Product · Brother
Brother FS20S: 20 stitches with LCD display
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The Brother FS20S is an electronic starter machine for beginners who want a small screen and a portable body they can take to a class or on holiday. The LCD display sets it apart from the purely mechanical starters in the beginner guide, and the listing pairs it with a metal frame, a built-in carry handle and a 3 year warranty, so it is designed to be moved about without fuss.
- Stitches
- 20
- Buttonhole
- 3 styles, type not stated
- Needle threader
- Not stated
- Weight
- Not stated
In its favour
- Four stretch stitches are listed, which helps with jersey and other knits.
- The listing states a metal plate, a metal frame and a 3 year warranty.
- Upper thread tension adjustment, reverse and a reinforcement stitch are all listed.
Good to know
- The listing does not clearly state a needle threader or a one-step buttonhole.
- No reliable weight is given in the listing, so check before buying for a class bag.
Our take
A translated listing
The Amazon text reads as a translation from French, and some phrases are awkward, such as training claws for feed dogs. The substance is clear enough: 20 stitches including 4 stretch stitches and 4 decorative stitches, 3 buttonholes, an LCD display, quick bobbin positioning, quick bobbin winding, LED lighting, upper thread tension adjustment, reinforcement stitch and reverse.
The buttonhole type is not stated, and the listing does not mention a needle threader.
Thick fabric features
Brother lists a double height presser foot lift, a metal plate, a sturdy rotary hook and a powerful motor, with an anti-tilt button on the presser foot. That button holds the foot level at the start of a thick seam, such as a jeans hem, so the foot does not stall on the bump.
The bullets mention both 6 and 7 rows of feed dogs in different places, so the exact figure is unclear, but either way the feed is wider than on the most basic machines.
Portability and free arm
A handle built into the shell makes the FS20S easy to carry. The free arm lets you sew trouser legs, cuffs and other tubes in the round. Feed dogs can be lowered for quilting and darning.
The spec table lists 250 g, which is obviously wrong, along with an ABS plastic shell and 12 years of EU spare part availability. The bullets describe a metal frame inside.
Against the SH40 and JX17FE
The Brother SH40 has twice the stitches, 5 one-step buttonhole styles, a speed slider, start/stop and a stated 4.5 kg weight. The Brother JX17FE is a mechanical alternative with 17 stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. The FS20S sits between them, offering an LCD without the SH40's pedal-free control.
Who should look elsewhere
Beginners who find the foot pedal hard to control would be better served by the SH40's speed slider and start/stop. If you need a confirmed one-step buttonhole for regular shirt making, check this before ordering.
Verdict
The Brother FS20S suits beginners who want a portable electronic machine with an LCD, stretch stitches and a free arm for classes and mending. If speed control and one-step buttonholes matter, the Brother SH40 is the better pick, and for a simpler mechanical option, the Brother JX17FE.
Compared with alternatives in: Best sewing machines for beginners
Amazon listing title: Brother FS20S (New Model) Electronic Sewing Machine for Beginners