
Brother Innov-is F420 Product Review and Demonstration
Versatility and professional results are what you get with the popular Brother Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine. It is a superb choice for dressmakers who want an intuitive machine that can do it all. Drawing on more than a century of Brother manufacturing, the Brother F420 delivers consistent, reliable stitching that is jam free across a wide spread of fabric types.
At the heart of the machine is the Square Feed Drive System, which feeds fabric from four points rather than standard feed dogs, which means superior results on everything from satin to denim.
Choose from 140 built-in stitches including 10 buttonhole styles and 5 lettering styles for personalising projects with names, dates and more. The My Custom Stitch function lets you create your own unique stitch designs, while mirror imaging and stitch memory add flexibility for decorative work.
The 7 inches of workspace gives room for larger quilts and the included knee lifter raises the presser foot hands-free, a feature that usually costs extra. The automatic thread cutter cuts both threads instantly, and the bright LCD screen keeps stitch information clear.
With an advanced needle threader and quick-set bobbin keeping set-up simple, the F420 offers strong value in the Brother Innov-is range.
Top Uses for the Brother Innov-is F420

This machine is perfect for
- Dressmakers who sew a variety of fabrics - the Square Feed system handles everything from satin to denim
- Quilter and free motion sewers who need a knee lift for hands-free presser foot lifting (usually costs extra on other machines)
- Quilters who appreciate the 180mm (7") workspace to the right of the needle
- Intermediate sewers ready to step up from basic machines without overwhelming complexity
- Sewers who want alphabet stitches - 5 lettering styles for personalising projects
Can sew but not ideal for
- Quilting straight from the box - no walking foot or extension table included. Simply add the Brother wide extension table accessory and a Brother walking foot to your basket or purchase when ready
- Maximum workspace - 7" is good but not huge. If you intend to sew large or bulky projects, use our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your needs
Not suitable for
- Sewers needing very lightweight portability for frequent travel to classes. Use our free Machine Match Service and we'll recommend a model suited to your needs
Brother Innov-is F420: A Machine for Every Maker
And every project
Square Feed Drive System
Four-point feeding grips fabric across a wider surface than standard feed dogs, delivering superior results on everything from fine satin to heavyweight denim.
140 Built-In Stitches
With 140 stitches including 10 buttonhole styles and 5 lettering fonts, you can move from garment construction to decorative quilting and personalised detail.
Knee Lifter Included
The knee lifter raises the presser foot hands-free, usually an optional extra, so pivoting corners and guiding bulky quilt layers stays smooth and controlled.
Inside the Brother Innov-is F420
Square Feed Drive System
Brother's feed system grips fabric across a wider surface than standard feed dogs, keeping stitch length consistent on fine and heavyweight fabrics.
Quick-Set Top-Loading Bobbin
The horizontal bobbin drops straight into place under a clear cover, with no need to pull up the lower thread.
Advanced Needle Threading
The extra-advanced threading system passes thread through the needle with a single lever action, getting you sewing faster.
My Custom Stitch and Memory
Design your own unique stitch patterns on screen, while the memory function stores combinations ready to reuse on later projects.


Product Specifications
Key Features
- 140 built-in stitches including 10 one-step buttonhole styles
- 5 lettering styles (uppercase)
- Square Feed Drive System (SFDS) with 7-point feed dog
- Knee lifter included
- Automatic thread cutter
- Advanced automatic needle threader
- My Custom Stitch for original stitch designs
- Stitch memory and mirror imaging
- Start/stop button and speed control slider
- Needle up/down positioning
- Drop feed for free-motion quilting
- 3.5 inch LCD screen
- 2 LED lights
- Hard case included
Accessories In The Box
- 1 x Seam Ripper
- 4 x Bobbins (one on machine)
- 1 x Needle Set
- 1 x Twin Needle (Centre)
- 1 x Cleaning Brush
- 1 x Eyelet Punch
- 1 x Screwdriver
- 1 x Disc-Shaped Screwdriver
- 1 x Spool Cap (Large)
- 2 x Spool Caps (Medium)
- 1 x Spool Cap (Small)
- 1 x Extra Spool Pin
- 1 x Spool Net
- 1 x Foot Controller
- 1 x Grid Sheet Set
- 1 x Knee Lifter
- 1 x Hard Case
- 1 x Accessory Bag
Feet In The Box
- 1 x Buttonhole Foot A
- 1 x Overcasting Foot G
- 1 x Monogramming Foot N
- 1 x Zipper Foot I
- 1 x Zigzag Foot J (on machine)
- 1 x Blind Stitch Foot R
- 1 x Button Fitting Foot M
Manufacturer's Specifications
- Machine Size: Medium
- Product Type: Quilting, Sewing
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Accessory Compartment: Yes
- Bobbin Type: Horizontal
- Case: Hard Case
- Machine Type: Electronic
- Insertion of Bobbin: Quick Set Bobbin
- Lighting: 2 LED's
- Number Of Needles: 1
- Display Resolution (Pixel): 120 x 64
- Display Size: 3.5"
- Stitch Selection: Direct Select - Electronic Keypad
- Type of Screen: LCD Monochrome
- Adjustable presser foot: Electronic
- Automatic reverse / reinforcement stitch: Yes
- Bobbin Work: Optional
- Built-In Lettering Styles: 5 (only capital letters)
- Buttonholes: 10
- Circular Sewing: Optional
- Combine stitches: Yes
- Drop feed setting: Manual
- Electronic slide speed control: yes
- Extension Wide Table: Optional
- Free arm sewing: Yes
- Free Motion Embroidery Kit: Optional
- Knee lift: Yes
- Lock stitch button: Yes
- Longer Feed Dog: Yes
- Longer J-Foot: Yes
- Mechanical Dual Feed: Optional
- Mirror imaging: Yes
- Multi-function foot controller: Optional
- My Custom Stitch: Yes
- Needle Stop Position Control Up/Down: Yes
- Number of sewing stitches *incl. buttonholes: 140
- Presser Foot Levelling Button: Yes
- Repeated single sewing: Yes
- SFDS (Square Feed Drive System): Yes
- Snap on Presser Feet System: Yes
- Speed control customised for zigzag width: Yes
- Stippling Function: Free Hand Quilting
- Workspace (cm): 18
- 7 Point Feed Dog: Yes
- Max. Sewing Speed (Stitches per minute): 850
- Stitch Length (mm): 5
- Stitch Width (mm): 7
- Warranty: Brother 3 year Warranty *Commercial use only 1 year warranty
- Adjustable Thread Tension: Manual
- Automatic Thread Cutter: Yes
- Bobbin Winder: F.A.S.T
- Needle Threading System: Extra Advanced
- Machine Dimension (mm): 446x241x300
- Weight (kg): 9
Machine Dimensions & Weight
- Machine size (W x D x H): 446 x 241 x 300mm
- Weight: 9kg approximately
- Workspace: 7 inches to the right of the needle
- Free arm with accessory storage
Stitch Options & Controls
- 140 built-in stitches, including 10 one-step buttonhole styles
- 5 built-in lettering styles (uppercase)
- Maximum stitch width: 7mm
- Maximum stitch length: 5mm
- Maximum sewing speed: 850 stitches per minute
- Direct select electronic keypad with 3.5 inch LCD
- Electronic slide speed control
- Needle up/down positioning
- Start/stop button and lock stitch button
- My Custom Stitch, stitch memory and mirror imaging
Bobbin & Needle System
- Quick-set horizontal top-loading bobbin
- F.A.S.T. bobbin winding system
- Extra advanced needle threading system
- Single needle with twin needle included
- Snap-on presser feet system
Warranty & Support
- 3-year Brother warranty included (commercial use limited to 1 year)
- In-house servicing from our team in Redruth
- Expert advice from The Sewing Studio team
Product Downloads
Ratings & Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About the Brother Innov-is F420
Let us help with the answers.
Is the Brother Innov-is F420 suitable for a beginner?
Yes, the Brother Innov-is F420 would be ideal for a confident beginner, offering plenty of room to grow as their skills develop. It typically sits in the intermediate sewing category, but with time a beginner would benefit from the more advanced features and functions.
What does the Square Feed Drive System actually do?
It feeds fabric from four points rather than a standard feed dog, gripping a wider area for more even feeding and consistent stitch quality across fabric weights.
Does the F420 come with everything I need to start sewing?
Yes. It ships with seven presser feet, a knee lifter, a full accessory set and a hard case, with optional extras available for larger quilting projects.
Can I personalise projects with lettering?
Yes. The F420 includes 5 lettering styles plus My Custom Stitch, so you can add names, dates and original stitch designs, with mirror imaging and stitch memory.
Can it handle thick fabrics like denim?
Yes. The Square Feed Drive System and adjustable presser foot pressure keep heavier fabrics feeding evenly, so the F420 copes with denim and multiple layers.
Our standard width fabric can be cut as a Fat Quarter, measuring 50cm x 1/2 the width of the bolt. Above is an example of how your fabric will be received, depending on the quantity ordered.
We also offer a sample service, where you can order 1 single fat quarter of any standard width fabric, to have at home and compare colours. When you are finished, you can send them back to us for a refund (feel free to contact us for more information on this service).
Our fabric can be cut as a Long Quarter, measuring a minimum of 25cm x width of bolt. We will supply the fabric as a continuous length (eg; if you bought 1.25m it will be sent as one piece of fabric).