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Embroidery Fit Guide How we pick

Sewing + embroidery· checked Nov 10

One machine that sews and embroiders, at a first-machine price

Our pick for one machine that does both

Our line drawing of a sewing and embroidery machine, the class the LB5500M belongs to Our drawing · Real photos at Sewing Machines Plus

Brother LB5500M Marvel

USD 599.99 at Sewing Machines Plus1 Before sales tax · seen Nov 10, 2026

  • 4 × 4 inmax. area
  • 103sewing stitches
  • 135designs
  • YesWi-Fi
Check price at Sewing Machines Plus
  • 60-day returns: shipping deducted; opened machines: ask first6, 7
  • Brother warranty: 1 yr parts & labor1

The Brother LB5500M sews with 103 built-in stitches by the shop's count and embroiders designs up to 4 × 4 in once you attach the embroidery unit.1, 2 Check it against your projects below.

Not run by a machine maker or by Sewing Machines Plus. Our paid links go to that one shop, and we may earn a commission if you buy. We haven't used these machines: everything here comes from the makers' spec pages and manuals, the shop's listings and 31 sources. How we make money · How we pick

A sewing and embroidery machine with its embroidery unit attached, stitching a green design in the hoop Not one of the machines on this page · Photo: Rwendland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · modified

What you see

  • Embroidery unit, attached at the left: it moves the hoop
  • Hoop under the needle, with the design stitching
  • Sewing bed: take the unit off and it sews

Is it your kind of machine?

For sewers who want to add names and motifs

It was the lowest-priced sewing and embroidery machine in stock that we found at the shop on Nov 10, 2026; Brother's SE700 was sold out.1, 5

You sew, and want to embroider too

Hems, seams and buttonholes, then attach the embroidery unit for names and motifs. Brother lists sewing at 70 to 710 stitches per minute.

You have room for one machine

With the embroidery unit on, Brother gives about 20.6 × 8.6 × 12.1 in and 18 lb. Without it, it's a regular sewing machine.

Your designs are small

Embroidery up to 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm), 135 built-in designs and 10 fonts by the shop's count.

You'd like designs from a phone or PC

Brother's manual lists wireless LAN plus a USB port for design files.

How it works

A sewing machine with a detachable embroidery unit

  1. Sew as usual. Without the embroidery unit it's a sewing machine; Brother packs eight presser feet (seven for sewing plus the embroidery foot) and a foot controller.4
  2. Attach the embroidery unit. It carries the 4 × 4 in hoop and moves it under the needle; Brother's manual shows how to put it on and take it off.2
  3. Embroider. Up to 400 stitches per minute, one needle, so you change the thread for each color.2
Line drawing of a sewing and embroidery machine with numbered parts: 1 fabric being sewn, 2 needle, 3 screen, 4 detachable embroidery unit with hoop 1 2 3 4
  1. 1Sewing: fabric under the presser foot, with a straight stitch
  2. 2Needle: one, for sewing and embroidery
  3. 3Screen: stitches, designs and lettering
  4. 4Embroidery unit (dashed): attach it to embroider, with the hoop
Our drawing of the machine class, not a picture of the LB5500M.

Fit check

Does it fit what you want to stitch?

Five sewing and embroidery machines from the shop, against their makers' maximum embroidery areas.2, 12, 14, 17, 19

Finished caps or hats?
Do you also want to sew with it?
A pile of large thread spools in many colors Photo: Dvortygirl · CC BY 3.0 · modified

The offer

LB5500M or a bigger embroidery area?

The Viking Quartz 29 embroiders 6.6 × 3.9 in, the Janome MC1000 5.5 × 5.5 in with a free starter kit until Dec 31 by the shop's offer, the Brother SE2000 5 × 7 in for USD 900 more than the LB5500M.12, 13, 17

SpecBrother LB5500M MarvelHusqvarna Viking Designer Quartz 29Janome Memory Craft 1000Brother SE2000
Price (seen Nov 10)USD 599.991USD 99911USD 1,39913USD 1,499.9916
Max. embroidery area4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)26.6 × 3.9 in (170 × 100 mm)125.5 × 5.5 in (140 × 140 mm)145 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)17
Built-in designs1351180122411419316
Getting designs inWireless LAN and USB stick2Wi-Fi (mySewnet/CREATIVATE) and USB stick11USB stick14Wireless LAN and USB stick17
At Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the LB5500M at Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the Quartz 29 at Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the MC1000 at Sewing Machines Plus Check price of the SE2000 at Sewing Machines Plus
All specs (7 more rows)
More specs
SpecBrother LB5500M MarvelHusqvarna Viking Designer Quartz 29Janome Memory Craft 1000Brother SE2000
Sewing stitches1031250123001424116
Built-in fonts101101211141316
Max. embroidery speed400 stitches per minute2450 stitches per minute11660 stitches per minute14650 stitches per minute17
File formats it reads.pes .phc .dst .pen2.vp311not stated on the pages we read14.pes .phc .dst .pen17
Weight18 lbs217.6 lbs, machine only (shop's figures)1122 lbs1424 lbs17
Included at that priceMachine and standard accessories1Machine and standard accessories11Free Janome embroidery starter kit, "For a limited time: 11/1 - 12/31" (shop's words)13Machine and standard accessories16
Maker's warranty1 yr parts & labor1up to 20 yrs (maker)121 yr labor, 5 yrs electronics151 yr parts & labor1

Specs as the makers state them on their product pages and manuals, unless marked as the shop's figures; prices are Sewing Machines Plus' before sales tax, seen Nov 10, 2026. Prices change; the shop's page is what counts. Full warranty wording is in the terms below.

The shop's terms, in plain words60 days from delivery, shipping not refunded, opened machines: refund or store credit (ask first)
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

    The shop's returns page: "You have 60 days from delivery to return any item that isn't marked final sale, opened or not." You start a return by phone or e-mail and get a return authorization first.6

  • Shipping isn't refunded, both ways

    The original shipping cost is deducted, "including orders that shipped free", and return shipping is paid by you. A machine without its original box and packing costs a 15 % restocking fee.6

  • Opened machines: two texts disagree

    The returns page refunds opened machines (minus shipping); the older refund policy says "Opened merchandise can be returned for a Store Credit". The older policy also lists items without the original factory box and freight items as non-returnable. Keep the box, and if you might return an opened machine, ask the shop in writing before you order.6, 7

  • Free shipping in the lower 48

    On orders over USD 49, to the contiguous 48 states; most in-stock orders arrive in 2 to 5 business days; items shipped by the maker or special-ordered show their own ship time on the product page. Not free to Alaska, Hawaii or the territories.8

  • Warranty after day 60

    Brother's limited warranty, as shown on the shop's LB5500M page: 1 year parts, labor and accessories, 2 years electronic components, 25 years chassis casting.1 The shop says it is "an authorized dealer for every brand we sell, so your warranty is valid".6

  • Price match

    Up to 30 days after purchase, as an in-store credit, against an authorized dealer's lower delivered price; some makers' pricing rules, Janome's for example, can prevent a match.9, 10

What it costs after you buyStabilizer, thread, needles and software: about USD 82–145 in month one
  • Stabilizer: about USD 9–18 a pack or roll

    Almost every design needs it under the fabric. Seen at the shop: 25 pre-cut tear-away sheets USD 8.99; a 10 in × 10 yd roll of tear-away USD 17.48 or cut-away USD 18.40; water-soluble 12 in × 10 yd USD 13.99.20, 21, 22, 23

  • Thread: USD 40 for 10 colors

    A 10-color kit of 40-weight polyester, 1,000 m spools, is USD 39.90; a 48-spool kit USD 169. Bobbin thread from about USD 7.24, 25, 26

  • Needles, spray, scissors: about USD 30

    Five 75/11 embroidery needles USD 4.39, temporary spray adhesive USD 13.79, double-curved embroidery scissors USD 9.95.27, 28, 29

  • Designs and software: free to start

    The LB5500M reads .pes .phc .dst .pen.2 Brother's Design Database Transfer for Windows is free; editing software ranges from free (Ink/Stitch) to about USD 159 (Embrilliance's regular price, seen Nov 10, 2026) and much more for full digitizing suites.30, 31 File formats explained

Month one: about USD 82–145Shop prices seen Nov 10, 2026, our two sample baskets. The full list

Honest limits

Skip the LB5500M if…

  • You already own a sewing machine you like.An embroidery-only machine gives a bigger area or a lower price: first embroidery machines.
  • Your designs are bigger than 4 × 4 in.The SE2000 does 5 × 7 in; the Janome MC9850 6.7 × 7.9 in at USD 1,499. Machines by hoop size.
  • You'd rather not have a Marvel theme.The shop calls the LB5500M "Marvel™ inspired". The Viking Quartz 29 at USD 999 has a larger 6.6 × 3.9 in area and no theme.
  • You want to stitch finished caps.Combos are flatbed machines; finished caps in their natural shape go on a cap frame on a tubular machine. A stitched patch works.
  • You want the supplies in the box.The Janome MC1000 comes with a free starter kit (stabilizer, thread, bobbins, designs) until Dec 31, by the shop's offer, at USD 1,399.

Prefer to compare first?

The fit tool checks what you want to make, your largest design, sewing, budget and table space against 15 machines, and tells you when none of them fits.

Sources: the shop's LB5500M and MC1000 pages; Brother's LB5500 manual page.1, 3, 13

Questions before you buy

Is one combo machine as good as two machines?

It's a trade-off. A combo saves space and money, but you switch between sewing and embroidery by attaching the embroidery unit, and you can't sew while it embroiders. A combo also costs more than an embroidery-only machine with the same embroidery area: USD 599.99 for the LB5500M against USD 499.99 for the PE545 (both 4 × 4 in), seen Nov 10, 2026.

What's the difference between the LB5500M and the SE700?

Brother's US manual page for the LB5500 links the same operation manual as the SE700, so the figures we give (4 × 4 in area, 400 stitches per minute embroidering, 70 to 710 sewing) are from that shared manual. The LB5500M is the Marvel-themed version the shop sells; the SE700 was sold out at the shop on Nov 10, 2026.

How big can a design be?

4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm) on the LB5500M. For bigger designs: the SE2000 does 5 × 7 in, the Janome MC9850 6.7 × 7.9 in. Hoop sizes drawn to scale.

What else do I need to buy?

For embroidery: stabilizer, embroidery thread and needles, about USD 82–145 in the first month in our two sample baskets. For sewing you'll use regular thread and needles. The full list with prices.

Which design files does it read?

Brother's manual lists .pes, .phc, .dst and .pen for embroidery. Janome machines read their own .jef format, Husqvarna Viking .vp3. File formats in plain words.

Can I send it back?

Within 60 days of delivery. The shop deducts the original shipping cost, even on free-shipping orders, and you pay return shipping. Its two return texts disagree on opened machines (refund or store credit), so keep the box and ask the shop in writing if that matters to you.

Have you used it?

No. We don't test machines. This page is built from Brother's manual, the shop's listing and terms, and the sources at the bottom.

Do you get paid if I buy?

Not yet. We plan to apply to Sewing Machines Plus' affiliate program on Awin; until it approves us, our links earn us nothing. Once approved, purchases through our links can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Ready to check today's price?

Brother LB5500M Marvel: USD 599.99 at Sewing Machines Plus before sales tax (seen Nov 10, 2026).

  • Sews and embroiders, one needle
  • Designs up to 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • 60-day returns: shipping deducted; opened machines: ask first
  • Brother warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Check price at Sewing Machines Plus Not sure yet? Try the fit tool
Sources (31) · checked Nov 10, 2026
  1. Sewing Machines Plus: Brother LB5500M Marvel, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  2. Brother: Brother SE700 / LB5500 Operation Manual (seen 2026-11-09)
  3. Brother: Brother LB5500 manuals page (seen 2026-11-09)
  4. Brother: Brother SE700 included accessories (seen 2026-11-09)
  5. Sewing Machines Plus: Brother SE700, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  6. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Returns & Refunds (seen 2026-11-10)
  7. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Refund policy (seen 2026-11-10)
  8. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Shipping & Delivery (seen 2026-11-10)
  9. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Store Policies (seen 2026-11-10)
  10. Sewing Machines Plus: SMP Low Price Guarantee (seen 2026-11-10)
  11. Sewing Machines Plus: Viking Designer Quartz 29, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  12. Husqvarna Viking: HUSQVARNA VIKING DESIGNER QUARTZ 29 (maker store) (seen 2026-11-10)
  13. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome MC1000, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  14. Janome Australia: Janome AU Memory Craft 1000 (seen 2026-11-09)
  15. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome MC400E, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  16. Sewing Machines Plus: Brother SE2000, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  17. Brother: Brother SE2000 Operation Manual (seen 2026-11-09)
  18. Sewing Machines Plus: Janome MC9850, product page at Sewing Machines Plus (seen 2026-11-10)
  19. Janome Australia: Janome AU Memory Craft 9850 (seen 2026-11-09)
  20. Sewing Machines Plus: StayPerfect Medium Tearaway pre-cut stabilizer sheets, 25 pack (seen 2026-11-10)
  21. Sewing Machines Plus: OESD Medium Weight TearAway 10 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  22. Sewing Machines Plus: OESD Heavy Weight CutAway 10 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  23. Sewing Machines Plus: Floriani Stitch N Wash water-soluble stabilizer 12 in × 10 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  24. Sewing Machines Plus: Robison-Anton spun poly bobbin thread 60 wt, 1,100 yd (seen 2026-11-10)
  25. Sewing Machines Plus: Exquisite Polyester 10 Color Thread Kit (seen 2026-11-10)
  26. Sewing Machines Plus: Floriani Polyester Embroidery Thread Kit 48 spools (seen 2026-11-10)
  27. Sewing Machines Plus: Schmetz 75/11 Chrome Embroidery Needles 5 pk (seen 2026-11-10)
  28. Sewing Machines Plus: 505 Spray Adhesive 6.22 oz (seen 2026-11-10)
  29. Sewing Machines Plus: Havels Double Curved Embroidery Scissors 3.5 in (seen 2026-11-10)
  30. Ink/Stitch: Ink/Stitch (seen 2026-11-09)
  31. Embrilliance: Embrilliance Essentials (seen 2026-11-10)