BROTHER KE14S
A mechanical sewing machine for beginners. It has 14 stitches, an automatic 4-step buttonhole and a metal frame.
The Brother KE14s is made for everyday sewing: mending trousers, adding a buttonhole or sewing in a zip. Brother describes it as a light and reliable machine for beginners and for anyone who wants to make small alterations or simple repairs.
You choose a stitch with a single dial, an LED lamp lights the sewing area, and, according to Brother, the frame is metal. Always carry the machine by its handle: lifting it by any other part may damage it or make it fall.
Features
14 stitches from one dial
You choose a stitch by turning a single dial. There are 14 stitches including a buttonhole: straight stitches, zigzags, blind hem stitches and an elastic stitch.
The length and width of each stitch are preset, and you will find them in the table below. The length of the satin zigzag stitch (no. 5) can be changed: the dial has three positions for it, and the middle one is the standard length.
Turn the dial only when the needle is raised: turn the handwheel towards you until the mark on it points up.
Automatic 4-step buttonhole
A buttonhole is sewn in four steps: front bar tack, left side, back bar tack and right side. For each step you turn the dial to the matching position, and you use buttonhole foot “A”.
Try the buttonhole on a scrap of fabric before sewing it on a garment. When sewing soft fabrics, it is recommended to place a stabiliser under the fabric.
If the two sides of the buttonhole are sewn unevenly, adjust the buttonhole fine-adjustment screw.
Top-loading bobbin
The lower-thread bobbin is loaded from the top, and it is horizontal.
Use only the bobbin supplied with the machine or bobbins of the same type: Class 15, height 11.5 mm (SFB: XA5539-151). Other bobbins may damage the machine.
Free arm and accessory compartment
Removing the flat bed creates a free arm. It makes it easier to sew cuffs, trouser legs and other hard-to-reach areas: slide the part you want to sew onto the arm and sew from the top.
You can keep accessories in the compartment inside the removable flat bed.
More features
Quick-release foot
The presser foot can be removed and changed quickly.
Reverse sewing
- To secure the start or end of a seam, push the reverse sewing lever in as far as it goes and hold it while you lightly press the foot controller.
- Reverse stitches are always 2 mm long.
Thread tension
- You adjust the upper thread tension with a dial.
Bobbin winding
- You can wind the lower-thread bobbin on the machine itself.
Thread cutter
- You can cut the threads with the cutter built into the machine.
LED light
- A single LED lamp lights the sewing area.
- One switch turns on both the machine and the lamp.
Sewing thick fabrics
- If the fabric does not fit under the presser foot, raise the presser foot lever even higher.
- If you sew fabric more than 6 mm thick or push the fabric with too much force, the needle may bend or break.
Twin needle (optional accessory)
- The 2.0/75 twin needle (X57521-021) and the extra spool pin are available separately.
- According to the manual, use the twin needle only with the straight stitch (centre needle position) and the zigzag stitch that the manual lists with a 1.5 mm width.
- Do not use it with any other stitches.
- When sewing with a twin needle, always fit zigzag foot “J”.
Artspira app
- According to Brother, once you add the machine to the Artspira app (iOS and Android), you get the manuals and video tutorials for free.
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.
Stitches
Stitch length and width
| No. | Stitch | Length, mm | Width, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automatic 4-step buttonhole | 0.5 | 5 |
| 2 | Zigzag | 0.7 | 1.8 |
| 3 | Zigzag | 1.5 | 3.3 |
| 4 | Zigzag | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | Zigzag (satin stitch) | 0.5 | 5 |
| 6 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 1.6 | – |
| 7 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 1.8 | – |
| 8 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 2 | – |
| 9 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 3 | – |
| 10 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 4 | – |
| 11 | Straight stitch (left needle position) | 2.5 | – |
| 12 | Blind hem stitch | 2 | 5 |
| 13 | Elastic stitch | 1 | 5 |
| 14 | Stretch blind hem stitch | 2 | 5 |
Fabrics, threads and needles
| Fabric or use | Thread | Needle |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-weight fabrics (taffeta, flannel, gabardine) | Cotton and synthetic: No. 60–90. Silk: No. 50 | 75/11–90/14 |
| Thin fabrics (georgette, satin) | Cotton and synthetic: No. 60–90. Silk: No. 50 | 65/9–75/11 |
| Thick fabrics (denim, corduroy, tweed) | Cotton: No. 30 | 100/16 |
| Thick fabrics (denim, corduroy, tweed) | Cotton: No. 50. Synthetic and silk: No. 50–60 | 90/14–100/16 |
| Stretch fabrics (jersey) | Thread for knits: No. 50–60 | 75/11–90/14, ball-point needle (gold-coloured) |
| Fabrics that fray easily | Cotton and synthetic: No. 50–90. Silk: No. 50 | 65/9–90/14 |
| Topstitching | Synthetic and silk: No. 30 | 100/16 |
| Topstitching | Synthetic and silk: No. 50–60 | 75/11–90/14 |
| Any fabric | Transparent nylon thread | 90/14–100/16 |
What you can sew
Based on the Brother user manual.
- Zip insertion: zip foot “I”, straight stitch no. 9
- Gathering and appliqués
- The elastic stitch (no. 13) can be used for mending, sewing on elastic or joining fabric
- Sewing on buttons: optional button sewing foot “M” and darning plate, zigzag stitches no. 2, 3 or 4
- Darning: optional darning plate, straight stitches no. 6 to 11
Video
Official video about this model from Brother SewingCraft Europe.
Technical specifications
| Number of stitches | 14, including a buttonhole |
|---|---|
| Buttonhole | Automatic, 4-step |
| Construction | Mechanical, stitch selected with a dial |
| Stitch length | Preset for each stitch, 0.5–4 mm in the table (the satin stitch no. 5 has three length positions on the dial) |
| Stitch width | 1.8 to 5 mm (preset for zigzag and other non-straight stitches) |
| Bobbin | Top-loading, horizontal |
| Bobbin type | Class 15, height 11.5 mm (SFB: XA5539-151) |
| Needles | 1 needle; only needles for home sewing machines, from 65/9 to 100/16 (see the table) |
| Recommended threads | No. 30–90 (according to the manual's table), silk No. 30–60; thread of No. 20 or lower (heavier thread) must not be used |
| Free arm | Yes |
| Accessory compartment | Yes |
| Lighting | 1 LED lamp |
| Quick-release presser foot | Yes |
| Bobbin winder | Yes |
| Frame | Metal |
| Machine size (according to Brother) | Small |
| Level (according to Brother) | Beginner |
| Wide table | Optional accessory |
| Country of origin | Vietnam |
| Intended use | Household use (according to the Brother manual) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
In the box
In the box according to the Brother operation manual; the manual notes that the included accessories may vary by model.
- Zigzag foot “J” (fitted to the machine)
- Buttonhole foot “A”
- Zip foot “I”
- Bobbin (already in the machine)
- Needle set (90/14 needles)
- Screwdriver
- Foot controller (with power cord)
- Finger guard
Optional accessories
Depending on the set, some of these accessories may already be in the box. List compiled from the Brother operation manual and the Brother support page section 'Consumables & Options' for this model.
- Bobbins, 10 pcs (SFB)
- Bobbins and bobbin clips (BCL)
- Wide table WT13
- Patchwork kit FP03
- Twin needle (2.0/75) X57521-021
- Extra spool pin XG3488-001
- Darning plate
- Button sewing foot “M” XE2137-001
- Adjustable zipper/piping foot F036N
- Blind stitch foot F018N
- Concealed zipper foot F004N
- Edge joining foot F056
- Narrow hemmer foot F003N
- Non-stick foot F007N
- Picot foot F029N
- Stitch guide foot F035N
- Straight stitch foot F011N
- Vertical stitching alignment foot F063
- Concealed zipper foot F080 (no need to press the zip edges before sewing)
- Binding foot F014N
- Braiding foot F021N
- Clear-view foot F023N
- Cording foot F024N
- Fringe foot F025N
- Gathering foot F012N
- Open toe foot (metal) F060
- Open toe foot F027N
- 1/4-inch patchwork foot F001N
- 1/4-inch patchwork foot with guide F057
- Quilting guide F016N
- Open toe quilting foot F061
- Quilting foot F005N
- Walking foot F034N
- Free motion guide grip FMG2
Manuals
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.