Brother Dream Machine 2 Sewing and Embroidery Machine Review

When Brother made their Dream model, which was their most advanced unit ever, only a few believed it could be surpassed.

And thanks to those visionary designers, we can now enjoy the Dream machine 2 combination machine. It’s fine-tuned, enhanced, and loaded with new features.

It’s made with serious enthusiasts in mind and provides incomparable quilting, embroidery, and sewing experience. Today, I will review the Brother Dream machine in detail.

If you’re looking for a luxury unit, look no further than this unit. Hopefully, my Brother Dream machine 2 reviews can help you determine if this model responds to your needs.

Without any further ado, let’s dive into my Brother Dream machine 2 reviews and learn more about this impeccable combination model.

Machine Specifications

The Basics

If you were dreaming of the ideal combination machine, your dreams have just come true thanks to the Brother Dream machine 2.

It’s quilting, embroidery, sewing, and crafting machines capable of handling any project you may have in mind. The first model was also good.

It was that good that most employees at Brother didn’t believe it could be surpassed. However, it could. And the Dream 2 model proved it.

It’s fine-tuned, enhanced, and loaded with innovative features that will blow your mind. They ensure impressive quilting, sewing, and embroidery experience.

Dream 2 was made with enthusiastic crafters in mind. It’s a luxurious unit with a large 10.1-inch HD LCD with quicker processing than its predecessor.

Another nice feature is the 9.5 x 9.5 inches embroidery frame with rubber corners and a rubber gasket for less slippage. You will also love the layout center features.

Outline recognition fill and application of stipple patterns and inside automobile stipple and fill designs. You can easily make trapunto-like projects using the outline feature.

The color sort function, on the other hand, saves on thread switches when combining designs. Simple stippling in the embroidery mode applies stippling about any design.

Embroidery editing is also improved with letter application at mid-point of a text line, right, center, and left alignment. As you can notice, this machine is feature-rich.

These innovative features deliver nothing less than perfect sewing, quilting, and embroidery journey. If you’re a beginner, you will love this machine because it’s easy to use.

However, experienced will love it even more due to the innovative features and advanced performance. Let’s summarize the main features.

• 10-inch lighting
• Stitch select display touch panel
• 5 x 11.25 inches work area for large projects, and a large 9.5 x 14 inches embroidery space
• 969 inbuilt embroidery patterns (166 designs with Disney’s faces)
• 140 frame pattern combos, five sewing lettering fonts, and twenty-two embroidery lettering fonts
• 726 inbuilt sewing patterns with 1-step automatic buttonholes (15 styles) and a single style of 4-step buttonholes
• Digital dual-feed system
• Large color screen

My first thought when I saw this unit was, “Oh, my, what a big screen loaded with images to click.” I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to learn all the features.

However, once I laid my hands on this baby, I realized it’s user-friendly. I immediately felt comfortable and sat down to play with this so-called “Dream Machine.”

If you’re a beginner, don’t worry because this machine comes with a manual that’s simple to understand and easy to follow. It’s also sufficient to master the operation.

I was very excited to learn how to use this machine and read almost all of the manual the same day that I purchased it. It’s straightforward and provides enough information.

Another important thing I have to mention is that I didn’t have to buy any accessories. This unit includes everything you need to get started. This also saves you money and effort.

It’s not my primary sewing machine because I have another sewing machine by Brother that I’m used to. However, it’s my primary embroidery machine.

Most sewers take classes to learn how to use a certain unit. However, I didn’t take any classes. They’re offered, though. The interface is very user-friendly.

I can honestly say that I’m using this machine almost every day. And I would recommend it to passionate crafters like myself. However, don’t forget that it’s costly.

If you make more apparel than you quilt or embroider, I would suggest a cheaper machine. I had my DM for sale recently but decided to keep it.

I believe I would have regretted selling it. It’s one of those machines that cannot be compared to other embroidery and sewing machines. It’s very solid and efficient.

First Impressions

The first thing I noticed about the Dream model was the size. Once the embroidery part is installed, this embroidery and sewing machine looks huge.

It takes up almost as much area as a full-size table-mounted industrial sewing unit. If you have a regular size sewing table, this baby will take over the whole workspace.

However, the size and the big HD LCD touch screen are just the tips of the iceberg. The Brother Dream machine has a lot more to offer, such as the 3 USB ports on the right side.

They’re connecting the foot pedal and the regular laser pen as well as a headphone jack, which is kind of cool. I have never seen this feature on any other sewing machine.

After hours of research on this model, I discovered it’s backed up by tutorial videos with audio. You can plug in a DVD and watch a film on the large screen.

The Brother Dream unit also includes all those features any home crafter would like to have, including an automatic needle threader, a thread cutter, and a needle up/down.

You will also get a presser foot up/down, a stitch reinforcement, a variable speed control sider, easy-to-follow bobbin winding and threading guides, and a start/stop.

The first time I turned on my Dream unit, the touch screen presented a beautiful opening picture along with a lovely tune. The moment I touched the screen, the unit went into action.

Then, I switched to the main screen, which provided three options, including embroidery, sewing, Disney, or My Design Center.

The possibility at the lowest state of the display, My Design Center, is where you can save your designs. I was fascinated while scrolling through the design options.

There is no selection guide. However, I completely understand why. There is no way a screen of all these patterns would be able to fit onto such a tiny space.

After a couple of minutes of scrolling through different stitch options, I wanted to go back to the primary menu. All I needed to do is press the ‘home’ icon in the right corner.

You can also choose from other irons at the top of the display from left to rights, such as the stitch menu, camera, machine lock needle exchange/presser foot, and assistance.

Although this machine is bigger than every other embroidery and sewing machine I have ever used, the threading and bobbin winding processes are easy and straightforward.

This is enabled by the on-board guides that you can view on the front of the unit and inside the lid.

The thread sensors and clear bobbin cover make it impossible to get low on a thread in the middle of a seam, embroidery project, or while sewing decorative patterns.

I also examined a few of the sewing stitches. Honestly, I was amazed by the results. Each one delivered impressive results. Choosing the stitches is also easy and straightforward.

All you need to do is choose the sewing option, which takes you to menus for quilting and utility stitches, and alphanumeric fonts. To pick a stitch, you need to first pick a category.

Then, you need to scroll through to locate the desired stitch.

Without following a chart, this can take you more than a couple of minutes. However, once you master the selection process, you won’t have issues.

It’s hard at first but becomes simpler with time. When the thread cutter is utilized after making a row of decorative stitches or a seam, the presser foot stays in the down position.

The Brother Dream machine handles various types of fabric such as natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool, fine fabrics like satin, silk, velvet, and taffeta, upholstery, and quilts.

It also works with synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon, and blends, leather, denim, super-dense fabrics, and multiple layers. As you can notice, it’s a heavy-duty sewing machine.

The Brother Dream model justifies its name. This model is truly a dream come true for passionate users.

When I got my first sewing unit at the age of 9, I never in my wildest dreams saw a sewing machine that would represent images and sound.

This model has so much to provide than similar household sewing machines. I was shocked by how well it handled my sewing projects so far.

However, I can’t help but question how reliable it will be after a couple of months or years of work. This unit has 23 new features that no other machine has.

It might be overwhelming for beginners. Also, I wonder how long they can work together without issues. The stitch quality is flawless. Working on this unit is a dream.

It’s ergonomically sound, sturdy, and quiet. Overall, completing sewing projects feels good. Almost too good to be true. There is just no other way to say it.

I honestly loved and still love everything about this embroidery and sewing machine. If you’re not on a budget, buy it before it goes out of stock.

Due to the many computerized parts, I hesitate to recommend working with thick and heavy fabrics and super-dense layers. However, you can make costs, jackets, and quilts with ease.

Finally, I think that this combination machine is worth your investment. I didn’t regret my purchase, and I believe you won’t as well.

You have a lot of tutorials to teach you how to use this machine. Also, you can plug your laptop and DVD player in and view your favorite TV show or movie on the screen.

However, keep in mind that you cannot work while a video is playing.

Did I mention that this machine received the Best Buy Award? If that doesn’t prove to you that it’s good and worth the investment, I don’t know what will.

The Dream Machine has so much to provide. It’s comfortable and pleasant to work on. However, it’s an expensive machine but worth the cost.

Appealing Features

The Brother Dream machine is packed with appealing and innovative features.

General Features

The general features include an 11.25’’ work area, 5-inch height from bed to top of the arm, LED lighting with 5 settings, and almost 10-inches of lighting around the needle.

You will also get an automatic needle threading system, an ergonomic large start/stop switch, a scanner, a separate bobbin winder system, and an InnovEye 2 technology.

The Dream also includes an on-board camera, an adjustable bobbin winding speed, and an extra high lift presser foot. Let’s talk about the My Design Center and what it has to offer.

My Design Center

The Design Center allows you to draw straight onto the display. It has 30 stamp frames, a line-art scan and embroidery, an auto line completion, and zoom until 400%.

Stitch setting attributes, a scanlation scanning frame, scan and stipple, and combining items with pre-digitized and inbuilt designs, and fonts are also available on this advanced feature.

Embroidery Features

You will get 773 embroidery designs (166 are Disney/Pixar designs, 15 home furnishing designs, 18 quilt designs, 5 pet designs, 20 Japanese designs, 18 technique designs, and so on).

This machine includes 140 frame pattern combinations, 22 embroidery fonts, a built-in Greek alphabet, and a 9.5 x 14 inches embroidery space.

You will also get built-in super large designs for the jumbo embroidery frame. The maximum embroidery speed of this machine is 1,050 stitches per minute.

You can go forward or backward until 1,000 stitches. You can choose from 175 sewing stitch patterns in the embroidery mode.

There is a drop light LED embroidery positioning marker, color shuffling 2, a camera scanning in 2-speed modes, and the Accu Trac embroidery system.

Ultrasonic sensor that sets embroidery state and angle, InovaChrome LED thread color system, InnovEye 2 technology, and Snowman embroidery positioning marker are just a few of the new advanced features.

You will also enjoy the Print and stitch technology for 3D art, a thread wiper, an embroidery background color adjusting option, a jump stitch trimming, and a resume function.

Thread sensors are also included for lower and upper threads. There is also an embroidery frame display and an embroidery basting function.

Other embroidery functions include:

• Readable PHC files
• Embroidery drag and drop
• Design duplication mode with embroidery editing
• A built-in alignment option for borders and designs
• Embroidery thread palettes
• A built-in applique creator
• Trial position

Sewing Features

What’s good about this model is that it comes with 577 decorative stitches, including heirloom, vintage, and wide designs. It also includes 149 utility patterns.

You will get 5 stitching fonts, including 1 Cyrillic, 3 alphabets, and 1 Japanese font. The max sewing speed is 1,050 stitches per minute.

However, you can make decorative patterns until 710 stitches per minute. It also includes a Sew Straight 2 brighter and a broader side range.

There is also a MuVit Digital dual-feed system, a multi-function foot controller for hands-free control of select stitching options, and a My Custom Stitch option.

Other sewing features include:

• Virtual Stitch Preview
• Square feed dog system
• Adjustable three-position knee lift
• Lighting-quick pivoting functionality with adjustable foot height
• InnovEye 2 technology pattern collection and edge stitching
• Automatic feed dog switching
• Automatic height adjuster
• Needle plate detector
• Free motion mode
• Paper punching

LCD Display Features

The Dream machine has a large 10.1-inch HD LCD touch screen. It’s 23% bigger than screens on previous Brother quilting, embroidery, and sewing machines.

It has over 16 million colors with no color shifting on display and an MPEG4 replay setting. There is also a sewing stitch and embroidery design selection scroll bar.

You will get an adjustable screen color for simple editing, inbuilt screensavers with adjustment settings, 40 inbuilt instructional tutorials, and a personalized screensaver.

Software Features

The software features will blow you away. This model has three USB ports and a high-speed 2.0 port for design transfer. It also has 5 sound levels and a high power CPU.

The adjustable USB mouse pointer options for an optional mouse and the optional external embroidery USB card reader are just some of the advanced features you will enjoy.

It also provides a larger internal memory capacity, a needle changing and presser foot key for safe work, and a screen lock.

There is also a date and time key, an eco mode, 13 different languages, and a user-friendly home screen. Now, let’s talk about the pros and cons.

Positive Sides

I love that I get beautiful and consistent stitches every time.

I also like the multi-function foot control. I can set my foot control for 2 options using the pedals. I got mine set for sewing “reverse” stitch and “single” stitch.

Also, you can utilize the foot control to set your needle and slice the thread. The material sensor senses when you work with thick fabrics, and the unit will adjust automatically.

The Brother Dream machine has no problem working with dense layers of woven fabric. I can work with lightweight vinyl and leather, but if you want to work with heavier vinyl or leather, I suggest a heavy-duty sewing machine. You can also consider buying a semi-industrial model.

The Dream model comes with a big color LCD touch screen, which I also like. I’m used to large screens, so working on anything less than 10-inch would be difficult to adjust.

Also, the pivoting function keeps the thread in the down position and lifts the presser foot when turning corners automatically. Threading the bobbin and needle is a breeze.

You can also adjust the bobbin winding speed, which is great. Keep in mind that the slowest speed is still fast. Lastly, beginners will enjoy the short instruction tutorials.

Negative Sides

The Brother Dream comes with a large throat for quilters.

It also includes a large embroidery arm that moved automatically to the edge of the table and out of the way during stitching mode. It’s impressive and advanced.

You can take off the arm to make a standard sewing machine table. The only downside to this model is the price. You can buy the Dream machine for less than $15,000.

You would have to call off purchasing a new automobile to afford this dream sewing machine. However, it brings great value for money, which means it’s worth the cost.

If you’re looking for the perfect combo machine, look no further than this one.

Conclusion

The Brother Dream machine is a great sewing machine with so many features and options.

Fine-tuned, enhanced, and loaded with new features, it delivers incomparable quilting, embroidery, and sewing experience to serious and enthusiastic crafters.

Hopefully, my Brother Dream Machine 2 reviews can help you determine if it’s worth your money.