Maximize your V-Series

The Brother sewing and embroidery machine range is varied and covers all levels of sewing knowledge. With the release of the new XP1 Luminaire, many sewers are excited about the advanced technology that has been incorporated in to the modern machine – but some of these awesome features have been available on the V series for years, available with premium upgrades and accessories to give a first-class sewing experience.

I often read posts on (UK) social media groups asking if anyone has purchased the upgrades and whether they’re worth the money, so in this article I will outline my favourite accessories and upgrade packages that are available and how they can help make the most of the intelligent, interactive features of the Brother V-series models.

Premium Pack 1 [UGKV1]

What’s in the box?

2 large embroidery hoops, positioning grids, CD, booklet

What does it give you?

200x300 hoop and 200x200 hoop, 30 extra embroidery designs, multiple line formatting for text embroidery

Which machines can use it?

V3, V5, V7

Adding this upgrade to your embroidery machine will give you a larger embroidery surface to work with as well as more beautiful designs to choose from. These extra embroidery designs do not load directly on to your machine but are accessed via USB. I find the multiple line formatting for text is a great addition and had helped me personalise projects much easier than having to add/edit separate lines.

Premium Pack 2 [UGKV2]

What’s in the box?

Activation card, booklet

What does it give you?

183 extra decorative sewing stitches, additional options for MFFC and presser foot lift functions.

Which machines can use it?

VQ2, V5, V7

I love the extra sewing stitches this upgrade gives me. There is a great selection of heirloom and floral designs, and maxi-stitches, some of which are adjustable but mostly fixed sizes, you can opt for a bundle that incorporates the MFFC, giving even better value for money.

Accessories

Multi-Function Foot Control [MFFC1]

The standard foot control is supplied with all Brother sewing machines. These models have stop and start buttons for easy use, however if you prefer a foot controller for more precision and control, it’s worth considering the Multi-Function Foot Control. This optional accessory has extra weight and rubber base which prevents it sliding away from you, as well as functions that let you control stop/start, needle position, presser foot position and thread trimmer. These are operated from the attachment’s two pedals, to which you can allocate a combination of whichever functions you prefer – it’s all laid out in the machine settings on page two of the manual.

Wide Table [WT10]

A really useful accessory, the Wide Table gives a 13.5” extension to the left of the needle, and 25 x 16” overall flat-bed to your machine. Essential for sewers, It provides a stable and smooth surface for your project, making the most of the 360-degree LED lighting and ensuring your fabric doesn’t drag away from the needle. It’s also great in conjunction with the Free Motion Guide Grip [FMG2], for free motion quilting and embroidery.

Direct Dual Feed Foot [DF1]

Anyone wanting to quilt or sew fabrics prone to slipping or shifting would benefit from a Direct Dual Feed Foot. An advance on the standard walking foot this attachment uses a rubber belt roller to remain in permanent contact with your top layer of fabric, and it helps move the project through the machine with all layers in sync, minimizing layer movement. This is best used if you ensure the Fabric Sensor System is also activated (see page three of the settings), and you can get an open toe, couching, ¼” seam and in-the-ditch sole to fit it, as well as there also being the option to disengage the roller at the flick of a switch.

LED Pointer Embroidery Foot [FLED1]

This is great for exact positioning and placement of embroidery. Once you have hooped or floated your project in the embroidery hoop and selected your design you can use this tool to see exactly where your stitching will be placed, the hoop will move, and a red dot will appear on the fabric, pinpointing the parameters of the design. If this doesn’t fit in exactly the position you need it or sit straight, you can adjust the placement on-screen until it’s located in the right place.

It’s also worth mentioning that machine firmware updates are available via the Brother Sewing website, allowing you to make sure your machine is up to date before installing an upgrade package. The upgrade process will prompt you if this process is needed.

So far, the V series upgrade packs have proven to be invaluable to my sewing experience – as I discover more I will be sure to let you know about them! To purchase any of the items above, you can find your nearest Brother dealer using the dealer locator at http://www.brothersewing.co.uk/en_GB/dealer-locator.

Julia Ashman