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Sewing Machine Guides
The Brother Innovis 15 is a great value, super easy to use machine with the option for an automatic reverse stitch, something you wouldn't often find on a machine at this level.
In this review we'll highlight the key features, show you how to use the machine, then show you what is in the box and explain how we're here to help you all the way along your sewing journey.
The Brother Innovis 15 is packed full of useful features including:
Threading this machine is easy. Place a reel of thread on the spool pin then slide one of the spool caps into place (you'll receive three of these with the machine different sizes for different size reels of thread).
Take the loose end of the thread and bring it under the thread guide labeled number one on the top of the machine.
Next bring the thread round thread guide number two, around the back of the metal disc ensuring it clicks into place and you should feel some tension on the thread here.
Take the loose end of the thread and push it through one of the holes on the bobbin, place the bobbin on the bobbin winder and slide it to the right to click it into place.
Hold the loose end of the thread and apply some pressure to the foot pedal to start winding the bobbin. After a few rotations, snip the loose end of the thread and continue to wind until the bobbin is full.
To insert the bobbin remove the case and ensure the thread is coming down the left hand side of the bobbin. I like to remember this by thinking it should create a letter 'P'.
Place the bobbin in the case and then take the loose end of the thread through the thread guides following the arrows around up and down then pull the loose end of the thread to the right and it will snip the excess off for you and you can replace the cover.
First make sure the foot is in the up position then turn the handwheel to raise the take up lever up to it's highest position.
Take the loose end of the thread and bring it through thread guide number one, around thread guide number two, down the front of the machine, around guide number three then take it from right to left at guide four ensuring it's secured in the take up lever.
Continue along the path on the front of the machine to the needle bar, bring the thread behind thread guide six on the needle bar drawing it from right to left.
Make sure the needle is in the highest position - you can do this by pressing the needle up down button twice or turning the hand wheel towards you and the needle will be in the correct position to use the needle threader.
Gently pull the needle threader lever down to bring it into position then bring the thread behind the thread guide and across the eye of the needle.
Gently release the lever and the thread will pass through the eye of the needle. Gently pull until the loose end of the thread is all the way through the needle.
Place the thread underneath the foot and to the back of the machine.
To start sewing select your stitch using the dial on the front of the machine.
Place your fabric under the foot and lower the foot.
It's also worth mentioning here that there is actually extra lift on the foot of this machine so you can push the lever up and create extra space so you can work with bulky fabrics or lots of layers of fabric.
To secure your stitches at the start of the seam hold the reverse stitch button down and the machine will sew backwards. Let go of the button and you'll be able to continue sewing in the normal way.
You can repeat the process at the end of the seam to secure the stitches at the end of sewing too.
There's also a great feature on this machine, which you don't find on many machines at this level and that is the option for an automatic reverse or reinforcement stitch.
If you press the button next to the stitch width button then lower the presser foot, when you start sewing the machine will automatically sew a reverse stitch to secure the seam.
When you've finished stitching, to sew the reverse stitch at the end of the seam, just press the standard reverse button once and the machine automatically sews the perfect number of stitches to secure the seam.
This is a great feature and means you don't have to hold down the reverse button every time you start and stop sewing.
Needle up down allows you to choose whether you want the needle to finish in the down position, in the fabric or above the fabric.
When you finish sewing by default the machine will be set to finish with the needle down. This is especially useful for tasks like pivoting round corners or if you need precision and accuracy because you can be confident the fabric isn't going to move since it's secured by the needle.
To pivot a corner sew a line of stitches, then lift the foot, rotate the fabric, put the foot back down and continue stitching in the other direction.
If you want to change the function of the machine so that it finishes in the up position, press the needle up down button to raise the needle, turn the machine off then hold down the automatic reverse button.
Turn the machine back on and let go of the automatic reverse stitch button after the first beep.
The machine will now be set to finish with the needle in the up position.
The bobbin winder doubles up as the stand for the extra spool pin (included with the accessories for the machine) so you can sew with a twin needle (also included).
Sewing with a twin needle creates two parallel lines of stitching often used to hem knit and jersey fabrics.
The sliding speed control is another great feature which really helps with your sewing.
It enables you to decide how quickly you would like the machine to sew so if you're sewing something that requires real precision and accuracy or you're feeling a little bit under confident you can slide the control to the slowest speed setting and no matter how hard you press on the foot control the machine will only sew at the slowest speed.
To resume a faster speed of sewing just move the slider across and continue sewing.
The stop start button means you can choose to remove the foot control and press the start stop button to start and stop sewing instead.
Press it once to start sewing and once to stop sewing.
The sliding speed controller can also be used in conjunction with the start stop button so if you want to sew very slowly you can move the control right down then press the button to sew and it will sew in the slowest speed.
Choosing a stitch on the Brother Innovis 15 is super easy - there's a handy stitch chart on the front of the machine displaying all 16 stitches including the three button hole stitches.
Simply turn the dial to select the stitch you would like to use.
On the display it will also tell you which presser foot to use and you can also choose to adjust the length and width of the stitch with the plus and minus buttons next to the display window.
The upper plus and minus button adjusts the length of the stitch.
The lower plus and minus button adjusts the width.
For example, you might want to make a stitch wider for decorative purposes and the maximum stitch width on this machine is 7mm. You might want to lengthen a stitch to make it easier to rip out if you're tacking something in place.
To return to the default settings of the machine just turn the dial to select an alternative stitch and turn it back to the original stitch you want to use and the machine will automatically set it back to the default settings.
To change the presser foot the manual suggests you turn the machine off first to avoid accidentally hitting the stop start button when your hands are near the needle.
On the back of the needle bar you'll find a black button press the button and the current foot will be released.
On the top of your replacement foot you'll see a bar, which lines up with a corresponding groove on the bottom of the needle bar.
Line the bar up with the groove and lower the needle bar and the foot will click into place.
Lift the lever and check that everything is secured and you're ready to start sewing with the alternative foot.
There's a handy accessory tray for storing spare bobbins and feet and this can be removed to create a free arm, which is great when you're sewing in the round on things like cuffs, neck lines or sleeves.
You can slide the fabric over the end of the machine and it just makes it so much easier to work with and there is no need to worry about accidentally sewing the other side of the fabric, it is out of the way.
At the back of the machine there's a switch, which you can slide across to disengage the feed dogs dropping them below the needle plate. This allows you to sew with free motion embroidery, effectively drawing with your thread because you can move the fabric in any direction as you sew.
To re-engage the feed dogs move the slider across and turn the hand wheel towards you or start sewing in the usual way.
In the box you'll find everything you'd expect: a detailed instruction manual, a foot control, a dust cover three different size spool caps for different size reels of thread, spare bobbins, spare needles, a screwdriver, a brush an unpicker and six sewing machine feet to get you started.
The six feet will allow you to sew all the standard sewing techniques you'd expect and also start to stretch those sewing skills a little bit further:
We loved the option for the automatic reverse or reinforcement stitch button and the button sewing foot, both of which aren't very often included with a sewing machine at this price point.
If you want to take your your sewing skills even further, for example, you want to use a piping foot or a gathering foot or an invisible zipper foot, there's a really wide range of feet and accessories available to buy separately for this machine on our site.
Click here and look for the Brother sewing machine feet and accessories and don't hesitate to contact us if you need any help choosing feet and accessories compatible with your machine.
All of our machines come with a full manufacturers warranty so that's 3years for the Brother Innovis 15.
In the unlikely event that you have a problem just get in touch and more often than not we can resolve any issues over the phone.
If this isn't the case we'll collect the machine and do everything for you.
We offer the best prices, but if you do see a machine cheaper anywhere else don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll be happy to help you.
Your machine will arrive the next working day by courier, free of charge with a dedicated timeslot so you know exactly when to expect it.
We really hope this video has helped you on your sewing journey, but if you've got any further questions or need any further support don't hesitate to get in touch.
Remember if you purchase the machine from us we're always here to continue to help and support you. As keen sewing enthusiasts ourselves we want to help you on your sewing journey.
Have fun sewing!
Lucy
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