BROTHER RL417
A mechanical sewing machine with 17 stitches and an automatic 4-step buttonhole. You choose the stitch with a single dial, and the bobbin is loaded from the top.
The Brother manual describes these jobs for the RL417: mending, sewing buttonholes, inserting zips, hems, appliqué and patchwork. According to the Brother manual, the machine is intended for household use.
Carry the machine only by its handle: lifting it by any other part may damage it or cause it to fall.
Features
17 stitches from one dial
You choose a stitch by turning a single dial. There are 17 stitches including a buttonhole: straight stitches, zigzags, a satin zigzag stitch, an elastic stitch, a stretch blind hem stitch, and decorative and joining stitches.
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. 11) 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. If you turn the dial while the needle is down, the needle, presser foot or fabric may be damaged.
Automatic 4-step buttonhole
A buttonhole is sewn in four steps: front bar tack, left side, back bar tack and right side. For the first step you set the dial to position “a”, for the second to “b”, for the third to “c” (the same position as “a”) and for the fourth to “d”. You sew with 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.
To secure the stitching, turn the fabric 90 degrees anticlockwise and sew straight stitches to the end of the front bar tack. Before cutting, put pins across both ends of the buttonhole so that you do not cut the stitches, and cut the opening in the middle with a seam ripper.
If the two sides of the buttonhole are sewn unevenly, adjust the buttonhole fine-adjustment screw: if the stitches on the left side are too sparse, turn it in the “–” direction; if they are too dense, turn it in the “+” direction.
Top-loading bobbin
The lower-thread bobbin is loaded from the top, after you slide off and remove the bobbin cover.
Use only the bobbin supplied with the machine or bobbins of the same type: height 11.5 mm (SFB: XA5539-151). According to the manual, if you use bobbins from other models the machine will not work properly, and using other bobbins may damage the machine.
Free arm and accessory compartment
Slide the flat bed attachment to the left and remove it to get 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 attachment. When you have finished free-arm sewing, put the flat bed attachment back in its original position.
More features
Reverse sewing
- To secure the start or end of a seam, push the reverse sewing lever all the way in and hold it while you lightly press the foot controller.
- Reverse stitches are always 2 mm long.
Foot controller and sewing speed
- You control the sewing speed, and starting and stopping, with the foot controller.
- Press it down lightly and the machine runs at a low speed; press harder and the speed increases.
- When you take your foot off the foot controller, the machine stops.
- Do not leave anything on the foot controller when the machine is not in use.
- Do not cover the air vent while the machine is in use.
- The handwheel is used to raise and lower the needle manually.
Thread tension
- You adjust the upper thread tension with a dial.
- If loops appear on the surface of the fabric, the tension is too tight: turn the dial to a lower number.
- If loops appear on the back of the fabric, the tension is too loose: turn the dial to a higher number.
- Test the stitching on a scrap of fabric before you start.
Bobbin winding and thread cutter
- You can wind the lower-thread bobbin on the machine itself.
- You can cut the threads with the cutter built into the machine.
LED light
- An LED lamp lights the sewing area.
- One switch turns on both the machine and the lamp.
Changing the presser foot
- You release the presser foot by pressing the black button at the back of the presser foot holder.
- You attach another foot and fix it by lowering the presser foot lever.
- Change the presser foot only when the machine is switched off, and always use the correct foot for the chosen stitch.
Sewing thick and thin fabrics
- If thick 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.
- When sewing thin fabrics, the stitching may become misaligned or the fabric may not feed correctly: in that case place thin paper or stabiliser under the fabric, sew them together and tear off the excess when you have finished.
Stretch fabrics and the ball point needle
- Baste stretch fabrics first and sew them without stretching the fabric.
- Use a ball point needle for stretch fabrics and for fabrics where skipped stitches occur easily: the factory-recommended needle is the HG-4BR (Organ), and a Schmetz “JERSEY BALL POINT” 130/705H SUK 90/14 may be used as a substitute.
Twin needle (optional accessory)
- The 2.0/75 twin needle (X57521-021, 2 mm width) and the extra spool pin XE2241-001 are available separately.
- Use only the twin needle made for this machine, together with zigzag foot “J”.
- According to the manual, use the twin needle only with the straight stitch (centre needle position) and the zigzag stitch with a 1.5 mm width (stitch no. 8 in the table).
- Thread each needle separately by hand, from front to back.
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 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 1.6 | – |
| 3 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 1.8 | – |
| 4 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 2 | – |
| 5 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 2.5 | – |
| 6 | Straight stitch (centre needle position) | 4 | – |
| 7 | Straight stitch (left needle position) | 2.5 | – |
| 8 | Zigzag | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| 9 | Zigzag | 1.5 | 3 |
| 10 | Zigzag | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | Zigzag (satin stitch) | 0.5 | 5 |
| 12 | Shell tuck stitch | 2 | 5 |
| 13 | Elastic stitch | 1 | 5 |
| 14 | Stretch blind hem stitch | 1 | 5 |
| 15 | Scallop stitch | 0.5 | 5 |
| 16 | Double action stitch | 1.2 | 5 |
| 17 | Bridging stitch | 1.2 | 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, tricot) | 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.
- Plain seams: straight stitches no. 2 to 7. It is recommended to sew a straight reinforcing stitch at the beginning and end of zigzag stitching
- Zip insertion: zip foot “I”, straight stitch no. 5; the zip foot can easily be positioned to the right or left side of the needle
- Sewing on buttons: button sewing foot “M” and darning plate, zigzag stitches no. 8, 9 or 10
- Gathering: straight stitches no. 5 or 7; loosen the upper thread tension, sew one or more rows and pull the lower threads
- Darning: straight stitches no. 2 to 7. With the machine switched off, place the darning plate on the needle plate, remove the presser foot and presser foot holder assembly and lower the presser foot lever, then put the section you want to darn under the needle together with fabric for reinforcement
- Appliqués: zigzag stitches no. 8 to 11
- Hems: stretch blind hem stitch no. 14; hems of skirts and trousers are easier to sew with the flat bed attachment removed (free arm)
- Mending, sewing on elastic and joining fabric: elastic stitch no. 13 (also suitable for knitted fabrics; with nylon thread the stitch is not visible)
- Edges of lightweight fabrics: the shell tuck stitch no. 12 makes a picot (lacelike) edge; set the thread tension tighter than normal
- Joining pieces of fabric, for example for patchwork: double action stitch no. 16 and bridging stitch no. 17
- Decorative stitching: scallop stitch no. 15 and satin zigzag stitch no. 11
Video
Official video about this model from Brother SewingCraft Europe.
Technical specifications
| Number of stitches | 17, 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 zigzag stitch no. 11 has three length positions on the dial) |
| Stitch width | 1.5 to 5 mm (preset for zigzag and other non-straight stitches) |
| Reverse stitch length | 2 mm |
| Bobbin | Top-loading |
| Bobbin type | Height 11.5 mm (SFB: XA5539-151) |
| Bobbin case | Brother code XE9326-001 |
| Needles | Only needles for home sewing machines, from 65/9 to 100/16 (see the table “Fabrics, threads and needles”). Follow the combinations in the table: a wrong combination may bend or break the needle, and the seam may be uneven, the fabric may pucker or stitches may be skipped |
| 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 |
| Twin needle (optional accessory) | Only 2.0/75 (X57521-021), with zigzag foot “J” |
| Free arm | Yes |
| Accessory compartment | Yes, in the removable flat bed attachment |
| Lighting | LED |
| Bobbin winder | Yes |
| Thread cutter | Yes |
| Foot controller | KD-2902 (according to the manual, for 220–240 V areas) |
| 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”
- Darning plate
- Button sewing foot “M”
- Bobbin (one is in the machine)
- Needle set (90/14 needles): 3 or 2 pieces, depending on the set
- Screwdriver
- Foot controller (with power cord)
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 WT9
- Patchwork kit FP03
- Twin needle (2.0/75) X57521-021
- Extra spool pin XE2241-001
- 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.