Brother Industries made a name for themselves in the early 1900’s as a sewing machine company. Since their expansion into America and Europe, they have broadened their horizons. They now own companies that cover a host of electronic markets, with printers being one of their biggest sellers.Still, sewing machines are the primary focus of the company and they are one of the top brands in the sewing industry.
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Company History
Brother Industries first came onto the scene under the name Yasui Sewing Machine Co. Kanekichi Yasui created the brand in Nagoya, Japan in 1908. They established their first US affiliate in 1955, which was called Brother International Corporation.
Three years after moving to the states, the company set up a European sales company in Dublin. A few years later, in 1962, the company made their final name change and became Brother Industries.
They moved their official UK headquarters to Manchester after purchasing Jones Sewing Machine Company. Brother continued to acquire companies, and no longer focuses solely on the sewing machine market. They own companies that produce a host of domestic electronics and machine tools including printers, fax machines, and desktop computers.
Although their specialties have broadened over the course of the company’s life, much of their focus remains on sewing machines and sergers – like the new Designio Series DZ1234. This is the product that got the company started, and remains the most prominent division under Brother’s umbrella.
5 Best Selling Brother Sewing Machines on Amazon
Flagship Products
Brother has quite a few different selections when it comes to sewing machines. They offer high-priced options (like the 2340 Cover Stitch) as well as lower-end options for beginners, such as the XR9500PRW. You can go old-school, technology-free, or you can get the fanciest sewing machine on the market. Below are some of the selections Brother pushes the most on their site.
THE Dream Machine
THE Dream Machine is the newest and most innovative sewing machine in the Brother catalog. You can use the touch-screen interface to make sewing as easy as it can be. The screen is the largest in its class, and if you’re having trouble, the built-in tutorial videos can assist you.If you’ve ever wanted to embroider with Disney characters, you’re in luck. THE Dream Machine comes with 166 Disney designs built-into the machine. This machine allows you to create beautiful and original designs that make excellent homemade gifts.
DreamWeaver
DreamWeaver is another top option from Brother that has a LED touch screen that allows you to save projects and design for future use. One of the most significant selling points for the DreamWeaver is its Sew Straight Laser Vision Guide, which is the easiest way to sew straight lines. Sewing straight is one of the most critical aspects of quilting, and this product makes it much easier. You can also save time with the DreamWeaver because of the lockstitch key, which allows you to tie-off stitches by only pressing a button.
PQ1500SL
Similar to the 3234DT, the PQ1500SL is a must-own for anyone who takes quilting and sewing seriously. At 1500 stitches a minute, it’s hard to find a product in the same range that will be much quicker. You can adjust the height quickly, and the foot pedal allows you to change the fabric without too much hassle. This product is indeed a professional machine created for home use.
- 1,500 Stitches per minute max sewing speed: Maximum stitching of up to 1,500 stitches per minute...
- Advanced needle threading system: This sewing and quilting machine includes an automatic needle...
- Included accessories: The PQ1500SL longarm sewing and quilting machine comes with a wide table, 7...
- Precision pin feeding system: It's so easy to sew a wide variety of fabric thicknesses thanks to...
What’s Unique
Brother’s versatility is one of its most substantial benefits when it comes to the sewing machine market. If you’re an advanced sewist, looking for a complicated and expensive machine, they have one for you. If you’re new and want something cheap, they’ll have that as well.
Or maybe you need a new serger to replace your old one or add to your arsenal. The Brother 1034D Serger is a good machine to consider. Brother really does have something for everyone.
Other companies tend to focus on one side of the market exclusively. Brother has them all covered. You’ll be just as pleased with one of their inexpensive machines as you will with the top-of-the-line Brother model. It should be stated though, that there are some durability concerns on the lowest-end (more on this below).
Another way Brother stands out from the pack is the availability of support. If you have trouble with a Brother product, there is no lack of places to look for help. There are community events, forums, and customer support if things get too complicated. If a sewing machine fails, chances are you’ll be able to get a fix without too much of a headache.
Brother’s most exciting aspect is its partnership with Disney for its Dream Machine product. Like some other companies in the domestic sewing industry, Brother has a line of products that allow you to upload designs directly into the machine. Unlike those companies, though, Brother has 166 Disney-related designs pre-loaded. You can get started with a Disney quilt right away with this Brother machine.
Brand Reviews
Brand reviews for Brother sewing machines are overwhelmingly positive. Professionally reviewers seem to love their products, as do users (and me!). Almost all of the Brother sewing machines sit at 4-5 stars on most ecommerce sites, with mirror reviews coming from critics. Below are some of the products that got the most attention from user reviews.
JX2517 Lightweight and Full Size Sewing Machine
The JX2517 is exceptionally affordable (like the CS6000i) and one of the best options when it comes to sewing machines for beginners. At only 12 pounds, it’s one of the only actual portable sewing machines available.
It’s incredibly intuitive to get started with this machine, so if you’re someone who wants to get into sewing but doesn’t know where to start, you could do a lot worse than the JX2517. Even if you’re going to upgrade eventually, you can find the unit for less than $100, so there’s nothing to lose.
- 17 built-in stitches
- 4-step buttonhold maker
CE8100
The CE8100 is an excellent machine for hobby quilters who don’t want to break-the-bank with an expensive device. At 120 stitches, this product seems to have everything quilters need for a reasonable price. It’s easy to use and offers an alternative to the foot pedal for those who prefer to use a button.
One of the negatives reported in this product is the quality of the thread spools. Some users have sent these flying with the wrong motion, though several workarounds solve this small problem.
- 120 sewing stitches with 160 stitch functions, including 8 styles of 1 step auto size buttonholes
- Exceptional feed system to sew on almost any fabric
- Drop feed dogs for free motion quilting and sewing
- Advanced easy needle Threading system;For use with:NX200, NX400, NX 400Q, NX600, PC 210, PC 420,...
HC1850
The HC1850 is another affordable computerized option for more experienced users. It’s not as easy to use as some of the others, which can be daunting to new sewists, but it offers multiple features that simpler machines can’t match. Like the CE8100, this machine has a start/stop option apart from the foot, which is essential for many older sewists.
- 185 Unique built-in stitches: The HC1850 includes 130 sewing stitches including 8 styles of...
- Advanced needle threader and drop-in top bobbin: This sewing and quilting machine includes an...
- Included accessories: The HC1850 quilting and sewing machine includes a wide table, 8 feet,...
- LCD Screen: Easily select your stitches with the touch of a button and view your selections on the...
Potential Drawbacks
There isn’t a ton of negative things to say about Brother sewing machines. The company’s commitment to quality is evident in their dedication to providing users with the newest forms of sewing machine technology. They have a product for all types of needs and price ranges, but their durability is one thing that’s called into question.
Some of the most prominent sewing machine companies focus much of their resources on making their products durable. Brother’s higher-end items will certainly last, but it’s their lower-end machines where durability can be an issue.
The old saying, “You get what you pay for,” is generally true when it comes to sewing machines. After a few years, it seems as though their cheaper models break down and start to malfunction. The models that cost thousands of dollars will hold up, but if you’re looking for something around $100, although the XM1010 is pretty reliable.
Their quality is serviceable while the machines last, but heavy-use will wear on the products. Where other companies provide long-lasting quality of all products, Brother seems to favor the more expensive units.
The same goes for environmental protection in the cheaper products. You’ll have to use your dust cover if you purchase one of the lower-end models to prevent any clogging. Overall, Brother doesn’t seem to be as interested in the cheaper side of the sewing machine industry. Even the Brother XM2701 which is a less expensive machine is a high quality product.
Some people are also concerned with a number of products Brother handles. With their hands in so many markets, it’s hard to believe that they can focus the bulk of their resources to the sewing machine industry. Many of their competitors focus on sewing machines alone, which worry some prospective customers that their machines won’t be up to par.
Summary of Findings
Brother is one of the more innovative companies when it comes to sewing machines. They may not be solely focused on the market, but they’ve been in the space long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. Their variety is virtually unmatched, and most of their products offer superb quality.
Whether you’re an inexperienced sewist or an expert, Brother has something that will cater to your needs. They have the basics for regular home sewing and expensive options for people who are serious about the craft.
The only question comes in the form of the durability of their lower-end items. Most of their products are spectacular, but some of the most inexpensive selections could use some work to get them to the next level. Apart from that, Brother is an excellent choice for sewists of all experience levels.