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Brother has been producing great sewing machines, consistently, for years. They offer a wide range of devices and this is what’s made them one of the best-known companies within the industry. Arguably one of the best beginner-friendly embroidery machines Brother has ever produced is their PE525.
Read our in-depth review below to find out more about this beautiful, inexpensive embroidery machine.
Note, a slightly upgraded version of this model is now out – also read our Brother PE535 review.
- Embellish your creations with embroidery! Easy to learn and use embroidery-only model from Brother
- 4 x 4 inch embroidery area
- Easy-to-view back-lit touch screen LCD display accesses 70 built-in embroidery designs, with 5 lettering fonts
Design and Functionality
Since this machine is primarily meant for hobbyists and beginners, the lightness and the small size is expected and Brother delivers in that department. The PE525 weighs only about 18 lbs in total, while the dimensions are 15.55″ x 6.93″ x 11.73″ (height x width x depth).
Just like most Brother-produced embroidery machines, this one is a sturdy, reliable, yet aesthetically pleasing and modern-looking model.
Computer connectivity is something we expect nowadays and, as always, Brother delivers in that department. The user can easily import designs from their computer via the provided USB cable. Thousands of designs are available online and as long as they’re in the .pes file format, you should be able to import them in no time and with little to no effort.
Since this is a beginner-friendly embroidery machine, the designers have clearly paid close attention to making using it as simple as possible. A few buttons, including the automatic needle threader and the auto thread trimmer are easily accessed and readily available.
The former allows the user to thread in an instant, without using a magnifying glass or anything similar, while the former allows the user to have upper and lower threads instantly cut, with just the touch of a button.
The designs can be rotated by 1, 10 or 90 degrees and there are 5 built-in font styles (for lettering and monogramming).
Another thing worthy of a mention is the 25-year limited warranty. Considering the low price of the PE525, this is practically a bargain and definitely something that makes the machine even more attractive to potential buyers.
It’s always great to see companies paying attention to user needs, satisfaction and customer support.
Performance
The 4 x 4-inch embroidery hoop might not be on the large side, but for the average home user this is more than enough, especially considering the fact that most designs on the internet are not larger than 4 x 4 inches.
On top of that, it’s safe to assume most home users don’t need a lot of space anyway, since they don’t usually work on extra-large projects. However, the size might turn out to be a problem for some advanced users who want plan working on large, complex projects.
The backlit LCD touchscreen makes using the Brother even easier, allowing the user to access built-in designs, tutorials and various design editing features. Of course, the brightly lit workspace is another great feature, allowing the user to see the fabric surface clearly, making embroidering effortlessly easy and fun.
The so called “Quick-Set Top Drop-In Bobbin System” is a Brother exclusive – this is a system that ensures the bobbing stays in place, therefore providing even stitching. The bobbing and the cover are see-through, which is also great because you can see if you’re running low on thread.
This is indeed a beginner friendly model and in many ways a fool-proof machine, so even those unfamiliar with embroidery will most probably find it very easy to use. The user’s manual is also concise and straight to the point, so even the most inexperienced of users could benefit from consulting it.
This is not to say that the PE525 doesn’t perform well – on the contrary, it does everything it’s supposed to very well, albeit not too fast since the maximum embroidery speed is 400 stitches per minute. Still, most home users probably won’t mind the relatively low stitching speed.
One of the best thing about the PE525 is the fact that the machines operates silently – producing little to no noise, which makes it even more suitable for home use. Who would want a loud, complicated machine for home use?
All in all, it can be said that the PE525 performs very well, especially considering the price. It is not a professional model, by any means, but then again it isn’t really meant to be either. This is a great machine for beginners and hobbyists and it offers just about everything one could possibly need.
On top of that, it is really inexpensive – one of the least expensive embroidery machines we’ve ever gotten our hands on.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 15.55″ x 6.93″ x 11.73″ (height x width x depth)
- Product weight: 18.07 lbs
- Number of built-in designs: 70
- Number of fonts: 5
- Embroidery area dimensions (hoop size): 4 x 4 inches
- Maximum Embroidery Speed (Stitches Per Minute): 400
- Pattern Rotating: 1, 10 and 90 Degrees
Pros
- Good design
- Light and portable
- Ease of use
- Price
- Good performance
- Warranty
Cons
- Hoop size
Our rating: 8.5/10
Final Verdict: Perfect for Beginners
The Brother PE252 is the perfect embroidery machine for beginners. It’s lightweight, portable, incredibly easy to use with lots of automated features and on top of all that – it is one of the cheapest embroidery machines we’ve ever gotten our hands on.
The only downside, for some, could be the relatively small hoop size, but considering this embroidery machine is meant for beginners and home use, it wouldn’t be fair to hold that against Brother.
All in all, this is a great product that could serve as the perfect vehicle for familiarizing yourself with the world of embroidery.
- Embellish your creations with embroidery! Easy to learn and use embroidery-only model from Brother
- 4 x 4 inch embroidery area
- Easy-to-view back-lit touch screen LCD display accesses 70 built-in embroidery designs, with 5 lettering fonts