August 6, 2014 Media Contact: Debora Toth 631-293-1969 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Creative Frenzy Builds As Brother International Corporation Launches Nine Hot New 2015 Machines—Something For Everyone Launch of THE Dream Machine and the new Q-Series Line; Simplicity® by Brother™ and Project Runway™ New Additions to their Line-ups; Two New Disney Embroidery Machines Craft Superstar ScanNCut Celebrates One-Year Anniversary BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Creative sewing, embroidery, quilting and crafting enthusiasts will be delighted as their imaginative world expands with a new never-before-seen line-up of some of the hottest sewing and embroidery products from Brother International Corporation. Arriving this fall is one of the largest product launches from Brother with the introduction of nine new dealer machines, new accessories, and new software that offers something for everyone. Creating the most frenzy is a top-of-the-line combo machine—called THE Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D—the premier top-of-the-line machine offering groundbreaking, industry-first features, with more than 100 improved features and enhancements. Never one to sit on its laurels, Brother is proudly introducing a new generation of sewing and embroidery machines: The Q-Series, two new Disney machines with embroidery capabilities, the new Innov-is 990D value-priced combo model and the $399* PE540D embroidery-only machine. Also there will be an addition to the Simplicity by Brother line with the SB7900E embroidery-only machine. With its overwhelming success and award-winning garnishment, craft superstar ScanNCut is celebrating its oneyear anniversary. This innovatively-inspiring home and hobby electronic cutting machine with the magic of a built-in scanner, has gained a beloved following of crafting enthusiasts around the world. All of these new 2015 products were officially unveiled for the first time at the Back to Business authorized Brother dealer meeting in Nashville from August 5-7, 2014. “With this latest launch of new machines, we’re taking the creative designer and crafter ‘sew’ much higher,” says Dean Shulman, Senior Vice President of Brother International Corporation. “This roll-out of new products for 2015 showcases the design and engineering excellence of our company. Our success is based on listening to our customers and acting on their demands. This growing wave of DIY fashionistas is fresh with feverish innovation. From the expert sewer and crafter, to the novice seamstress with tons of enthusiasm, our newest lineup offers some of the hottest technology and automation as well as a few surprises. Our message is, ‘Let’s get more of the world crafting and stitching!’” Raising the bar is what Brother does best, so it’s no surprise that THE Dream Machine is generating a creative frenzy. THE Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D is the most powerful, technologically-advanced combination machine ever introduced by Brother and includes over 100 new or improved features. The premier top-of-the-line machine, which offers groundbreaking industry-first features, is sure to exceed every sewing enthusiast’s expectations and be the ultimate creative partner with the tools to achieve even the most unique creative designs. With the finest best-in-class features for every sewer, embroiderer and quilter, the machine that they have been waiting for has arrived and is power-packed with amazing industry-first features, and so much more. The feature taking the starring role in THE Dream Machine is the industry-first My Design Center, which is the next generation of My Custom Design, enhanced to integrate the power of the Brother industry-first InnovEye® 2 Technology and Scanning feature. This industry-first technology from Brother offers sewing enthusiasts new design capabilities at their fingertips—all without a PC. Using the included stylus, sewers can draw directly on the LCD display and watch in amazement as their sketches and doodles spring to life. They can also use the industry-first ScanImationTM Scanning Frame to scan line art, handwriting or printed clip art and have it transformed into embroidery data. With THE Dream Machine it is now easier

-more-

than ever to add stippling to every project. Draw or scan original designs for free-motion quilting effects or use the built-in auto stippling feature, all without the use of a PC, software or stitch regulation. Create auto stippling or free motion-like quilting at the touch of a button! THE Dream Machine’s features include:  Expansive 11.25” needle to arm (56 square inches of workspace) Our largest needle to arm with the ability to accommodate a rolled king-sized quilt 

Industry’s largest 10.1” high definition LCD display, with expandable library of over 40 built-in HD tutorial videos



InnovEye®2 camera-like technology now with up to 2x the scanning speed and up to 3x the resolution



My Design Center, which integrates InnovEye® 2 Technology with design techniques like line art scanning, illustration scanning with the ability to create stippling and free-motion-like stitching without the use of a PC, software or stitch regulation



ScanImationTM Scanning Frame allows you to scan drawings or printed clip art using InnovEye® 2 Technology and the Auto Punch feature creates stitch data



Virtual Stitch Preview TM lets you see your desired stitch superimposed on your project using InnovEye® 2 Technology and the HD LCD display allows you to modify stitch length and width, and to see the results before actually stitching



Large 9.5” x 14” embroidery area* illuminated with our brightest lighting system



AccuTracTM Embroidery System provides better underarm support, reduces bounce, provides better stitch quality for the smoothest frame control to date



V-SonicTM Pen Pal for Sewing & Embroidery allows you to control several functions on fabric simply by touching the fabric with the pen



DroplightTM Embroidery Positioning Marker allows for precise needle placement



Sew StraightTM 2 Laser Vision Guide offers a brighter guide and wider range



MuVitTM Digital Dual Feed System so you can powerfully feed fabric from the top and bottom, and sew precise, uniform stitches on a range of fabrics from silk to denim.



New Couching Technique and MuVitTM Digital Dual Feed System allows you to add consistent decorative cording to your projects



Color ShufflingTM 2 Function lets you choose your color palette, allowing you to create or modify embroidery designs. Become the colorist you always wanted to be



InnovaChromeTM LED Thread Coloring & Monitoring System is a revolutionary visual status system that indicates when a thread color change is needed, what the next color is, as well as thread breakages and alerts.



939 built-in embroidery designs include 66 designs featuring Disney characters, 140 frame pattern combinations, and 22 embroidery lettering fonts



726 built-in stitches, including 15 styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes and one style of four-step buttonholes, and five sewing lettering fonts

THE Dream Machine will be available at Authorized Brother Innov-is Dealers this September. For those early birds who want to get their hands on this incredible machine, they’ll also receive a free Dream Gift Bundle with purchase, valued at $2,300, which includes a Custom Rolling Bag Set, PE-DESIGN® NEXT Software, an 8-inch x 8-inch embroidery frame, an exclusive bonus design collection by Anita Goodesign, and a 2-DVD set of Carol Price A Stitch in Time PE-DESIGN® NEXT tutorial videos. As part of the 2015 lineup, the new Q-Series line includes a family of five machines that are sure to excite and impress even the most particular enthusiast. The Q-Series line is destined to be a favorite among loyal Brother customers with Quick embroidery speeds, Queen-size workspaces (8.3” from needle to arm) and high Quality sewing functions, including improved

sewing. These five very capable and advanced models include a combination sewing and embroidery machine packed with tons of beautiful built-in designs, including Disney; a specialized embroidery-only model; and three Project Runway Limited Edition fashion-focused models. As part of the Q Series Lineup, creativity has virtually no limits with the Innov-is NQ3500D sewing and embroidery machine. An ideal machine for hobbyists of all skill levels, users can not only take advantage of the 290 built-in sewing stitches, but can also design their own with the Brother exclusive My Custom Stitch feature that allo9ws users to combine and edit custom and built-in stitches. Importing designs from a built-in USB memory stick is easily accomplished while expanding design capabilities beyond the generous 173 built-in embroidery designs, which include 35 designs featuring Disney characters.  Large 6 x 10-inch embroidery area  3.7-inch color LCD touch screen display  Automatic Height AdjusterTM (AHA®) feature  Pivot function for fast and easy fabric manipulation  On-screen editing, including letter editing, enhanced zoom, resizing, rotating, repositioning and combining designs  Includes a Custom Rolling Bag Set, $299.99 value Originality explodes with the Innov-is NQ1400E embroidery-only machine from the Q-Series line-up. Choose from any of the 138 built-in embroidery designs and enjoy editing ease with the ability to resize, rotate, reposition and combine designs. Embroider any project from home décor to clothing on the large 6 x 10-inch embroidery area.  3.7-inch color LCD touch screen display  Built-in USB port to import designs from your memory stick  Embroider designs up to 850 stitches per minute  On-screen editing  Advanced needle threading system and automatic thread tension Shining a bright spotlight on creativity and convenience, Brother is helping its enthusiasts discover the designer within by introducing three new Brother Project Runway™ Limited Edition sewing machines, also part of the Q-Series line-up: the Innov-is NQ1300PRW, Innov-is NQ900PRW, and Innov-is NQ700PRW. The Innov-is NQ1300PRW sewing machine gives sewers the ability to take garment construction to new heights with 290 sewing stitches and the My Custom Stitch feature, which allows the creation of personalized stitches. Whether sewing silk, denim, or leather, the Automatic Height Adjustor™ (AHA®) feature will help deliver smooth, even stitches every time.  Sideways sewing  Improved sewing with longer feed dogs and zigzag foot  Reinforcement stitch button to automatically sew a tie-off stitch and to easily sew a row of decorative stitches  Wide table included for larger projects  Includes a Custom Rolling Bag Set, $299.99 value The Innov-is 900PRW sewing and quilting machine is loaded with features such as 240 built-in stitches, including 58 combinable stitches and 10 one-step auto-size buttonhole styles, and the Brother exclusive My Custom Stitch feature. Create personalized garments or find ample room for large quilts on the Innov-is 900PRW using the included Wide Table. The Innov-is 700PRW sewing and quilting machine features 180 built-in stitches, including 40 combinable stitches and 10 one-step auto-size buttonhole styles, improved sewing with longer feed dogs and zigzag foot and a reinforcement stitch button to automatically sew a tie-off stitch. With embroidery continuing to be one of the hottest trends in the industry, Brother has introduced two new machines with built-in Disney embroidery designs. The Innov-is 990D sewing and embroidery machine has 168 built-in sewing stitches, 105 built-in embroidery designs, including 35 featuring Disney characters. It also provides an additional 200 designs on the Embroidery Design Boutique CD for users to easily explore its expanded capabilities. The PE540D embroidery-only machine is affordably priced at $399* with 35 built-in designs from the Disney collection. Enthusiasts will watch in wonder as their projects come to life on the large 4” x 4” embroidery area.

The popular Simplicity® by BrotherTM line receives an added bonus model in the newly-launched SB7900E embroidery-only machine. This powerful and elegant machine is loaded with features at a simply affordable price. These features include 136 built-in embroidery designs, 120 frame pattern combinations, and six embroidery lettering fonts; large 5 x 7-inch embroidery area; easy-to-use back-lit LCD touch screen display; design editing features such as rotate and mirror images; advanced needle threading system; thread sensors; jam-resistant Quick-Set drop in top bobbin; and built-in memory to store designs. The SB7900E also includes our expansive lettering Design Software BES®2, a $429.95 value. In response to the overwhelming enthusiasm and success of the Brother ScanNCut, this craft superstar will be celebrating its one-year anniversary at the Nashville gathering. During the past 12 months, this innovatively-inspiring home and hobby electronic cutting machine with the magic of a built-in scanner has gained a beloved following of crafting enthusiasts around the world. The industry research firm Envisioneering selected ScanNCut as a winner of the Innovation & Design Award from more than 120 new products launched during ShowStoppers at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas; and it was unanimously voted the #1 Most Creative Item at the Craft & Hobby Mega Show in Anaheim by the Board of Directors of the Craft & Hobby Association. Assured that advanced software plays an important role in any sewer, quilter, embroiderer, or crafter’s life, Brother is introducing PE-DESIGN® 10 Embroidery Design software and BES® 3 Embroidery Lettering Software. PE-DESIGN® 10 comes equipped with a new convenient USB-style software key, 130 built-in fonts, over 1,000 built-in designs, enhanced PhotoStitch™ masks and color settings, enhanced density setting for 3D and puffy foam, intelligent color sort to reduce thread changes, new chain stitch and net fill stitch, improved stitch to block, ability to view design thumbnails in Windows Explorer, and the ability to view names of built-in fonts. BES® 3 Embroidery Lettering Software is equipped with more than 375 built-in embroidery designs, more than 190 built-in fonts including more appliques and fancy fonts, new and improved design editing tools, new ScanNCut applique function, and batch convert design functionality. Providing even more creative options, Brother is launching a number of optional accessories for its new and existing products. Among the new accessories that are compatible with a range of products are the Simplicity 110-Spool Embroidery Thread Set that includes 100 best-selling industry colors and 10 flesh tone colors, plus two display racks; a selection of new Nickelodeon CDs, including Ninja Turtles, Bubble Guppies, SpongeBob Square Pants, Rugrats, Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues design collections; and an extremely useful Multi-purpose Screwdriver that helps sewers and embroiders adjust their embroidery frames, needle plates and presser feet with ease. For Q-Series customers, Brother is offering a stylish new 2-piece bag set that includes a rolling machine bag and embroidery arm bag. This set is included with the Innov-is NQ3500D and Innov-is NQ1300PRW, and will be available for separate purchase for the Innov-is NQ1400E, Innov-is NQ900PRW and Innov-is NQ700PRW. Q-Series customers will also enjoy the new optional Wide Extension Table for quilting and larger projects, the Straight Stitch Foot and Needle Plate Set that helps prevent puckering with light fabrics, and the new King Spool Thread Stand that holds up to two king size spools and helps ensure consistent thread delivery. THE Dream Machine Innov-is XV8500D customers can select from a range of new optional accessories, including a Couching Foot for creating decorative surface embellishments, a Wide Extension Table for quilts and large projects, and an Embroidery Surface Protective sheet to helps keep their machine free from abrasions and scratches while embroidering. For more information about the extensive Brother product line, visit www.brother.com. To find Brother on Facebook, visit facebook.com/BrotherSews. To follow Brother on Twitter, visit twitter.com/BrotherSews and to subscribe to Brother on YouTube, visit youtube.com/BrotherSews. About Brother International Corporation Brother International Corporation has earned its reputation as a leading supplier of innovative products for the home sewing enthusiast. Through a growing network of sewing machine dealers and retail outlets nationwide, Brother offers a full line of home sewing machines, from basic to top-ofthe-line sewing and embroidery machines. The company is recognized for its high-quality, state-of-the-art machines and accessories, offering ease of use and flexibility at affordable prices. Brother is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brother Industries Ltd. With worldwide sales approaching $5 billion, this global manufacturer was started almost 100 years ago by sewing fanatics. Brother offers a diversified product line that includes fax machines, Multi-Function Center® machines, P-touch® Labeling Systems and both color and mono laser printers for home, office and industry. Bridgewater, New Jersey is the corporate headquarters for Brother in the Americas, from Canada to South America. It has fully integrated sales, marketing services, manufacturing, research and development capabilities located in the U.S. In addition to its headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Brother has facilities in California, Illinois, and Tennessee, as well as subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina Peru and Mexico. For more information you can visit the website at www.brother.com.