Manufactured by Brother Industries, Ltd., the well-known brand of Brother is most famous for its highly-acclaimed sewing and embroidery machines. After generations of relentless exploration, Brother machines are achieving higher precision and versatility. Plus its user-friendly systems, the brand earns itself a solid status internationally. Today, we'll dive into what makes Brother embroidery machines stand out in the competitive market and unravel some basics about it.
1. Is Brother A Japanese Company?
Yes, Brother Industries Ltd. is a Japan-based company.
Headquartered in Nagoya, the innovative company manufactures and markets a range of products to the whole world, including a wide range of sewing, embroidery, quilting machine models and their accessories. When the company was initially founded in 1908, it was called Yasui Sewing Machine Co. and ran a small business of repairing and manufacturing sewing machine parts. It was not until 20 years later that the Brother brand was first launched. With advanced technology allowing us to skip traditional hand stitching, Brother embroidery machines embrace the efficiency and precision. Today, the Japanese-originated company operates its business worldwide, not only provides high-quality embroidery machines, they also offer outstanding customer support and training.
2. Where Is Brother Embroidery Machine Made?
Brother embroidery machines are generally made in China and Vietnam. Brother Industries Ltd. is responsible for production of its sewing machines. With headquarter located in Japan, the company has multiple manufacturing plants across Asia to ensure high-quality production and efficiency in distribution. Asia is the manufacturing hub of the Brother machines. China and Vietnam mainly support their production.
Zhuhai, China was renowned for manufacturing, and therefore it was selected to be one of the mechanical sewing machines’ producing locations. And Taiwan, famous for advanced technology, was chosen to be the crafting place for computerized machines. In 2012, Brother made a decision to open a factory in Vietnam, making it the largest single-brand sewing machine factory worldwide.
3. Do All Brother Machines Use The Same Bobbin?
No. Different Brother machines require different types of bobbins. The included bobbin or the same bobbin types are your only options.
Different classes of sewing machine bobbins are not interchangeable. Applied with an incorrect model, the machine will not operate smoothly and even got damaged. To avoid any potential mishaps with incompatible bobbins, it is crucial to digitize your embroidery design accurately before using a Brother embroidery machine. As the most common type of bobbins used by Brother machines, SA156 and SA155 bobbins are compatible with many Brother models and ideal for pre-winding your embroidery bobbin thread. For example, Sew Tech 60pcs SA156 Bobbins for Brother Sewing Machine is specially manufactured for Brother sewing and embroidery machines that use class 15 bobbins. With exactly the same sizes as the original Class 15 Brother SA156 bobbins, they can enhance your sewing, quilting, and embroidery experience.
 |
 |
| SA155 | SA156 |
| For Use With | For Use With |
| CS8072 | XM2701 |
| PC2800/3000/6000/6500/7000/ 7500/8200/8500/8500D | CS5055PRW/6000i/7000i/8800PRW |
| PE-100/150/150V/170D/200/ 300S | GX37 |
| PS1000/1250/2200/2300/2500 | XR3774/9550PRW |
| ULT-2001/2002D/2003D | HC1850 |
| PE535/800 | |
| SE400/600/1900 | |
| NQ1600E |
Always remember to use the included bobbin or bobbins of the same types. Consulting your owner’s manual so you’ll know which one is compatible for your machine.
4. Can A Brother Embroidery Machine Sew?
Yes, a Brother embroidery machine can sew as long as it has a straight stitch in it. That’s to say, every Brother embroidery machine can sew.
Embroidery machines with sewing ability are built for both sewing and embroidering. With a Brother combo machine, you can switch to its sewing model pretty easily. The machine manual will instruct you how to adjust, you only need to follow the instructions step by step. As to the ones designed to be a stand-alone embroidery machine, they can be used for sewing as well. Make some adjustments to the machine, and then you can sewing with it nearly the same way as an embroidery machine. About 37% of embroidery machines that Brother USA are providing in their official website right now are embroidery-only machines. The remaining two-thirds are sew & embroidery machines. If you need to perform both sewing and embroidery tasks, just go for an embroidery machine that also acts as sewing machines. If you only need it to help you with embroidering, an embroidery-only machine might be a more affordable and cost-effective choice. Yes, a Brother embroidery machine can be used to sew. People have tried projects like bags and caps with a Brother embroidery machine. But it has been proven difficult even if you are of high sewing skills.
5. What Needles Does A Brother Embroidery Machine Use?
What needles to use mainly depends on the fabric. For different types of fabrics, there are different types of needles, like universal, ballpoint, micro, leather, embroidery, metallic thread, etc. Each of those needle types is divided into different sizes. The tension settings on Brother embroidery machines and Babylock embroidery machines must be adjusted accordingly depending on the type of needle and thread being used. The wrong needles may ruin your fabrics.
As to the method of choosing needles for Brother embroidery machines, you can follow the guide below:
- Use small needles with lightweight fabrics, use thick needles with heavyweight fabrics.
- Ball point needle 90/14 suits for stretch fabrics and sewing character or decorative stitches; they are not recommended for embroidering.
- When embroidering, use needle 75/11.
- A 90/14 needle is recommended when fabrics are heavyweight, like denim.
- With transparent nylon thread, use 90/14 to 100/16 needles.
6. Can A Brother Sewing Machine Sew Jeans?
Yes. A Brother sewing machine can sew various materials, jeans included.
Denim is a staple part of many wardrobes because it’s very dependable in terms of style and wearability. Brother sewing machine is designed for a wide range of fabrics. With the right size and right type of needle, sewing jeans won’t be a problem for a Brother sewing machine. But to ensure the best results with your Brother embroidery machine, it is essential to choose the right stabilizer, right bobbin, right presser, and right thread. All tools matter. On YouTube, you can find many videos to guide you on how to sew a pair of jeans. From hoop selection to advanced stitching techniques, all the details and information are available.
7. Are Baby Lock And Brother The Same Company?
No. Baby Lock is not the same as Brother. Brother and Baby lock are popular brands known for their quality embroidery machines. They are made by the same company. Most parts of Baby Lock sewing machines and embroidery machines are made by Brother, except the sergers. They are almost internally identical, and they share a lot of functions. In addition to their functional compatibility, Brother Embroidery Machines and Baby lock embroidery machines also have software options that are interchangeable, making it easier for users to transfer designs and create embroidery projects.
What makes them internally different is their licensed embroidery files. Brother machines have Disney designs and Baby Lock have Nancy Zieman (an American author and designer) designs. Besides, Brother has the custom stitch feature and Baby Lock offers an exclusive font. The external differences include the brand identification, the accent colors and the stitch chart. What else’s, with a high-end Baby Lock sewing machine, a “gold” warranty service achievable using money, but Brother does not offer that. Here is a list of some Baby Lock machines with their equivalent Brother machines:
| Baby Lock | Brother |
| Solaris | Luminaire |
| Destiny | XV800D |
| Accord | NS2750D |
| Chorus | BQ3100 |
| Ballad | BQ2500 |
| Esante | Nv1500D |
| Meridian 2 | XE2 |
| Flare | NQ1700E |
| Altair 2 | XJ2 |
| Vesta | NQ3700D |
| Unity | VM6200D |
The list goes on and on. But with the items above, you can see how similar they are. Both Brother embroidery machines and Baby Lock embroidery machines are the go-to choice for enthusiasts, offering endless possibilities for creating embroidery designs. With their user-friendly features, Brother embroidery machines and Baby Lock embroidery machines are popular among those looking to personalize their items with monogram designs and those seeking to achieve higher embroidery levels. In short, Baby Lock and Brother machines are not the same, though quite similar in many aspects.
8. Is BabyLock Made by Brother?
Yes. Brother makes a great number of Baby Lock machines, but not entirely. Baby Lock makes smart marketing strategy by outsourcing the majority of its manufacturing work to other brands’ factory. Therefore, many of it products are of almost the same internal design with other machine brand’s models, and soon earn the confide of a lot of consumers.
Brother is one of the big name that builds a friendly corporation relationship with it. Many of their products are manufactured by the same plants who work with Brother machines. Due to their differences in quality control, some customers say Baby Lock is more durable. But with good upkeep, the maintenance of your Brother machine can be very good, too. Needless to say, if you’d love to get a machine of superb cost-performance ratio, Brother is a top choice surely.
9. Are Brother And Baby Lock Machines The Same?
Baby Lock is like the luxury version of the Brother. They have deep relationships. They share plenty of similarities and are kind of like sister brands. Featuring a built-in automatic needle threader, both Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines offer convenience for embroiderers of all skill levels. The greatest difference between them is the price. However, Baby Lock does have its shining points which are worth the extra money. The list below is going to give you a more visual answer to their differences:
- Licensed embroidery files – Brother offers Disney designs. Browser their official website to
- Stitch features - Baby Lock has created a lot of categories of new features.
- Fonts – Baby lock offers an exclusive font.
- Brand Identification – They are different in brand designs.
- Accent colors – They both have unique accent color.
- Warranty service – Baby lock offers a more user-friendly after-sale system to cater to customers' needs.
- Price – Brother is cheaper thus you can pay less for a Brother embroidery machine.
10. What Is the Difference Between Brother and Baby Lock?
They have a variety of differences, which are as follows:
- Licensed embroidery files
- Stitch features
- Fonts
- Brand Identification
- Accent colors
- Warranty service
- Price
Conclusion
Brother is a Japan-origin brand. The company manufactures sewing machines and embroidery machines. The Brother Embroidery Machine is known for its exceptional performance, allowing users to create pattern by seamlessly combining different threads and floss for a unique touch. Baby Lock is a new embroidery machine brand that connects deep with the Brother company. Baby lock embroidery machines offer advanced applique features. Their products sell a lot in multiple countries and area like the United States and Canada. The success of Brother Embroidery Machines and Baby Lock embroidery machines can be attributed to their outstanding applique features, which have greatly enhanced the efficiency of the embroidery business. Brother Embroidery Machines and Baby Lock embroidery machines have become top choices for many embroiderers. Explore More About Brother on Our Website.
FAQ
- Is Baby Lock The Same As Brother?
Baby Lock and Brother are not the same brand, but they have a manufacturing partnership. Baby Lock does not own its own manufacturing facilities; instead, it outsources production to Brother and other manufacturers, such as Janome. This means that Brother manufactures many of Baby Lock's sewing machines. Although the machines of the two brands may be very similar in design, Baby Lock sets very high standards for its products, and Brother and other manufacturers must meet these standards. Therefore, while the machines of Baby Lock and Brother may be similar in appearance and function, they are two separate brands with different brand characteristics and market positioning. Baby Lock is known for its high-quality products and excellent standards, while Brother covers a wide range of needs from entry-level to high-end with its extensive product line and price range.
- Does Brother make Baby Lock machines?
Yes. Most of the Baby Lock machines are made in Brother factories. And their accessories are interchangeable sometimes, like hoops and feet. But these not only include hoops and feet, but also various other items such as needles, bobbins, and embroidery thread, enhancing the versatility and convenience of both Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines.