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Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW review was originally written in 2015, and has been revised and updated in 2023. This is a limited edition model and is no longer manufactured. We have added similar alternatives such as Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200 QCP, Janome 4120QDC, and Juki HZL-F600.
One day while visiting Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, I had an opportunity to review the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW, a combination sewing and quilting machine that is not only affordable but user friendly.
Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW Overview
Brother Project Runway NQ 900 PRW is a computerized machine that offers a range of features for both beginners and experienced sewers. It includes 240 built-in stitches, including 58 combinable stitches and 10 one-step buttonhole styles, as well as a range of advanced features such as an automatic needle threading system, an adjustable speed control slider, and a drop feed for free-motion quilting and sewing. The machine also includes a large LCD display that shows stitch information and allows you to easily select and adjust your stitches. In addition, the NQ 900 PRW includes eight specialty feet for various sewing techniques, such as quilting and zippers, as well as a wide table for larger projects. It also includes a programmable needle up/down function, a start/stop button for sewing without the foot pedal, and a built-in thread cutter for convenience. The NQ 900 PRW is designed with portability in mind, with a lightweight and compact design that makes it easy to move and store when not in use.
This is a limited edition model and has been discontinued. We recommend trying out other alternatives that we have added to this post.
The Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW can be operated with either an extension table or an on board double sided accessories case. When both of these items are removed, a convenient free arm is accessible.
There is also a monochromatic LCD screen, a series of numerical touchpads which are used for stitch selection and function keys that control the pivot function and automatic thread cut and tie off.
Above the needle and across the head is a series of buttons which are used to perform all of the essential sewing and embroidery tasks: start/stop; needle up/down; reverse stitch; design stop; thread tie off and cut and a variable speed slider. Beneath the needle is the advanced needle threader, a see through bobbin cover and a needle plate with seam guides.
On the front of the machine you will find a ruler and a slot where the knee lift can be inserted.
Beneath the lid is a convenient stitch selection guide and easy to follow guides to facilitate winding the bobbin and threading the machine.
Working on the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW
Easy to understand and follow on board guides beneath the lid and on the left column of the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW make the threading and bobbin winding process easy enough for any beginner to master in little or no time at all.
After the machine is threaded and the bobbin in place, selecting stitches is as easy as finding the desired stitch option on the stitch selection guide inside the lid, selecting the appropriate menu category and then dialing up the stitch number on the numerical keypad beneath the LCD screen.
During this review, I sampled several decorative, quilting and utility stitches. In most cases, the default settings were perfect. A few of the decorative stitches, however, seemed to be less dense than I preferred.
Making the adjustment to increase the density was easily accomplished by adjusting the stitch length and width using directional arrows on the touchpad. With that one exception, I observed the stitches to be well formed, sturdy and even.
What are some alternatives for Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW?
We have mentioned in this review that the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW is a discontinued model. Here are some alternatives we recommend instead.
The Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200 has all the functions and extras you could possibly need for quilting. The enormous 11" to the right of your needle is included on the Janome Memory Craft 8200. You will be able to quilt a large quilt easily in this area. There is a knee lift included with the Janome Memory Craft 8200 QCP. Your presser foot will simply rise up with a quick push to the right with your knee! You may easily make the last tweaks to your project while utilizing it with the needle down option!
The Horizon Memory Craft 8200QCP's typical free motion quilting settings are perfect for free motion quilters! You also receive a convertible free motion quilting foot with a closed toe, open toe, and clear view foot in addition to a darning foot that can be used for free motion quilting. It only takes a quick flick of a button on the machine's side to lower your feed dogs.
The Janome 4120QDC is a top-notch computerized sewing machine that is both incredibly sturdy and light enough to move about with ease. It is a powerful sewing machine that can handle a wide range of fabrics. Despite the fact that this machine may appear to be pricey, less expensive alternatives just cannot match its level of excellence.
Threading is simple with the jam-proof bobbin, which also keeps your stitches from straying over the edge of your project. In the meantime, you can effortlessly regulate the stitching pace, make small adjustments, and pivot on corners thanks to the user-friendly control panel and LCD screen.
The machine will remain functional as your skill set expands with 120 stitch options and 7 buttonhole options. A protective case that comes with the device protects it from dust and other substances that can harm it. An instructional DVD is also included so you can learn more about the machine.
The Janome 4120QDC was created to be an all-purpose machine in general. It can complete practically any task you give it. It boasts a tonne of features that make it one of the most adaptable and powerful sewing machines available.
- Stitches look professional
- Simple to use
- Excellent construction
- Versatile
- Expensive
- LED lighting is dim
- Makes noise
The Juki HZL-F600 takes the lead in the sewing and quilting machine industry. The tool has the potential to impress you with its professional performance and user-friendly features. Why should you invest in this machine? The reason is that it comes ahead with a sturdy motor designed to sew thick materials such as denim and several quilting layers, which other machines fail to do. Furthermore, you can unleash your creative side by making the most out of 255 stitch patterns and 16 buttonholes completely automatic. And do not forget the bonus part: it offers a large working space, bright LED lighting for you to navigate the instructions, and a box feed system to guarantee precision and ease so you can continue with your complicated sewing projects.
- You can sew home decoration items, dresses, and quilts.
- A large LCD screen to simplify your sewing tasks, even if you are a beginner.
- The machine is heavy as it is exactly 21.8 lbs.
- It is expensive.
- The manual is a bit challenging to understand.
Which fabrics work on the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) Denim Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Upholstery Leather/suede | Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber |
What are the accessories that come with Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW?
Standard accessories:
- 14 Snap on presser feet
- Zigzag foot
- Monogramming foot
- Overcasting foot
- Zipper foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button foot
- Open toe foot
- Non-stick foot
- Stitch guide foot
- Adjustable zipper/piping foot
- Quilting foot
- Walking foot
- ¼” Quilting foot with guide
- Extra Needles
- Twin needle
- 4 Bobbins
- Quilting guide
- Seam ripper
- Lint brush
- Eyelet punch
- 4 Screwdrivers (3 large, L-shaped, Disc-shaped)
- Horizontal spool pin
- 4 Spool caps (1 large, 1 medium, 1 small, 1 mini-insert)
- Spool net
- Knee lifter
- Accessory bag
- Wide extension table
- Soft dust cover
- Grid sheet set
- Owner’s manual
- Quick reference guide
- Accessory leaflet [listing of included accessories]
Optional accessories:
- Roller bag set
- Free motion guide
- 10 Spool thread stand
- Specialty presser feet, including
- Braiding foot
- Candlewicking foot
- Clearview foot
- Edge joining foot
- Fringe foot
- Gathering foot
- Narrow hem foot
- Pearls and sequins foot
- Pin tuck foot [7 groove]
- Roller groove
- Side cutter foot
- Stitch in the ditch foot
- Vertical stitch alignment foot
How to maintain the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW Summary
The long running clothing design and sewing competition program, Project Runway, is one of the most popular television programs among home sewers in the US.
Anyone who pays close attention to the workroom has seen the Brother logo on the sewing machines used by the competitors on that program.
When people see the Project Runway logo on a Brother sewing machine, they are almost instantly inclined to take a closer look. Some sewing machines and sergers with the Project Runway logo are quite good and others, not so much.
Of all the sewing machines that I have reviewed with the Project Runway logo, the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 9900 PRW is one of the best sewing and quilting machines in the PRW series.
The placement of the drop feed control is a long standing pet peeve of mine. Putting any machine control behind the accessories case, making it necessary to reach around the machine to gain access is in my opinion a time waster and a highly inefficient design detail.
I don’t know what it would take for sewing machine design engineers to realize this, but for now, I guess it is an inconvenience that we must live with. That does not, however, mean that I will stop complaining about it.
The only other issue I have with the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW is the fact that it is necessary to adjust the stitch length and width settings in order to achieve professional looking density in some of the design stitch options.
This is a well built, solid machine that is quiet when it is running and there is virtually no vibration at all. As stated above, the issue with the stitch density is easily remedied. The placement of the drop feed control, however, is another matter altogether.
Given the significant number of advantages, the affordability and the user friendliness of the Brother NQ 900 PRW far outweigh the two things that raised red flags for me.
This is a great machine and one that I believe would be an excellent option for anyone who is older than 10 years of age and wants to learn to sew.
It is also a great choice for someone who has been sewing for any length of time, regardless of their skill level, because it is so well built and easy to operate.
Someone who learned to sew several years ago but set sewing aside in order to concentrate on career and family and is now ready to return to the sewing room would be pleased with the Brother NQ 900 PRW because it has all of the features and benefits that an experienced home sewer would be able to appreciate, yet is uncomplicated enough for a returning sewer to be comfortable with after a long break from sewing clothes, accessories and home décor accents.
The large extension table is not only ideal for machine quilting projects, it is also a good accessory to have on hand when working on large projects like coats, tote bags, long dresses, and the like.
When you consider the very reasonable manufacturer’s suggested retail price and the many benefits, features and advantages that come with the Brother Project Runway NQ 9900 PRW, you simply cannot walk past this machine if you are in the market for a new addition to your sewing room.
This is, in my opinion, one of the very few truly well-built, reliable, user friendly sewing and embroidery machines available on today’s market that is actually affordable.
The Brother Project Runway NQ 900 PRW is designed to fit practically every budget and lifestyle. It has a relatively small footprint, which means it can easily fit into every sewing area.
When the extension able is attached, the Brother NQ 900 PRW requires a little more table top space, but not so much that it is difficult to accommodate.
If you are inclined to believe that a new sewing and quilting machine is in your future, it would be to your advantage to visit your local authorized Brother Innov-is dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW. This machine is definitely well worth the time it takes to give it your very serious consideration.
Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW Summary
Summary
The Brother Project Runway Limited Edition NQ 900 PRW is a computerized sewing machine that is designed for intermediate and experienced sewers. It has a variety of features that make it a great choice for quilting, garment construction, and decorative sewing. Some of its features include 240 built-in stitches, sideways sewing, reinforcement stitch, advanced needle threading system, automatic thread tension, My Custom Stitch™ feature, jam-resistant Quick-set™ drop-in bobbin, 8.3″ from needle to arm, 14% larger workspace, built-in extension table, LED light, and carrying case. It is a great choice for sewers who are looking for a machine with a variety of features and a sleek design. However, it is expensive and not as portable as some other sewing machines.
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Happy Stitching.
I purchased this machine about a year ago. I have not had much time to use it, but like it. I recently moved to a different state and was searching for classes to help familiarize me with the machine. I was told by store that they didn’t even have this machine in the store and had moved on to the 950 and wouldn’t know anything about the 900. Is this typical? Why am I finding it so hard to get a class on this machine?
Usely they give you the class where you bougth it. You tube is very usefull, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9OklAzVU9E