Brother SH40 Sewing Machine
A lightweight, feature-packed beginner machine built for dressmaking & upcycling, home decor and all types of crafting
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£6.36 per month over 48 months*
£7.99 £7.20 Save 10%
Genuine Brother Sewing Machine Bobbins – 10 Pack (XA5539151)
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This machine is covered by a 3-year Brother parts and labour guarantee. If you ever need support or servicing, our team are always here to help.
Changed your mind? You’ve got 30 days to return any new, unused items in their original packaging.
Need advice?
Our in-house team knows every detail of this machine. Call, message or chat and get honest, expert advice from people who actually sew.
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).
Brother SH40 Product Review and Demonstration
The Brother SH40 is an ideal beginner machine for anyone learning to sew or returning to the craft. It's versatile, packed with features and fantastic value for money.
It's fuss free and quick to set-up with a drop-in bobbin and simple threading, so you can be stitching within minutes of taking it out of the box.
It comes with 40 built-in stitches covering utility, stretch, decorative and satin options, including 5 styles of one-step buttonhole for matching the right finish to any garment. The LCD screen shows your stitch selection clearly, and adjustable stitch length and width let you fine-tune each stitch to your fabric.
The start/stop button and speed slider mean you can sew without the foot pedal, which helps with control and steady, comfortable sewing. Drop feed dogs make the machine ready for free-motion work and embroidery with an optional foot, useful as your skills grow.
Despite weighing just 4.5kg, it handles denim and thicker layers with ease while remaining light enough to carry to classes. This is a capable, budget-friendly machine that suits clothes making, upcycling, homewares, cosplay and everyday design projects.
Top Uses for the Brother SH40
Homewares and Soft Furnishings
Making and Upcycling Clothes
Cosplay and Creative Design Projects
This machine is perfect for
- Complete beginners who want a versatile, easy to use and capable sewing machine
- Makers wanting computerised convenient features at an accessible price point
- Fashion, cosplay and upcycling projects - good range of decorative stitches for creative work
- Sewers wanting a portable sewing machine - weighing 4.5kg it's lightweight and easy to store away, transport and use at sewing classes
Can sew but not ideal for
- Can sew denim and canvas but not suitable for heavy-duty projects that would benefit from a machine with greater needle penetration power. The lightweight frame is rigid but not designed thick fabrics or multiple layers on a regular basis
- Large or bulky projects - workspace is adequate for most beginner projects but not for large scale quilts or curtains
Not suitable for
- Business use - this model is only suited to domestic and hobby sewing, not production volumes
- Sewers who need built-in lettering stitches for monograms
Brother SH40: A Machine for Every Maker
Quick-Set Drop-In Bobbin
The drop-in bobbin sits in a clear top-loading well, so threading stays quick and jam-free.
Pedal-Free Sewing Control
Set your own pace with the speed slider and sew hands-free, which helps keep seams even and controlled.
Lightweight and Portable
At 4.5kg, it lifts easily, so moving it between rooms or storing it away takes no effort.
Inside the Brother SH40
LCD Screen Stitch Display
The clear LCD screen shows your selected stitch before you sew, giving you confidence in every setting.
Forty Built-In Stitch Options
Forty built-in stitches cover utility, stretch, decorative and satin styles for a wide mix of projects.
Five One-Step Buttonhole Styles
Five one-step buttonhole styles produce a neat, consistent finish in a single pass.
Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
Fine-tune stitch length and width to suit each fabric, giving you neater results across light and heavy materials.
Drop Feed Dogs For Free-Motion
Lower the feed dogs for free-motion sewing and embroidery with an optional foot, handy as your skills develop.
Product specifications
Key features
- 40 built-in stitches (utility, stretch, decorative and satin, including 5 one-step buttonhole styles)
- LCD screen display
- Start/stop button and speed control slider
- Quick-set drop-in bobbin
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Drop feed dogs for free-motion sewing
- Handles denim and thicker layers
- Lightweight at 4.5kg
- 3-year Brother warranty
Accessories in the Box
- 1 x Seam ripper
- 4 x Bobbin (One on machine)
- 1 x Needle set
- 1 x Ball point needle
- 1 x Cleaning brush
- 1 x L-shaped screwdriver
- 1 x Bobbin case (on machine)
- 1 x Foot controller
- 1 x Dust cover
- 1 x Operation Manual
- 1 x Quick Reference Guide
Feet in the box
- 1 x Zigzag foot J (on machine)
- 1 x Buttonhole foot A
- 1 x Overcasting foot G
- 1 x Monogramming foot N
- 1 x Zipper foot I
- 1 x Blind stitch foot R
- 1 x Button fitting foot M
Manufacturer's Specifications
- Machine Size: Compact and Lightweight
- Product Type: Sewing
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Quick Set Bobbin: Yes
- Rotary Hook: Metal
- Accessory Compartment: Yes
- Bobbin Type: Horizontal
- Case: Soft Case
- Machine Type: Electronic
- Insertion of Bobbin: Quick Set Bobbin
- Lighting: LED
- Number Of Needles: 1
- Stitch Selection: Entering Code of Numbers
- Type of Screen: LCD Monochrome
- Consumption Power: 40 W
- Voltage: 220 - 240V
- Automatic reverse / reinforcement stitch: Yes
- Buttonholes: 5
- Drop feed setting: Manual
- Electronic slide speed control: yes
- Extension Wide Table: Optional
- Free arm sewing: Yes
- Max. Sewing Speed (Stitches per minute): 750
- Mechanical Dual Feed: Optional
- Needle Stop Position Control Up/Down: Yes
- Number of sewing stitches incl. buttonholes: 40
- Presser Foot Levelling Button: Yes
- Snap on Presser Feet System: Yes
- Stippling Function: Free Hand Quilting
- Stitch Length (mm): 5
- Stitch Width (mm): 7
- Workspace (mm): 99 x 158
- Warranty: Brother 3 year Warranty
- Adjustable Thread Tension: Manual
- Bobbin Winder: Yes
- Needle Threading System: Standard
- Machine Dimension (mm): 413 x 178 x 307
- Weight (kg): 4.5
Machine Dimensions & Weight
- Weight: 4.5kg approximately
- Machine dimensions: 413 x 178 x 307 mm
Stitch Options & Controls
- 40 built-in stitches, including 5 one-step buttonhole styles
- LCD display with stitch selection
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Electronic start/stop button with speed control slider
- Drop feed for free-motion sewing
- Maximum sewing speed: 750 stitches per minute
- Maximum stitch length: 5mm
- Maximum stitch width: 7mm
Bobbin & Needle System
- Built-in needle threader
- Needle up/down function
- Quick-set drop-in bobbin
- Metal rotary hook
Warranty and Support
- 3-year Brother parts and labour warranty included
- Authorised Brother service support nationwide
- Expert advice from The Sewing Studio team
Ratings & Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About the Brother SH40
Let us help with the answers.
Is the Brother SH40 suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Brother SH40 is designed with beginners in mind, with a quick-set drop-in bobbin, an LCD screen and simple stitch selection. Its 40 stitches also give you room to grow as your skills develop.
How many stitches does the Brother SH40 have?
The Brother SH40 has 40 built-in stitches, covering utility, stretch, decorative and satin options, plus 5 one-step buttonhole styles. The 40 stitches give you plenty of scope as you build your skills.
Can the Brother SH40 sew denim and thick fabrics?
Yes. The SH40 handles denim and thicker layers of fabric, making it suitable for jeans hems, bag making and upcycling projects. For frequent heavy leather or canvas work, a heavier-duty model is worth considering.
Can I sew without the foot pedal?
Yes. The start/stop button and speed control slider let you sew without the foot pedal, giving you steadier control. This is helpful for precise work and for anyone who prefers hands-free operation.
Is the Brother SH40 good for free-motion sewing?
The SH40 has drop feed dogs, so it is ready for free-motion sewing and embroidery when paired with an optional free-motion foot. This suits quilting details and creative stitch work as your confidence grows.
What warranty comes with the Brother SH40?
The Brother SH40 includes a 3-year Brother parts and labour warranty. Our in-house team can also help with any support or servicing you need throughout the life of your machine.
Is the Brother SH40 easy to carry to classes?
Yes. At approximately 4.5kg the SH40 is light enough to carry to sewing classes, yet stable enough for faster sewing at home. Its compact size makes it easy to store between projects.
