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Brother 1034d vs 1034dx

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If you still do your edges and hems with a traditional sewing machine, you will be amazed the first time you lay your hands on the Brother 1034D and 1034DX Serger sewing machines.Thus, this article will help enlighten sewists like you to have a better understanding regarding the two machines, in terms of their features, specifications, and overall performance. What are you waiting for? Come and join me on this Brother 1034D vs 1034DX comparison review, how you can set them apart, and finally decide on which one works better than the other. 

Overview: Brother 1034D vs 1034DX

Brother has been in the sewing machine industry ever since the 1900’s. This was first established under the name, “Yasui Sewing Machine Co.” which was owned by the father of none other than Masayoshi and Jitsuichi Yasui, the founders of Brother. They initially started with repairing services and producing sewing machine parts in Japan. And through time, the Yasui brothers inherited their father’s passion for sewing machines. Thus, the Brother Industries, Ltd. was created[1].

In 1932, Brother was applauded for successfully introducing the first ever sewing machine from Japan. And through their passion and superior service, they were able to manufacture a wide variety of office appliances. It ranges from typewriters to printers we use as of today. As a matter of fact, Brother is one of the top brands producing one of the most reliable serger sewing machines worldwide. Thus, this review will include two serger sewing machines from Brother.

Brother 1034DBrother 1034DX
Specifications:
Dimensions – 11.73 x 10.98 x 13.19 inches
Weight – 13.5 pounds
Built-in Sewing Stitches – 22
Sewing speed – 1300 stitches per minute
Bobbin – Top Drop-in 
Warranty – 25-year 		Specifications:
Dimensions – 11 x 11.7 x 13.2 inches
Weight – 13.5 pounds
Built-in Sewing Stitches – 22
Sewing speed – 1300 stitches per minute
Bobbin – Top Drop-in
Warranty – 25-year
PROS:
Easy to use
Affordable investment
Wide range of options to choose from
Lightweight
High-speed sewing
Everything is marked by color and number to make threading easy		PROS:
Easy to use Color-coding system makes the machine suitable for beginners. 
Affordable machine
Three or four threads
Fast stitching speeds allows you to complete your projects in no time.
CONS:
Doesn’t have the ability to chain stitch or cover stitch
Some owners say it is a very loud machine 
Some users complained that it was not as effective when using with thick materials or several layers of fabrics
Can’t do rolled hems on all materials Not best layout for right handed users		CONS:
Low resolution instructional DVD make it a bit difficult to watch
You can only use rolled hems on some fabrics, particularly thinner ones
Some users mentioned it is a rather loud machine
Doesn’t come with the ability to cover stitch or chain stitch.

How Do We Compare Brother 1034D vs 1034DX

Brother 1034D and 1034DX are both serger sewing machines which are designed to professionally finish the edges and hems for all different types of fabrics[2]. There are actually a lot of sewists that can get by without the help of a serger. However, once you get your hands on one, you’ll really enjoy working with it and even wonder how you lived without it all those times. This type of machine will definitely give you a level-up in your sewing. And in order to know which one’s best, I’ll be comparing the two machine’s features based on several factors.

These factors include its ease of use, portability, sewing speed, built-in stitches, stitch length and width, and lighting. These factors are aimed to help users or sewists like you, have a better understanding on the features of both machines as well as, conclude which one will work perfectly in accordance to your preference. 

Brother 1034D vs 1034DX

Ease of Use

Surprisingly, both machines, no matter what level you are, are actually very straightforward to use. Even if it’s packed with features which may look overwhelming at the beginning, you really won’t find it complicated once you get the hang of things. This is all due to the fact that both machines include color-coded guidelines, instruction manuals, instructional videos, as well as an excellently supported lower loop threading system which will enable users to focus on serging and ensure the threads remain in position. In addition to that, the 1034DX has its differential feed and stitch length control dials on the right side, while the 1034D has its control on the left-side of the serger. In conclusion, the Brother 1034DX is the easiest to use due to its right-side controls and knobs, and especially its easy-to-use features. 

Winner: Brother 1034DX

Portability

The Brother 1034D and 1034DX both have the same weight and dimensions. Their overall designs make the two machines very easy to carry around. Their dimensions are actually quite impressive as they don’t take up much space, thus you can consider both machines as portable and lightweight.

Winner: Brother 1034DX and 1034D

Sewing Speed

Both the 1034D and the 1034DX have a whopping maximum sewing speed of 1300 stitches per minute. You may think that 1300 will negatively affect the stitch quality and may result in inconsistent stitches. Don’t you worry, because Brother has already come with a solution, and that is the adjustable speed foot controller. This is highly essential for users to have full control of the speed whenever they’re sewing. Thus, you can increase or decrease the speed through the foot controller and obtain great results even at top or low speeds. You can easily adjust the speeds via an intuitive dial.

Winner: Brother 1034DX and 1034D

Built-in Stitches, Stitch Length and Width

The two machines both have a total of 22 built-in stitches, which may not seem that impressive, but it actually gives you a lot to work with. The only thing that sets them apart is the stitch lengths, since the 1034DX produces stitch lengths between 2mm to 4mm, while the 1034D has additional options. In addition to the 2mm to 4mm overlock stitch, it can be adjusted to produce a 1mm to 2mm narrow stitch and a 1mm roll stitch. You can set your preferred stitch by simply turning a dial. Both machines have a user friendly method to customize your settings.The wide range of options makes this a practical investment whether you enjoy working on intricate clothing or simpler projects.

Winner: Brother 1034D

Lighting 

The 1034DX features a brighter LED light, while the 1034D only uses an incandescent bulb to let users easily see the project you’re working on even in low light. Thus, the Brother 1034DX definitely has an advantage when it comes to illumination. 

Winner: Brother 1034DX

Which Model Should You Choose? 

Through thorough comparison of the two machines, I’ve concluded that the 1034DX is indeed the best when it comes to serger machines because it is located to the right meaning that it can cater right-handed people, unlike in the 1034D. The Brother 1034D and 1034DX have the same performance and features; the only difference is their position of the controls and lighting. Thus, if you’re looking for the best serger machine which can offer various user-friendly features, then the Brother 1034DX is what you need! But if this model isn’t available near you, then the 1034D can be the best alternative. And to my theory, this explains why there’s an X in the 1034DX. Overall, both machines still deliver the best performance at the end of the day, so it really depends on your preference. 

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Resources:

  1. “Brother Industries Ltd – Company Profile and News ….” https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/6448:JP. Accessed 19 Sep. 2020.
  2. “28 Types of Fabrics and Their Uses – 2020 – MasterClass.” 30 Oct. 2019, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/28-types-of-fabrics-and-their-uses. Accessed 19 Sep. 2020.

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