Product · Brother
Brother Innov-is F420: box feed for jersey
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The Brother Innov-is F420 is a computerised machine for dressmakers who sew a lot of jersey and want help feeding it evenly. Brother's rectangular feed, often called box feed, is the reason to consider it: the listing specifically names jerseys as the fabric it helps with. It also has an automatic thread cutter and an LCD display, and it is built from metal and plastic with a 10 kg weight.
- Feed
- Rectangular (box) feed
- Stitches
- Not stated
- Buttonholes
- Not stated
- Thread cutter
- Automatic
- Weight
- 10 kg
In its favour
- The rectangular feed is listed as helping jersey and other materials feed evenly.
- An automatic thread cutter and a user friendly LCD display are listed.
- At 10 kg it sits firmly on the table over thick seam allowances.
Good to know
- The listing gives very few details, with no stitch count or buttonhole styles.
- Included presser feet and accessories are not listed.
Our take
What the listing gives
The bullets are short: an automatic spooling machine (bobbin winder), a user-friendly LCD display, an automatic thread cutter and a rectangular transport system for jerseys and other materials. The spec table adds 10 kg, about 44.6 cm wide, 24.1 cm deep and 30 cm high, and 5 years of EU spare part availability.
The listing does not state stitch count, buttonhole styles, needle threader or speed control.
Rectangular feed and knits
Jersey tends to stretch as it feeds, producing wavy seams. A rectangular feed keeps the feed dogs in contact with the fabric longer during each stitch, so the fabric is pulled through more evenly and stretching is reduced. Pair it with a stretch or ballpoint needle and a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch for the best results on T-shirts and dresses.
Good knit results also depend on presser foot pressure and stitch choice, and the listing does not say whether foot pressure can be adjusted, so ask about it if you sew very lightweight jersey.
Thread cutter in daily sewing
An automatic thread cutter saves picking up scissors at every seam. On a garment with many short seams, such as a lined jacket, it saves time and keeps the work cleaner.
Against the Juki HZL-G220 and Brother Innov-is A80
The Juki HZL-G220 also offers box feed and an automatic thread cutter, and its listing adds 180 stitches and 8 automatic buttonholes at 8.7 kg. That makes it the better documented choice. The Brother Innov-is A80 lists 80 stitches, 8 buttonhole variants, twin needle mode and needle up or down, but no thread cutter.
Within Brother's range, the Innov-is A65 is the lighter thread cutter option.
Who should look elsewhere
If you need to see a stitch list and buttonhole styles before buying, this listing will not answer those questions. Quilters will find more specific features on machines in the quilting guide.
Verdict
Choose the Brother Innov-is F420 if you sew jersey often and want rectangular feed plus an automatic thread cutter. If you prefer a fully specified listing with buttonholes and stitch count, the Juki HZL-G220 offers similar feed technology, and for twin needle work the Brother Innov-is A80.
Compared with alternatives in: Best sewing machines for dressmaking, Best sewing machines with automatic thread cutter, Brother sewing machines compared
Amazon listing title: Brother Innov-is F420 Sewing Machine