Besides carrying the brand of the hit fashion design show, the Brother PC210 PRW Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine is one neat, tidy, well organized piece of equipment.
It’s a computerized sewing machine that the manufacturer believes is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced seamstresses.
Table of Contents
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Stitch Count / Presser Feet / Functionality / Accessories / Customer Reviews / Pros, Cons & Manual
REVIEW SUMMARY
MODEL: Brother PC210PRW Sewing Machine
REVIEWED BY: Erin
RATING: 4.3 
LAST UPDATED: April 9, 2015
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Not only is it a great dressmaking machine, but it has some nifty features for quilting and free motion work, too, plus the most popular automation features on today’s home sewing machines – horizontal thread delivery, push button controls, programmable needle up/down button, and drop feed dog capability.
If you want something you can use for the occasional alteration or mending task, this is too much machine. However, if you want to try your hand at clothes construction and design, dabble in some quilting and express your creative side with some decorative stitch work, this is a pretty cool tool.
A Good Set of Utility, Decorative and Buttonhole Stitches
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There are a total of 50 built in stitches – 16 utility and 34 decorative stitches, including 5 styles of 1-step automatic buttonholes. Stitch length is adjustable up to 5mm and stitch width adjustable up to 7mm.
(Scroll to the very bottom for a list of stitch names.)
Extra Buttonhole Presser Feet Included
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The Brother PC-210 sewing machine comes with 7 snap-on presser feet to cover buttons, buttonholes, utility stitches, decorative stitches, hemming, and monogramming. Presser foot pressure is adjustable to four settings with a dial located towards the back of the sewing machine. This makes the machine more capable of handling anything from sheer fabrics without bunching to thicker fabrics and quilt pieces. The General Purpose presser foot (called the Zigzag foot by Brother) has a leveling button you can push when you need to sew up and over thick seams as can occur when sewing or altering jeans and denim.
- Buttonhole Foot
- Overcasting Foot
- Monogramming Foot
- Zipper Foot
- Zigzag Foot
- Blind Stitch Foot
- Button Fitting Foot
Automation Features and Easy Control Panel
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The Brother PC-210 PRW was designed with organization in mind. You can almost hear the designers whispering “a place for everything and everything in its place” as they were sketching out the original concept.
First, the top of the sewing machine flips up to reveal the top thread and bobbin winder. Done sewing? Flip the lid closed and the machine is neat and tidy as a pin. No signs of thread or spools hanging out while you’re in the middle of a project.
Second, the accessory drawer pulls down from the front of the machine to reveal an organized slot for each presser foot and the additional accessories. Other sewing machines have little cubbies that fit into the extension arm but have no slots and become just a jumble of accessories. On those machines, you either end up sorting the accessories in a nearby organizer or you have to pour them into your hand and sort through them each time to find the tool you need. Not on this machine. Open drawer, select tool, attach, sew. That easy.
Third, it comes with a hard case. If you buy the optional extra wide extension table, the table attaches to the case so it’s not in the way when you’re not using it. (Out of the 22 sewing machine reviews we’ve included so far, only 1 or 2 of those sewing machines comes with a hard cover case!)
Of course, those organizational features don’t mean the machine sews any better than another but for those who are going to sew a great deal or who like to be organized while crafting, this machine differentiates itself from others in the same price range.
Other great sewing features on the Brother PC-210 PRW include:
- Touch-pad operation panel with LED screen
- 14 needle positions
- 6 point feed dog system
- Start/Stop Sewing Button
- Quick set bobbin – no need to bring up the bobbin thread. Just pop in the bobbin and sew.
- Automatic Reverse/Reinforcement Stitch
- Programmable Needle Up/Down Control
- Large Work Area
- Automatic and Adjustable Thread Tension Control
- Horizontal Thread Delivery
- Automatic Needle Threader (not for use when twin needle is attached)
- Maximum Sewing Speed is 850 SPM
- Speed Control Slider – limit the maximum speed of the sewing machine. Comes in handy for beginners, teaching children, or completing complicated stitch work or patterns.
- Drop Feed Dog Lever
- Seam Allowance Markings in 1/8” and mm Increments
- Maximum Automatic Buttonhole Length is 1 and 1/8”
- Built-in Carry Handle
- Drawnnwork Instructions – the manual has some great material on how to use a wing needle to do some intricate drawnwork which uses drawn threads to create patterns where fabrics join.
- Free Motion Quilting – requires purchase of a quilting foot.
The Brother PC-210 PRW was designed to handle a variety of fabrics. The manual does caution against sewing through anything more than ¼” thick as doing so could damage the needle.
Dimensions: L 17.3” x W 11.4” x D 7.9”
Weight: 17 pounds
Accessories
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These accessories come with the Brother PC210 Project Runway sewing machine:
- Seam Ripper
- 4 Bobbins
- 6 pack of Needles (2 75/11 needles, 2 90/14 needles, 2 90/14 ball point needles)
- Twin Needle
- Cleaning Brush
- Eyelet Punch – The machine can make an eyelet stitch, a reinforced circle of stitching that can be used as the belt hole in decorative belts. The eyelet punch is then used to remove the material in the center to form the eyelet opening.
- 2 Screwdrivers (small and large)
- 4 Spool Caps (1 small, 2 medium, 1 large)
- Extra Horizontal Spool Pin
- Spool Net
- Hard Cover Case
Solid Performance Appreciated by Consumers
Speed control very helpful for learning to sew. The slow speed is very, very slow so great for kids to try, too. Automatic needle up is a nice convenience. No more having to crank the hand wheel each time you’re done sewing. Bobbin threading is easy and automatic. Start/Stop button is useful for buttonholes as you can do them without the foot pedal. Makes sewing easier. Easy to use. Good instruction manual. Work lights are pretty dim. There are 21 reviews on Amazon.
Average Rating: 4.3
Pros, Cons & Manual
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Pros: Start/Stop button, automatic stitch reinforcement, drop feed dog capable, quick set bobbin, ease of use, presser foot leveling button, extra wide workspace, accessory organization, flexible needle position, adjustable presser foot pressure, adjustable thread tension.
Cons: Work lights are not sufficiently bright. Limited number of actual user reviews available on the internet.
Manual available online here: Brother PC 210 PRW Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: As of this date, Brother offers a 1 year warranty on parts and labor, a two year warranty on electronic pattern control and selection components (parts only), and a 25 year warranty on shafts and rods on the machine head.
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Features Summary Review:
Brother PC 210 PRW Built In Stitch List
| 1 | Straight Stitch (Needle in the center) | 18 | Heirloom | 35 | Piecing Stitch – Left |
| 2 | Straight Stitch (Needle to the left) | 19 | Hemstitch | 36 | Quilting Stitch |
| 3 | Triple Stretch | 20 | Double Ric Rac | 37 | Zigzag Applique |
| 4 | Stretch | 21 | Serpentine | 38 | Quilting Applique |
| 5 | Zigzag | 22 | Blanket | 39 | Quilting Applique (reversed) |
| 6 | 3 Point Zigzag | 23 | Asterisk | 40 | Quilting Stitch for Stippling |
| 7 | Overcasting for thin fabrics | 24 | Double Triangle | 41 | Cross Stitch |
| 8 | Overcasting for thick fabrics | 25 | Decorative Hemstitch | 42 | Cross Stitch |
| 9 | Stretch Overcast | 26 | Heirloom (sometimes called Grandma’s Garden – similar to Honeycomb) | 43 | Decorative Leaf Stitch |
| 10 | Blind Hem | 27 | Round End Buttonhole | 44 | Decorative Border Stitch |
| 11 | Stretch Blind Hem | 28 | Bartack Buttonhole | 45 | Greek Key |
| 12 | Applique | 29 | Stretch Buttonhole | 46 | Vine |
| 13 | Satin Scallop | 30 | Knit Buttonhole | 47 | Steps |
| 14 | Rampart | 31 | Keyhole Buttonhole | 48 | Satin Bead |
| 15 | Double Overedge | 32 | Bar Tack Stitch | 49 | Satin Diamond |
| 16 | Faggoting | 33 | Eyelet Stitch | 50 | Satin Pyramid |
| 17 | Feather | 34 | Piecing Stitch – Right |
Well, thank you for such a comprehensive review! I have been looking at this machine (but having a hard time finding reviews) – this was very helpful! Thanks.
Charlie – Glad this helped! Enjoy 🙂
Erin
I would like to know if this Brother PC-210 sewing machine can be used on thicker fabric like denim?
Joanne,
Yes, you should have no trouble working with denim on the PC210. It can handle layers up to 1/4″ thick easily. Just make sure to use the needle and thread type recommended in the manual which for denim is cotton thread and a 90/14 or 100/16 size needle. Four 90/14 needles come with the PC210 (2 regular and 2 ball point).
Let me know if you need anything else!
Erica
Very helpful!! Thank you!
Jasmine – You’re welcome. 🙂
This is a great review. It had all of the information I was looking for. I feel more confidant purchasing this machine.
Jen – I’m so glad. It’s a beautiful machine and I’m sure you’re going to love it. Have fun!
Erin 🙂
I appreciate this website. I, too, am in a quandary over the purchase of an adequate sewing machine. The last one I purchased was a Singer forty years ago…I have sewn for my household, my hobbies and for fun. I have struggled with broken needles, jammed bobbins, and “you name it!” I am finally catapulting into the computerized scene…will the 210 Runway model be solid, precise and versatile? Can I use it happily with my young grand-daughter? I want this machine to be easy to use, jamb free, and to last me at LEAST 30 years (am I too optimistic on several levels?) I have a great Brother Dealer and Service center nearby. (I wonder, will he outlast ME!) What Say You about the 210 Runway Model.
Sincerely, Nana
Nana – I think you’re going to find that today’s machines are surprisingly versatile and many are significantly less finicky than the machines we grew up with. In fact, I just wrote a post comparing my mother’s 30+ year old machine to my newer, computerized one and I think I may have convinced her to switch. 🙂
As for whether or not the Brother PC 210 will meet your needs or not, it certainly has a lot going for it. Let’s run through your questions one at a time:
1. Will it be solid, precise, and versatile? Solid and precise, yes. Although the external bodies of today’s machines are plastic, they’re the same plastic used to make football helmets. Very solid, crack resistant, and built to last. Versatility will depend on what you want the machine to do. This particular machine has drop feed dog functionality, speed control, lots of beautiful stitches, and comes with a good number of presser feet. It will handle all kinds of fabrics and all kinds of sewing. The only thing it doesn’t have is built in embroidery functionality.
2. Can you use it happily with your grand-daughter? YES! There are a couple of things I consider the most useful when teaching children to sew and those are speed control, drop-in bobbin and easy threading. The PC 210 PRW has those things.
3. Will it be easy to use, jam free, and last 30 years? Computerized machines are easy to use and this one more so than others as the controls aren’t overly complicated, however they take some getting used to. At first, all those buttons and settings using an LCD screen might seem uncomfortable if you’ve been sewing on a non-computerized model for a long time but my guess is that it won’t take long before you’re whizzing along and find those buttons to be a blessing. It will certainly be more jam resistant than most older sewing machines. Just make sure to follow the instructions and you should be in good shape. I can only guess on the 30 years, though. These models haven’t been manufactured that long so there isn’t a 30 year old one on the market to prove they can last the test of time. However, they’re built to last that long. The biggest risk will be the computerized components. Fortunately, having a licensed Brother Dealer and Service center nearby is a nice backup.
The only thing I’d suggest is that if you are at all interested in doing any machine embroidery then compare this sewing machine to the Brother SE400 before you decide. They have similar prices but the SE400 has the embroidery functionality built in.
No matter what you decide, have a blast sewing with your grand-daughter! Can’t think of a better way to spend some time. 🙂
Erin
Great web site. I have been searching for info about which sewing maching to buy. Your site is especially helpful – more so than any other I have looked at.
Leslie – Thanks! I’m glad it’s helping. Working on the site is almost as fun as sewing. 😉 Erin
Very informative, thank you.
Of course, now that I’ve decided this is the machine for me I’m struggling to find it in Canada. Typical! =)
Oh, Ali! That’s just wrong! 🙂 But I did some digging. Here it is on the Costco Canada site: http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10323608&search=brother+sewing&Mo=4&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-CA&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Sp=S&N=0&whse=BCCA&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Ne=4000000&D=brother+sewing&Ntt=brother+sewing&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1. Only hidden at the bottom of the listing can you see that it’s the PC210. I compared the detail, layout, stitches and features and this is it.
You might also try doing a search on Google for “brother pc210 city canada” (without quotes and replace ‘city’ with your actual city) and see if you can find a local listing.
Good luck!
Erin
Wow, Erin! That was kind of you, thank you.
Costco looks like the way to go. I tried the search, and the other options that came up were a bust. Even the Brother dealer in town said they don’t do that model, and wouldn’t order it.
Thanks again. You’ve made me very happy! =)
Ali – I couldn’t stand the thought of someone not being able to get the machine they wanted. It’s too hard to settle on just one as it is and then to think you can’t get it? Uh-uh. 😉 Happy holidays!
Erin
Wow, very informative, I am learning hard in direction of this machine. One ?, someone was inquiring about decreasing the stitches, is it possible to do? They said they in increase but can not decrease. what do you know LOL
Kelley – This is a really neat machine. I personally love this layout and look. And, yes, you can both increase and decrease the width and length of some stitches. You can see the minimum and maximum settings for each stitch in the online manual, if that helps. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Will this machine the “Brother pc210 work on a B-line quilting frame??
Jean – I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t really know. I’ve never used a B-line quilting frame. Tried to do some research for you tonight but not finding anything. I’ll keep at it tomorrow and let you know if I come across something useful. Maybe someone else here will know and jump in.
Sincerely,
Erin
Erin ~ Is the MAIN difference between the Brother PC210 and PC420 the number of stitches? I mean, is the basic motor and setup (feed dog feet, etc.) pretty much the same??? Or are there some major differences – aside from the stitches and scissor feature?
I’m new to sewing and have been reading a bunch of your reviews, which are really great by the way. I’ve pretty much narrowed down my machine selection to the Janome 8077 and this Brother machine. I’ll start off with simple alterations but would like to eventually end up making costumes for conventions (I’m a geek). For garment construction, is not having the adjustable presser foot a deal breaker?
Jason – My son has a friend who makes these outrageous costumes for Saboten Con held here each year. Blows me away!
The presser foot is almost always adjustable in that it goes up and down and most have the extra height option today but I think you mean adjustable presser foot pressure, right? If so, that’s not a deal breaker, either. Some machines have it built in and some allow you to adjust the pressure manually. Many advanced sewers like to have the manually adjustable option so they can fine tune the setting.
The machines that don’t allow you to change it manually are supposed to adjust it automatically by sensing your fabric thickness it’s just that some do a better job at “sensing” than others. I think either of these machines would do what you’d like to accomplish but you’ll have more stitches to work with on the Brother and that’s really only critical if you’re going to do a lot of decorative stitching. The Brother is absolutely designed for garment construction and I know the 8077 will handle your costume projects, too, so the choice probably comes down to price and stitch selection more than anything else.
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Erin
Hi Erin, thanks for your response. I’ve heard of Saboten Con but I’ve never been. Also, yes, presser foot pressure adjustment is what I meant (lots of new terms). Being that these two machines are about the same price now, I’m leaning toward the Brother because it comes with a case. I also like that you don’t have to pull up the bobbin thread. Anyhow, thanks again for sharing your thought process on which machine to choose.
Hi Erin – I have just ordered this machine so hasn’t arrived yet. One of the reasons I chose this machine was because I wanted the twin needle capability. Nothing was mentioned about this in the description of the machine but since a twin needle was included in the accessories I assumed this was so. However, now that I have briefly read the quick guide pdf included in your review, I can’t figure out where the second spool of thread would be??? Or how it could accomodate threading a second thread. Do you know anything about this?
Thanks!
Kate – There’s a second spool pin that’s included in the accessories. It fits over the bobbin winding shaft and you sit your second spool of thread on that pin. The thread then winds through all the same channels that the main top thread winds through but then threads through the second needle eye on the twin needle. The detailed manual that comes with the machine does cover this and I think the instructions are easy to follow so you shouldn’t have any problem. Some manuals don’t include anything on the twin needle but you’re in good hands with this one. 😉
Sincerely,
Erin
Thank you so much! I will read the manual thoroughly when it gets here! 🙂
This machine may accept up to 1/4″ of fabric, but it won’t like it! This is OK for lightweight curtains, but not for anyone who wants to do real home dec work. For that you need a 20 year old Brother mechanical machine. If you need something for heavy work, this is not the machine for year.
I need a recommendation for a machine that I can use for monogramming with option of 1 inch size letters under $400 please.