One day while visiting my friends at Ace Sewing and Vacuum in Pompano Beach, FL, I came across a Brother Innov-Is 2800D. This machine has actually been on the market for a few years, but this was my first opportunity to review it.
The Brother Innov-Is 2800D is a sewing and embroidery machine that features more than 100 Disney embroidery designs as well as enough sewing and decorative stitch options to more than satisfy nearly every home sewer’s wildest dreams.
At A Glance
Brother 2800D touch screen
The Brother Innov-Is 2800D is equipped with an embroidery unit that when removed is replaced by an on board accessories case/work space. In addition, there is a large color LCD touch screen that is used to help users navigate through the sewing and embroidery stitches and designs.
Users are also able to access on board tutorials and guides through the touch screen as well.
Card slot
On the right side of the column there is a card slot, a USB port and a port that was designed to allow the machine to be connected to an older computer. On the machine head, just above the needle is an advanced needle threader and function control buttons: start/stop; reverse/lock stitch; needle up/down; thread tie off/cut; presser foot up/down; and a speed control slider.
Beneath the needle, is a see through bobbin cover and a needle plate with etched seam guides. A large, comfortable carrying handle disappears behind the lid when the machine is in use.
Features
More than 700 utility, decorative and quilting stitch options
- 129 Disney designs
- 314 Decorative stitches
- 14 one step buttonholes
- 3 alphanumeric fonts
- 340 on board embroidery designs.
- 129 designs with Disney® characters
- 10 monogram fonts
- 10 embroidery frames
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Reinforcement function
- Embroidery rotation: 1, 10 or 90 degree increments.
- Trial Position/Layout Adjustment
- 9 point trace
- On-screen editing
- Compatible with PE-Design/PED Basic design software.
- Sewing and embroidery design memory
- Ability to upgrade software via USB cable
- Advanced on-screen help
- Oversized LCD color touch screen
- Automatic Height Adjuster™ AHA™
- Pivot function
- Back to Beginning key
- Embroidery field 10 “ x 6”
- Dual USB ports
- Free motion stitching
- On board seam guides
Working on the Brother Innov-Is 2800D
Brother sewing machines are well known for being user friendly. That is certainly true in the case of the Brother Innov-Is 2800D.
Easy to follow on board guides simplify the process of winding the bobbin and threading the machine so much, I daresay a child as young as eight or nine will be able to master the process after just a few attempts.
On board guides
Selecting the right stitch is almost as easy. All it takes is to select the stitch category on the touch screen.
The choices are: utility stitch, character/decorative stitch, embroidery, and embroidery edit. For this review, I first selected the utility stitch option.
From there, a visual icon of each available utility stitch choice was literally at my fingertips. After sampling several of the utility stitches, I moved on to the character/decorative stitch option and the results were the same. Regardless of which stitch option I selected, each stitch was perfect in every way – perfectly formed, well balanced and secure.
Stitch selection
Fabrics
- Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
- Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
- Knits
- Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
- Denim
- Upholstery
- Leather/suede
- Fur
- Reptile skin
- Canvas/Twill
- Plastic/Rubber
- Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers
Accesories
As stated in the introduction, the Brother Innov-Is 2800D is not a brand new machine. In fact, research on the Brother website revealed that this particular machine is no longer listed with other Brother sewing and embroidery machines.
However, I was able to gain access to a comprehensive list of genuine Brother accessories that are compatible with the Innov-Is 2800D.
Brother 2800D accessories
The bad news, however, is there was no way of determining which of the accessories listed below are included with the purchase of a new 2800D and which accessories are optional.
- Presser feet
- Binder foot
- Cording foot
- Non-stick foot
- Gathering foot
- ¼” Piercing foot
- Narrow hem foot
- Invisible zipper foot
- Free motion sewing foot
- Quilting foot
- Blind stitch foot
- Gathering foot
- Walking foot
- Braiding foot
- Fringe sewing foot
- Open toe foot
- Ruffle
- Pearls/sequins foot
- Cording foot (5 or 7 groove)
- Adjustable zipper foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button attaching foot
- Stitch guide foot
- Straight stitch foot
- Edge joining foot
- Pintuck foot
- Candlewicking foot
- Bobbins
- Scissors
- Threads
- Extension table
- My custom Stitch software
- Embroidery hoops
- Stabilizer
- Seam ripper
- Lint brush
- Screwdriver
- On board accessory case
Maintenance
| After each use | Monthly* | Once Each Year** | As Needed | |
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | ||||
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | ||||
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | ||||
| Lubricate | ||||
| Service by sewing machine repair professional |
Tying Off The Loose Ends
The Brother Innov-Is 2800D is one of those combination sewing and embroidery machines that is not only user friendly, but durable. This particular model has been discontinued, but available at those authorized Brother Innov-Is dealers who still have some in stock.
The machine that I reviewed was the very last one of in stock at Ace Sewing and Vacuum. I found the Brother Innov-Is 2800D to be an excellent choice for the person who is adept at sewing and quilting by machine, but new to machine embroidery.
However, it is also an ideal option for the seasoned sewing and machine embroidery enthusiast who has chosen to dedicate more time to creating an extended array of machine embroidery designs. The Brother 2800D is a very good alternative to the brand new line of Brother combination sewing, quilting and embroidery machines simply because dealers are no doubt willing to offer more flexible pricing options.
With more than 100 Disney embroidery designs, the Innov-Is 2800D would be a great addition to the sewing room of a mom with young children or a grandmother who does a lot of sewing for the little ones.
Combination of sewing and embroidery
I especially like the way the Brother Innov-Is 2800D sews. Not only are the stitches perfect in every way imaginable, regardless of the selected stitch option, this machine is solidly built.
I didn’t experience any vibration whatsoever, and even when running at the highest speed setting, the Brother 2800D is whisper quiet. There are so many advantages to owning this machine, I am tempted to wonder why the folks at Brother stopped making it.
With this in mind, however, I must add that the newer models, especially the newest series of sewing, quilting and embroidery machines from Brother … the Q line … seem to be even more sturdily built and offer features that are simply not available on this one.
My final word on the Brother Innov-Is 2800D is if you want the experience of a solidly built combination sewing and embroidery machine without having to spend top dollar, take the time to investigate the 2800D for yourself. You just might discover that, like a gently used automobile, a good used model is every bit as good as one that is fresh from the factory.
This is not to say that a brand new machine is not a good investment. However, in the real world, not everyone is in a position to invest in a brand new sewing machine when they are in the market to upgrade the equipment in their sewing room.
Investing in an older model machine that is either brand new and as yet unsold or a trade-in is a much wiser choice than making a decision to purchase a newer model sewing machine that is available for sale through a big box store or via the internet. Far too often, I receive e-mails from people who purchase machines from these sources who are disappointed with their machines and have very little recourse when it comes to customer service.
I repeatedly tell people that in the long run, they will much better if they save their money and invest in a sewing machine sold by an independent authorized dealer. It is the only way to be assured of the hands on customer service, training and caring relationship that makes owning a new sewing machine the most positive and productive experience it could possibly be.
- Beginner
- Needs lots of help – able to sew a straight seam but unfamiliar with most sewing techniques; needs assistance and instruction on basic sewing techniques.
- Intermediate
- Competent – can make different clothing items without assistance or guidance, but not good enough to sew intricate projects or to sew without a pattern.
- Advanced
- Expert – can sew anything without instruction or assistance; possesses an expansive knowledge of sewing techniques and terminology.
- Solid construction
- Quiet operation
- USB connection
- No design stop button
- Older machine, may no longer be available at all authorized Brother Innov-is dealers
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