Review of the Brother Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine
The Brother Innov-is F420 is a sewing machine that works well for both beginners and more experienced sewists. It’s designed to be flexible, so no matter your skill level or what project you’re working on, it can keep up. What makes it even more appealing is the combination of its reasonable price and the useful features it offers, which make it a strong contender for anyone just starting out with sewing.
With 140 built-in stitches, including five buttonhole options, it offers plenty of variety. There are enough stitches to cover a range of projects, but not so many that beginners will feel overwhelmed. The machine itself is easy to use, runs quietly, and the stitches are durable even with frequent use.
All features of the F420 can be found in the feature table at the bottom of the review.
If you’re searching for a new sewing machine and want to see what else is available, check out our sewing machine guides to the machines we recommend right now. This includes anything from entry-level models to professional sewing machines.
Brother is a well-known brand with a long history of making high-quality sewing machines. They offer the Innov-is F420 sewing machine, perfect for all kinds of sewing lovers. The Brother Innov-is F420 is in the F-series of machines. The Brother Innov-is F-Series is a line of sewing and embroidery machines that blend functionality, ease of use, and versatility, catering to a variety of crafting needs. This series includes the Brother F560, F540E, F580 and of course the F420, each offering unique features suited to different aspects of sewing and embroidery. The F420 has lots of features and options to make sewing an enjoyable experience. In this blog post, we’ll go through the main features, extra accessories, and details of this sewing machine, making it an ideal choice for people who want to take their sewing projects to the next level.
Brother Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine Overview
The Brother Innov-is F420 is a computerized sewing machine aimed at sewists at all level of experience. It can handle a broad variety of tasks because to its Square Feed Drive System, which employs a larger sewing foot and a revised feed to move cloth below the needle smoothly, no matter the thickness. The F420 also has a number of additional features that are intended to make the sewing experience simpler for the user, such as an advanced needle threader, automated thread cutter, start/stop button, and a helpful knee raise for hands-free stitching.
Main Features of the Brother Innov-is F420
The Brother Innovis F420 comes with a lot of excellent accessories that will appeal to newcomers and offer enough freedom and functions for experienced sewers. This machine comes with seven presser feet, including the Buttonhole, Overcasting and Zigzag feet. It also comes packaged with a seam ripper, needle set and tools for cleaning and maintaining the sewing machine.
There are several handy features that make sewing with the Brother Innov-is F420 easier right from the start. The automatic needle threader and simple Start/Stop button save time and effort, and you can even attach the knee lifter, which is usually something you only find on higher-end machines. This feature is especially useful if you’re working with large or heavy fabrics. However, quilters might miss having an extension table, which isn’t included.
Ease of Use
When I unboxed the Brother Innov-is F420, I immediately noticed how easy it would be to set up. The design is simple and smart, with a digital screen, touch-button controls on the front, and a single wheel on the side. At the top, there’s a fold-down cover that hides the thread spool and displays all the stitch options (including the 140 stitches and five lettering styles, which I’ll cover later). Under the needle plate, there’s another fold-out section that reveals a hidden storage compartment. It holds seven presser feet, extra bobbins, and even a seam ripper—something I love because I’m always misplacing mine. Now I’ll always have one close at hand!
The included handbook and quick-reference guide were super helpful, especially if you’re the type who likes to dive right in. They made threading the machine simple, and I was ready to sew in just a few minutes. Selecting a stitch was a breeze with the on-screen display and button controls. When I needed to add buttonholes, the automatic buttonhole foot and clear instructions in the handbook made the process smooth and easy. No matter what I tried, the F420 handled everything with ease and delivered great results every time.
Design and build
The Brother Innovis F420 isn’t the lightest machine, weighing 8.5kg, so you might not want to be bringing it to a sewing class like the lighter Janome 2200XT. The design is tiny and curved, yet not at all bulky. There are no over-designed buttons or switches that obstruct your stitching.
The LCD panel is both bright and simple to operate. The fold-down lid displays the primary pre-installed stitches, eliminating the need to constantly look to the screen. A second fold-out part provides great storage for the machine’s presser foot and equipment.
The F420 feels like a solid, well-built machine that’s made to last. The body is sturdy and doesn’t have a lot of bulky buttons or knobs, so it’s easier to protect it from bumps and scratches. Internally, everything ran smoothly, and throughout my use, I never had issues with tangles or jams. Brother is known for using reliable, high-quality parts, and that definitely seemed true with this machine.
The fold-down cover on top keeps the thread spool and mechanism tucked away when not in use, adding an extra layer of protection from damage or dust. I also love the built-in presser foot storage under the needle plate—it’s perfectly shaped to hold each piece securely. Not only does this keep everything safe and organized, but it also gives the machine a touch of luxury. It’s those small design details that really make a difference.
When it comes to maintenance, all Brother sewing machines come with at least a three-year guarantee, which gives me peace of mind. If I ever need repairs or servicing, it’s easy to find support at sewing machine centers across the country. So, if any issues come up, I’m confident they’ll be simple to take care of.
Price Range
The Innov-is F420 has an MSRP at £599, for this price we think it is an excellent value. It has a number of high-spec features seen in more costly models, but it is priced in the middle, making it accessible to novices and people who do not want to spend thousands of dollars on their sewing machine.
Accessories
The Brother Innov-is F420 comes with a great selection of accessories to help you get started and handle a variety of sewing tasks right out of the box. Here’s what you’ll find included:
- Buttonhole foot “A” – Perfect for creating neat, precise buttonholes.
- Overcasting foot “G” – Helps prevent fabric edges from fraying.
- Monogramming foot “N” – Ideal for decorative stitching and monogramming.
- Zipper foot “I” – Makes inserting zippers simple and smooth.
- Zigzag foot “J” (attached to the machine) – Great for general sewing and zigzag stitching.
- Blind stitch foot “R” – Perfect for creating hidden hems.
- Button fitting foot “M” – Makes attaching buttons easier than ever.
- Seam ripper – A handy tool for removing stitches when needed.
- Bobbins (4) – One is already in the machine, plus three extras.
- Needle set – Includes various needles for different projects.
- Twin needle (Centre) – Great for sewing two parallel lines for decorative finishes.
- Cleaning brush – Helps keep your machine free of dust and lint.
- Eyelet punch – Useful for making eyelets in fabric.
- Screwdriver – For basic maintenance and adjustments.
- Spool caps – Includes large, medium (2), and small sizes to fit various thread spools.
- Extra spool pin – Allows you to use a second spool of thread for twin needle sewing.
- Spool net – Helps keep slippery threads under control.
- Foot controller – Lets you control the speed with your foot for smooth sewing.
- Grid sheet set – Useful for precision sewing projects.
- Knee lifter – Helps lift the presser foot hands-free, especially useful for quilting or working with larger fabrics.
- Hard case – Protects your machine when it’s not in use.
- Accessory bag – Keeps all your smaller accessories organized.
- Disc-shaped screwdriver – A convenient tool for tightening and adjusting parts.
These accessories make the Brother Innov-is F420 versatile and ready for a wide range of sewing tasks, from basic repairs to more advanced projects.
Summary Brother Innov-is F420
Overall the Brother Innov-is F420 is a great machine and we would recommend it to anyone. The included features ensures it can be used for may different use cases, from large-scale quilts and bulky patchworks to delicate garments and accessories. If you are a beginner the many features may taking some getting use to but this allows you to grow with the machine. It would have been nice if there was a extension table included and some additional presser feet, however they can be bought separately from Brother, which we would recommend. For people who look to move the machine frequently to for instance classes, the weight may be an inconvenience. If so, we would instead recommend you to look at a more portable sewing machine.
Feature List of the Brother Innov-is F420
Below is a list of all the features of the Brother Innov-is F420. This table lists all the key functionalities of the machine, from its stitching capabilities to built in settings. You can easily sort through the features to find exactly what you need, making it simpler to understand if the F420 is the sewing machine for you.
| Features | Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine |
|---|---|
| Type of screen | LCD screen |
| Display size | 3.5“ |
| Number of sewing stitches * | 140 |
| Buttonholes | 10 |
| Built-in lettering styles (sewing) | 5 (capital letters only) |
| Built-in lettering styles (embroidery) | – |
| Built-in embroidery patterns | – |
| Built-in embroidery frame patterns | – |
| Needle threading system | advanced |
| Automatic thread cutter | ✔ |
| Colour sorting | – |
| Jump stitch trimmer | – |
| SFDS (Square Feed Drive System) | ✔ |
| Adjustable presser foot pressure | electronic |
| Lockstitch button | ✔ |
| Multi-directional sewing | – |
| Adjustable thread tension | manual |
| Electronic slide speed control | ✔ |
| Combine stitches | ✔ |
| Speed control customised for zig-zag width | ✔ |
| Repeated single sewing | ✔ |
| Automatic reverse / reinforcement stitch | ✔ |
| Mirror imaging | ✔ |
| My Custom Stitch™ | ✔ |
| Realistic preview of the patterns | – |
| Patterns – size change, rotation, mirror, … | – |
| Font size selection (L-M-S) | – |
| Text editing functions – multiple line text input | – |
| Free motion embroidery | free motion foot: optional |
| Knee lift | ✔ |
| Multi Function Foot Controller | optional |
| Mechanical dual feed (walking foot) | optional |
| USB port | – |
| Wireless connectivity | – |