Singer?

[easyquilts]

If you were looking at Singers, which model would you look at? I've always wanted a Singer (nostalgia?), but I have no idea of what would be a good one.....

I love my Janomes, but souks like infirm on Singers... I'm looking at Brother, too.... They seem to offer a lot for the money....

Thanks in advance!

[Vonnie]

Re: Singer?

My last Singer I wanted to take it to the highest mountain and throw it off and watch it crash and break into a million pieces. I didn't though, just donated it to the DAV. This is just my opinion and my experiences. But I had a constant battle with tension on it.

But I got spoiled by nicer machines when my DMIL gave me her old computerized Viking. It had auto tension! Yea! And now I have a Babylock - also auto tension. Also have a Juki and even though it's purely mechanical, I don't have tension problems with it.

The main thing I would look for is customer service. Buy from a dealer and not a big box store. Good customer service is priceless. If you can't afford a new one, ask about used ones. They get trade ins all the time.

[buckeyequilter]

Re: Singer?

I've had 2 Singers in the past few years...gave one away and sent one back. I prefer the Brother machines. I do think if I were to get another Singer I would try one of the heavy duty ones or one of the anniversary machines.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: Singer?

I like the Singer One machines. They started with the retro looking Singer 160 Anniversary model, which was a limited edition in retro black with gold decals. I bought that for the look of it, it was so cute! Then I sewed on it, it is infinitely easy to use, but has no bells and whistles. Sews over heavy or light with a great stitch. Then they came out with one a little more feature filled, and I got that one too! It's the Singer One Plus. Gave my daughters the other ones. My granddaughter age 8 can sit down to the 160 and needs no help to get it going. I sewed with a heavy duty Singer at work and didn't like it one bit. The Singer One Plus was $329 at Amazon.com. I have no experience with Brothers, but this/these machines works great.

image.jpg

Isn't it cute? Sews simple stuff so easily! I made my 40 tote bags on this machine, no fus no muss! I paid under $250 for mine, but the price has gone up significantly since they are in limited supply now.

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Singer One plus

[Pandabear]

Re: Singer?

I have a Brother 450Q and love it. Have had it for about a year now and not had one problem.

[AuntieBetty065]

Re: Singer?

I recently purchased a Singer 'One Plus' and absolutely love it. It has plenty of features and is very user-friendly. My advise is to go to a Singer store (my Joann etc. has a section just for sewing machines) and take your time to demo them. Don't let a sales person influence you ... take your time ... sleep on it ... and go back in a few days to make your selection.

[Carolyn]

Re: Singer?

I just purchased a Brother Innov-is NX 800. Lots of machine for the money. There are two other models in that line,one lower and one higher priced. Love that you can sew sideways! I did intensive research before buying. You learn alot, but as others have said, buy from a dealer not big box stores. They do not carry the same machines as dealers(meaning the internal parts are not the same) My dealer actually walked me to the door and gave me a big hug!

[bubba]

Re: Singer?

I have a Singer and love it! This is the one I bought - SEQS-6000 | FUTURA QUARTET? | Singer Sewing

I have never attempted to use the embroidery function of it, but saw it demonstrated and it looked fabulous. Were I to get another machine today, I would seriously consider this one if it had an automatic thread cutter, but that is the only thing it's missing I can think of.

[LynneLeavell]

Re: Singer?

I learned how to sew on a Singer and am still sewing on a Singer. I know have a Singer Curvey and love it. I have an older singer and and a Brother that I use for back up when I have to send my Curvey to the shop (have only had to do that once in the three years that I have had it). The brother I do not like would like to get rid of it. But my Singer's, I Love them.

[Claire Hallman]

Re: Singer?

If I were to buy a Singer again, it would be another Featherweight. I do also love my Brother embroidery machine.

[Simply Quilting]

Re: Singer?

I would buy an old one. I have the one that my grandma taught me how to sew on. It has sewed many years and was still sewing perfectly the last time it was used. I would love to find a treadle to sew on.

[Madeforyouinma11]

Re: Singer?

I have always sewn on a Singer. I love them but then again I've never used anything else. I have three of them but this is the newest one that I got when they first came out. XL-400 | FUTURA? | Singer Sewing
I have thought about looking into a janome only because so many people rave about them but I just cannot afford what they want for them...so expensive.

[auntiemern]

Re: Singer?

You couldn't pay me to own a Singer, unless it is the one Jean is talking about, or an old Featherweight. Had 2 that had to go back within a month. I bought my Brother Innovis 450 Q, almost a year ago, and love it.

[coffeebreak]

Re: Singer?

I got a Singer 2010 28 years ago and it was one of the first computerized machines...all metal, bunch of stitches...boy was it the best! I still have it and I still use it! i love it! 2 years ago I was able to buy another machine...didn't need one, but was told to buy so I did. I looked and thought since the first Singer was so great...even tho I know that Singer had problems, I didn't know about others so I got the Singer Quantum9960 stylist. It had a 7" throat which was the biggest I could find and I wanted that for quilting. (found out later my 2010 didn't do FMQ very well at all!) The machine is great, but....unless you love to thread the machine...don't buy this model. I swear, it is demonized by the thread devil or something! It has that thread cutter button and it cuts the thread, but leaves the end so short, that if you aren't very careful and do it just exact right, the first time you stitch, the thread comes out. I have to use a "thread head" all the time...which is a tiny scrap of fabric that I have to use to start the stitching and then start sewing on the fabric I need sewn. But more than that...the bobbin is wound on top of the machine and you have to unthread the machine, thread for the bobbin, and then cut the thread and re thread the machine. On my 2010...it was a drop in bobbin and all you did was open the slideing cage door, press the bobbin button and hit the pedal! When it was done, ti stopped itself, you closed the door and started sewing again! The best ever! But this 9960 is just a constant re thread. I then wind several bobbins at once of the color thread I am using, but either I still need more or don't use the ones threaded and have a bunch of threaded bobbins in colors I don't need! Sounds minor, but if you sew alot, you know how many bobbins you can use and this machine is just the worst ever for threading issues. I have heard Janome and Juki seem to have better reviews than any Singer.

[CountryHut]

Re: Singer?

I have the FUTURA CE250 . . I stopped using the embroidery side - it was to much a pain in the someone else butt to use back and forth -- after about 6 to 7 bobbin changings - the bobbin casing pops out of place - the repair man had shown me how to fix - not so much of a big deal now . . . it skips stitches on heavy duty type fabric -
however - I like the auto tension - the semi auto needle threader - the decorative stitches - top drop in bobbin -- if I am not paying attention to the bobbin - the machine beeps when the bobbin is empty -- BUT only after sewing blank stitches for about 2 inches or so before the beeper goes off -- the 1/4 inch alignment is dead on -- needle down position button and the back stitch button is within index finger length
as far as the warrenty goes -- it stinks -- no local repair peeps -- I would have to send it off to Atlanta GA for any motor repair . . and if I ever have to do that -- poof it's gone - and on to a new machine
thank goodness there is a local retired guy that does the yearly servicing and small repairs

for the embroidery side -- I have the brother PE770 - and love it -- though I still have much to learn -- for what I've done so far - it's been a great learning tool . . love love love doing -- all in the hoop type of embroidery . . once my clover mini iron arrives *it's been on back order since Cmas .. *ugh*~ . . . then I'm going to try my hand at applique work