For over a century Brother has continued to prove its motto of ‘superior quality and diligent service’, driving innovation forward with a broad catalogue of machines. We explore the inspiring journey of this globally-recognised brand.

With an impressive and ever-expanding catalogue of innovative sewing machines, it’s clear to see how Brother has become a brand recognised worldwide by sewists from every area of craft, but how did it all begin?

Humble Beginnings

The company started out as a family-run business back in 1908 when Kanekichi Yasui set
up the Yasui Sewing Machine Co. in Nagoya, Japan. There, in a small workshop, Kanekichi repaired damaged sewing machines and manufactured replacement parts.

Kanekichi's eldest son, Masayoshi, had taken a particular interest in his father’s work, offering to help in the workshop from nine-years old and subsequently started building his knowledge of the industry as an apprentice in Osaka. In 1925, Masayoshi inherited his father’s company and, alongside his younger brother, Jitsuichi Masayoshi, renamed it Yasui Brothers’ Sewing Machine Co.

Within a market heavily focused on the importation of products, the Yasui brothers hoped to counter-balance this culture and, through domestic production, create products they could export instead. With this aim, they transformed their father’s small sewing machine workshop into a large-scale factory, establishing the motto 'superior quality and diligent service' that Brother still stands by today.

A Family Affair

By 1928, the Yasui brothers celebrated the creation of their first domestically produced product, a chainstitch sewing machine. Created to facilitate the production of straw hats, the durability of the chain-stitch machine helped it gain popularity beyond other leading machines on the market at the time.

With this momentum, the Yasui brothers continued to diversify and develop their technology and by 1932, Jitsuichi succeeded in the production of a shuttle hook and created the first home sewing machine to be made entirely in Japan.

Two years later, with plans to produce sewing machines en masse, the Yasui Brothers' Sewing Machine Co. was l incorporated under a larger manufacturing company called Nippon Sewing Machine Manufacturing Co. Production continued to flourish, leading
to the establishment of Brother’s sales network Brother Sales, Ltd. and a consumer market beyond their home country.

Going Global

By 1958, Brother’s innovative technology was helping the company branch off into other areas; they produced everything from knitting machines through to electrical home appliances and subsequently renamed themselves Brother International Corporation. The initial aim of exporting products globally slowly necessitated the founding of a production base in Ireland and a sales office in New York.

Brother’s passion for stitching blossomed further in 1968 after they acquired the Jones sewing machine factory in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, taking a company that was already firmly established as one of Britain’s favourite brands under their wing. The brothers’ desire to become an industry sensation grew with the creation of three machines
targeting both home consumers and businesses.

“The first model was the chain-stitch sewing machine released in 1928, which was sold primarily for producing straw hats,” says Stuart Stamp from Brother Sewing. “Next in line was the Model 15 Type 70 in 1932, Brother’s first domestic sewing machine, and in 1936 the company’s lockstitch machine was released for the larger business user.”

In 1968, Brother steamed ahead by introducing the B-701 electric machine model, which cut production time in half and revolutionised the sewing trade!

Modern Machines

Nowadays, taking a piece of fabric and turning it into something wonderful is easier than ever. “When it comes to accuracy, speed and creativity, hobbyists face no restrictions,” Stuart explains. “Modern features such as speed control, built-in stitches and automatic functions make the sewing process much more efficient for stitchers.”

In 2013, Brother released the highly acclaimed ScanNCut. As the world’s first home and hobby-cutting machine with a built-in scanner, it could be widely used by sewists for projects like quilting and dressmaking.

“The machine took the craft market by storm with its ability to turn scanned images into unique cutting designs and projects without a need for computers or expensive software,” says Stuart.

Just one year later Brother introduced the Innov-is XV. This incorporated advancements in the camera technology of its much-applauded predecessor, the Innov-is I, which had shaken up the stitching world in 2008. The new, improved version further developed the ability to scan drawings and then turn them into embroidery designs. Today, the desire for more advanced technology runs alongside the audience’s need for equipment that is easier and quicker to use.

Into the Future

Brother’s eagerness to create and push the innovation of sewing machines further is why the brand continues to be admired by crafters with varying skills and interests.

“With more than 100 years of expertise, customers know that a Brother machine will be a solid investment and trust the brand’s reputation for producing high quality, reliable and competitively-priced machines,” said Stuart. “Brother’s motto 'At your side' is something the brand consistently advocates by developing machines that can guide newbies and beginners, all the way through to professional stitchers and crafty businesses.”

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