Simply Sewing magazine’s Technical Editor Roisin loves every part of the dressmaking process, from sketching to sewing the final design, and enjoys working with luxury fabrics such as silk and chiffon. Keep ventilation • openings of the machine and foot control free from the build up of lint, dust, and loose cloth. As the needle area is quite low under the main threaders section of the machine, you need to hunch over a little to see the needle area to thread it. If you already have presser feet that are compatible with this type of shank from a previous sewing machine, then in many cases you will be able to use the same presser feet on this model as well.

My old machine had a horizontal 'leg' at the back which supported the sewing table better when using the free arm mode. We are happy to exchange or refund your purchase within 14 days providing the goods are in a fully resaleable condition.

I wouldn’t recommend this machine for a young child, but for older children who are being supervised or teenagers who know the basics, this is the perfect machine. The use of metal bobbins will affect stitch quality and in some cases could damage the machine and invalidate the warranty.

The illustrations in the manual are a bit on the small side, and are all in black and white (this would be expected in any manual though) – so you may need glasses/a magnifier if you struggle with your vision. For example, this model does not have automated controls for the needle stop position, automated back tacks or automated thread trimming. It's definitely worth the money – although if you have any accessibility concerns, read that section of this review before you dive in.In general, machines that are classed as "Very Basic" tend to have only the bare minimum of features needed for sewing and are best suited for those who only sew occasionally, or who are only just learning to sew and do not need more than the most essential features. More expensive machines have a better feeding system which solves this, like my Brother innov-is a150. The foot doesn’t grip the fabric enough when you’re sewing multiple layers, so it does wander slightly to the left or right by 1/8″ (3mm).

Whether you’re taking up trousers, adding a buttonhole or repairing a seam, the L14S makes every day sewing tasks simple to complete. In comparison to some higher-end machines the options are limited but really these 14 options are all that you need – the only missing stitches would be edge finishing stitches (which you can use zig zag stitch for), eyelets (not really an essential!The better your problem and question is described, the easier it is for other Brother owners to provide you with a good answer. If automated controls are important to you then you might like to consider a machine classed as Competent, Advanced or Professional.