With so many machines on the market, selecting a new sewing machine can be a little daunting. To make your decision-making process easier, we’ve written a review of the Innov-is F560 Sewing Machine that should help you make your choice if it is a machine you are considering. 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 F420, F540E, F580 and of course the F560, each offering unique features suited to different aspects of sewing and embroidery.
In this post, we’ll look at the Brother Sewing Machine‘s F560 main features, strengths, and weak points, as well as compare it to other sewing machines in the same price range. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of whether the F560 is a good fit for your sewing needs.
Key Features of the Brother Innov-is F560
The Brother Innov-is F560 isn’t just another sewing machine; it’s a portal to expanding your creative potential. From its sleek design to its intuitive features, every element is crafted to enhance your sewing experience. The machine boasts a vibrant LCD touchscreen, making stitch selection and customization effortless. Plus, it’s equipped with Brother’s cutting-edge technology to ensure professional results every time.
For all the included features in the F560 see the Feature List on the bottom of the page.
Interactive Touchscreen
Central to the Innov-is F560 is its 3.7” colour LCD touchscreen, which provides clear and intuitive control over all features. The central control panel includes slide speed control, lockstitch, needle up/down button, thread cutter, and start/stop button, ensuring precision control as a standard feature. Whether selecting stitches or adjusting settings, the vibrant display coupled with central controls makes operations seamless and precise.
Stitch Variety and Customization
Offering 241 built-in stitches, including 10 one-step buttonholes, and five lettering fonts, this machine caters to a wide range of sewing needs. You can personalize your projects with different fonts and utilize the ‘My Custom Stitch™’ function to design and store your own stitches, opening up endless creative possibilities.
Advanced Stitching Capabilities
The ‘My Custom Stitch™’ function allows you to design and store your own stitches, enhancing creativity. Combined with features like mirror imaging and stitch combination, the possibilities are limitless.
Precision Sewing
The innovative Square Feed Drive System (SFDS) ensures strong, even stitches on any fabric type, enhancing both the machine’s performance and your garment’s finish.
The Innov-is F560 is designed for ease of use with several advanced features. The adjustable thread tension and adjustable foot pressure allow for superior control over stitch quality across different fabric types. The electronic slide speed control lets you manage the sewing speed, adapting it to your project’s needs.
Sewing Features
Navigating through the Innov-is F560’s diverse sewing features is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. This model includes a free arm for easily sewing cylindrical items like sleeves and trouser legs, making it versatile for all kinds of projects. The machine’s setup is accessible for all levels of sewing skills, from beginners to experienced sewers. Time-saving features like the advanced needle threader and drop-in bobbin system simplify the setup process, while the automatic thread cutter and lockstitch options add a professional touch to your finished projects. Plus, you can adjust the sewing speed with the slide control to manage intricate details effortlessly, enhancing usability and convenience.
Quilt/Embroider Features
Quilters will appreciate the knee lift and multi-directional sewing capabilities, which facilitate free-motion quilting and expansive decorative patterns. Although primarily designed for sewing and quilting, the versatility of the F560 makes it suitable for basic embroidery tasks as well.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide range of stitches and lettering fonts
- Customizable stitch settings
- High sewing speed with consistent quality
- User-friendly touchscreen interface
Cons
- Limited embroidery features
- Higher price point compared to basic models
- Certain assesories not included
Pricing
The Brother Innov-is F560 is positioned at a premium price point, reflecting its advanced features and robust design. It offers great value for those looking to invest in a high-quality sewing machine that will last for years.
Warranty and Manual
Brother offers a standard warranty that covers the Innov-is F560, ensuring peace of mind with your purchase. The user manual is detailed and user-friendly, perfect for beginners and experienced sewers alike.
Included Accessories
The Innov-is F560 comes with an assortment of accessories to get you started right away, including a hard case for protection, various feet for different sewing needs, and a knee lift for quilting. These additions help maximize the value of your investment.
Design, Size, and Weight
Compact Design
The Brother Innov-is F560 showcases a sleek, modern design that fits well in any crafting space. Its stylish look is complemented by practical features that enhance usability and comfort.
Spacious Sewing Area
The F560 boasts a generous workspace of 190 mm (7.4 inches), providing ample room for larger projects and quilts. This spacious area allows for greater freedom of movement and the ability to manage bulky fabrics with ease. For those who need even more space, an optional extra wide table can be attached, expanding the workspace significantly and making it ideal for larger quilting and sewing projects. This added flexibility makes the Innov-is F560 exceptionally versatile for all types of sewing tasks.
Portability and Protection
Despite its robust functionality, the machine remains relatively portable at dimensions of 446 x 248 x 300 mm (approximately 17.6 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches). Weighing in at 9.3 kg (about 20.5 lbs), it strikes a good balance between stability and portability.
The included hard case not only protects your machine from dust and damage but also makes it easy to transport to sewing classes or group sessions.
Comparing with Similar Sewing Machines
When comparing the Innov-is F560 against other sewing-focused machines within its price range it really depends on what features are important and what type of sewing you are looking to do. Some alternatives to consider are the Janome DC5100, Juki HZL-F300, Pfaff Passport 3.0 and the Elna eXperience 570.
- Janome DC5100: Offers 167 built-in stitches and a wide range of features, such as an automatic needle threader, adjustable presser foot pressure, and a built-in needle thread cutter. While it has fewer stitches than the F560, it does include an extension table for larger projects and a hard cover for protection.
- Juki HZL-F300: The Juki HZL-F300 provides 106 built-in stitches, making it less versatile in terms of stitch options compared to the F560. However, it features a box feed system for consistent fabric feeding, a large sewing space, and an automatic needle threader. It also includes a knee lift, which the F560 offers as well.
- Pfaff Passport 3.0: The Pfaff Passport 3.0 is a portable sewing machine with a range of features for sewers of all skill levels. It offers 100 built-in stitches, an integrated dual feed system, adjustable presser foot pressure, and automatic needle threading. It also comes with a hardcover for protection and easy transport. The Passport 3.0 is typically priced around £600-£700 in the UK, making it comparable to the F560.
- Elna eXperience 570: The Elna eXperience 570 is another sewing machine with features comparable to the Innov-is F560. It includes 200 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader, adjustable presser foot pressure, and a built-in needle thread cutter. The machine also features a 7-piece retractable feed dog system and a large workspace with an extension table. The Elna eXperience 570 is usually priced around £600-£700 in the UK.
Price and Value
Given its price range of £600-£700 it might be slighly high as an entry machine all though it is well-suited for sewers of all skill levels. When comparing the price of the F560 to other sewing machines with comparable features, it’s critical to consider which features are most important to you. As previously stated, the F560 lacks some embroidery capabilities as well as wireless connectivity, both of which may be important factors for some users. If these features aren’t absolutely necessary for your sewing needs, the F560 represents excellent value for money.
Summary
The Brother Innov-is F560 shines as a flexible and feature-rich sewing machine that blends functionality with user-friendliness. It boasts a variety of features such as a clear LCD touchscreen, central controls for precise sewing, adjustable settings for thread tension and foot pressure, and the convenience of a free arm. This makes it a great choice for anyone passionate about sewing, from beginners to experienced crafters. With its impressive range of 241 sewing stitches, an advanced needle threading system, automatic thread cutter, SFDS (Square Feed Drive System), and more, the F560 is equipped to spark creativity and enhance your sewing projects. Its solid capabilities and innovative features are designed to improve your sewing experience significantly.
Feature List
| Features | Innov-is F560 Sewing Machine |
|---|---|
| Type of screen | LCD touchscreen colour |
| Display size | 3.7” |
| Number of sewing stitches * | 241 |
| Buttonholes | 10 |
| Built-in lettering styles (sewing) | 5 |
| 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 | ✔ (up to 4 sideways) |
| Adjustable thread tension | automatic |
| 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 | - |