Making threadwork easy for homemakers

CEBU, Philippines - If you are looking for an alternative source of income, then threadwork could just be your thing.

Last February, Brother introduced a new breed of embroidery machines that would turn a novice into an expert.

In his presentation, Brother Regional Manager Nobuhiro Konishi pointed out the different features of their new machine, the Innov-IS 700E, which he said is ideal for hobbyists, small home-based business, or anyone keen on sewing, quilting and embroidery.

Aside from being digital, one of the machine’s salient features is its 4-in-1 concept that allows the user to use it to sew, embroider, quilt, and even to do some crafts, combining print with threadwork.

“Innovis is for creative people who want to do anything,” Konishi said.

He pointed out that the versatility and reliability of their product has been proven by the popular couture reality show, Project Runway, which uses Brother products on the set.

For Innovis, Konishi said that the machine has a large workspace which makes quilting and working with large materials a lot easier. It also has a large LCD display and a feature called InnovEye which allows the user to get a bird’s eye-view of the needle and the work, automatic adjustment of an embroidered area (or automatic centering), and perfect edging.

“This is an industry first,” Konishi proudly declared.

He said that through an embroidery positioning sticker which is to be placed on the cloth, an “intelligent eye” would recognize the mark on the fabric where it is supposed to start.

Also, the machine would automatically recognize the edge of the fabric, allowing for a uniform and clean edge, without the need for the user to guide the fabric manually.

Connectivity was also considered in developing Innovis, with three USB ports which can be used to connect the machine to a computer for easy upgrades of the software, as well as for downloading new designs through its accessory design software.

The software allows for the user to be more creative. This transforms simple digital image files to one which the machine can translate into embroidery, allowing design versatility for the user. However, the machine itself has built-in software for simple designs, and with the combinations that can be achieved with the pre-loaded designs, it would be years before they become outmoded.

Konishi said that since everything will be automatic, even those with no skills or with no experience in sewing and embroidery can use the machine.

Brother is one of the leading sewing machine companies in Japan. In 2008 they celebrated their 100th anniversary, and recently they have expanded their product range to include printers and fax machines. Last year, they were able to sell 7.2 million machines, and they boast to be the number one provider of sewing solutions in the United States and Japan.

For more information, visit www.brother.com.ph.