BROTHER Innov-is 15
A computerised sewing machine with 16 stitches, including 3 buttonhole types (sewn in one step). You select a stitch with the dial, and the LCD shows its width and length.
The machine has a needle threader, a reverse and reinforcement stitch button, a Start/Stop button, a speed slider and LED lighting.
The box includes 6 presser feet, a twin needle, 4 bobbins and a soft cover.
Features
Stitch selection and display
You select a stitch with the dial. The machine has 16 stitches, including 3 buttonhole types (sewn in one step). A separate window shows the selected stitch pattern and the letter of the presser foot to use.
You change the stitch width (up to 7 mm) and length (up to 5 mm) with the “+” and “–” keys. The LCD shows the width and length in millimetres, as well as error messages.
There are two straight stitches: with the left and with the centre needle position. When you turn the machine on, the straight stitch with the left needle position is selected automatically.
Buttonholes
The machine sews buttonholes in one step, automatically. There are 3 styles: a reinforced buttonhole for fabrics with backings, a horizontal buttonhole for thin and medium-weight fabrics, and a keyhole buttonhole for thick or furry fabrics.
The maximum buttonhole length is 30 mm (button diameter + thickness). Buttonholes are sewn with buttonhole foot “A”.
The bar tack stitch strengthens points that are subject to strain, such as pocket corners and openings.
For a keyhole buttonhole, punch a hole in the rounded end with an eyelet punch (not included), then cut the buttonhole open with the seam ripper.
Needle threading
The needle threader helps you thread the needle. It can be used with 75/11 to 100/16 needles, but not with a wing needle or a twin needle.
The needle threader cannot be used with thread of 130/20 or thicker. When it does not fit, thread the needle by hand.
Bobbin
The bobbin is placed from the top and lies horizontally – this is the Quick Set Bobbin system. You can start sewing without pulling up the bobbin thread.
Use only the bobbin supplied with the machine or a bobbin of the same type (SFB). Other bobbins can damage the machine.
Reverse and reinforcement stitches
The reverse and reinforcement stitch button sews reverse or reinforcement stitches. You sew reverse stitches by keeping the button pressed down, and the machine sews in the opposite direction. Reinforcement stitches are 3 to 5 stitches sewn on top of each other. Which of them the machine sews depends on the selected stitch.
After you press the automatic reverse/reinforcement stitch key, the machine sews such stitches by itself at the start of the seam. At the end, press the reverse and reinforcement stitch button once, and the machine sews these stitches and stops. With straight and zigzag stitches, the machine sews reverse stitches automatically. Press the key again to cancel the function.
For buttonholes and the bar tack, reinforcement stitches are sewn automatically, so you do not need to press the key.
More features
Upper thread tension
You adjust the upper thread tension with the dial: turning it to the right tightens the thread and turning it to the left loosens it.
Test the tension on a scrap of fabric before you sew.
Speed slider and Start/Stop button
- You set the speed with the slider and start or stop sewing with the Start/Stop button, so a foot controller is not needed.
- With a foot controller connected, the button can no longer start sewing, and the speed set with the slider becomes the foot controller's maximum speed.
Needle position
- You raise or lower the needle with the needle position button, and pressing it twice sews one stitch.
- The machine normally stops with the needle in the fabric; to make it stop with the needle raised, switch the machine on while holding down the automatic reverse/reinforcement stitch key, and release the key when the machine beeps twice.
LED lighting
- An LED lamp lights the sewing area and comes on together with the machine.
Snap-on presser feet
- You remove a presser foot by pressing the black button at the back of the presser foot holder.
- Place the new foot under the holder and slowly lower the presser foot lever, and the foot pin snaps into the notch in the holder.
Free arm and accessory compartment
- With the removable flat bed attachment taken off, you can sew on the free arm, which makes cylindrical pieces such as cuffs and trouser legs easier to sew.
- The attachment has an accessory compartment that holds the accessory bag, and an optional wide table makes sewing large pieces of fabric easier.
Thick fabrics
- If the fabric does not feed at the start of a thick seam because the presser foot is not level, use the locking pin of zigzag foot “J” (the black button on the left side), which keeps the foot level so the fabric feeds smoothly.
- If the fabric does not fit under the presser foot, raise the presser foot lever even higher, but do not force the fabric, because the needle may break or bend.
Needles and fabrics
- Use 90/14–100/16 needles for thick fabrics such as denim, 65/9–75/11 for thin fabrics and a ball point needle 75/11–90/14 for stretch fabrics.
- Sewing thick fabric with a thin needle (65/9–75/11) can bend or break the needle.
- Thread of weight 20 or lower (thicker) must not be used.
- Sew hook-and-loop fastener only if it is the ungummed sew-in type, and not with a 65/9–75/11 needle: glue can cause malfunction and a thin needle can bend or break.
Walking foot (optional)
- With the optional walking foot F033N both layers of fabric are fed evenly by the feed dogs and the teeth on the presser foot.
- This helps with fabrics that are hard to feed such as vinyl and leather, fabrics that slip such as velvet, and quilting.
- The foot is attached with the screwdriver.
Twin needle
- Use only the twin needle X59296-121, with zigzag foot “J” and the extra spool pin; the stitch width must not exceed 5 mm, and both upper threads should have the same thickness and quality.
- Do not use the needle threader with the twin needle, as the machine may be damaged.
Feed dogs
- The machine has 7-point feed dogs.
- You lower them with a switch at the back of the machine, on the base, for example for sewing on buttons or for free-motion quilting, which also needs the optional quilting foot F005N.
Maintenance
- The user must not oil the machine: it was lubricated at the factory with the right amount of oil, so periodic oiling is not needed.
- Unplug the machine before cleaning; clean the bobbin case area with the brush and do not oil it.
Stitches
The manual's appendix lists each stitch's use, width, length, presser foot and whether the twin needle can be used.
Stitches: 2 straight (with the left and centre needle position), stretch, zigzag, 2 overcasting, 2 blind hem, 3-point zigzag, triple stretch, appliqué, fagoting, bar tack and 3 buttonholes.
Technical specifications
| Number of stitches | 16, including 3 buttonhole types (sewn in one step) |
|---|---|
| Stitch selection | dial |
| Display | monochrome back-lit LCD, 2.2 inch |
| Maximum sewing speed | 850 stitches per minute |
| Stitch width | up to 7 mm |
| Stitch length | up to 5 mm |
| Straight stitch length | 0.2–5 mm, default 2.5 mm |
| Maximum buttonhole length | 30 mm (button diameter + thickness) |
| Workspace | 16 cm |
| Free arm | yes (removable flat bed attachment with an accessory compartment) |
| Feed dogs | 7-point, can be lowered |
| Start/Stop button | yes; you can start sewing without a foot controller |
| Needle threader | for 75/11–100/16 needles; not for wing or twin needles or for 130/20 or thicker thread |
| Compatible needles | home sewing machine needles, sizes 65/9–100/16 |
| Recommended threads | 30–90 wt (according to the manual's table), silk 50–60 wt; thread of 20 wt or lower (heavier thread) must not be used |
| Bobbin | SFB, height 11.5 mm, top-loading |
| Twin needle | X59296-121, only with zigzag foot “J”, stitch width up to 5 mm |
| Thread cutting | manual: pull the fabric to the left side of the machine and pass the threads through the thread cutter |
| Upper thread tension | manual, adjusted with the dial |
| Bobbin winder | built-in bobbin winder, F.A.S.T. system (Fast And Simple Threading) |
| Lighting | LED |
| Dimensions | 444 × 248 × 300 mm |
| Country of origin | Vietnam |
| Intended use | Household use (according to the Brother manual) |
| Warranty | 3 years (1 year for commercial use, according to Brother) |
In the box
In the box, according to the Brother manufacturer's page and operation manual.
- Zigzag foot “J” (on the machine)
- Overcasting foot “G”
- Zipper foot “I”
- Blind stitch foot “R”
- Button fitting foot “M”
- Buttonhole foot “A”
- Needle set: 75/11, 90/14, 100/16 – 1 pc each
- Twin needle (X59296-121)
- Bobbins, 4 pcs (SFB)
- Seam ripper
- Cleaning brush
- Screwdriver (large)
- Disc-shaped screwdriver
- Extra spool pin
- Thread spool caps: large, medium, small
- Spool net
- Foot controller
- Accessory bag
- Soft cover (Soft Case)
- User manual and quick reference guide
Optional accessories (not included in the box)
List compiled from the Brother operation manual and the Brother support page section 'Consumables & Options' for this model.
- Seam accuracy kit FP01
- Decorative edge presser foot kit FP02
- Patchwork presser foot kit FP03
- Bobbins and bobbin clips (BCL)
- Bobbins, 10 pcs (SFB)
- Bobbin work kit BWRK1
- Circular attachment CIRC1
- Creative sewing pack CSP1 (5 presser feet)
- Creative sewing pack CSP2 (5 presser feet)
- Gathering foot F012N
- Cording foot F013N
- Binding foot F014N
- 5-hole cording foot F019N
- 7-hole cording foot F020N
- Braiding foot F021N
- Clear-view foot F023N
- Fringe foot F025N
- Open toe foot F027N
- Pearls and sequins foot F028N
- Pin tuck foot F058 (7-groove)
- Open toe foot F060
- Pin tuck foot F069 (5-groove)
- Adjustable binder foot F071
- Ruffler foot F078
- Narrow hemmer foot F002N
- Non-stick foot F007N
- Blind stitch foot F017N (for edge stitching, attaching lace and joining fabric edges)
- Stitch guide foot F035N
- Adjustable zipper & piping foot F036N
- Picot foot F039N
- Straight stitch foot F042N
- Zigzag foot with levelling button F053
- Side cutter F054
- Edge joining foot F056
- Vertical stitch alignment foot F063
- Stitch in the ditch foot F065
- Roller foot F066
- Piping foot F067
- Narrow zipper foot F079
- Concealed zipper foot F004N
- Concealed zipper foot F080 (no need to press the zipper edges before sewing)
- Seam guide SG1
- Bi-level foot, right F081
- Bi-level foot, left F082
- 1/4-inch patchwork foot F001N
- Quilting foot F005N
- Quilting guide F016N
- Walking foot F033N
- 1/4-inch patchwork foot with guide F057
- Open toe quilting foot F061
- Open toe walking foot F062
- Dynamic walking foot set F085
- Interchangeable toe set for dynamic walking foot F086
- Creative quilting kit QKM1
- Creative quilting kit QKM2
- Free motion guide grip FMG2
- Wide table WT8
- Wide table WT15
Manuals
- User manuals (Brother support website)Link
- User manual, EnglishPDF
- Quick reference guide (English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish and Russian; covers several Innov-is models)PDF
- Innov-is 15 leaflet, EnglishPDF
- Brother Artspira app (iOS and Android): manuals and educational videosLink
Any questions?
Call +370 685 85915 or email info@siuvimomanija.lt. We will help you check whether this sewing machine is right for your work.