Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 Review

I dropped by Eve and Dave’s Sewing Center in Ft. Lauderdale and was pleased to be able to review the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420, a compact portable computerized sewing machine in the very popular Project Runway line of sewing machines and sergers.

At A Glance

Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420

When I first saw the Brother Project Runway PC 420, it was inside the hard plastic case with only the foot pedal and knee lift visible.

Hard plastic case

Function buttons that are used in the stitch selection process

When the cover was removed, a compact computerized sewing machine was revealed with a small LCD screen and a series of strategically located stitch selection and function buttons.

Directly beneath the LCD screen, are function buttons that are used in the stitch selection process, including buttons used to adjust the stitch length and width.

There are also function buttons above the needle: start/stop; needle up/down; tie off; and reverse stitch. A variable speed control slider is situated just above the work area, between the column and the needle.

A ruler decal is situated on the front of the removable accessories case

There is a seam guide on the needle plate and a ruler decal is situated on the front of the removable accessories case. When the accessories case is not in place, the free arm is exposed. The drop feed control is located on the back of the free arm.

Features

• 294 utility and decorative stitch options
  • 3 alphanumeric fonts
  • 10 one-step buttonholes
• Twin needle function
• Drop feed
• On board advanced needle threader
• On board thread cutter
• On board seam guide
• Free arm
• On board accessory storage
• Variable speed control slider
• Knee lift
• Function control buttons
  • Start/stop
  • Automatic tie off
  • Adjustable stitch length and width
  • Stitch menu selection
  • Needle up/down
  • Reverse stitch
• My Custom Stitch
• On board threading and bobbin winding guides
• Capacity to hold up to five stitch combinations in memory

Free arm

Working on the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420

The easy to follow guides make winding the bobbin on the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 as easy as possible.

There is also a guide adjacent to the see through bobbin cover which guides the user through the steps required to properly insert the drop in bobbin.

Winding the bobbin

After the machine is threaded and the bobbin in place, selecting from the 294 stitch options starts by depressing the menu button on the left side of the LCD screen.

There are three major stitch categories – utility stitches, decorative stitches and alphanumeric fonts. In each category, the user has several choices. In the utility stitch menu, there are eleven different stitches from which to choose, including ten one-step buttonholes.

LCD screen

The greatest number of stitches can be found in the four different categories in the decorative stitch menu, which includes heirloom and cross stitch patterns.

The stitch quality on the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 is surprisingly sharp. Each stitch I sampled was perfectly formed, sturdy and secure.

Perfectly formed, sturdy and secure stitches

This machine is quiet and at the highest speed setting, lightning fast. The good news is there was no more vibration at the higher speeds than at the lowest setting, which I have noticed with some larger, more costly machines.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

• 11 Snap on presser feet
• Hard cover
• Owner’s manual
• Lint brush/seam ripper
• Scissors
• Screwdriver
• Bobbins
• Extra needles

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 is one of the best machines in its class that I have seen to date. The sturdy construction, superior stitch quality and ease of operation were pleasant surprises.

Somehow, I was expecting it to perform far less efficiently than it did. Perhaps it was the compact size and light weight that led me to believe that this would not be a good review.

The only thing is could honestly find to complain about was the placement of the drop feed control. Engineers, even engineers who design sewing machines, are not the ones who use the end product on a regular basis.

I will never understand why anyone thought it was a good idea to put the drop feed control on the back of the machine. I have seen it on several different brands and have complained about it many, many times.

You cannot get to the drop feed control without first removing the entire accessories case. At least with the PC 420, it is not necessary to remove the accessories case, but having the drop feed control on the rear of the machine is highly inefficient nonetheless.

This is the one and only inefficient design detail that I found on the PS 420. All of the other function controls are ergonomically designed and easy to access. Hopefully, the designers will realize their mistake in the placement of the drop feed control and correct this one and only drawback in the very near future.

Function controls are ergonomically designed

It is easy to navigate guides and function keys make this machine an ideal choice for anyone who has never before used a computerized sewing machine, even though they may have been sewing for many decades.

It is also a great sewing machine for someone who has been away from sewing for many years while raising a family and/or focusing on a career.

For someone who already knows their way around a sewing machine, the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 is the perfect bridge from working on a mechanical sewing machine to computerized home sewing.

I like the idea of children beyond the elementary school level learning to sew on this machine. It is even possible for younger children who are mechanically inclined to be able to master use of the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420 as well.

It is built in such a way that the green light indicating that it is ready to go does not come on until all of the stitch selection functions are properly set and the presser foot is in the down position. While this is a feature that is found on most computerized sewing machines, it seems to be more pronounced on this particular model.

One of the most interesting things I have observed about sewing machines and sergers bearing the Project Runway logo and label is that you can find Project Runway branding on machines at every price point.

I have seen the Brother Project Runway label on throw away machines in Walmart, on machines sold via the internet and on high end machines available exclusively at authorized Brother Inno-vis dealers.

The PC 420 is available at authorized Brother Inno-vis dealers as well as online. I understand that the online price is in most cases substantially lower than the price at a brick and mortar store. However, as I have stated in the past… there is nothing like the personal touch.

You cannot develop a relationship with a computer… at least not the kind of relationship that will be of help if you have a question about using your new sewing machine or the kind of relationship that will give you free lessons with the purchase of a new machine.

This is the kind of service that is available only through independent authorized sewing machine dealers. They say you get what you pay for, and in the case of the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition PC 420, this is definitely the case.

In addition, there is no way to get a hands on demonstration if you shop online. Even though I sing the praises of this and a few other sewing machines that may be available from an online vendor; when you shop online, you lose the advantage of having the benefit of knowing what to expect when you get your machine home.

I am a very strong proponent of the brick and mortar sewing machine dealer. Don’t get me wrong. I love the internet and do plenty of online shopping myself.

I have purchased many sewing supplies and even a few sewing machine accessories online. I would never, however, purchase a sewing machine this way.

Your independent sewing machine dealer is a very special person, one with whom you really need to establish and build a genuine face to face relationship. Your sewing machine is in some cases more important than your automobile.

You need to be able to reach out to your independent sewing machine dealer with questions, to troubleshoot any problems that may arise with your sewing machine and to get hands-on instructions in the proper use and care of your new acquisition.

If you decide to add the PC 420 to your sewing room inventory, the final decision as to where you purchase it and how much your pay for it is entirely up to you.

I am here to help you decide and to give you the benefit of my expertise as someone who has been sewing most of their life and has a passion for all things related to the operation of sewing machines of all kings.

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