Sewing machine review:
Brother Innov-is 10A

Out of the box

This is a look at an entry-level machine for sewing newbies and those who like to sew occasionally. Typically, we are looking at the GCSE Textiles student, but he or she is not the only target in this group. It also covers younger kids, and grannies with occasional sewing needs, and anyone who wants a machine that sews garments and craft projects, but neither needs nor wants a lot of decorative stitches or embroidery, and who is on a modest budget.
 

Now, I have to admit that I’m firmly of the opinion that when you are looking for a machine in this category, you are going to get a much better and more solid pre-loved machine than you will for the same price in a new machine. However, I also know how hard it is to give a teenager, your girlfriend, or your mum a used machine for Christmas… And not everyone has the experience to know a decent used machine from a clapped out wreck. So this is a serious assessment of the typical machine in the new-but-not-expensive class.

Alan sent it down to me for assessment. It arrived while I had a friend who also sews over for lunch, so she helped me to unpack it. 

Our first comments were ‘It’s not very heavy’, and ‘It’s PINK!’


It is. The box is pink, and the machine inside has a pink panel on it. Very girly. I’m not sure this is a good idea… OK, it’s very attractive to the teenaged female GCSE student, but what about the boys? My 15 YO son gave it the leery-eyed look. He’s used several of my machines, and like most boys of his age, something this girly is not going to be his first choice. Maybe Brother needs to think this one through again.

 





It may be plastic and it may be light, but it’s also quite solid. There’s nothing flimsy about the plastic. The casing for the main sewing area (the ‘flat bed’) is smooth and the accessory box doesn’t rattle. It’s easy to open while also closing firmly. It’s also easy to remove with a firm tug to the left. There is a nice useful collection of accessories with the machine. Most are solidly made. The one poor item is the lint brush. It is a sorry item, neither use nor ornament. Mind you, the same can be said for most brushes that come with sewing machines. The other poor items are the needles that come with the machine. I’m not a fan of Organ needles, and much p