Simplicity SB 7900E Review (2023 Update)

Note from the Editor: This Simplicity SB 7900E review was originally written in 2014 and has been revised and updated in 2023. Simplicity sewing machines have now been acquired by Brother. We have added alternative sewing machines from Brother’s Simplicity line as well as other brands that are similar to the SB 7900E such as Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9850, Janome Memory Craft 500E, and Brother SE1900.

I had the opportunity to review a brand new Simplicity SB 7900E embroidery only machine on a recent visit to Laura’s Sewing and Vacuum Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The truth of the matter is, I happened to drop by on the very day that this machine was unveiled and put on display. There was a huge sign behind it letting everyone know that it was this year’s winner of the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Award for this class of machine. In other words, according to Consumer’s Digest, the Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is the best deal you could get on an embroidery only machine in 2014.

Simplicity SB 7900E Overview

When I first saw the Simplicity SB 7900E with its fuchsia-colored accents, I thought it was a compact sewing and embroidery machine. To my delight, however, I was actually looking at an embroidery-only machine.

There is an embroidery card slot and a USB port on the right, which makes it possible to import embroidery designs from several different sources: a computer, a flash drive, or a memory card.

In addition, there is a backlit LCD touch screen with adjustable lighting and function buttons that allow you to start and stop the machine, tie off and cut the threads, and program the needle to stop in the up or down position. The Simplicity SB 7900E has a see-through bobbin cover, an automatic needle threader, and upper and lower thread sensors that will let you know when the thread supply is running low in plenty of time to make a thread change before it runs out.

The bright LED lighting makes working on the Simplicity SB 7900E easy on the eyes and the easy to following on board threading guide is only one of the many features that make this machine simple enough for a child in elementary school to use. Its sheer simplicity [pun intended] is also a huge benefit for anyone who has been sewing for many, many years but wants to do more by adding embroidered embellishments to his or her work.

What are the features on Simplicity SB 7900E?

• 136 built-in embroidery designs
• 120 frame pattern combinations
• 6 embroidery lettering fonts
• Large 5″ x 7″ embroidery area
• Easy-to-use, back-lit LCD touch screen display
• On board design editing
• Rotate 1, 10 and 90 degrees
• Mirror images
• Ability to increase/decrease design size
• Advanced needle threading system
• Automatic thread trimming
• Built-in USB port
• Slot for embroidery design cards
• Upper and lower thread sensors
• Quick-Set™ bobbin
• Built-in memory
• Bright LED lighting
• BES® Embroidery Lettering Software 2
• More than 5,000 optional designs are available through iBroidery

Working on the Simplicity SB 7900E

The Simplicity SB 7900E has on-board decals that show exactly how to wind the bobbin, insert it, and thread the machine. There is a lever on the left side that enables you to thread the needle effortlessly.

Once the machine is threaded and the bobbin is in place, the next step is to choose the design you want to create. With so many choices, making the right selection is easy and the memory allows you to store it for future use. The main menu on the touch screen gives you several options from which to choose. A simple touch of your fingertip will get you into any one of the stitch menus.

From there, just touch the design you want on the screen and it will appear along with a listing of the colors you will need and the sequence.

Since the Simplicity SB 7900E only sews at a maximum speed of 650 stitches per minute, I chose to sample a one color simple design for this review in the interest of time.

The Simplicity SB 7900E has a solid feel to it with no vibration and very little noise. When the design was finished the machine stopped and sounded a chime to let me know it was done. The stitches came out great. They were even, smooth, and they had the perfect density.

If I had selected a design that required a change of thread colors, the Simplicity SB 7900E would have done the same thing.

It is easy to set the design, touch the start/stop button, and walk away from the machine while it hums away, creating your design, even if you walk out of the room. When it’s time for you to change the thread, the Simplicity SB 7900E will call you back with a gentle chime.

What are some alternatives for Simplicity SB 7900E?

We have already noted that the Simplicity SB 7900E is a discontinued model since Simplicity, as a brand, no longer exists independently. Here are some alternatives we recommend instead.

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Which fabrics work on the Simplicity SB 7900E?

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) Upholstery Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Denim	Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Leather/suede

What are the accessories that come with Simplicity SB 7900E?

Standard Accessories :

• 1 Embroidery foot
• 4 Bobbins
• Extra needles
• Lint brush
• Seam ripper
• 2 Screwdrivers (1 small/1 large)
• 4 Spool caps (1 small/2 medium/1 large)
• 1 Embroidery hoop – 130cm x 180cm
• Spool net
• Scissors
• Embroidery bobbin thread
• Accessory bag
• Dust cover
• Quick reference guide
• Owner’s manual

Optional accessories :

• Embroidery hoops
  • Large – 5” x 7”
  • Large – 6 ¾” x 4”
  • Medium – 4” x 4”
  • Small – 2” x 1 ½”

How to maintain the Simplicity SB 7900E?

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

Summary: Simplicity SB 7900E Review

The Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is an excellent embroidery only machine. It is so easy to operate that I have no hesitation in agreeing to allow a child in the third or fourth grade to operate it under close adult supervision. But don’t let the simplicity of this machine fool you. I have no doubt that a seasoned home sewer with decades of experience will be very happy working on this machine as well.

With so many different designs and fonts coupled with the ability to download 5000 additional optional designs through iBroidery.com, 120 frame designs, and six alphanumeric fonts, there is no limit to the creative options you would have on this machine. I readily admit that I have seen lots of sewing and embroidery machines that are faster and have hundreds of more on board design options, but when a machine does only one thing, it is a pretty safe bet that it is capable of doing that one thing better than nearly every combination machine on the market.

In addition, the Simplicity SB 7900E is far more economical than any combination sewing and embroidery machine I have reviewed to date. It doesn’t have nearly as many on board design options or features as the Brother Dream Machine or the Baby Lock Destiny, and the largest embroidery hoop is a lot smaller, but with an MSRP of less than $1,000 the Simplicity SB 7900E from Brother is within reach of nearly every household budget.

If the Dream Machine is just that for you—a dream—the Simplicity SB 7900E is a reasonable option for anyone who has a dependable sewing machine already and wants to add machine embroidery to their sewing capabilities.

This machine is easy to learn, easy to use, and easy on the wallet. The only difficult thing about it is deciding which design to create first. If you have taken the time to read much of the information on this site, you already know my own inventory of sewing machines is limited to two all metal mechanical machines from the 1960s and a serger. The Simplicity SB 7900E is one of the few machines that I have reviewed over the last three plus years that I am actually considering purchasing for my own personal use.

It impressed me just that much. If and when the day comes that I decide to add machine embroidery to my own sewing room, the Simplicity SB 7900E would be the very first machine I would look at. There aren’t a lot of embroidery only machines on the market, and although many of the combination sewing and embroidery machines are excellent, I am not willing to part with my old metal clunkers. Therefore, it makes no sense to invest in a machine that can sew as well as embroider.

This is a great machine for anyone who wants to explore machine embroidery without making a large financial commitment. If, after working on the Simplicity SB 7900E for a while, you decide that you want a machine that will allow you to create larger embroidery designs and do it at a faster speed, you always have the option of upgrading.

If, like me, you have been sewing for a long, long time and want to add the capability to create embroidery designs on a machine while hanging on to your old faithful sewing machine, you owe it to yourself to visit your local authorized Brother/Simplicity sewing machine dealer and ask for a demonstration of the Simplicity SB 7900E by Brother.

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