Table of Contents
- Primer: What these Brother Innov-is machines do—and when to choose which
- Prep: Materials, files, and a quick readiness check
- Setup: Configure essentials before you stitch
- Operation: Thread, select, import, and embroider—step by step
- Quality Checks: Verify before and during stitch-out
- Results & Handoff: Save, swap, and stage your next design
- Troubleshooting & Recovery: Fast fixes and community notes
Video reference: “Brother Innov-is 955 & 90E Embroidery Machines” by GUR Sewing Machines.
Two compact machines, two clear missions: the Brother Innov-is 955 combines everyday sewing with embroidery, while the Innov-is 90E focuses purely on embroidery. Both deliver time-saving threading, on-screen guidance, and a tidy 100mm x 100mm embroidery area—ideal for small designs, monograms, and embellishments. brother sewing and embroidery machine
What you’ll learn
- How the advanced needle threading system speeds up setup and reduces errors.
- How bobbin thread sensors help you avoid mid-design surprises.
- How to navigate and select designs on the easy-to-read LCD touch screen.
- How to trim threads automatically and import custom designs (USB on Innov-is 955).
Primer: What & When The Innov-is 955 is a compact sewing machine with embroidery functions. Use it when you need a single machine that handles both sewing and embroidery, so you can sew a seam and then add a name or motif without switching equipment. The Innov-is 90E is a compact, embroidery-only machine—ideal if your workflow is focused on stitching out decorative designs without needing general sewing features. brother sewing machine
Both machines share core capabilities: an advanced needle threading system, lower thread sensors, an easy-to-read LCD touch screen for selecting and managing embroidery designs, and an automatic thread trimmer that saves you time between color blocks and at the end of stitching. Each features a 100mm x 100mm embroidery area, well-suited to compact motifs, accents, and personalized details.
Decision point: Which Innov-is fits your work?
- Choose Innov-is 955 if you want one unit for sewing and embroidery.
- Choose Innov-is 90E if you want a dedicated, compact embroidery machine without general sewing functions.
Prep: Materials, files, and a quick readiness check Materials & inputs
- Fabric and thread for your project.
- Wound bobbin thread.
- Embroidery designs. The Innov-is 90E includes 70 built-in embroidery patterns. The Innov-is 955 includes 70 built-in patterns plus a bonus USB memory device with 100 designs and a bonus CD with 126 designs.
Environment & files
- Place the machine on a stable surface with good lighting.
- Have your design files ready. For the Innov-is 955, keep the bonus USB handy to import designs directly.
Quick check
- Verify you can see the LCD clearly; you’ll rely on it for design selection and machine messages.
- Confirm the bobbin is wound and inserted.
- Confirm the embroidery area (100mm x 100mm) suits your chosen design.
Checklist — Prep
- Fabric and thread ready.
- Bobbin wound and inserted.
- Designs accessible (built-in or via included media/USB on Innov-is 955).
- Workspace stable and well-lit. embroidery sewing machine
Setup: Configure essentials before you stitch 1) Thread the machine with the advanced needle threading system The built-in threading system is designed to be fast and reliable. Engage it to pull thread through the needle eye with minimal handling. This saves setup time and helps reduce thread-through-needle misfeeds.
Pro tip Use the advanced needle threading system before every stitch-out, even after brief rethreading. It keeps threading consistent and reduces the chance of missing the needle eye.
2) Confirm bobbin readiness and sensor visibility Insert a properly wound bobbin and ensure the lower thread path is clean. During operation, the machine will detect low or broken bobbin thread and display a warning on the LCD so you can replace it in time.
Quick check Tap the LCD to familiarize yourself with where warnings appear—this helps you respond faster if the bobbin runs low.
3) Familiarize yourself with the LCD touch screen The LCD is your command center for choosing and managing designs. Scroll through the built-in categories, preview options, and select a pattern. On the Innov-is 955, you’ll also access external designs via USB; on the Innov-is 90E, you’ll work from the built-in library.
Checklist — Setup
- Needle threaded using the advanced system.
- Bobbin inserted; watch the LCD for sensor warnings.
- LCD navigation confirmed for finding designs. brother embroidery machines
Operation: Thread, select, import, and embroider—step by step Step 1: Thread with the advanced system
- Follow the guided threading path and engage the needle threading mechanism.
- Expected result: thread is neatly passed through the needle eye without manual fiddling.
Watch out If you bypass part of the threading path, the stitch quality can suffer and the machine may not feed thread correctly. Always follow the threading path before engaging the advanced needle threading system.
Step 2: Load or select your design on the LCD
- On both machines, use the touch screen to navigate design categories and pick a pattern from the built-ins.
- Expected result: the chosen design appears on screen, ready to stitch with the 100mm x 100mm embroidery area.
From the comments Readers rely on the on-screen prompts to keep projects moving. If you see a message, treat it as a helpful nudge—particularly for bobbin status or end-of-sequence notes.
Step 3 (Innov-is 955): Import a design via USB
- Insert a USB memory device into the USB port.
- Use the touch screen to navigate to the USB source and select your design.
- Expected result: your custom design loads directly to the machine, ready to stitch.
Pro tip Keep frequently used designs on the bonus USB memory device supplied with the Innov-is 955. It streamlines access and reduces file-hunting on your computer. sewing and embroidery machine
Step 4: Start stitching and use automatic thread trimming
- Begin the stitch-out. Between color blocks or at the end, activate the automatic thread trimmer to cut thread tails cleanly.
- Expected result: tidy trims with less manual scissor work and a cleaner finish.
Quick check After a color change and trim, confirm the thread tail is neatly managed and the LCD shows the next sequence step.
Step 5: Respond to bobbin thread sensor alerts
- If the lower-thread sensor detects a low or broken bobbin, the LCD displays a message (e.g., “The bobbin thread is running out”).
- Pause, replace or rewind the bobbin, and resume.
- Expected result: minimal downtime and a continuous, consistent stitch-out.
Checklist — Operation
- Threaded via the advanced system.
- Design selected on LCD (or imported via USB on Innov-is 955).
- Automatic thread trimming engaged at appropriate times.
- Bobbin sensor alerts acknowledged promptly. brother embroidery machine
Quality Checks: Verify before and during stitch-out What “good” looks like
- Thread seating: The needle is threaded cleanly via the advanced threading mechanism; no slack loops near the needle.
- Bobbin continuity: No unexpected halts; if a low-bobbin alert appears, it’s resolved and stitching resumes smoothly.
- LCD flow: Design appears correctly, with steps or segments advancing as expected.
- Finish cleanliness: Automatic trims leave fewer tails and a neater back side.
Quick check Before long runs, glance at the LCD to confirm the active design and sequence status. The screen is the fastest way to know what the machine expects next.
Results & Handoff: Save, swap, and stage your next design Built-in patterns on both machines make it easy to jump between motifs. The Innov-is 90E includes 70 patterns; the Innov-is 955 includes the same 70 plus a bonus USB device with 100 designs and a bonus CD with 126. When you’re ready to work beyond the built-ins on the Innov-is 955, plug in the USB memory and select the next file from the touch screen. brother embroidery machines
Use automatic thread trimming to wrap a project cleanly and save time on finishing. Then, if the next project fits the 100mm x 100mm area, you can roll straight into setup with minimal reconfiguration.
Pro tip Group small, related designs (like monograms for napkins or baby accessories) into a single work session. With the 100mm x 100mm area and automatic trimming, you’ll create a repeatable, efficient rhythm.
Troubleshooting & Recovery: Fast fixes and community notes Symptom: Bobbin runs out mid-design
- Likely cause: Low bobbin thread.
- Fix: Replace or rewind the bobbin when the LCD alert appears; resume stitching.
Symptom: Thread isn’t through the needle eye after setup
- Likely cause: Skipping part of the threading path or not engaging the advanced threading system fully.
- Fix: Rethread, following the full path, then use the advanced needle threading system to seat the thread.
Symptom: Messy thread tails between color changes
- Likely cause: Not using the automatic thread trimmer.
- Fix: Activate automatic trimming at color changes and at the end of the stitch-out.
From the comments: F05 speed error
- A reader asked about an “F05 speed error.” No fix was provided in the discussion we reviewed. If you encounter this message, document what was happening just before it appeared (for example: starting, trimming, or changing colors) so you can investigate or seek model-specific guidance effectively. brother embroidery machine
Watch out If you ignore the on-screen bobbin warning, the machine can stitch empty passes. Always address the alert promptly to maintain stitch quality.
Pro tip Build a quick habit: check needle threading → confirm bobbin → glance at the LCD before pressing start. This single pass avoids the most common slowdowns. embroidery sewing machine
Model Highlights at a Glance (for planning)
- Innov-is 955 (sewing + embroidery): advanced needle threading, lower thread sensor, LCD touch control, automatic thread trimmer, USB port for design import, 100mm x 100mm embroidery area, and a broad selection of utility/decorative stitches (129 listed in the feature summary screen), plus 70 built-in embroidery patterns and bonus design libraries (USB + CD).
- Innov-is 90E (embroidery-only): advanced needle threading, lower thread sensor, automatic thread cutting, LCD touch control, 100mm x 100mm embroidery area, and 70 built-in embroidery patterns.
Decision notes
- If you need both garment construction and embellishment in one footprint, the Innov-is 955 is your compact “do-both” choice.
- If your priority is a focused embroidery station, the Innov-is 90E keeps the workflow simple and steady. brother sewing and embroidery machine
Frequently referenced capabilities and why they matter
- Advanced needle threading system: saves setup time and reduces threading errors.
- Bobbin thread sensors: prevent surprises by warning about low or broken bobbin thread.
- LCD touch screen: puts design selection and key functions a tap away.
- Automatic thread trimmer/cutting: minimizes manual snipping and speeds color changes.
- USB port (Innov-is 955): brings in fresh designs on demand, extending your creative range.
Looking ahead Once you’re comfortable with these built-ins, explore organizing your design library and planning projects that take full advantage of the 100mm x 100mm area. Accessories exist in the market for various machines, but the features above are the core drivers of a smooth stitch-out on these models. magnetic embroidery hoops