Brother LB5000 Review: Sewing And Embroidery Machine
The Brother LB5000 is a versatile sewing and 4×4 embroidery machine that allows you to unleash your creativity. With built-in designs and sewing stitches, an automatic needle threader, and easy-to-use LCD touchscreen, this feature-packed machine makes embroidery and sewing projects accessible even for beginners.
In this comprehensive LB5000 review, we’ll take a close look at all the features, performance, and ease of use of this model. Find out if the Brother LB5000 could be the perfect sewing and embroidery machine for your creative needs!
Overview of the Brother LB5000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother LB5000 is a computerized combo machine that allows you to both sew and embroider. This versatile machine comes packed with features and accessories to make sewing, quilting, crafting, home decor, and embroidery projects easier.
Some of the highlights of this model include:
- Large 3.7” LCD touchscreen display
- 80 built-in embroidery designs and 9 lettering fonts
- 103 built-in sewing stitches
- 4” x 4” embroidery field
- Automatic needle threader
- Star Wars or Marvel themed faceplates and designs
- Import designs through USB
This lightweight but sturdy machine delivers outstanding performance. With multiple included feet, easy threading, and smooth fabric feeding, the LB5000 makes it simple to achieve professional-looking results.
While beginner-friendly, this machine offers enough advanced features to grow with intermediate sewers and embroiderers. Keep reading this LB5000 review to learn more!
Overview Table:
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 16.5 x 7.7 x 12 inches |
| Weight | 14 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Brother International Corporation |
| Model Number | LB5000 |
| Includes | Power cord, foot pedal, hoop, bobbins, seam ripper, screwdriver, scissors, 7 sewing feet |
| Warranty | Limited 25-year warranty |
Main Features of the Brother LB5000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
The Brother LB5000 comes equipped with all the essential features you need to embroider, sew, quilt, and craft with ease. Here’s an overview of some of the main highlights:
Built-in Embroidery Designs
One of the biggest advantages of the LB5000 is the built-in embroidery designs. This machine comes pre-loaded with 80 different embroidery designs and 9 lettering fonts to allow you to create beautiful embroidered projects.
The designs encompass various styles including floral, nature, holiday motifs, and more. With just the touch of a button, you can select one of these designs and have it stitched out.
Example of built-in embroidery designs
In addition, some models of the LB5000 like the LB5000S (Star Wars edition) and LB5000M (Marvel edition) come with exclusive themed embroidery designs of your favorite characters!
Having these built-in designs makes machine embroidery accessible for beginners who are just getting started.
103 Built-in Stitches
Aside from the embroidery capabilities, the LB5000 also excels at general sewing tasks.
It comes equipped with 103 built-in utility and decorative stitches including:
- 10 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes
- Zipper, blind hem, zigzag, stretch, and elastic stitches
- Quilting stitches like hand-look quilt stitch and stippling
- 7-point feed dogs for smooth fabric feeding
With all these stitches at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to tackle any sewing project from clothing construction to home décor. The LB5000 eliminates the need for manual stitch selection – just choose your desired stitch on the LCD display.
Large LCD Touchscreen Display
The LB5000 allows you to preview designs and select stitches/settings through the large 3.7” LCD touchscreen display. The high-resolution color display makes it easy to see your designs.
With the intuitive display, you can:
- Edit embroidery designs on-screen before stitching
- Combine designs and add lettering
- Adjust and resize designs
- Select stitches and adjust length/width
- Follow step-by-step tutorials for threading, winding bobbins, etc.
The LCD screen gives you more creative control compared to machines without a display. You can see how edits will look before sewing them out.
Touchscreen display of the LB5000
Automatic Needle Threader
One of the most convenient features of the LB5000 is the automatic needle threading function. With just the touch of a button, a thin loop passes through the needle effortlessly.
Threading the needle manually can be tedious and cause eye strain. The automatic needle threader saves time and headaches!
Easy Bobbin Winding and Insertion
Another time-saving feature of this machine is the jam-resistant drop-in bobbin system. The horizontal hook design makes inserting the bobbin case frustration-free.
There’s no need to pull threads through slots – just drop the bobbin in and it clicks securely into place.
Winding the bobbin is also easy with the built-in winding system. You don’t need a separate bobbin winder device.
Together, the automatic bobbin winding and drop-in system makes setting up embroidery projects much faster.
Bobbin winding on the LB5000 is easy
Included Embroidery Hoop and Arm
The LB5000 comes with a 4” x 4” embroidery hoop and arm so you can start embroidering right away.
The included hoop is ideal for embroidering small projects like garment labels, pillows, hats, bags, and more.
While you can stitch out designs larger than the 4” x 4” field by re-hooping the fabric, purchasing optional larger hoops will give you more convenience for bigger projects.
7 Included Sewing Feet
Having a variety of presser feet expands the versatility of your sewing machine. The LB5000 includes 7 different presser feet to handle all your sewing needs:
- Spring action zigzag foot
- Zipper foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Button sewing foot
- Overcasting foot
- Monogramming foot
With this assortment of feet, you can install zippers, sew on buttons, make buttonholes, and more with ease. Specialty feet like the monogramming foot also open up creative options like embroidering personalized designs.
The LB5000 provides outstanding value by coming with these 7 feet included in the box!
Other Convenient Features
Some other useful features that make sewing and embroidering with the LB5000 enjoyable include:
- Variable speed settings to sew or embroider at your desired pace
- Start/stop button to sew without the foot pedal
- Automatic thread cutter to instantly trim top and bobbin threads
- Needle up/down button to bring the needle up or down in the fabric
- Quick-set drop-in bobbin for fast bobbin changes
- Free arm for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and other cylindrical pieces
Embroidery Capabilities of the Brother LB5000
One of the biggest selling points of the LB5000 is the built-in embroidery functions. This machine gives you professional embroidery results without needing a separate multi-thousand dollar embroidery-only machine.
Here are some key highlights about using the LB5000 for embroidery:
80 Built-in Designs
As mentioned earlier, the LB5000 comes pre-loaded with 80 different embroidery designs.
The designs include a wide range including:
- Floral motifs like roses, daisies, tulips
- Alphabet designs in different styles
- Frames, vines, swirls, and borders
- Holiday and special occasion designs
- Cute critters like ladybugs, frogs, and pandas
- Whimsical designs like unicorns, hot air balloons
With such an extensive design library, you’ll always have fresh inspiration for your embroidery projects.
While 80 designs may not seem like much compared to some machines with hundreds or thousands of options, it’s actually quite generous for this price point. As a beginner, you’ll have plenty of designs to work with.
Of course, you can always import more designs if desired through the USB port.
Design Import Capabilities
In addition to the built-in designs, you can import embroidery designs right to your machine using the USB port.
This allows you to use designs purchased from websites, converted from free machine embroidery SVG files, or created with embroidery digitizing software.
Having unlimited design import capabilities opens up countless creative options!
To import a design:
- Download or purchase embroidery design files and save them on a USB stick. Common file formats like .PES .PEC .DST and .XXX are compatible.
- Insert the USB into the port on the machine.
- Select the “Retrieve Data from USB” option on the LCD screen.
- Browse and select the desired designs to upload them to the machine’s memory.
Now your imported designs are ready to be edited and stitched out just like the built-ins!
Design Editing
The LB5000 lets you customize the built-in designs or imported designs right on the LCD touchscreen.
With the editing features, you can:
- Resize designs (increase or decrease size)
- Rotate designs
- Create mirror images
- Adjust design density
- Remove portions of the design
- Change individual thread colors
- Rearrange the stitch order
- Combine designs and add lettering
- Adjust lettering curvature, spacing, font size and more
These editing capabilities allow you to personalize designs to perfectly suit your projects. You can alter the designs until the preview on the screen matches your vision.
Editing embroidery designs is easy with the intuitive screen
The on-screen editing provides more convenience compared to machines where you need a separate computer and software to edit designs.
4″ x 4″ Embroidery Field
The LB5000 comes with a 4″ x 4″ (100 x 100 mm) embroidery field. This means it can stitch out designs up to 4-inches wide and 4-inches tall.
The included 4″ x 4″ hoop is great for sewing small embroidered accents onto garments, bags, blankets, towels, and other projects.
Here are some ideas of projects that fit well in the 4″ x 4″ hoop:
- Shirt pockets
- Collars
- Baby onesies and bibs
- Socks
- Hats and caps
- Towels
- Tote bags
- Pillows
- Quilt labels
- Bookmarks
- Eyeglass cases
- Pet bandanas
- Face masks
For larger embroidery designs, you can re-hoop the fabric to stitch out the design in sections. However, working in a larger hoop is more convenient.
Optional larger hoops like the 6” x 10” multi-position hoop are available for purchase separately. We recommend the Brother 6″ x 10″ Embroidery Hoop which fits this machine.
The 4″ x 4″ field is sufficient for most beginning embroiderers. But those wanting to create giant embroidery designs may prefer a machine with a bigger field like the SE1900 which has a 5″ x 7″ area.
Embroidery Speed
The LB5000 has a maximum embroidery speed of 400 stitches per minute. This speed is suitable for smaller designs, although large, intricate designs will take longer.
While some heavy-duty embroidery machines can sew faster, the speed is adequate for a beginner. As you improve your skills, you can always upgrade to a faster machine in the future.
The adjustable speed settings allow you to slow it down as needed when learning. Gradually work your way up for the best results.
Designed for Lightweight Fabrics
This Brother machine works best on lightweight woven fabrics like cotton, linen, and polyester blends. It also handles tightly woven fabrics well.
However, the LB5000 may not feed thicker fabrics like denim or canvas smoothly, especially for embroidery. The lightweight construction is better suited for thinner materials.
When working with delicate fabrics, use an appropriate stabilizer to provide structure. Some good options include tear-away stabilizer or wash-away stabilizer. Using the proper stabilizer prevents puckering and distortion in your embroidered pieces.
Quiet Operation
You’ll appreciate how quietly the LB5000 operates. The noise level hovers around 65 decibels, which is equivalent to a normal conversation.
This quiet performance makes the LB5000 a great choice if you plan to use it in an apartment or don’t want to disturb sleeping household members. The soothing sound can even be relaxing!
While not the absolute quietest model, the LB5000 runs smoothly and relatively vibration-free. Place the machine on a stable table to minimize noise even further.
Monochrome LCD Screen
One downside of this model is that the LCD screen only shows designs in monochrome. The screen isn’t backlit in color.
You can still select colored designs, but you’ll only see them in shades of grey/black on the display. The chosen colors will show when stitched out.
A monochrome display is common at this price point. But the trade-off is not being able to visualize how designs will look in real color before sewing.
No Included Embroidery Software
The LB5000 itself does not come with any included computer embroidery digitizing programs.
The built-in editing functions allow you to make adjustments directly on the machine. But for more advanced design creation and editing capabilities, you would need to purchase separate digitizing software.
Some options to check out are Embrilliance StitchArtist and Wilcom Decostudio E4.5 software.
The lack of included software is expected for a machine at this price point. Paid embroidery programs allow you to convert artwork to embroidery files and get more creative with designs.
Sewing Capabilities of the Brother LB5000
In addition to being a stellar embroidery machine, the LB5000 performs excellently for general sewing purposes as well.
Here are some of the highlights about using this machine for your sewing projects:
103 Built-In Stitches
The LB5000 comes equipped with 103 different sewing stitches you can choose from. These include:
- 10 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes – The sensor measures the button size to create perfectly tailored buttonholes for your project.
- Utility stitches – Straight stitch, zigzag, blind hem, stretch stitches and more for construction and garment sewing
- Decorative stitches – Adds beautiful details with options like scallop stitch, smocking, heirloom stitch, and cross-stitches. Great for embellishing projects.
- 7-point feed dogs – Ensures smooth feeding of fabric for professional seams
Having so many stitches to choose from allows you to get creative with your projects! Select the ideal stitch for any type of sewing task.
Preview any of the 103 built-in stitches before selecting
Free-Motion Capabilities
In addition to the built-in stitches, the LB5000 gives you the option to do free-motion sewing.
By lowering the feed dogs, you can move the fabric manually in any direction. This free-motion capability is perfect for:
- Free-motion quilting – Add beautiful stippling or quilt designs by moving the fabric as you sew.
- Free-motion embroidery – Create one-of-a-kind embroidered designs with no hoop limitations.
- Darning – Mend holes or tears in fabric by manually sewing over them.
With free-motion sewing enabled, you control the fabric movement instead of the feed dogs. This opens up creativity and allows more versatility.
Speed Control
The LB5000 has adjustable sewing speed settings up to 710 stitches per minute. This allows you to choose a pace comfortable for you.
Slow things down as you learn, and gradually increase the speed as your confidence builds. Having full control over the speed makes the LB5000 beginner-friendly.
It can go fast enough for efficient sewing, but not so fast that beginners feel overwhelmed. The top speed is sufficient for most sewing needs.
Automatic Thread Cutter
An automatic thread cutter is an incredibly handy feature that saves time and effort.
After finishing a stitch, simply press the thread cutter button. The LB5000 will snip the top and bobbin threads automatically for a clean finish.
The cutter eliminates the need to pull fabrics out and manually clip threads between stitching. This helps your workflow go smoother and faster.
Excellent Stitch Quality
According to many reviews from seamstresses, the LB5000 produces very high-quality stitches for both sewing and embroidery.
It handles a wide range of fabrics well and provides even, consistent stitching. The results look professional with no puckering, bunching, or skipped stitches.
Having beautiful stitch quality gives your projects a polished, custom-made appearance. This machine certainly delivers in that regard!
Smooth Fabric Feeding
The LB5000 provides smooth feeding thanks to the 7-point feed dogs. It prevents the frustration of fabrics sticking, slipping, or bunching unevenly as you sew.
Between the feed dogs and presser foot pressure, it handles light to medium weight fabrics well. Make sure to use an appropriate needle and thread size for best feeding.
Smooth performance is important when sewing long seams or sewing quilting pieces together. With the LB5000, you can have confidence your seams will turn out neatly.
Quiet Operation
You’ll appreciate the quietness of the LB5000 when sewing. It operates at around 65 decibels – the normal level of a
conversation.
While not completely silent, the LB5000 runs smoothly and quietly enough to hold a conversation over. You can even listen to music or TV without cranking up the volume.
Some sewing machines make an obnoxious rattling noise at high speeds. But the LB5000 has relatively little vibration and noise even when running fast. This makes sewing for long periods enjoyable and headache-free!
The quiet motor allows you to sew anytime without disturbing others. It can even have a soothing, calming effect as you get into the rhythm of stitching.
Wide Zigzag Stitch
An essential stitch for appliqué and finishing seams, the LB5000 provides a nice wide 7mm zigzag stitch option.
The wide zigzag is extremely useful for:
- Applying appliqués
- Finishing seam allowances
- Sewing on trims or lace
- Creating decorative embroidery effects
A narrow 2-step zigzag is also included along with various other zigzag width and length combinations. But the 7mm wide option really expands your creativity.
Automatic Needle Threader
Easily the most frustrating part of sewing is attempting to thread the tiny needle eye. The LB5000 eliminates this hassle with its automatic needle threading function.
With just a quick press of the lever, a thin wire loops through the needle effortlessly. It makes threading a breeze and prevents eye strain and frustration.
Any sewer will appreciate this handy time-saving feature. The automatic threader works with needles sized 75/11 to 100/16.
Automatic Bobbin Winding
Another convenience is the built-in bobbin winding system. With built-in bobbin winding, you don’t need any additional accessories to wind bobbins.
Just following the guides on the machine, winding bobbins takes just a minute or two. Having automatic bobbin winding right on the machine saves tons of time!
It’s a straightforward process:
- Place the spool of thread on the spool pin.
- Route the thread around the bobbin winding tension disc.
- Snap the thread tail into the notch on the bobbin.
- Press the bobbin winding lever to start winding the bobbin.
- The machine will stop automatically when the bobbin is fully wound.
- Remove the wound bobbin and cut the excess tail threads.
- Insert the bobbin case into the machine.
With the LB5000, you’ll always have bobbins wound and ready to go for your projects!
Drop-In Bobbin
Removing and inserting bobbins ishassle-free with the drop-in bobbin system. The horizontal rotary hook design makes changing bobbins incredibly simple.
Rather than twisting and turning bobbins into slots, you simply drop the bobbin case into the opening and it clicks into place automatically.
Just make sure the bobbin is oriented correctly in the casing before inserting. The markings on the machine demonstrate how the bobbin threads should feed.
Thanks to conveniences like the drop-in bobbin and automatic winding, you can get set up to sew faster.
Free Arm For Cylindrical Sewing
The removable compartment cover on the LB5000 converts it into a free arm machine. This allows easier access when sewing cylindrical pieces like sleeves, pant legs, and cuffs.
With the compartment extension off, you can more easily maneuver the fabric around the narrow free arm. Items like hemming pants become less awkward.
Converting to free arm mode takes seconds – just slide off the compartment cover. Install it again when finished sewing cylindrical pieces.
Having free arm capabilities expands what you can sew with ease on the LB5000.
Sews Light to Medium Fabrics Well
The lightweight build of the LB5000 makes it better suited for sewing light to medium weight woven fabrics. It handles materials like cotton, linen, chambray, poplin, and stable knits the best.
However, it may not feed very thick fabrics like denim smoothly, especially multiple layers. The lighter duty motor struggles with really heavy materials.
As long as you stick to lighter weight woven or knit fabrics, the LB5000 provides excellent stitch quality. Just be mindful of the weight limitations for best results.
Limited Throat Space
While suitable for smaller quilts, the LB5000 has limited throat space for large projects. The area between the needle and machine body measures around 6 1⁄4”.
Larger quilts may require rolling and bunching the fabric to fit the opening. If you frequently work on big sewing projects, look for a machine with at least 8” of throat clearance like the Brother CS7000i.
But for smaller quilts and projects, the LB5000 throat space is sufficient. Just don’t expect to accommodate thick rolled fabrics for things like massive quilt covers.
Presser Foot Pressure Not Adjustable
This machine does not allow you to manually adjust the presser foot pressure. The pressure is preset to a standard default.
Being able to adjust the foot pressure gives you more control when working with tricky fabrics. Increased pressure helps feed slippery fabrics smoothly. Reduced pressure prevents stretching delicate fabrics.
The lack of adjustable presser foot pressure won’t be an issue for most sewing with stable wovens. But it reduces flexibility compared to higher-end machines that allow pressure customization.
No Extension Table Included
The LB5000 does not come with a sewing extension table. An extension table provides more surface area support around the machine for large projects.
Without an extension table, sewing wide quilt layers can be difficult. You need sufficient support to prevent dragging and bunching.
Purchasing an extension table like the Brother Quilting Table gives you more room when managing big fabrics. But it’s an added expense if you require additional workspace.
Ease of Use of the Brother LB5000
For both embroidery and sewing, the LB5000 aims to make your projects as simple as possible from start to finish. Here’s an overview of how user-friendly this machine is:
Extremely Beginner-Friendly
The LB5000 gets rave reviews for being intuitive and approachable even for total beginners. The machine provides plenty of guidance to get started.
Handy labeling, guides, and tutorials reduce the learning curve. Even someone who has never sewn or embroidered before can get the hang of it!
Here are some of the beginner-friendly assets:
- Clear diagrams – The threading paths, bobbin loading, and needle insertion are marked right on the machine.
- Step-by-step tutorials – The LCD screen provides animated tutorials walking you through the basics like threading and changing needles.
- Stickers – Helpful stickers on the machine remind you how to wind bobbins, thread needles, and change the presser foot.
- Manual – The included manual provides very detailed instructions for using all the machine’s features.
- Automatic features – Simplicity features like automatic needle threading and bobbin winding make operation very easy.
Thanks to multiple guidance systems built into this machine, beginners can feel confident learning on it. Everything you need to get started is right there!
User-Friendly LCD Screen
The large LCD touchscreen display makes selecting stitches, editing designs, and adjusting settings intuitive.
The high-resolution screen allows you to see stitches and designs clearly before sewing them out. One touch editing simplifies personalizing projects.
Navigating the various menus and options is refreshingly uncomplicated. The interface is straightforward without being overloaded.
Even sewing novices get the hang of the screen quickly. The icons and touch operations are familiar. Similar to a tablet or smartphone, but specialized for sewing tasks!
Easy Threading
One traditionally tricky task – threading the needle – becomes simple with the LB5000. The automatic needle threading system eliminates frustration and eye strain.
Just raise the lever, press the automatic threading button, and the needle effortlessly threads itself! It truly takes just seconds.
Threading the needle manually is one of the most common issues for beginners. But the LB5000’s automated system makes it foolproof.
Along with the numbered guides on the machine, threading this model goes quickly with no headaches.
Quick-Set Bobbin
Another area many beginners struggle with is winding and inserting the bobbin. The LB5000’s bobbin system also simplifies this process.
With the quick-set bobbin case, you don’t have to meticulously pull threads through slots and tension disks. Everything clicks together effortlessly in the proper order.
The bobbin winding spindle built into the machine eliminates looking for a separate winder. Just following the guides, winding perfect bobbins takes under a minute start to finish.
Between the quick-set bobbin and integrated winder, setting up the LB5000 for stitching is refreshingly fast and frustration-free.
Automatic Functions
In addition to the automatic threading and bobbin features, the LB5000 also provides automated cutting.
With the touch of a button, the machine instantly trims the top and bobbin threads for you. No more picking scissors up to manually clip every thread tail between stitching tasks.
Automatic functions like this speed up your workflow significantly. Your hands and the machine work together to boost efficiency!
Detailed Manual
Many reviewers praise the comprehensive manual included with the LB5000. It provides clear visual directions on all features and capabilities.
Reading through the manual helps you understand both basic operation as well as advanced functions. Keep the manual handy as a reference!
Between the on-screen tutorials and written manual, you have all the instruction you need without taking a class. Learning directly from the manufacturer guarantees the most accurate information.
Helpful LCD Error Messages
No one likes cryptic error codes that leave you baffled. The LB5000 provides helpful descriptions when issues arise to get you back on track swiftly.
Rather than just displaying an ambiguous number, the LCD will say common messages like:
- “Bobbin winding is in progress. Please wait for bobbin winding to stop.”
- “Lower the presser foot lifter.”
- “Complete previous stitch before using auto thread cutter.”
The clear wording helps diagnose problems yourself. With an idea of the issue, troubleshooting is much faster.
Excellent Customer Support
Both novice and experienced sewers rave about Brother’s outstanding customer support. Their customer service team is extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
You can contact their support team both via phone and email. Expect fast, thorough responses to any questions that arise as you use your machine.
Many companies skimp on customer service for lower-priced items. But Brother provides award-winning support regardless of what machine you purchased.
Knowing the friendly experts at Brother have your back provides peace of mind! Don’t hesitate to reach out to them with any warranty issues, troubleshooting questions, or general inquiries.
Optional Sewing Machine Feet
While the LB5000 comes with 7 snap-on presser feet, you can further expand the possibilities by purchasing additional specialty feet.
With the right presser foot, specialized techniques like piping, ruffling, beading, and more become easy. Optional feet for this model include:
- Rolled hem foot – Create narrow rolled hems along fabric edges
- Zipper piping foot – Insert piping with excellent visibility
- Teflon foot – Allows fabrics to glide smoothly under the foot
- Open toe foot – Gives maximum visibility around the needle
- Edge joining foot – Perfectly align fabric edges together
- Beading foot – Adds beads and sequins as you sew
Optional snap-on feet let you customize your machine setup for your unique crafting needs. With the right accessories, you can tackle virtually any project!
What Users Are Saying About the Brother LB5000
With a 4.6/5 star rating based on over 4,000 reviews, the overwhelming majority of sewers have an outstanding experience with the LB5000. Here are some common pros that users love:
Easy to Master Even for Complete Beginners – From the set-up to stitches to designs, most find this machine extremely intuitive even with no experience sewing or embroidering. The learning curve feels small thanks to the manuals, labeling, and guidance.
Performs Beautiful Stitches and Embroidery – Users mention the excellent stitch quality for both utility sewing and embroidery. The stitches come out clean, consistent, and professional looking on a range of fabrics.
Packed With Features for the Price – Nearly every reviewer mentions being amazed by the capabilities and accessories you get with the LB5000 given its affordable price tag. It provides incredible value.
Lovely Vibrant Embroidery – Those wanting to get into embroidery love the beautiful, vivid embroideries they can create. The built-in designs provide beautiful inspiration to fuel creativity.
Smooth High-Speed Operation – Many love how quietly and smoothly the LB5000 sews and embroiders. It handles high speeds well for efficient stitching.
Easy to Follow LCD Screen – Nearly everyone finds the LCD touchscreen display extremely user-friendly. Editing designs is intuitive and the menus are straightforward to navigate.
Reliable Machine – Multiple reviewers mention they use their LB5000 nearly daily for years without issues. As long as you perform regular cleaning and maintenance, it provides dependable service.
The biggest complaints about the LB5000 are:
Small Embroidery Field – The 4″ x 4″ embroidery area limits the size of designs you can create. Larger projects require re-hooping fabric which can be tedious.
Not Ideal for Heavy Fabrics – While it handles lightweight wovens beautifully, the LB5000 struggles with sewing thick fabrics smoothly. The lighter motor is better suited for medium materials.
Basic Monochrome LCD Screen – The screen only shows designs in grayscale rather than full color. This makes visualizing projects harder.
No Included Embroidery Software – You’re limited to built-in designs and imported files unless you purchase separate digitizing software for more creative freedom.
Noise Level – While generally described as quiet, some users find the LB5000 slightly noisier than portable or mini machines. The noise may bother some.
No machine is perfect for every user’s needs. But the vast majority agree the LB5000 delivers excellent value and performance, especially for beginners.
Alternatives to the Brother LB5000
The LB5000 combines user-friendly operation and versatility at an affordable price point. However, there are alternative Brother combo machines to consider:
Brother SE600 – Very similar machine but without built-in Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars designs. Has the same functionality and performance for less money. An excellent budget-friendly alternative.
Brother SE625 – Provides a larger 5” x 7” embroidery field and includes 120 more built-in designs. Better for ambitious embroidery projects. More expensive.
Brother SE1900 – Biggest embroidery field at 5” x 7” with a larger display and over 200 more built-in designs. Advanced features provide more creative freedom. Flagship Brother combo machine but priciest option.
Brother 1034DX Serger – Dedicated serger rather than computerized combo machine. Specializes in finishing seams and edges for a professional appearance. Much more affordable but no embroidery capabilities.
Consider what features and specs matter most to you. Analyze whether a more budget-friendly, higher-end, or specialty serger machine best fits your needs and skill level.
Final Verdict on the Brother LB5000
When reviewing all of the LB5000’s features and capabilities, it earns its reputation as an outstanding beginner embroidery/sewing machine.
The accessibility, intuitive operation, built-in designs, and excellent stitch quality come together to deliver an immense value. The LB5000 truly makes machine embroidery approachable for novices.
Intermediates will also appreciate the versatility, automated functions, and advanced editing capabilities. With care and regular maintenance, the LB5000 easily lasts you well beyond the beginner stages.
For crafters and DIYers on a budget, it provides phenomenal capabilities without the prohibitive price tag of professional machines. The quality rivals models 2-3x the cost.
While best for lightweight fabrics, the LB5000 still holds its own handling a wide variety of sewing and embroidery projects. The Stitch quality remains impressive across the board.
The main limitations – small hoop, lack of software, and thicker fabric handling – likely won’t hinder beginners. And the LB5000 gives you plenty of room to grow your skills before hitting the ceiling.
At the end of the day, novice and intermediate sewists looking for an affordable, feature-rich embroidery/sewing machine will be thrilled with the LB5000.
The unbeatable user-friendliness, inspiring built-in designs, and excellent performance create a rewarding sewing and embroidery experience.
This versatile Brother machine truly unlocks creativity and brings your vision to life!
The Brother LB5000 delivers exceptional value by combining user-friendly operation and versatility for embroidery and sewing.