Embroidery Machine Guide

Brother · Embroidery only · Specs checked October 2026

Brother NQ1400E: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: NQ-1400E, NQ 1400E, Innov-is NQ1400E, Innov-ís NQ1400E, Innovis NQ1400E

A single-needle, embroidery-only Brother with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field, 138 built-in designs, 11 fonts and a 3.7 in color touchscreen. It reads PES, PHC and DST from USB. Brother has discontinued it, and it has no cap frame.

The Brother NQ1400E is a discontinued embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .PHC, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick, and has 138 built-in designs and 11 lettering fonts.

NQ1400E hoop size and embroidery area

The NQ1400E can stitch a design up to 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) in one hooping, which is the 6 × 10 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

8 × 12NQ1400E field5 × 74 × 4
The NQ1400E field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: 6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)).

Optional from Brother: 5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)), 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)), Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)), Border frame (4" × 7") (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm)), Square frame (6" × 6") (5.9 × 5.9 in (150 × 150 mm)).

Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, pocket, sleeve, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch.

Check if your design fits the NQ1400E

What file format does the NQ1400E use?

The NQ1400E reads .PES, .PHC and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Brother NQ1400E

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

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Brother NQ1400E specs

TypeEmbroidery only
Embroidery field6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm)
Hoops included6" × 10" hoop (extra large) (6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm))
Optional hoops5" × 7" hoop (large) (5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm)); 4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)); Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)); Border frame (4" × 7") (4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm)); Square frame (6" × 6") (5.9 × 5.9 in (150 × 150 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.PES, .PHC, .DST
Design transferUSB stick
Built-in designs138
Lettering fonts11
Screen3.7 in, colour, touch screen
Max embroidery speed850 stitches per minute
Weight26.6 lb (12.1 kg)
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelIntermediate

Who the NQ1400E is for

Suits someone shopping used who wants a larger field than 5 × 7 in without a multi-needle machine. Skip it if you want to sew on the same machine, send designs by wifi, or embroider caps.

Strengths

  • 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) embroidery field, with the matching hoop in the box
  • Max speed of 850 stitches per minute, adjustable down to 70
  • Color touchscreen with on-screen editing and 140 frame pattern combinations
  • Reads PES, PHC and DST files from a USB drive

Limits

  • Embroidery only: it does not sew
  • Single needle, so you change thread color by hand
  • USB only: Brother lists no wifi or wireless transfer for it
  • Brother has discontinued it, and no cap frame is listed

Good to know: Brother's manual lists the largest area as 26 × 16 cm (H × W), which matches the 6 × 10 in hoop; field is set to 160 × 260 mm to match the other 6 × 10 in Brother files. The manual shows only the extra-large hoop as included; the 5 × 7, 4 × 4 and small hoops, the border frame and the square frame are optional accessories. The manual says included accessories can vary by model, so check what a used machine comes with. Brother's US page marks the product as discontinued, so no new price range is given. Design and font counts (138 and 11) come from Brother Canada's page; they are not in the manual in the manual. The manual gives 18.9 lb for the machine and 7.7 lb for the embroidery unit; the weight shown is the two added together. US launch year not found, so it is left blank. Brother lists no successor on the pages checked.

How the NQ1400E compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What hoops does the Brother NQ1400E use?

One 6 × 10 in hoop (160 × 260 mm) comes with the machine. Brother's manual lists a 5 × 7 in, a 4 × 4 in and a small 1 × 2.5 in hoop, plus a 4 × 7 in border frame and a 6 × 6 in square frame, as optional extras.

What is the Brother Innov-is NQ1400E?

It is a single-needle, embroidery-only machine with a 6 × 10 in (160 × 260 mm) field, 138 built-in designs and a 3.7 in color touchscreen. It does not sew.

What file formats does the Brother NQ1400E read?

Brother's manual says it reads PES, PHC and DST files, loaded from a USB flash drive. Designs must fit within 26 × 16 cm (about 10-1/4 × 6-1/4 in).

Is the Brother NQ1400E still sold new?

Brother's US product page marks it as discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Check the machine's hoops and condition before buying, since included accessories can vary.

Can the Brother NQ1400E embroider hats?

Brother does not list a cap frame for it, so we treat it as not set up for finished caps.

Sources

Specs come from Brother's own pages and manuals, checked October 2026. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. We are not affiliated with Brother. See how we research.