Brother LB6800PRW Review: The Ultimate Embroidery And Sewing Machine?

The Brother LB6800PRW is one of the top combo embroidery and sewing machines from Brother, a leading brand known for quality and innovation. In this comprehensive brother lb6800prw review, we’ll explore all the features, benefits, and considerations of this versatile machine.

Image source: Amazon

Whether you’re looking to add embroidery capabilities or want an advanced sewing machine, the LB6800PRW deserves a close look. We’ve compiled feedback from existing owners and experts to provide an in-depth perspective. Read on to see if the Brother LB6800PRW is the right fit for your needs!

Overview of the Brother LB6800PRW

The LB6800PRW is a computerized embroidery machine that also functions as a full-featured sewing machine. Key highlights include:

70 built-in embroidery designs and 5 lettering fonts
67 built-in sewing stitches for diverse projects
4″ x 4″ embroidery area
Easy selection and editing of designs on the LCD touchscreen
Ability to import designs from a computer via USB connectivity
Convenient automatic needle threader and quick-set drop-in bobbin
Brightly lit workspace and included Project Runway rolling bag

This machine aims to be user-friendly for sewing and embroidery beginners, while offering sufficient advanced functionality for experienced crafters. It hits a sweet spot of features and quality at a reasonable price point.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Dimensions	21.5 x 16 x 22 inches
Item Weight	36.6 pounds
Power Source	Corded Electric
Maximum Sewing Speed	710 stitches per minute
Maximum Embroidery Speed	400 stitches per minute
Warranty	25 years limited

Now let’s dive into a detailed review of the LB6800PRW’s functionality!

Embroidery Machine Capabilities

One of the biggest selling points of the LB6800PRW is its built-in embroidery machine capabilities. This allows you to decorate projects with beautiful embroidered designs.

70 Built-in Embroidery Designs

Right out of the box, you get 70 designs to choose from. These include a nice assortment of:

Floral motifs
Holiday and seasonal themes
Animals and nature images
Borders and frames
Kids’ designs

With 70 options included, you’ll have plenty of designs to embroider on towels, clothing, caps, blankets and more as you get started.

5 Lettering Fonts for Basic Monogramming

In addition to the graphical designs, the LB6800PRW has 5 built-in fonts. These include both upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

The font selection is quite basic – you get a Block, Script, Broadway, Florian and Cyrillic font. But this is ample for monogramming projects, adding names to quilts or clothing, or lettering simple phrases.

Decent 4″ x 4″ Embroidery Area

The maximum embroidery field size on this machine is 4″ x 4″. This allows you to embroider designs up to 4 inches in both length and width.

The 4″ x 4″ area is a nice versatile size. It’s well-suited for embellishing everyday items like:

Kitchen towels and napkins
Shirts, onesies, and kids’ apparel
Hats and caps
Small quilting blocks

While you can’t fit large, complex embroidery designs, you have plenty of space for most projects. And the included hoop is ideal for framing common design sizes.

User-Friendly Editing On the LCD Touchscreen

Choosing and editing embroidery designs is straightforward with the LCD touchscreen display. You can easily:

Browse the built-in design library
Resize, rotate or mirror designs
Adjust colors
Follow an on-screen tutorial for editing

The display makes it effortless to customize your projects. And you can preview the edited design before stitching, so there are no surprises.

Import More Embroidery Patterns via USB

The LB6800PRW has a USB port you can use to import designs from your computer. This vastly expands your design library beyond what’s built-in!

You can find tons of free embroidery patterns online to download. Or purchase additional designs from online stores like iBroidery. Then just load them to your machine via the USB connection.

This gives you unlimited creative options.

Overall User-Friendly Embroidery

From design selection to editing to stitching out your creations, the LB6800PRW aims to make embroidery accessible and fun. The automatic threading, bobbin winding, and other features minimize frustration.

This machine is a great way to get started with embroidery without spending a fortune. More advanced users may eventually want upgraded features like a larger hoop size or faster speed. But overall the LB6800PRW delivers impressive embroidery capabilities considering its price point.

Sewing Machine Capabilities

In addition to being an embroidery machine, the LB6800PRW functions as a full, computerized sewing machine. Let’s look at how it performs for general sewing tasks.

67 Built-in Stitches for Diverse Sewing Projects

You get a total of 67 built-in sewing stitches to work with. These range across:

Basic stitches like straight, zigzag, and stretch options
Decorative stitches for applique, heirloom sewing or embellishing
7 styles of one-step buttonholes
Quilting stitches like hand-look quilt stitch and stippling

With so many stitches, you can sew and finish all types of projects from clothing to crafts to quilts. The LB6800PRW aims to be a versatile machine for both fashion and utility sewing.

Easy Stitch Selection on the LCD Screen

Choosing your desired stitch is quick and easy with the LCD display. You simply touch the icon for the stitch you want.

The display screen makes it simple to select the ideal stitch for your fabric and project needs.

Reliable Feeding for Smooth Sewing

This machine has a 7-point feed dog system. This keeps your fabric feeding smoothly and evenly for consistent stitching.

Users say the LB6800PRW provides a skip-free sewing experience on a range of fabrics from slippery satin to textured canvas. Good feeding performance is essential for enjoying the sewing process.

Sufficiently High Speed for Home Sewing

The LB6800PRW can sew up to 710 stitches per minutes. This is plenty fast for most general home sewing.

While industrial machines are 2-3x faster, 710 SPM is sufficient for anything from apparel construction to quilting. You rarely need ultra-high speeds as a hobbyist.

Overall the sewing capabilities of the LB6800PRW enable you to tackle projects of all kinds!

Convenience Features

Brother packed many convenience features into the LB6800PRW to simplify your sewing and embroidery.

Automatic Needle Threader

Threading the needle is one of the most finicky aspects of sewing. But the LB6800PRW has a built-in automatic needle threader that does this tedious step for you.

Simply follow the numbered diagram, press the lever, and the threader pushes your thread right through the needle eye. This handy feature saves significant time and frustration.

Jam Resistant Drop-In Bobbin

This machine uses a top drop-in bobbin that’s simple to insert and remove. It has a clear cover so you can easily monitor your bobbin thread supply.

The bobbin holder has helpful markings to keep the bobbin seated correctly to prevent tangles or jamming. This system makes threading the bobbin hassle-free.

Brightly Lit Workspace

Trying to sew in poor lighting quickly leads to eye strain and mistakes. The LB6800PRW illuminates your work area with a bright LED light.

You’ll be able to see fabrics and stitches clearly without supplementing with a task lamp.

Project Runway Rolling Bag Included

The LB6800PRW comes with a custom Project Runway branded rolling bag. This provides safe transport and storage for your machine.

The bag has thick padding to protect the machine from bumps and scratches. The telescoping handle and smooth wheels make it easy to take your machine to classes or when traveling. No more lugging around heavy sewing machines!

On-Screen Built-In Tutorials

For beginners, this machine has built-in sewing and embroidery tutorials you can access on the LCD display. These walk you through steps like:

Winding the bobbin
Threading the machine
Changing the presser foot
Basic editing functions

The tutorials provide nice extra guidance when learning how to use the LB6800PRW.

Ease of Use

Given its computerized functionality, the LB6800PRW could seem intimidating. But Brother designed this machine with beginners in mind.

Easy to Master for Sewing Beginners

Between the included tutorials, quick start guide, and user manual, it’s simple to start sewing with the LB6800PRW.

Total beginners appreciate that the machine literally shows you how to thread it with numbered diagrams printed right on the body.

The step-by-step instructions help you learn the functions quickly. You’ll be able to make basic projects and complete simple repairs in no time.

Convenient Features for Intermediate and Advanced Sewers

While suitable for beginners, this machine also has characteristics that advanced sewers require.

For instance, the needle up/down setting allows you to program the needle to stop in the down position. This lets you pivot fabric and sew corners with less hassle.

The adjustable presser foot pressure also helps when working with delicates or heavy materials that need more customized pressure.

Overall, the LB6800PRW balances ease of use with sufficient functionality to grow your skills over time.

Reliability of the Brother LB6800PRW

Considering you’re making a significant investment, it’s reasonable to question the reliability of this computerized machine.

Reassuring 25 Year Limited Warranty

Brother stands behind their products by including a 25 year limited warranty with the LB6800PRW.

Most other brands in this price range typically offer 10-15 years of warranty coverage. The extra long coverage from Brother underscores their confidence in the machine’s durability.

Low Reports of Technical Issues

No complex computerized device is without occasional glitches. However user reviews indicate very minimal issues with the LB6800PRW.

This machine has been on the market for over a decade and still garners positive feedback on its performance. Most sewists experienced years of trouble-free use.

Any manufacturing defects tend to appear early on. Purchasing through a retailer like Amazon gives you a short return window to detect problems.

Typical Maintenance Improves Lifespan

As with any appliance, proper care and maintenance is required for longevity. Be sure to:

Use the recommended needles and threads
Keep the machine free of dust and lint
Oil the moving parts
Update software periodically

With basic maintenance, the LB6800PRW should provide many years of service. It’s a testament to its quality that this decade old model still satisfies sewists!

Considerations About the Brother LB6800PRW

While we’ve highlighted numerous positives, there are a few considerations to weigh before purchasing the LB6800PRW.

Small Embroidery Area May Require Re-Hooping

The 4 inch hoop size is sufficient for most projects. But you are limited to embroidery designs 4″ x 4″ or smaller.

Completing a large, complex design requires carefully re-hooping the fabric multiple times. This interrupts your workflow compared to a machine with a bigger hoop.

If you want to embroider large patterns or quilt blocks, the hoop size may feel limiting. Go with a more advanced Brother model like the PE770 or PE800 with a 5″ x 7″ field.

Some Frustration with Lower Quality Thread

Like most machines, the LB6800PRW performs best with high quality threads like Brother’s or Gutermann.

Some users experienced more jams, looping, and tension issues when attempting bargain thread. Invest in quality threads to get the best results.

You can also mitigate issues by maintaining proper tension settings, changing needles often, and cleaning lint frequently.

Lightweight Pedal May Move Easily

A few users complain the foot pedal is too lightweight and slides around too easily. Placing a non-slip mat under the pedal can help keep it firmly in position.

Alternatively, you can look into an aftermarket pedal offering better traction. Just be sure it’s compatible with your machine’s power.

While a minor nuisance for some, the pedal won’t hamper your sewing once you account for the lighter weight.

Brother LB6800PRW vs Brother SE400

Shoppers often compare the LB6800PRW to the Brother SE400, another popular Brother combination embroidery/sewing machine. What’s the difference?

In terms of features and specifications, the two machines are virtually identical. The main differences come down to:

Project Runway Branding: The LB6800PRW has Brother’s Project Runway badging while the SE400 does not. This is merely an aesthetic preference.
Price: Historically the LB6800PRW had a slightly higher MSRP, often $50-100 more than the SE400. But pricing fluctuates and they are similarly priced at most retailers.
Rolling Bag: The LB6800PRW includes the Project Runway branded rolling bag. The SE400 does not include a wheeled case.

So unless you’re getting a significant price deal on one over the other, or value the rolling bag, the machines are essentially equal. Both make excellent starter embroidery and sewing machines!

Our Final Verdict on the Brother LB6800PRW

Let’s recap the key positives and considerations of the Brother LB6800PRW:

Pros:

Versatile combination of sewing and 4 x 4″ embroidery
Extremely user-friendly for beginners but with features to grow
Large selection of built-in stitches and designs
Convenient threading, bobbin and other features
Proven long term reliability
Great value for the functionality

Considerations:

Smaller embroidery hoop may require re-hooping
Watch thread quality to prevent jams
Pedal requires placement on non-slip surface

Given the pros and cons, we recommend the Brother LB6800PRW for:

Beginner or hobby sewists seeking an embroidery upgrade
Travel and convenience needs with the lightweight machine and bag
Home decor projects like blankets, pillows, napkins etc.
Monogramming and embellishing clothing and accessories
Quilting smaller blocks and projects

More advanced sewists may desire a larger embroidery field, faster speeds, specialty feet and other upgrades. But they’ll come at a steeper price.

The Brother LB6800PRW hits a sweet spot of quality, function and value. If you stay within its limitations around hoop size and fabrics, it’s a phenomenal machine for the money.

We hope this comprehensive brother lb6800prw review helps you determine if it’s a good fit for your needs! Let us know in the comments if you have any experience with the LB6800PRW.