Product Review ~ Singer Futura XL400 Embroidery Sewing Machine



I’ve had this machine for a few months now, have embroidered several designs from simple words to detailed designs of over 60,000 stitches, endured a few frustrations over it, but overall I love this machine.  My first embroidery machine was the Singer Futura CE250, so I traded up for the Singer Futura XL400. It has it’s pros and cons, which I’m going to thoroughly address here. I’m also going to give a few helpful hints, tips, and tricks on operating the machine.
If you've lost the software to your machine, check out my post here.

Pros:

  1. Swift Smart Threading System makes it a breeze to thread. Instead of going up and down through the threading system, you simply go down.

  2. I love the Drop and Sew Bobbin feature, too. Instead of pulling the bobbin thread up with the needle, you simply put it through the space provided and it cuts it off for you. No need to pull it up with the needle.

  3. I like the snap on hoops, rather than the ones you have to screw in, like for the CE250.

            Hint: If your machine shows a message that the hoop is not the correct size for the design when it clearly is small enough to fit in the hoop, then you may need to make sure it is in all the way. If you have not started a design yet, turn the power of the machine off, take off the hoop, turn on the power, then put the hoop on. This should fix it.
  4. I like the multi-hoop capability, but wish it was easier to line up. This and the larger hoop were the reasons I sold my CE250 and bought this one instead. The large hoop has an area of about 6.5 by 10.5 inches. It has multi-hooping capability, which I have not tried yet, but can have four large hoops in a square. The Features page says 18.5 by 11 inches. The small hoop has an embroidery area of about 4 by 4 inches. In regards of how many stitches a design has, the largest embroidery design that I used on this machine had over 60,000 stitches with no problem.

         Hint: Use the print feature to help align the design where you want it. If you are embroidering something that needs to be centered but it’s on a small piece of fabric, you can use a large piece of fabric, embroider it, then cut out the fabric to the size you need. Or you can use spray on adhesive to keep the small piece of fabric in place on the stabilizer. If you are using embroidery for a quilt (stippling), use disappearing ink to measure where the hoop needs to be.
  5. The automatic needle threader is a good idea, but I like the one on the CE250 better because it seemed to work a lot better. My favorite is the one on the Quantum 9960, which I will review in another post. The one on the XL400 is very picky. I'm lucky to get it on the third try. You have to practically put the thread into the little catcher thing, straining your eyes doing it which defeats the purpose of an automatic threader.  Update: The reason it is so difficult is because while threading, it has to be caught on the tension disks in order to thread the needle properly.  99% of the time the tension disks do not catch the thread, therefore you have to hold the thread tight while threading the needle.  Also, make sure your needle is in correctly. The CE250 wouldn't even let you put it in wrong. So when I first got the XL400, I put the needle in which ever way it allowed me to, which happened to be the wrong way. So the automatic threader wouldn't work at all. Some pressure feet wouldn't work, either. I finally had a light bulb come on and realized that I might have the needle in wrong. Remember: Flat Back—the flat side of the needle faces towards the back.

        Hint: As shown in the photo below, hold the thread with your left hand as you push down the threader and hold the other end of the thread with your right hand.



  6. Strange as it is, my favorite feature on the XL400 is the speed control. When embroidering a design, you can set the speed from very slow to very fast. I normally set it about 1/3 between slow and fast. If it is too fast, the design does not come out as well—there’s a lot of bobbin thread that comes up.

    Cons:


  7.  Editing and autopunch software isn’t included with the basic software as it did with the CE250. You have to purchase it separate and it's quite expensive. It isn't compatible with the CE250 software, so if you already have all the software from CE250, it still won't work with it. You have to repurchase it. I use a free program for my editing, Stitch Era Universal.

  8. It is very clanky and loud when the hoop moves on high speeds. I wish it was quieter for when I am embroidering late at night when everyone else is sleeping. Of course if I’m embroidering during the day, it’s no problem.

  9. Message System is not very reliable. It beeps at me constantly when there is no thread break. I have a thread net and spool cap for my thread, which used to fix the problem with my CE250, but it doesn't seem to make much difference with the XL400. When it is not even close to running out of bobbin thread, it will beep, but when I completely run out of bobbin thread or the top thread breaks, it doesn't beep until after at least 8 stitches have past after the break, and you can't go back to fix that unless you do it manually. Update: There are a back button and forward button on the machine, so if it runs out, you can go back.


   Hint: Sometimes all you need to do is tighten or loosen the thread and it will stop beeping. Hold the thread with your fingertips very loosely until it stitches for a while without beeping, then you can let go. Also, check to see if the thread is tangled around the thread holder.


  1. Thread holder is not firm. The thread cannot stand upright. If it does, it gets pulled and wound up around the holder.
         Hint: Place the large spool pin cap upside down toward the top of the thread holder, place the thread on it, making sure it fits all the way on the holder, then place another smaller spool pin cap on the other side of the thread. (See photo below)





    2. Would Improve if it Had: 

    1. A feature that would really improve this, other than the above mentioned, would be an automatic thread cutter, as the Quantum Stylist 9960 has. Otherwise, you are wasting a lot of thread because you have to pull the entire hoop off before you can cut it. So if you are taking it off just to check the bobbin, you have to either rewind the bobbin to save that thread that you have just pulled up, or you waste it.
    2. Better Software.  Being able to digitize from scratch would be nice.  And a simpler, more user-friendly interface would be nice.
      Overall, the machine is pretty nice. Other than the above problems mentioned, this would be the perfect embroidery machine, within this price range. I have not even used it as a regular sewing machine because I have my Quantum 9960 for that. When I had the CE250, it was the only machine I had. I didn’t like going back and fourth with taking apart the embroidery part of the machine and setting it up, then taking it apart again to use it as a regular sewing machine.  I wish Singer had an embroidery machine that only did embroidery, cut out the special features for a sewing machine, therefore cutting the price and the extra pieces that it comes with.
      I hope my review has been helpful.

      Videos:
      Introduction


      Helpful links:

      Futura XL-400 Support

      Singer Futura XL-400 Manual

      Singer Futura XL-400 product info

      Singer Futura Tips and Tricks

      Singer Futura XL-580 Support

      Singer Futura XL-580 product info

      Singer Futura XL-580 Manual

      Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 product info

      Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Manual

      Singer Embroidery Machine Comparison Chart






    Disclaimer

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Popular posts from this blog

    Presser Feet Custom Organizer Tutorial

    Image
    Several years ago I purchased a bunch of presser feet and made my own custom organizer.  You can read about it here .  After a while, I realized I wasn't using many of the presser feet, so I decided to sell the ones I didn't use.  Then I created a new organizer, which is smaller and more easily fits into my desk drawer.  Here's a step-by-step guide how to make your own.... Materials Storage Container with compartments Magic Erasers Scissors Ruler Pen Double-sided Tape First measure the compartment size.  If you are computer savvy, you can create your own spreadsheet using the measurements, and customizing it with your presser feet.  Or you can download the one I made here: pdf ms works Then cut out the magic erasers to fit the compartments.  I didn't need them for each compartment since some of my feet are pretty large. Then print out 3 sheets.  You will cut one, and use the other two for the lid of your organizer. Place the cut labels inside the compartments.  Trim aro
    Read more

    The Difference Between Class 15 and 15J Bobbins and Why You Should NOT Use Them Interchangeably

    Image
    Backstory For the past week I've been reattaching all my photos to each of my posts on some of my blogs due to losing all my photos when I deleted my main account (read about it here .)  I ran across the Singer sewing machine reviews that I had done--mainly the Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist --my all-time FAVORITE sewing machine!  I had sold it (along with my Futura XL-400 ) 5 years ago and purchased a Singer Futura XL-580 instead.  (I figured I could sell two machines and just use one, so I wouldn't be using up so much space in my bedroom.)   Since the day I sold it, I've regretted it.  I loved that machine.  A while back when I had checked to see if they still made them, I found it had been discontinued.  I was just curious so I looked again and was surprised that they started making them again!  On sale for $500 on singer.com .  So since I had sold mine on facebook marketplace years ago, I was just curious if someone was selling theirs.  Sure enough, I found one that was u
    Read more

    42 Presser Feet Guide

    Image
    42 Presser Feet Guide What is included and what do they do ? Most presser feet cost $5 and up.  There’s a couple big kits with loads of presser feet on the market that are a lot more affordable.  There are many different variations of the kits , as well as different sizes. I purchased the 42-piece kit .  The box reminds me of a box of chocolates. Of course I had to make my own custom organizer: I searched on other websites for a complete list for what was what and their uses.  I couldn’t find any.  So…. I went through piece-by-piece and compiled a convienent list with photos, uses, and videos (also available on PDF ). They are in order from top let to bottom right of the box.
    Read more