The Start of Something Beautiful

Last week, I was invited to attend an event in Point Piper, Sydney. The event was hosted by Brother Australia, Simplicity and Spotlight so to say that I was excited about attending, was an absolute understatement.

Brother Australia and Simplicity® Patterns have joined forces to offer an easy sewing experience for beginners or intermediate sewers. The Simplicity® by Brother range of machines include a Simplicity® pattern from the Learn to Sew, Easy to Sew and Amazing fit range, guaranteeing that users have all the elements they need to start sewing straight away!

 

Simplicity by Brother - Machines

 

This new line-up includes three models: SL100, SL300 and SL500 – they’re all pictured above in a photo where I was trying to be a little artistic… ummm…

SL100 : first threads to stitches - perfect for beginners and includes 17 built-in stitches plus a Simplicity® pattern from the Learn to Sew range.

SL300 : the experience of something intricate – this is the next sewing step and features 27 built-in stitches and a Simplicity® pattern from the Easy to Sew range.

Now for my favourite machine…

SL500 : the beauty of something masterful. It is the top of the range, a computerised sewing machine including 40 built-in stitches plus a Simplicity® pattern from the Amazing Fit range.

As a quilter, I think that the SL500 would the one to choose as the it includes a drop feed function, to allow for free motion quilting or free motion applique. The other models are great for new sewists learning the ropes… but in saying this, even though there is no drop feed function, there is a feed dog cover included in the SL100 and SL300.

 

Brother SL500 - Point Piper

 

Brother - Side Cutter Foot

 

Just as an aside, one of the Brother Demonstrators (sorry I’ve forgotten her name), showed me the side cutter foot, which snaps onto the Brother machine, just like any other foot would do.

What I think is most exciting about this foot, is that it cuts, as it sews… kind of like an overlocker (serger) would do. So what does this tell me? There is no need for an overlocker which is tricky to thread and takes up space. A Brother sewing machine and a side cutter foot all the way!

 

IMG_5043

 

These machines are available at local Spotlight stores (my second home). If you have a budding young sewist in your midst, one of these new Simplicty by Brother sewing machines would certainly make a wonderful gift this Christmas.

Not only did I get to see and play with these new sewing machines, be dazzled by the amazing views from the Royal Motor Yacht Club, eat some yummy canap̩s, but we got to hear all about International Quilt Market by Marie Barlabas Рthe General Manager of Spotlight Australia Рwho had just arrived from this event.

Oh yeah, I got to meet this lovely lady. Angie who blogs at Gnome Angel.

 

Gnome Angel & Samelia's Mum

 

We’ve been friends on Instagram and Facebook for ages, so it was really fun to meet in person. Angie and Gemma from Pretty Bobbins drove all the way up from Canberra for this event. For those not sure of Australian geography, it would be approximately 4 hours … EACH WAY!

I also got to meet and chat with Siobhan Rogers, Lorelei from Craftsmumship, Sheridan from SheridanAnne and Lisa from Sweet Little Pretties.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. For more action shots from everyone who was there, pop on over to Instagram and have a look at #SimplicityByBrother.

 

 

Now for a little bit of trivia about yours truly… Did you know that I own 3 Brother sewing machines?

My first sewing machine, was a gift from my husband when I was pregnant with our first child. I was inspired to make some curtains for the baby room and as it was Christmas and hubby didn’t know what to get me, he ventured into the local sewing store and bought me my first machine. It’s a Brother PS57 and a great work horse. It’s the machine I used when I first learned how to sew, and even made my first few quilts (including free motion quilting) with it.

My second machine was an upgrade. I was making larger quilts and having projects published in Australian magazines, so it was time to get serious. I bought myself a Brother QC 1000. This machine has a lovely wide throat, which is great when manhandling large quilts. It’s had a hard life and even after servicing, it starting to sound like a tractor. I still prefer to use it (over my Bernina 710) when I applique – the foot just sits beautifully and I achieve some fantastic results with it.

Earlier this year, Spotlight had the Brother JS1410 on sale. I managed to pick one up for around $90 – brand new! I’m keeping this one for my daughter to use when she’s a little older and can actually reach the foot pedal.

2 comments

  1. HELLO!!! Oh man, we could be sisters - look how excited we look! Thanks for sharing. I've been trying to power through my huge to-do list (gotta catch up on all the stuff I put on hold to make the trip into Sydney) so I could sit down and email you. Was so fabulous to catch up with you and share the excitement of seeing all the fabulous new sewing machines! We need to get one of those selfie stick things (and then work out how to use it!) for the next time we meet up! I suspect Gemma and I will be heading in to Sydney a little more often so we'll have no excuse not to together and have some more fun! :)

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  2. Love the Brother machines. In fact, I bought a Brother SQ9185 when I decided to learn how to quilt. Love it. My wish now is to somehow get my hands on the new Brother Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D.

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