Brother FS40 Sewing Machine Review — Affordable Computerised Model for Beginners

The Brother FS40 is a compact computerized sewing machine that punches above its price. You would struggle to find a cheaper model that still feels this capable day to day. At this end of the market you often get a thin feature list; that is not the case here.

You get 40 built-in stitches, start/stop sewing without the foot pedal, 15 needle positions, a simple LCD for stitch selection, drop feed for free-motion work, and optional wide-table support on some packages. Street pricing in the US often lands in a budget-friendly range for a computerized machine, though current dollar prices vary by seller, so check the product box below.

If you are ready to move up from a basic mechanical model, the FS40 works for beginners and for experienced sewists who want useful features without spending a lot. Below is a closer look at what it does well, where it falls short, and who it suits best.

Key Features of the Brother FS40

At a glance, the main FS40 specs look like this:

• 40 built-in stitches
• Five one-step buttonholes
• Drop-in (top-loading) bobbin
• About 40 W motor
• Start/stop button and speed slider

Stitches and Buttonholes

The stitch menu is one of the FS40’s main draws. You get 40 stitches in total, including five one-step buttonholes, a solid group of utility and stretch stitches, and about 16 decorative options. That is enough for garments, mending, light home decor, and everyday embellishment for most home sewists. If you want a bigger stitch library in the same family, look at the Brother FS100WT.

Maximum stitch width is 7 mm (about 1/4 in) and maximum stitch length is 5 mm (about 3/16 in). That is the usual Brother range for this class and plenty for zigzags, satin accents, and standard construction. What you do not get is built-in lettering or full embroidery. The FS40 stays in the straight, zigzag, utility, decorative, and buttonhole space.

Motor, Speed Control, and Handling

The roughly 40 W motor is the clearest limit on this machine. It is fine for cotton, jersey, light denim, and a few layers with the right needle, but it is not a heavy-duty upholstery machine. Thick canvas stacks, leather, and dense home-dec layers will ask more of it than it can give comfortably.

Speed control is a strong point. You get a foot pedal plus a start/stop button and a speed slider, so you can sew hands-free when you want and cap the pace on tricky seams. That setup helps beginners, kids who cannot reach a pedal easily, and anyone who prefers precise control over raw speed. Maximum sewing speed is typically around 750 to 850 stitches per minute depending on the listing, which is enough for home sewing.

Bobbin, LCD, Feet, and Needle Threader

The bobbin system is easy to live with: top-loading drop-in bobbin, clear cover so you can see thread left, and an auto-declutch bobbin winder. The LCD is small, but it is clear enough for stitch selection and it shows which presser foot to use for the stitch you pick. That guidance alone makes the FS40 a friendly first computerized machine.

In the box you typically get seven presser feet:

• All-purpose / zigzag foot
• Blind stitch foot
• Button fitting foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Overcasting foot
• Monogramming foot
• Zipper foot

Needle threader availability varies by FS40 package and market. Some listings and later variants include a built-in needle threader; others do not. Check the specific unit before you buy if that feature matters to you. Drop feed dogs support free-motion work, and a free arm helps with sleeves and cuffs.

Setup and Ease of Use

Out of the box the FS40 is straightforward: wind a bobbin, drop it in under the clear cover, follow the threading path, and pick a stitch on the LCD. Snap-on feet swap quickly, and the machine recommends a foot for each stitch. Many packages include an instructional DVD or online video access; the printed manual (and Brother’s PDF) covers tension, twin needle use, and basic care. A common manual for related FS40-family machines is available from Brother here.

The machine is compact and relatively light (often around 5.4 to 5.9 kg / about 12 to 13 lb), with a carry handle that makes class travel or closet storage easy. Build is a mix of plastic outer parts and metal internals, which is normal at this price. Brother’s warranty terms vary by region and seller; confirm coverage on your US purchase rather than assuming a fixed multi-year package.

Sewing Performance

On everyday fabrics the FS40 delivers clean, even stitches and reliable one-step buttonholes. Stretch stitches help with knits, and the decorative options are useful for simple topstitching accents. Drop feed opens free-motion practice, though this is still a small domestic machine, not a dedicated embroidery unit.

Where it struggles is power. Several layers of denim or heavy home-dec fabric need a slower speed, a fresh sharp needle, and patience. If most of your sewing is upholstery or thick leather, look elsewhere. For garments, quilting blocks, crafts, and mending, the stitch quality and control features are the reason this model stays popular.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths: Strong value for a computerized machine, 40 stitches with five one-step buttonholes, start/stop plus speed slider, clear drop-in bobbin, helpful LCD with foot guidance, seven included feet, drop feed, free arm, and a portable size that suits classes and small spaces.

Limitations: Modest ~40 W motor for heavy materials, no built-in lettering or embroidery, small LCD, mixed plastic/metal construction, and needle threader that is not guaranteed on every FS40 package. Accessory extras beyond the core feet kit are fairly basic.

Who the FS40 Suits Best

Choose the FS40 if you want an affordable computerized starter (or a simple second machine) with enough stitches for garments, crafts, and light home sewing. It also suits experienced sewists who do not need alphabet stitches or heavy-duty power and would rather keep the budget low.

Skip it if you sew thick upholstery often, need built-in lettering, or must have a needle threader on every unit. In those cases, step up within Brother’s FS or Innov-is lines.

Final Verdict

The Brother FS40 is a solid pick when you want an affordable computerized sewing machine. With 40 stitches, start/stop control, and a useful set of presser feet, it offers very good value for the money. The main trade-offs are the modest motor and the fact that a needle threader is not guaranteed on every package. If you can live with those limits, it is well worth considering.

If you already own an FS40 or are deciding whether to buy one, share what you think in the comments. Practical notes from other sewists help the next reader decide whether this is the right machine for them.

Manuals, warranty, and registration

Manuals: Search your exact model on Brother Support or Brother USA Support for the Operation Manual and Quick Reference Guide (or Sewing Guide).

US: US limited warranty periods vary by model (often a long chassis period with shorter coverage for electronics and labor). Register at Brother USA product registration. Keep your dated receipt.

UK / EU: See the Brother Sewing & Craft warranty page and register at sewingcraft.brother.eu product registration. UK Brother Online: atyourside.brother.co.uk/register-your-device.

Official site: Brother USA.