If you're in the market for a reliable, feature-packed Brother sewing machine, the Brother Innov-is A65 might just be exactly what you've been looking for.
Whether you're a complete beginner picking up your first machine or an experienced sewist after a lightweight model to take to classes, this compact powerhouse delivers on all fronts. In this review, we'll walk through everything the A65 has to offer — from unboxing to stitching — so you can decide if it's the right fit for you.
What's in the Box?
One of the first things you'll notice with Brother sewing machines is how well they come equipped straight out of the box, and the Innov-is A65 is no exception. Inside, you'll find:
- Foot pedal
- Hard protective cover — ideal for transporting to sewing classes
- Manual and quick reference guide
- Additional needles and a twin needle
- Extra spool pin (for twin needle sewing)
- Various spool caps and a thread net
- Cleaning brush, screwdrivers, stitch picker, and punch tool — all stored in a handy pouch
- 6 presser feet: automatic buttonhole foot, blind hem foot, zipper foot, monogramming foot, overcast foot, button sewing foot, and the standard zigzag foot
- Extra bobbins
It's a generous accessory bundle that means you can hit the ground running without needing to buy extras straight away.
Key Features of the Brother Innov-is A65
60 Built-In Stitches
For sewing machines at this price point, 60 stitches is an impressive offering. The A65 includes a wide variety of stitch patterns — from everyday straight and zigzag stitches to beautiful decorative and satin stitches — plus six automatic buttonhole styles.
Each stitch is clearly numbered on the machine's interface, and the screen displays the recommended presser foot to use, taking the guesswork out of your sewing.
Intuitive Touchscreen Interface
The stitch selection dial is smooth and satisfying to use, gliding easily through all 60 options. The on-screen display shows your stitch number, recommended foot, and the default stitch length and width settings.
You can easily adjust these using the plus and minus buttons, giving you full creative control over your stitching.
Sew Without a Foot Pedal
A standout feature that sets this Brother sewing machine apart is the stop/start button, which allows you to sew entirely hands-free from a foot pedal. This is a real bonus for sewists who prefer to keep both hands on their fabric, or for those with mobility considerations.
Automatic Needle Threader
Threading a needle is one of the most frustrating parts of sewing — but not with the A65. The built-in automatic needle threader makes light work of this fiddly task.
Just follow the numbered threading guide on the machine (steps 7 through 9), bring the lever down, and a small loop is pulled through the needle eye in seconds.
Automatic Thread Cutter
Finish your seams cleanly with the press of a button. The scissors button cuts both top and bottom threads automatically, saving time and keeping your workspace tidy.
Speed Control Slider
The A65 features a dedicated speed control slider, allowing you to adjust your sewing pace from a gentle crawl to full speed. This is particularly useful when working on intricate decorative stitches or when learning on sewing machines for the first time.
Lock Stitch / Pattern End Button
Rather than relying on a reverse stitch to secure your thread, the A65's lock stitch button sews a few stitches on the spot to anchor your work.
When using decorative stitches, this button doubles as a pattern end function — press it mid-sew and the machine will complete the full motif before stopping neatly. No more guessing when to stop!
Free Arm
The removable accessory tray reveals a free arm, making it easy to sew cylindrical pieces like trouser hems, cuffs, and sleeves.
The tray itself also doubles as convenient storage for your presser feet and accessories.
How to Thread the Brother Innov-is A65
Threading Brother sewing machines is made straightforward thanks to the numbered guide printed directly on the machine. Here's a quick overview:
- Place your thread spool on the horizontal spool pin and secure with a spool cap.
- Follow the numbered path (1 → 2) around the tension disc.
- Continue down and back up through the thread path (3 → 4 → 5).
- Thread across the needle bar.
- Use the automatic needle threader (steps 7–9) to pull the thread through the needle eye.
Winding a Bobbin
The A65 uses a quick set drop-in bobbin system. Wind your bobbin by following the numbered guide on the top of the machine, threading clockwise around the bobbin a couple of times, then sliding it across to the stopper.
Use the stop/start button to begin winding — you can even use the speed slider to wind faster.
Once done, insert the bobbin following the directional diagram inside the bobbin compartment. You don't even need to bring up the bobbin thread before you start stitching.
Stitching Performance
Straight Stitch & Zigzag
The A65 produces clean, even straight stitches straight out of the box. Switching to zigzag (stitch number 7) is as simple as turning the dial.
Both stitches perform smoothly across different fabric weights, and the speed slider makes it easy to maintain control at any pace.
Decorative Stitches
Swap to the monogramming foot and the A65 really shines. Selecting a satin stitch (such as stitch 53) and pressing go produces beautifully consistent decorative patterns.
The pattern end function is a particularly thoughtful touch — activate it mid-stitch and the machine finishes the complete motif before stopping, giving you professional results every time.
Automatic Buttonholes
The one-step automatic buttonhole feature is genuinely impressive. Attach the buttonhole foot, slot in your button to set the size, select one of the six buttonhole styles (starting from stitch 40), and press go.
The machine does the rest — sewing, reversing, and finishing the buttonhole automatically. The results are neat, consistent, and perfectly sized every time.
Who Is the Brother Innov-is A65 Best For?
The Brother Innov-is A65 is an excellent all-rounder among sewing machines currently on the market. It's particularly well suited to:
- Beginners — the numbered threading system, automatic needle threader, and intuitive interface make learning to sew accessible and enjoyable.
- Intermediate sewists — the 60 stitches, decorative options, and automatic buttonholes offer plenty to grow into.
- Sewists who attend classes — the lightweight build and included hard cover make it easy to transport.
- Those who want pedal-free sewing — the stop/start button and speed slider offer a genuinely liberating alternative to traditional foot pedal control.
Final Verdict
The Brother Innov-is A65 is a compact, capable, and well-equipped Brother sewing machine that punches well above its weight.
With 60 stitches, six automatic buttonhole styles, an automatic needle threader, thread cutter, free arm, and a generous accessories bundle, it offers exceptional value for money.
It's one of those sewing machines that manages to feel both beginner-friendly and feature-rich at the same time — a difficult balance to strike.
Whether you're just starting out or looking for a reliable everyday machine, the Brother Innov-is A65 is well worth serious consideration.