitches are rather small.
Manual available online here: Brother PC420 PRW Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: As of this date, Brother offers a 1 year warranty on parts and labor, a two year warranty on electronic pattern control and selection components (parts only), and a 25 year warranty on shafts and rods on the machine head.
For current pricing information, follow this link:
Features Summary Review:
Tagged with: $400-500 • Brother • Brother PC420 PRW Project Runway Sewing Machine • computerized • electric • free motion embroidery • free motion quilting • free-arm • light-weight • portable • quilting • sewing machines • sewing machines for beginners
Filed under: Reviews
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Does it serger the seams! Thank you
Lu Ann – Yes, but you have to purchase the Brother SA177 Side Cutter Presser Foot which, when used with the select side cutter stitches on the PC420, will trim the excess fabric and leave the edge wrapped to prevent fraying. Very handy!
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi! great job on all the information and awareness for novices like me. I have a basic machine (Singer Talent) which I eventually bought after a lot of deliberation and I love it.
I already want to upgrade as it turns out that I want a new sewing machine with additional features. Now, this baby here, pc420 is great from all I’ve been reading all over the net, so its an option, but do you know if presser foot pressure is adjustable? and do you have any idea if it has the stitch elongation feature, this feature allows you to take a decorative stitch an elongate, not necessarily enlarge, without losing the desired density, esp for satin stitches.
If this doesn’t, do you know any other that does?
Thanks again
It says under the “Presser Feet” section that the presser foot pressure is adjustable. I have just about “made up my mind” to purchase this machine and certainly hope they are correct. I definitely need that function.
Laura – It is adjustable.
There’s a dial at the top of the machine you use to control the presser foot pressure. It’s a hard feature to find these days, for some reason.
Sincerely,
Erin
Hello, I have really enjoyed reading all of your reviews. This is so helpful to have everything in one place. I am trying to decide between the Brother PC-420 PRW and Janome Magnolia 7330. My most favorite machine a Husqvarna Viking Freesia 415 (only 15 stiches counting the 2 button wholes) died on me after 8 years. We had a good run. Anywho, I considered getting another Husqvarna, but the one in this price range has terrible reviews (Emerald 183) plus I would be buying a store sample. So anywho, I can’t decide between the Brother PC-420 or Janome Magnolia 7330. I know you yourself bought the Janome so what made you pick it over the Brother? Right now there is only a $9 price difference and you get way more stitches with the Brother and more feet. I probably don’t really need all those stitches, but who knows. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
Laura – Originally, my mother had a lot of good things to say about Janome. I started searching for a Janome in my price range, tested quite a number of them and settled on the Janome Magnolia. Since then, I’ve tested a considerable number of machines and even went on a testing spree with my mom when we had a chance. Based on what I’ve seen since, there are several Brother machines that I would have gladly purchased to get the extra stitches and the PC420 is one of them. The Brother SE400 and the CS6000i and…well…there’s a whole list. So don’t let the fact that I got a Janome stop you from getting a Brother. My mother and I have decided that the next machine we’d get in the family would be a Brother.
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Erin
Oh my, the Brother SE-400. I almost had my mind made up on going with the PC-420PRW then I looked at the SE-400 and now I’m in love. Can it really be true? A 2 in one machine, that is not $1000. My mom has a Husqvarna Designer 1 series and I’ve always lusted after it. Now I leaning toward the SE-400. I watched the whole hsn video and read all of the comments on the review page. Plus all the comments at Amazon. The video makes it look so easy. Have you had a chance to play around with it yourself? I really want to believe it’s true, but am afraid that it’s too good to be true. AHH…This is such a hard decision. Do you think it’s user that there are some bad reviews?
Laura – Oh, yes, it’s true! The Brother SE400 is the best deal for a combination embroidery and sewing machine. The reviews are amazing, the price is incredible, and it comes with a lot of accessories. There are over 500 comments alone on my review of that machine, many from actual users. The worst complaint I can recall from all of those comments has to do with the machine’s preference for high-quality (read “more expensive”) embroidery thread but if you shop for sales and buy in bulk, you can make out pretty even.
Yes, I have had a chance to play with this model and it’s easy, fun, and the stitch quality is really good. Both the sewing and embroidery functions work well, not just one or the other. It’s been on the market long enough for consumers to have gone through it with a fine tooth comb and it’s still highly rated. This machine was one of the most popular sewing machines this past Christmas – even running out of stock until mid to late January.
It’s the one my mother and I have our eye on for one of my nieces this year.
And the number of embroidery patterns you can do with this machine is endless. Think family gifts and table runners and cute kitchen towels and adorned collars and napkins and table cloths and…well, you get the picture.
Sincerely,
Erin
Erin,
I am not an experienced sewer. I would be classified as “dangerous” when it comes to sewing. I do run a Serger that creates bandanas for a multitude of puppies who like to wear them. I am indeed dangerous on that machine. LOL. I need a new sewing machine to do the little things I need to do and when I need to do them, like creating curtains, draperies, mending, and maybe even that scrapbook project I keep putting off for the past 3 years because my current sewing machine is inept at anything but making me sweat thanks to the hottest machine lamp I’ve ever come across. etc. Now, I really need “ease of use” in a machine, as I’m getting older and am not as agile in trying to fit the stupid thread through the stupid needle eye that gets smaller each year. That equates to a machine needing to be smarter than me! I’ve researched, read, and reviewed every machine out there that has terms like “computer”, “monogramming”, “start/stop” in its description (note the monogram need – I like to monogram the bandannas, shirts, etc.). After all my searching, I am basically tottering on the edge of the abyss of either the Brother SE-400 or the Brother PC-420PRW units. I need someone to push me in either direction. Oh, my current machine is a Janome with a monogram feature (terrible monograms!). So, it’s imperative that the monograms are readable! I can’t tell if the PC-420′s are. Thanks for your candid response!
Dennis – LOL! I wish I’d come up with the “dangerous” description for myself! I’m sure that is what my mother was thinking when she let her teenage daughter use her prized possession in high school and watched in horror as I botched needle, thread, bobbins and anything else I touched on that thing.
I stayed away from sewing for YEARS after so I’m still very inexperienced but for some reason it seems so much easier now than it was then. Patience with age? Computerized machines? Starbucks? Not sure…
Brother SE400.
There is a method to my madness, though. The PC-420PRW has 3 fonts instead of the 5 that come with the SE400. The fonts on the S400 look really nice, too. Plus, you can always add more through the embroidery side. I just saw a Curlz font online for only $2.95 so I know you can find great looking fonts for dirt cheap prices to add to your portfolio.
I’m thinking, too, that if you make puppy bandannas, how cute would it be to accent them with some puppy embroidery? A bone? A dog bowl? A little picture of the type of dog who will wear the bandanna?
The SE400 is just a huge price bargain. It costs about $100 less than the PC-420PRW and you can do so much more with it in terms of creativity. The PC-420PRW is excellent for those who specialize in garment construction but if you have scrapbook projects and anything you want to decorate with images, artwork, or a variety of fonts, the SE400 will get you much further.
Consider yourself pushed!
Let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Erin
Okay, you did a good job of pushing! Thank you! Now I’m shopping for the best price out there on the SE-400 and it looks like my old favorite watering hole, “amazon.com” is the place. Works for me. Thanks again. – Signed, Dangerous Dennis. LOL
Dangerous Dennis – LOL! I try so hard not to be “pushy” but sometimes a deal is a deal and I call it like I see it.
Enjoy your new machine!
Sincerely,
Erin
Hello,
I have this machine and I love it. However, I am not able to find a compatible satin stitch for sewing appliques. Do I need to create a customised stitch or have I missed a stitch that is already provided. Any help on this would be deeply appreciated. Thanks!
Use stitch number 7 or 60 and then adjust the width as desired. Then adjust the length of the stitch down to a lower number until you get the satin effect you want.
Bonus: If you set the length to 0 you will get a bar-tack
cheers,
Rick
Will a SA128 Concealed Zipper foot fit this machine. Thanks
I am trying to decide what sewing machine to buy … just when I think I have decided I read another review which confuses …. I am not sure about a brother machine. The only thing I know about Brother is that they make computer printers and I was never happy with any of those products that I have had. They were cheaply made and did not hold up and that is my fear with a brother sewing machine. I am considering a PC-420 PRW or SE400. I am looking for a sewing machine that will last! One that can sew through jean material … hemming, replacing zippers etc. Will either of these machines sew through multi layered jean material / leather? These days I mostly do repairs, buttons, hemming etc. but my hope is that in the future I will be able to get back to making clothing and not just repairs and curtains etc. I can not afford another machine that will not hold up. I have had two Kenmore machines and I am certain I DO NOT WANT another one of those! Any help or suggestions?
THANK YOU
Anne
I am looking for a machine to do monograming and applique…I have seen a couple of reviews on the Brother PC-420 PRW that say the lettering is small. How can I find out what size range the monogram feature provides? Open to suggestions on the machine as well. I sew some graments but rather enjoy the craftier side of appliqued aprons, etc. Thanks in advance for your input.