Independent sewing-machine buyer guide • Affiliate links may earn a commission
Ideas today. Stitched tomorrow.

What Could You Make for Someone You Love?

A Halloween costume they'll never forget. A handmade gift that actually means something. Clothes for your kids. A tote for your best friend. Pillows for your home.

Or maybe something just for you. ♥

The fun part is imagining it. The less-fun part? Figuring out which sewing machine gives you what you need without paying for what you don't.

Find Your Fit ↓
Different needs. Same creativity. ♥

Finding the Right Sewing Machine

Don't start with stitch counts and spec sheets. Start with the things you can't wait to make. Then choose the machine that fits where you are now and where your ideas might take you next.

Make it personal

What Do You Want to Make?

For the kids. For the house. For someone you love. For yourself.

♥
Handmade children's dress and sewing materials

For the Kids

Clothes, costumes, little surprises and the things they'll remember you made just for them.

♥
Handmade gift, tote and sewing materials

For Someone You Love

Birthday gifts, holiday keepsakes, bags and something nobody else could have picked off a shelf.

♥
Colorful fabric, handmade accessories and home sewing ideas

For You & Your Home

Clothes, pillows, accessories, repairs and those “I could make that” ideas you've been saving.

Two different ways to begin

How Much Machine Do You Want?

One keeps the cost of trying sewing low. The other gives you more creative capabilities to grow into.

I just want to start sewing

Brother XM2701

A simpler, more affordable way to find out where sewing takes you.

  • Everyday sewing, clothing and crafts
  • Kids' projects and costumes
  • Handmade gifts and home décor
  • Repairs and alterations
  • 27 built-in stitches
  • 6 included sewing feet

You don't have to buy a lot of machine to discover that you love sewing.

See the XM2701 on Amazon →

Paid link • Check Amazon for current price and availability.

I know I'm going to want more

Brother SE700

Sewing plus embroidery and personalization for ideas that keep getting bigger.

  • Regular sewing plus embroidery
  • Personalized names and monograms
  • 135 built-in embroidery designs
  • 3.7" color touchscreen
  • Wireless embroidery design transfer
  • Automatic thread cutter

The reason to spend more isn't simply “more stitches.” It's the extra ways you can personalize and experiment.

See the SE700 on Amazon →

Paid link • Check Amazon for current price and availability.

The comparison that matters first

Picture Yourself Making It

This comparison is a fixed graphic, so it stays intact on phones and after import.

Creative sewing comparison between Brother XM2701 and Brother SE700 showing which machine fits clothing, kids projects, gifts, home decor, repairs, personalization and embroidery goals.
Now the nuts and bolts

What's Actually Different?

Once you know what you want to make, the technical differences make more sense.

Fixed feature comparison graphic for Brother XM2701 and Brother SE700 covering controls, stitches, embroidery, touchscreen, wireless design transfer, thread cutter and included sewing feet.

About those 103 stitches: more stitches do not automatically make a machine better for ordinary sewing. The meaningful SE700 difference is the broader computerized, embroidery and personalization capability.

Which One Sounds More Like You?

“I've always wanted to try sewing. I just want a good place to start.”

The XM2701 lets you start making clothes, gifts, kids' projects, home décor and repairs without paying for embroidery features you may never use.

Choose the XM2701 →

“Once I start, I'm going to want to personalize everything.”

The SE700 gives you regular sewing plus embroidery, names, monograms, decorative designs and more creative options to explore.

Choose the SE700 →

The SE700's maximum embroidery area is 4" × 4". If large-format embroidery is central to what you want to make, keep that limitation in mind.

Your Ideas Don't Have to Stay on Pinterest.

Pick the machine that fits the way you want to create, then make something.

Start Simple: XM2701More Possibilities: SE700

Paid links • Amazon pricing and availability may change.