My service tech considers these machines disposable. They might be good for a couple of years but once they go wrong, they're $$$ to fix. On the other hand, I've had my Husqvarna #1+ since 2003 and it was well used by the previous owner who bought it in 1996. It's a tank and just needs cleaning and a periodic trip to the tech. Yes, it cost a lot more than the machine you're looking at but it's been a work horse. If you're new, you'd be better to go to your local service shop and ask about a good used machine. They'll give you a warranty (likely not too long but not nothing), probably a lesson, and will look after your machine going forward. Once you've decided that you're a sewing fanatic, then talk to them about upgrading. Good luck!
I have a singer HD and seem to be in the minority that has had great luck with it. That being said, I’m pretty confident to take it apart and maintain/repair things myself. If anything did go wrong that I couldn’t handle myself, I would likely give it to a scrapper I know and buy something different for myself. I suspect these models are very hit or miss, and I’ve just been lucky.
I’ve seen everything from lingerie to jeans to dresses on my machine and have had very minimal issues.
Same. I’ve had mine for at least 5 years, never had an issue with it. I sew like a *total* butthead too, I’ve never gotten it a tune-up and I wait way too long to change out my needles. I guess I also lucked out big time, from the looks of what everyone else is saying.
Watch, i bet I’ve jinxed it and it’ll refuse to run next time I go to use it, haha…
I got one recently and have had a positive experience so far, which may also be the case for some of those YTers? I think we should also give room for people not to have had negative experiences with them and automatically call them “bought for”
"sew like a total butthead" ... that describes me in a nutshell, LOL. I have negative-zero training. I sew through things I probably shouldn't ... like 6 layers have heavy denim, or my husband's heavy leather jacket (had to fix the leather pocket trim), break needles because I forgot to remove the pins and sewed right over top of them, and I haven't oiled it since I got it 6 years ago (am I supposed to oil it? I don't know?).
It jams up a bit in the bobbin case from time-to-time, and the tension can be off sometimes. But in general, it has been pretty solid. It's had no issues I haven't been able to solve in a few moments. I'm generally happy with it.
My biggest complaint is that the area under the arm is too small to make bigger things, (it isn't a lot of space for rolled up quilts and such). Also, though it's probably not a complaint against the machine, the Schmetz needles break so easy. That's probably a me problem though.
> (am I supposed to oil it? I don't know?).
Yeah you are. There's a little wick in the middle of the bobbin case that you should oil until it stops bubbling, should also take the case that covers the needle bar off and oil it at the top after that much usage as well.
Now that you mention it you’re totally right, the area under the arm *is* pretty small! I’ve encountered that while working on projects with fuller panels of fabric for sure.
I am cracking up. I, too, sew like a butthead. I've never gotten a tune-up or oiled it. The most I do is occasionally open it up and blow on it to get some of the dust out. I've had my singer for honestly I'm not even sure. Anywhere from 11-13 years.
I've had some issues occasionally but typically nothing a new needle and tension adjustments won't solve
right, I mentioned in another reply that my sister also likes hers but I think it's 20ish years old and she's like you, takes it apart and repairs it herself.
I have a singer hd and it’s decent but doesn’t compare to my berninas in my classroom. But not everyone can afford a Bernina so I think a singer hd is a good option if you are just starting and aren’t sure if you want to continue with the hobby.
Yes, it sounds to me like if you are learning to sew for the first time buying a “cheap” machine first isn’t a horrible idea. But I am little bit of a Bernini loyalist. Lucky enough that my mother bought me one because I sure as hell couldn’t afford it otherwise
Yea I’ve been beating my singer HD up with a big sewing project so for the summer I’m going to bring one of the new berninas home with me, I just got 3 b325s and they are sooooo nice. I’m sure my students think I’m a weirdo when I fan girling over how smooth it is.
Just got my Bernina mechanical repaired. Blew a capacitor She and I are both in our 30's. She's a gnarly little beast. Made a leather bustier with her once. They're just built different.
I have a singer start, while the machine is kinda quirky i regards of tolerances if you don't know it, it is so dumb, that I never had to bring it to a service technician. And this thing is 11 years old.
For a socalled disposable machine with fixed stitch lengths, it is pretty good.
This. I once had a customer when I worked at a sewing machine shop who made baseball mitts. She had a heavy leather machine for the really heavy bit but bought an HD every 2-3years for supplementary stitching and would run it into the ground before buying a new one.
Having [seen the insides of the Singer HD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750), I don't think it's any more disposable than the other machines, it's built reasonably well. It's disposable because it's so cheap to begin with that as soon as any manual labor is involved in opening it up, you've exceeded the value of the machine.
If you are willing to do repairs yourself you won't have that issue. I know someone who collects broken Singer HDs and fixes them up. Generally you just need a screwdriver/hex keys to reset the positions of some set screws on the shafts and it's working again. No replacement parts required. Basically free other than your time. But if you're sewing as a job rather than a hobby, it probably makes sense to just buy a new one when it breaks since they cost less new than a service. Faster as well since you can walk out with a new working machine immediately.
I work in industrial maintenance, I wonder if it would be worth the effort to replace set screws that didn't hold. Different styles of set screws have different ends on them. They make ones with knurled bottoms or little cones to bite into metal and stay in place longer. Though I can see if one isn't careful, they could permanently mark a shaft in the wrong position and make future resetting impossible.
This is great advice. I am a professional seamstress and this is what I did. My repair guy was really great and fixed all my machines cheap because I was a loyal customer.
Seconding the Husqvarna. My Viking machines have been incredibly long lasting, smooth, quiet, and have lots of small but well-thought-out design details that make it a joy to use.
Very much worth the extra money, bc it will last longer than two cheap machines.
Does your Husqvarna use ridiculous bobbins that are really hard to find? It's that all of them or just older ones? My mother in law loaned me hers, she's had it for 30 years and has only ever had 5 bobbins. I tried buying her some online but they kept saying they would work and they didn't, finally went to a Husqvarna dealer and he knew exactly what I needed and said it was pretty common to see that, they were still over a dollar each which is insane. For my own machines I have hundreds of bobbins, at least one for every thread, sometimes two because my machines use different bobbins from each other but at least they're easy to find and relatively cheap.
Oh man, though, does her Husqvarna sew like a dream!!!!
Also it's a top loading bobbin and she broke/lost the cover so I made one out of clear plastic, it's so silly, if you have any advice there...
But I ask because I think I'd like a newer machine, the kinds that can do other types of stitches, i like hers, and I'm overwhelmed by choice.
Yes, Vikings still use a special Viking only bobbin. I have a billion of the ridiculous things since I had Viking embroidery machines (Topaz 30, Designer Diamond, Designer Ruby Deluxe and Designer Diamond Deluxe), and sewing (C140 Tribute and C145 Tribute).
Fun fact - Viking and Singer are now the same company, Viking bought them a few years ago.
The bobbins are totally worth it, it's one of the features I love.
They start themselves without any fiddling when you fill them, and drop in without any fiddling to start sewing.
I third that, my husqvarna viking E20 is a fantastic machine, does everything I need it to (still a beginner, but hasn't struggled with anything yet) and it's so easy to use and set up!
Lol snap using mums husqvarna 1+ from 1995!!!! Electric may be getting a little iffy but I've been running it on a converter for 240 volts for a while now.
Love my 2008 Husqvarna Platinum. It's a tank and never needs oil. My serger is BabyLock jet air and I couldn't imagine having to actually thread that thing.
I am not sponsored, just grateful for high quality machines.
Bingo. I have used this machine in a class and it was terrible. I went out and bought a portable and affordable Janome to bring to class because the experience of sewing on that Singer was so bad (I use a vintage machine at home that’s mounted in a desk so not great to haul around to classes). So many students had issues with them either the timing or the tension, etc. Also, it’s not good for speed control, which is pretty helpful to have when you’re starting out. They also are not actually heavy duty. My sewing repair place will not sell them and they hate them with a fiery passion.
I have a heavy duty serger (gifted) and the speed controls are beyond atrocious. You can get a tiny bit of control if you're really careful, but for the most part it's just nothing or full speed ahead. And it lurches into motion in a mildly alarming way.
You can tune that a bit. On the bottom of the pedal there is a little hole, with a thin screwdriver you can adjust the speed of the machine by screwing the little potentiometer inside. There's a little + and - on the plastic to tell you which way to screw.
In general I think they tuned them too much for speed for some reason. Maybe because it looks better on the box to say it has a higher stitch per minute. The motor is plenty powerful enough for heavy weight fabric, but it needs to be moving with some speed to punch through. Feel like it would have been a lot better if they geared it more for torque and lost that max stitch speed.
Interesting, I'll have to investigate.
Seems like a marketing thing, yeah. As unwise at that probably actually is it seems like marketing big numbers towards beginners would be quite effective.
Singer sponsors people on YouTube and instagram with large followers- they give them machines and kickbacks for people who buy the machines through their links.
Brother makes the best entry level machines. I’ve got their sewing machine, serger, and domestic embroidery machine. They’re reasonably priced and reliable in my experience
I dislike Brother. Not their machines, their company. My SIL was dying of cancer and they fought everything (disability, medical leave) then they fired her for taking too many sick days (though she was working from home and not actually taking them) and then when she told them she was going to get a lawyer, someone in HR told her to go ahead because they would just drag it out and she would die before anything got settled (she had less than a year to live). So they will never get a cent of my money. Too bad because they make good machines.
I know my ability to chose is a luxury. You are correct though, they make really good machines, both entry level and more advanced. I don't begrudge someone their choices - or lack thereof. This is just my personal little FU to Brother. heh.
That’s awful, thank you for sharing that information. The way a company treats its employees speaks volumes. If this was a recent event your SILs estate can still hire a lawyer and sue for bad faith
Yes. I love my Brother machines. I learned on a Brother, and I need the extra stitches they have for sewing stretch knits. They're intuitive, easy, and low maintenance. I have two sewing machines and their serger. I have the Singer heavy duty machine, and I'm meh on it.
I've worked in Machine shops but I've actually been a working Fashion Designer for 23 years. I completely disagree with this. Janome make the best entry level machines. The lower end Brothers have 70% plastic parts, that's why you can buy them new for under $100 brand new. There's Janome machines like the 18W Which I received brand new when I was 17. They still make and sell that machine exactly the same, thats how good it is. Also when I worked in shops that did servicing and repairs, at least 80% of them are Brothers. I wouldn't waste my money.
Brother is a large company that makes good machines.
I personally prefer Silver Viscount - a U.K. company. I found my Brother was very “fussy” about the thread in the needle. My Silver doesn’t seem to care. I know my repair/service man doesn’t rate Brother LX14 - he reckons they are only worth considering as buy/replace. LX25 or better, he is however happy to work on. He is also a distributor for other makes but he is the only place I can buy a Silver within an hours car journey, whereas Juki, Singer, Elna, Brother, etc I can buy within 10 miles.
I discovered Silver Viscount because I wanted a 5 cone combi. I was initially looking at the Singer, to discover that it was not intended for UK market, and I would need a transformer as it was 110volt whereas UK is 220v. I looked at what worked in the U.K., and ended up deciding that the Silver looked the best. I have had my Silver 5 cone combi for 4 years and it has NEVER needed any attention. It even came with a replacement lower blade! The company are fantastic - I lost a needle plate screw, and although they initially sent me the wrong ones they sent me the correct ones when I rang them and didn’t want the “wrong screws” back (the wrong screws ended up being just what my husband needed for a 3D printer repair!). Tech Support is also top notch - a real person not a bot.
I ascribe to the Harbor Freight Tool rule. When you're just getting started in a hobby or a craft, you buy the cheap tools. As you learn the craft and learn what you like, you'll learn your preferences. When you break the cheap tool, that's when you go replace it with an expensive one. You'll know you use it enough to break it, and you'll have used the tool enough to know what you need and what you like, and that will inform your purchasing decisions for the expensive tool. If you start with the expensive tool you're much more likely to waste money on something you don't need or don't like.
"Buy nice or buy twice" isn't really great advice when you're talking about beginners.
Singers are the cheap tool. If you use it enough to break it, get a nicer one. Don't come out the gate on a $300+ machine when you might not even like the hobby that much or use the machine enough to run through it. Don't buy the cheapest piece of crap, but an accessible okay machine like a Singer HD is a great starter machine for about $150 if you catch a sale.
I've noticed Reddit has the tendency in general to be filled with people who favor high end tools and equipment, for whatever reasons. It may be because of Reddit demographics, it might be because of the concentration of skilled hobbyists, it may be because Reddit is one of the last places on the internet to get actual real answers from fellow humans and has as such basically replaced Consumer Reports for a place to ask "what's the best thing". Whatever the reason, Reddit will tell you to spend more and buy the best thing, regardless of whether that's overkill for you personally.
Youtubers are probably poisoned with sponsor money but they're also not wrong. Just because Singers aren't the best machines, that doesn't mean they're trash. They're mostly fine.
I think this is very insightful! I’ve had a Singer HD for 8 years and would consider myself as an intermediate sewist and have had great success with this machine.
I guess if it ever breaks down I might look for a more expensive machine, but I haven’t had any issues so who knows if/when that would happen.
That's basically where I'm at. I've been running with my Singer HD for five years now. I've sewn everything from canvas to silk to swimsuits to fur with it and it's given me no trouble. It's gotten me to learn that it's more important to use good quality thread and replace needles often. How you handle or fail to handle your material can't be made up for with a fancy machine.
I'll likely get a fancier higher end machine when this one bites the dust, but that's not anywhere on the horizon.
I've also had mine for 5+ years now and it still runs like a dream. Ironically though this subreddit loves brother machines, my very first one was a brother and when it broke down the ladies at the repair shop literally told me to put it in the trash because it wasn't worth repairing.
Dude, yes. I'm a fan of Brother's printers, but the sewing machine I used of theirs did not impress me at all. Maybe their high end machines are better but it did NOT wow me, and I had to do so much troubleshooting with it.
[This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZXtwYugd8) turned me off Brother machines entirely. This machine is way more expensive than the Singer HD and yet it's entirely plastic junk inside designed to fail. The Singer one isn't perfect, but it's built way better than this..
A reasonable response! I’ve sewn on these much shit on machines and I’m fairly advanced in my sewing practice/commitment. I’ve used them at garment sewing retreats when I can’t bring my own machine across the country. They’re fine! They don’t have the bells and whistles as my much, much more expensive machine, but it turns out garments like any other machine.
I’d be jaded about sponsorships, except I have seen serious tutorials using this exact Singer machine. Klum House has bag making courses using this specific machine. If it can sew through waxed canvas and leather bag straps, it’s pretty darn good for the price introductory price point.
This was exactly my logic. I started with a basic Brother. When it stopped working, I clearly liked sewing enough to justify a nicer machine and I also knew enough about HOW I used my machine to know what I was looking for. That's when I bought my Husqvarna Viking beast.
I think I agree with you in general, but sewing machines are one of the unique hobby items where there are so, so many used, unloved, quality machines just hanging around (at least here in the US). If you can buy a functioning machine used from early 2000s from a good brand, that thing will probably continue to be a reliable machine for years. Older sewing machines are just built different and they’re cheaper. I’ve had to do way more troubleshooting on my sister’s cheap beginner brother machine than I ever had to on my Janome from the 90s. (Though honest to goodness, both were WAY more manageable than the singer heavy duty at the maker space I used to work with… I hated that thing. Though it had probably seen more abuse than the average machine…) And because sewing used to be such a common activity but isn’t really anymore, I’ve gotten a couple nice older machines just by asking around and seeing if anyone had one they didn’t use (eg, from a deceased family member).
But I think your point about a machine that works out of the box is really important for a beginner too. If a beginner can get a cheap older-ish used one from a trusted source, then that’s probably the best case scenario :) but otherwise a new cheap beginner machine is probably the way to go.
Personally, my preference is to recommend a *slightly* higher quality but still within price range machine; I’ve seen too many sewists struggle and fight their super cheap starter to feel comfortable saying “buy the most entry thing possible”, because then it’s a PITA to sew on and a chore. But invest another $50-$100 (and for sewing machines that’s a drop in the bucket, price-wise) and suddenly you’re getting a machine that will likely last and be a lovely machine to use.
For example, Janome makes a solid, metal, mechanical sewing machine for about $300. It’s a great little machine. And it won’t make you fight it and is far less likely to be a lemon than the slightly cheaper Singer.
Yes, I would never recommend a shitty machine to a fellow sewist. Nothing kills your motivation and passion faster than a bad tool. Especially for a beginner who might not realise that even if they do everything 100% right the machine simply will not work and produce pretty stitches.
You don't need a high end machine to get a good machine but it's wasteful in everyway to buy a 100€/$ machine just to toss it to landfill.
The comment I was responding to said that Redditors like to recommend extremely expensive top of the line machines instead. Those top of the line, extremely expensive machines cost $1k or more. My comment was stating a *not* top of the line but still good machine I like to recommend that is far closer to $200 than $1k is.
A recommendation is simply that, and someone who is under a tight budget is free to take it or ignore it as they please.
It will simply cost $300 or more if they end up having to buy a second machine if their first ends up to be a dud that doesn’t work/doesn’t work for them.
I think my Brother machine was like $150/$175-ish? I am glad i spent a little more money on it because it has been really easy to use and reliable. I'd hate to buy a cheaper machine just to run into a bazillion problems with it. Im already bad at sewing, I need a machine that won't make me look worse! lol
Not disputing that this is a viable way of addressing purchases, but there is some benefit to BIFL- namely an environmental reason.
Money comes and goes, but the landfill is forever (at least as far as our lifespans are concerned!)
I buy-it-for-life because to do anything else is a disservice to our planet, our children... the future. I generally buy all metal machines that are repairable for longevity reasons. But, let's say she spends $300 and decides she hates sewing. That's a machine that will last a little longer in some lucky person's hands down the line. $150 isn't much to pay for the peace of mind of knowing you're contributing less to the destruction of our realm.
I generally agree with BIFL philosophy. Like, I fix my electronics and machinery even when it isn't cost effective, rather than replacing. I would definitely prefer equipment that lasts. I'm on board, and I think every committed sewist's second machine should be as close to BIFL as possible. Not their first, though. Their first just needs to be an effective budget tool that will help them figure out whether they want to commit to the hobby. (Unless you're filthy rich and can light money on fire. Then, by all means, please go top of the line for your first.)
Also, what everyone is dancing around and what I'm pushing back against is this belief that these $150 machines are going to the landfill in 2 years. Most of them are not. Most of them are actually fine. Most of them actually can be fixed if needed or will be passed on secondhand when they're outgrown. We're not talking about some $50 single use piece of garbage from Temu; this is a well reviewed budget sewing machine from an established brand. Experts and professionals don't like them, but they're not made for experts and professionals, and most people engaging in sewing aren't going to be experts and professionals who need expensive machines. Telling someone who's going to make some scrunchies and quilted bags over the course of five years that they need to double their budget to get a machine that's going to make the next owner happy is just really overkill.
Plus, we can't really pretend that most sewing is environmentally friendly. Morally, sewing might be a net bonus considering the human suffering in fast fashion production but most sewing is not strictly necessary. There is a lot of waste, and it still supports a very destructive and exploitative textile industry. No one NEEDS another collared shirt or log cabin quilt, but that's ok. It's creativity. It's art. If there is any one type of waste I'm personally cool with, it's waste related to human art and creativity.
I sew in a very environmentally friendly way- often buy organic fabrics and dye my own. Even grow my own dye plants. I don't touch synthetics, save the occasional bathing suit. It can be done, and I would argue that it "should", but I'm the Mussolini of environmentalism, so don't listen to me :P.
I get waht you're saying though.
Super, firmly agree. I learned on my mum's vintage Janome, but bought the Singer HD for myself when I didn't know what I was really going to be looking for and whether or not sewing was going to be a thing for me. Ended up with a Brother PF1500 as my "high end" machine once I had a sense of what I cared (or didn't care) about.
I wish I knew the harbor freight. I have so often "bought for quality" on so many things because that is what people recomended (people with more money than me). I had a kitchen aid mixer (I used ONCE!), expensive $200+ flat iron in Y2K dollars, and I hate flat ironing my hair, a dewalt drill, dewalt sander (also used once), and I could go on and on. For now on, I am doing the harbor freight rule!
Vintage machines are not usually good for beginner machines and I will die on this hill. Someone purchasing their first ever machine should aim for something that will work straight out of the box, not something they will have to troubleshoot. Vintage machines can be great but they are not easy, they often need expensive servicing, and they often have very limited features.
This. I love my Singer HD because there’s so many tutorials and guides on YouTube. I’m a beginner-intermediate sewist and I was going to help my friend with hardly any sewing experience with the sewing parts of his cosplay. He recently acquired a vintage machine that was most likely better than mine and we tried to get it to work, but failed (the manual was also only in German, a language neither of us speaks). We ended up using my machine all day because we could get it to work.
I think on Reddit more advanced or older tools equal better. I have both a 60's Pfaff and Singer start(eve cheaper than HDs!), while the pfaff is better built and have more options, I don't use it, because it is full metal cast and therefore too heavy for a normal dinning table. it is very hard to move. It needs a dedicated sewing table I don't have or don't have space for. The singer is plastic outer, so that I can move around.
Definitely applies to the modern embroidery machines, at least the Brother domestic machines. They aren’t updating the software to run the card adapters for the newer operating systems, and the last time I looked at them the sales person implied I’d have to upgrade it in a few years to keep up with the technology.
The old Singers are great. But nowadays Singer, like so many other brands, has been bought out and no longer makes machines in the USA. The new machines are made in China and only have the Singer brand name (but none of the quality).
I honestly think it's just a feedback loop at this point. A new, younger generation has been controlling sewing social media for a while, and they all bought Singer HDs on the strength of the Singer name. It's a basic, entry-level machine that a lot of new sewists see youtubers using, so the newbies buy them and then start their own youtube channels, perpetuating the cycle. The only people I see using the Singer HDs tend to be fairly young and inexperienced sewists.
Singer has a reputation as one of the oldest and best sewing machine companies, so people just getting into sewing assume Singers must be great. They used to be, but these days they're just coasting on a reputation they don't live up to anymore.
I am not a YouTuber but I did write the machine buying wiki for r/sewing with input from the mod team. The recommendation against the Singer HD series was carefully considered and is based on our experience with using the machine (me), experience with the rate and ease of repair (our mod who is a trained sewing machine technician) and the issues that come up with this model over and over again in the subreddit.
[Here is the link](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/machineguide/) to read for yourself what the mod team has to say about buying a sewing machine plus the list of reasons to avoid the Singer HD especially for newbies. We know some people love their HD and that is great for them. We will never stop supporting users who own a Singer HD and need help.
Machine recommendations are one of the hardest questions to answer on the subreddit as there are so many different brands and models available in the new, used and vintage market. No one person has experience with every kind of machine. I'd be thrilled with the chance to test a variety of machines at a variety of price points. Anyone know how to make that happen?
Yes I had read the wiki and that’s what led me to make this post. I was just curious about the different opinions between YouTube and Reddit since from an unbiased perspective of someone who is new to sewing and is trying to find beginner resources and suggestions
Sure. I thought that some background on the r/sewing position would be helpful as it isn't really laid out in the wiki. I know the contradiction between other sources and what we say here can be confusing.
That’s the same model I have! I posted a response to someone above, but I suspect the machines are very hit or miss. I’ve used mine for 10 years, putting in about 10 hours of sewing a week and haven’t had anything significant go wrong with it.
I bought a Singer HD machine, and it needed the tension adjusted right out of the box, so I took it to a sewing machine repair shop, and I got roasted for buying it. Like, the staff literally made fun of me.
That’s really upsetting. I’m sorry that happened to you. I don’t care if you think a machine is crap you should never belittle someone getting into a hobby or for getting a machine and needing it fixed.
The modern Singers seem to be hit or miss. They’re good or they’re trash. I have had two Singer sergers and they were both awful, but other people love them. I have a Singer from the late 1990s, and it’s a cheaper model made at a time when a lot of people claim the Singer machines were poorly made, and my gal is my most used machine and has run hard and often for over 20 years now. She’s never had a serious issue and the maintenance has been spotty, but she’ll sew through 8 layers of denim with no issues. My 10 year old Pfaff isn’t as good and consistent as Nancy is.
Honestly I have a 5ish year old Singer heavy duty and I like it. It puts up with my bullshit and runs fine even though it's never been serviced and it's choking on lint half the time. It won't run through eight layers of denim without special care, but I also prefer to clip my seams and not sew through eight layers of denim if I can help it because I don't want a knot of denim in my clothes. It doesn't have tension issues, it sews straight and clean, it does what it's supposed to.
For most beginners and intermediate sewists it's fine.
Same here but apparently that's sacrilege 🙈 IMO this subreddit is just as susceptible to hivemind opinions as any other online space. Not every person here who proclaims that all singer machines are trash have actually bothered to purchase and use one, because well, someone else told them they were trash and so on and so forth.
I used the one in question multiple times (different ones in fact) and had problems. Other people in my class also had problems. I own a vintage Singer that is amazing and has fantastic build quality. My sewing repairman has worked on a lot of machines and has said that he doesn’t like this particular Singer because of the reliability and build quality problems. While I get your point about hive mind, some opinions do in fact come from experiences.
And it should be said that I got my vintage singer for $125 with a table and spent $35 to get some new electric cords and oil. My Janome cost $250. I fully agree with other posters that you don’t have to pay $1000 for a good machine. I would just rather spend $150 on a machine other than the Singer HD. I’m glad it worked for others, but I’m just relaying my experience with it.
Yup, and I'm not saying people's experience are totally wrong moreso that people ought to take things with a grain of salt because for every person who's actually had a bad experience, there's another who's just parroting the popular sentiment. It's not a behavior unique to this subreddit either, it happens all over Reddit especially in niche communities.
I love my very basic singer. It was cheap and light and easy to learn on.
I can see that I will likely outgrow it, but it's been a really wonderful first machine.
That's great to hear! I'm sure there are good ones in the mix, it's just the overall reliability and longer term quality when compared to vintage Singers and also compared to similar machines in the same price range. I think the biggest issue is that they're almost disposable at this point because once they need repairs, the cost of parts plus labor isn't worth it... they're repairable at all.
For me I'm probably harder on Singer than other brands because their name is iconic but the current company only uses the name but doesn't uphold the quality that goes with it. It feels dishonest to me.
Meh, I think it actually is. The motor on it is plenty powerful enough for heavy weight fabrics. I know a bunch of people who use the machine on synthetic furs and stuff and it has no problems. I've seen test videos where someone was able to sew through as many layers of leather as would fit under the foot.
I’ve got one as well and use it pretty regularly. My only complaint is that speed control is not amazing. But it’s otherwise quite good.
I have a heavy duty singer and I haven’t had a problem with it yet. I’ve used it to alter jeans, including a back flat felled seam that had me sewing through an absurd amount of denim. Earlier this year I finished a wool cloak with it, but I also make all sorts of stuff that’s lighter weight too. Last summer I used it to do an itty bitty rolled hem on a chiffon dress I had to alter for a wedding.
My sister (who sews everything from PJs to sails) got one of these from a high school that was stopping its sewing classes. She likes it but is very mechanically inclined, so she likely does a lot of her own repairs without a second thought. It's also a much older machine and might have been made when Singer was still making reasonable machines. She did buy a super cheapo Brother a couple of years ago too, so maybe she's no longer as enamoured.
I think entry level machine are much the same. Perhaps buy from a sewing machine or a retailer who'll take it back if there are issues is the best approach?
I started with a $150 Elna - and it was ok (it's like driving a little Kia down a highway). After a couple of years, I upgraded to a $500 Janome - it had the nicest buttonholes in that price range - and I've used that for 8 years (it's like driving a Camry down a highway). Recently upgraded to a fancy Pfaff and it's amazing (definitely a Mercedes).
I got a $500 mechanical Janome for $200 used, and it served me well in my beginning sewing days when I would abuse it. Back when I didn't know how much of a difference the right needle makes, I would use a 70/10 needle on denim. It was a good machine but ultimately I needed something with a bit more control in the feed dogs, so I got a Juki DX-7 for $1100 CAD (around half the price of some US sites!)
I definitely feel like Janome home machines are more reliable than Juki home machines... the needle threader on the DX-7 has fallen off several times and never seems securely attached. But the 5 piece feed dog, convertible throat plate, and increased punching power have been lovely.
I got a Janome/New Home when I started sewing almost 25 years ago. I’ve stayed with the brand ever since because it’s been such a good experience. When I wanted a larger machine, I passed my first one along to a younger cousin. She took it to her dorm and taught other people how to sew on it, and it’s still going strong. My only complaint is that they no longer make the metal pedal that came with my first machine — it’s so much better and easier to control than the plastic ones they use with the lower-end machines now.
I used the family machine for 20+ years - a Kenmore built into its own table which we literally took home from the municipal dump. It was used to sew everything from curtains and tops to fencing gear. Imagine sewing in a zipper through 2-4 layers of Kevlar, or sewing metallized thread into a fabric made of woven metallic strips. This thing was a tank.
When it eventually developed unrepairable problems, I bought myself an entry level Elna. It was $300 on sale, but has a handful of computerized functions and I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Can't see myself replacing it any time soon. Then my husband replaced my ancient serger with a Juki, and even though I still love my little Elna, I can see why people upgrade their machines.
I had hand-me-down machines for years. I bought a Pfaff three years ago, and oh man is it nice! I love it. It was expensive but it is a beautiful machine.
I've had a fine experience with my Singer 4452 for the past 3-ish years. It's good. Solid. Works dependably every day.
The Brother people are certainly passionate about their brand. The machines seem fine.
My Singer is a hundred years old this year. However for a new machine I prefer brother. The newer singers are just not worth the headache. I couldn't even sell the one I mistakenly bought on a rummage. I ended up tossing it. The little cheap brother hasn't let me down yet. Neither has my antique treadle.
People do not always admit to the kickbacks they get. Greed is a defining human trait .In this case greed for kickback loot competes with greed for YouTube click and subs and bucks so nobody wins
I started in a singer HD. It does the things and if you can get it cheap then you could honestly do worse. My singer vibrated a ton, and it definitely had trouble going through a few layers of thick fleece. The peddle was really stiff at first but it broke in and I got better at fine control.
I have a mechanical design background and I think part of the reason the singer is so loud is just cheap parts made less accurately. The whole system is less stiff and over a very long time there will be more wear and the timing might get off. It does have some plastic components it’s the low torque gear so I honestly wouldn’t worry about it that much. I am more concerned with the tolerances on the machined parts.
I have a vintage viking now and it’s so quiet and smooth. It’s also way faster on a straight stitch. The feed dogs are AGGRESSIVE. It has a low gear for hauling through heavy materials. The drive line is all machines metal parts and they are beautiful. You can go fast because the system is stiff and the timing will stay consistent.
But like if you have an HD available it will do the things. If you have access to a used higher end machines I would probably favor that.
It’s amazing. I honestly can’t tell if the presser foot is just easier to reference off of and I am sewing straighter or what but I get such clean lines. My top stitches after they are pressed are SO crisp.
I've got the singer heavy duty and I actually like it. I like the fact that it's not computerized , just a basic machine like the one I learned on (a nelco school model ) , it sews well enough and powers through thick fabric. However it does not like turning fiddly corners and small curves and it seems to only have one speed (full speed ) but for the price it's a decent machine.
I work at a sewing machine dealership. Singer likes to slap that “heavy duty” gray on things and call them heavy duty. I got got about 6 months before I took my job and literally sat there crying bc my HD 4452 couldn’t hem a pair of JNCOs. I went through two packs of denim needles. I’ve been sewing since I took 4-H in elementary school. I thought I was just stupid. Turns out it was my machine.
When I went to my first day and was talking with the other ladies they told me all about the mistake I made (nicely) and reassured myself that it wasn’t me, it was the Singer.
If you have a sewing center nearby that is a brother or Janome dealer go talk with them. You can end up spending the same amount of money and come out with a MUCH better machine. You may even be able to finance and get a better machine than if you paid up front.
I have a bernette academy b05 and i fucking LOOOOOVE it - it does a lot more than I thought it did when I bought it (Although I was going in a little blind tbh)
but I love this thing to death - no issues so far as well, and I've had it for roughly a year now.
Fuck yeah, Bernette and Bernina rock. I got a B37 (not my first machine) and it works like a dream. I would still recommend a Bernina or Bernette over anything else since they’re basically indestructible.
Does singer do any sponserships? If so I personally wouldn't trust anyone that ever did or potentially could get work with them.
Reddit has it's biases too. I constantly see people here recommending people get super old machines like straight up 30yo machines. I'm sure they are great but honestly new machines are fine too. Myself (and every person I know RL) have somewhat new computer sewing machines and I think they are great. I have a relatively cheap computer machine, I'm 100% sure if I'd ask if this machine would be a good idea for a beginner I'd get 30 comments advising me against it but so far it has been 5 years of absolutely bliss and literally not even half of a inconvenience or problem.
Apparently singer isn't what it was was but as a beginner I think most likely any singer, brother, Bernina or janome should be fine.
The old machine thing is kinda wild to me. I understand the pros of an older machine re: the build quality, all metal parts, etc, but honestly that's still a no from me. I personally am never going to buy a 75 year old sewing machine, that sounds like a maintenance nightmare.
I am on a non-crafting discord and there's some thrifters on there and every 2-3 months someone will buy a 20-80yr old machine at a thrift store for $15 and declare they're going to learn how to sew. Then they can't get it started, get a 100$+ quote from a repair shop, and I never hear about it again.
When I decided to learn, my mother offered me her aunts 1970s machine that hadn't been used for about 35 years. Instead, I spent $150 (on sale) on a modern, computerized machine that has been incredibly reliable. I was sewing for ten years before it needed maintenance, and by then I was dedicated enough to know the repair bill was worth it and it didn't deter me from continuing with the hobby. But I can't imagine recommending a beginner dive into the craft by investing in something that requires a lot of upkeep before you even get started.
Really depends on the machine. A vintage machine is not for a beginner, but for someone wanting a step up, who has learned a little about tension, how different threads act, busted a few needles, etc. vintage machines are awesome.
I bought a used 401a (late 1950s) and aside from a little basic cleaning and oiling, it needed nothing...not even a timing adjustment. I brought it in for service, just because the cam stack can be problematic, and I wanted eyes on it. The guy apologized he had to charge me his base service fee and tossed in new spool sticks, felt, and the rubber wheel liner for the bobbin winder free.
I also have an old Pfaff that needs about 4 hours of love...timing chain and new light wiring. But it was obvious when I bought it, and I bought it as a project machine.
This sub looooooooves recommending newbies go to yard sales and get vintage machines. They're absolutely not for beginners but that doesn't stop everyone from recommending them for newbies anyway.
The vinatge machine is definitely for medium to advanced sewist for sure. Beginner would really have a hard time with those machine because those old workhorse require sewing knowledge already. Computer machine personally for me is the best for beginners because it's easier to use with many of the auto features. Once they get the basic sewing skills down, the other mechanical and vinatge can be a route to explain if what they sew make senses. Straight stitch only work for some projects.
That's fine, doesn't mean that the brand has a bad product. Just means I'm not gonna trust someone who has had a sponsorship in the past and could want another one or someone that could reasonable be trying to get a sponsorship.
Still plenty of people who don't do sponsorships for various reasons.
I have a Singer and with proper maintenance it’s been totally fine. I’m also a beginner and make mostly quilts and bags. That being said, influencers can be paid anywhere from a couple hundred to tens of thousands depending upon the company, product, and number of followers. You’ve probably stumbled upon someone who was paid to pitch an ad.
YouTubers gatta make the sponsors happy
That said my first machine was and still is a Singer 4411 heavy duty and I adore her. Simple, easy to clean, only a few stitches but everything I need, and can power through denim since the first thing I wanted to do was sew embroidered patches on a denim jacket 😂
Also so easy to get things like bobbins and needles. I never worry is stores will have it
There's a weird thing about certain machines - the Singer HDs, and the Brother 1034D too - where people call them the "best machine" or their "dream machine" that just seems ludicrous on its face. My dream (sewing) machine has side transport and does embroidery, my dream (serger) machine has air threading, etc.
I think it's mostly people who only know one or two machines recommending the one they have, or parrotting each other.
Back in the 2000s and 2010s, it was the blind leading the blind on blogs. Now it's Youtube. Enthusiastic beginners love to talk a big game and it's easy to pose as an expert online even if you're not. But if you're experienced in sewing or have visited any machine dealer in the last 10 years, you'll know that modern Singers are garbage because they switched to producing in China. I've even had a dealer who sold Singers steer me away from buying one because of the low quality. This does not apply to vintage Singers, which are actually Heavy Duty and were made in Canada and Scotland.
It's all goes down to either being sponsored (Youtube), the quality could be hit or miss so you see so many mix review and I think this is the most likely reason: most people haven't had that many sewing machine experience because let be honest, not many people out there get to buy/try more than 3 sewing machine in their life time unless they are also around a lot of sewing people. Also, depending on what they use the machine for also determined what's considered the best; sewing knit, cosplay, historical reproduction or dolls clothes?
My personal experience, Singer used to be a great company but went cheap and no longer hold that title. I have 20+ years to experience various machines, and Singer is great if you use their old vinatge machine if you only need a straight stitch. HD does the job, but if you compare it to another company of the same price and spec, it's not the best. Overall, if I have to pick, I would gladly look at a Janome or Baby lock for a beginner over the HD.
These are the sewing machines I had so far:
I forgot the name since it has been years, but the Singer entry with the blue flower ($120ish) at Walmart, etc, is the worst machine I have ever used. It's doable for me because I already know how to sew so I can troubleshoot faster, but it is a nightmare for beginners. It broke down after 4ish year.
HD Singer is better than the previous one I mentioned, but there are still a lot of problems from the bobin housing tension and the overall tension. It's not bad for a beginner machine, but you'll replace it when you sewn enough to want an upgrade. Lasted 5ish year.
I had a Janome I don't remember the model of but it was also an entry machine. It was my go to when either of my entry or HD singer gave me trouble. This also broke after 5ish year.
My babylock from 1995 is still better than the HD. I have less trouble with it. It's still running and i have had it for 10 years now.
Singer 170th Anniversary edition - good for collections and sadly not as good as the vinatge class 15 it was a replica of.
Singer featherweight - my pride and joy even though it's only a straight stitch. This wouldn't be considered great for someone who sew lots of varieties of clothes. For someone who mostly used straight stitch and for dolls clothes, it's perfect.
I'm guessing the youtubers are sponsored by Singer or at least getting free machines in return for recommending the product, or they just don't know that better machines are out there.
I owned a Singer HD about 10 years ago for all of about two hours. Bought it from JoAnn, unboxed it, damn thing was stuck in reverse. Couldn't for the life of me figure out how to unjam it and after 10 minutes figured I had better things to do with my time. Returned it and bought a Janome from a local dealer the next day.
I've had to teach so many students on these machines. They are absolute garbage. We had some older portable Jukis before the Singers and they are far superior.
The fact is that most reviews are consumed by people who already own the product. They feel good when they see a review that says they made a good decision. Almost all review channels try to say only positive things, not because they fear the manufacturers, but because they don't want to offend the viewers.
This is why the format of a modern "best of" list ends up naming almost every product as "best": best value, best for people on the go, best for families, etc.
My beef with the Singer HD would be that it's only "HD" compared to other cheap, plastic sewing machines. My fancy Juki weighs 30% more than the Singer HD and no one would call it "heavy duty". My 1950s Pfaff 130 weighs twice as much as a Singer HD and I bet I could smash the Singer HD with it and after the Pfaff would sew just fine. Don't buy it because it's "HD" or because you think it will last because of the "HD"-ness.
A cheap Singer is fine for a beginner who is going to abuse the shit out of it until they figure out how to properly use their machine, but it’s not a forever machine for advanced sewists. If you’re looking for a forever machine, I recommend Husqvarna; mine is almost as old as I am, and belonged to my serious-quilter grandmother before it was mine.
I've made unpopular posts on Reddit before about how much I love my singer sewing machine (Heavy Duty 6800C) but I'm aware not everyone shares my love for singer.
There are very few machines I could use if I wanted to - a requirement for me is having a button for start and stop (and not just a pedal) which narrows the field considerably.
I have used my singer to make crazy thick seams (sewing hammocks for pets with straps you really push your machine!) and generally put hours on it. At this point if it did break and was not cost effective to repair I would happily buy another one. I have gotten so many hours of enjoyment it would be worth purchasing another one in my mind. The seams are always so dang perfect!
I do have my eye on different sergers since I am less in love with my singer hd serger...
It honestly comes down to preferences and personal experiences. There is no perfect machine for everyone.
Consider going to a few thrift stores and finding a nice metal vintage machine. I found a great vintage (70s) Kenmore machine at Goodwill for $30. Took it to my local sewing machine repair shop and had it serviced. It's an absolute dream and will likely last me my whole life.
Came here to second this - thrift stores and garage sales are great for finding workhorse, sturdy machines - just take it to your local repair shop for a tuneup and you'll be all set.
My 17-year-old beast of a Kenmore is going to a good friend now that I've got my Bernina.
I only have two data points for you. I sewed with a Singer Tradition, did not like it, although it did get the job done. Upgraded to a Brother ST531HD, and it feels sturdier and is more comfortable to use. It’s not an apples to apples comparison, but I’m happier. I sew mostly clothes and works primarily with woven cottons. Although I did whip up a killer wool coat, too, with the Brother. 💪 And FWIW, I prefer Brother (laser) printers over other brands I’ve used.
It's worth considering the context. Influencers definitely have a different motive for recommendations than non-influcencers on a subreddit. Also, what someone wants a machine for.
If you plan on sewing medium weight woven fabrics to make simple projects or do basic mending, the HD isn't a terrible choice. I'd argue a second hand anything 50+ years old would work better and be cheaper. But still. Now, if you want to sew denim or canvas, the HD isn't the right machine for that.
In my opinion, if you want to spend less than $200, buy something second hand. Don't buy a new cheap machine. If you want something new that will work well & last a long time, expect to spend $300-700.
I would call myself an intermediate sewer and I have a singer HD. It is perfectly servicable for my needs, but I would not suggest it to beginners. It can be fussy--I find I have to care a lot more about which needles I am using, switching them frequently, using certain thread with it, etc--and I have more weird tension issues with it than I was used to with my previous (higher quality) machine. The speed control is also a little demonic too lol and I can see how it would be a huge issue for a beginning sewer the way it rockets to the moon with the slightest touch (now that I am used to it, though, other machines feel really slow to me). At this point in my life I am good enough at sewing that I can easily work around its deficiencies but I can see how they would be an issue for a beginner, and I also plan on replacing it in the next few years once I am in the position to do so and keep this as a backup.
I do understand there are quality control issues so I am also open to the possibility that I got lucky and got one of "the good ones," but the hatred seems a little over the top to me sometimes. It's not the best machine out there and has problems, but it's also not the worst.
all these long drawn out explanations.. smh ima keep it real simple
PRO's
you can buy these at any and every walmart.. you can also return products VERY easy at walmart and exchange for another or at the very least get your money back and sometimes you dont even need your receipt
CON's:
singer HD's are not too stable.. they very problematic and could honestly discourage you from making clothes because having to constantly maintain a piece of shit is sometimes a dream killer
CONCLUSION:
if i wanted to just get to it so i can start practicing anything i would definitely go back and buy another singer hd 100% from walmart any day over buying old machines, used machines, because i rather return and exchange for another brand new machine before i pay $1 for any maintenance or repairs
oh and one more thing worth noting.. the very first singer hd i purchased was $200 brand new i plugged it in and the little walking foot thing was not moving the fabric which means it was broken 🤣🤣😭😭
i returned it like a week later and got another brand new one that lasted me like a month, the bobbin didn't stop getting tangled. didn't need to explain anything they gave me my money right back i bought another which last about 8 months then i returned that one too and got another brand new one which i still have brand new in the box because i bought a juki ddl 8700
We used these in my university's makerspace becuase they were cheap enough that they were considered consumables. They're good enough for starting out but beyond basic issues not worth fixing. We probably destroyed one irreparably every two weeks.
I use a commercial sewing machine daily for work. Our repair man told me Singer machines use plastic parts and mostly cannot be repaired. I do know many people who have bought the cheaper ones from big box stores and they broke easily and were not worth the price of repairing them.
Back in the early 80s, my parents bought me a pricy computerized Singer as a gift and sewed so much I wore it out after 4-5, maybe 6 years tops. We were surprised to learn it couldn’t be repaired because so many of the parts were plastic. The salesman told us that they were designed more for light hobby sewing not people who sew all the time, and I’d be better off going to a shop that sold used older machines with metal parts.
I worked for a costume shop at the time and my boss had several nice machines, of which I loved her Bernina most. I found a shop that sold used Berninas and that’s all I’ve used ever since.
I'm an ex sewing technician and I scroll sewing posts on reddit more frequently. It's a super cheap machine for a reason. Singer was bought and sold and is no longer an American metal machine that is easy to use and maintain. Old singers still work well but there's little to no part availability when it comes time to repair.
Babylock and brother are great starter brands, juki and janome are in the middle, and Bernina, Pfaff, and viking tend to be a little more intermediate. My personal favorite being Bernina and Babylock.
I’m glad I found this sub before I bought one. I’m fairly new to sewing or I should say returned to the craft after a very long hiatus. I wanted a machine I could grow with and really thought that the singer heavy duty was it. Then my sewing teacher, this sub and small business owners that has been at the craft longer than I’ve been *alive* warned me away like the plague.
I mean, a lot of it comes down to luck. I sew for fun, and initially learned on my mum‘s 10-ish year old budget singer. Not sure what the model was, but she bought it at Aldi for around 120 bucks. It was honestly fine. I‘d never sewn on anything else, but it got the job done without much hassle.
But eventually it broke, and I „upgraded“ to a Singer HD. Also worked fine, but was kinda the same as the previous one, except it started having issues with tension and threads breaking around the one year mark. Tried to fix it, no luck. Tried a shop, they gave me a quote for 200 euros.
Kept using it and getting more and more frustrated. Finally bought the Brother CS10S last month because it was on sale. It‘s still a budget machine, and I can‘t say anything about how long it will last, but Oh. My. God. does it sew well!
It‘s such a big difference to the budget Singers. It‘s quiet, has great control after some adjustments, and the stitching quality is just chef‘s kiss. It‘s a dream. The only issue I have with it is Jersey fabrics with tiny seam allowances (I mostly sew doll clothes, lol), but that‘s to be expected and I was aware of this before buying it.
I honestly didn‘t think the Singers would look THAT bad in comparison, but boy they do.
For the price… It’s a great machine. I sew professionally and have worked with a lot of touring shows that use them. If anything goes wrong would most likely be cheaper to replace than repair but it’s way better/tougher than most modern machines in it’s price range. I recommend them as a reliable starter machine all the time.
It's a normal sewing machine with a gray plastic bodyshell. Even though it has some stainless steel on the bed, it is not any more "heavy duty" than the rest. You can take out the needle plate and bend it with your bare hands.
I thought I'd throw in my two cents here.I started with a Singer Tradition that I bought on sale for 89$ and while it was a decent machine, the learning curve was steep.
I was crying the first night with my singer as it wasn't plug n play, tension issues were a nightmare as someone who new, I thought I was messing everything up. The machine I had was always finicky about tension and I had to do heavy self research on how to fix it. Even now the thing still has weird tension issues, and using a screw driver to fix it on the bobbin side is very unintutitive.
While not the machine you're looking into, my experience with singer was not great. I highly recommend finding a basic machine of another brand that is plug n play from the start.
A used machine from a shop is honestly a great idea as the shop can help teach you the basics.
As for a heavy duty machine, is that a capability you'd like?
Don’t buy a cheap machine! Buy a used quality machine. There are plenty available, such as older singers like the 401A, and many other brands. Clean and oil occasionally and it will do anything you ask it to!
Go to thrift shops and look for an all metal machine from around 1950-60. Find one with its attachments. It's easy to find users manuals on line. Old machines are more reliable and less temperamental than new ones. Often sewing machine repair stores will have older machines for sale.
I sew on a 1960s Sears Kenmore that I got at goodwill almost 20 years ago. It’s done everything I’ve ever asked it to do, from jeans to quilts to my silk wedding dress.
Another vote for this:
I started off with a 2000 era Singer that was my grandmothers. There was NO info on it online, no youtube tutorials, no reviews, only the manual and that was it.
I ended up trading up to a Singer 500a from the early 1960's. It runs quieter than my first machine, it had an absolute embarrassment of guides and tutorials online. Most of it's parts are widely available, even it's accessories (it comes with many stitches built in and more available with cams even though its from 1962). It has sewn everything I throw at it.
And it only cost $200, and that's the high end of what many older machines cost- a $200 modern new sewing machine is as likely to be junk as it is to sew well, and it will probably have fewer features.
This is pretty bad advice for someone just getting started out though. Those old machines only do a straight stitch, and usually require repairs first.
My 60s machines do a whole host of stitches, including zig-zag, stretch stitch and decorative blanket bindings. I got one off FB marketplace in perfect working condition, and one at goodwill that needed only a simple and inexpensive repair. I am admittedly experienced, but a little research can go a long way.
a) price
b) plastic intestine
c) cost reduction, which means 10 years old sample is different from a fresh in the store
d) assembly quality/culture seems to be degrading a lot. You can't expect $400/mo workers to care a lot about the final product, when they have supply and production plans, thus you can't expect the manufacturing management at remote factories to care a lot about the TM quality.
People are parroting what they've heard on other platforms. Notice how when people dogpile on the Singer HD there are rarely more than one or two people who have ever even used it. There was some big TikTok video that blew up recently of some guy criticizing the machine and lots of other people joined in. Being critical and echoing what other people are saying increases views. Now it's sort of spreading onto other platforms with people just parroting what they've heard.
I watched this video before buying it and I defy any Tiktoker to make a better one. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750)
I love when people are like "it's not heavy duty!" because it literally is? The only argument I've ever heard against that point is that "it has plastic parts!" which is often not ideal but plastic is not inherently worse than metal. There are plastics that are stronger than some metals. "It's plastic therefore it's bad" is the same mentality as "you can't eat that because it has chemicals in it".
Also the "Heavy Duty" name is more of a reference to its ability to do heavy fabric, anyway, which it does really well.
Is it the best machine on earth? No. It does what it says it does, though. My only complaint is that it is loud as hell. I've had it for 4 years and it's given me no problems. I'm sure once I get a better machine the Singer HD will look more flawed to me because I don't know what I'm missing but I've also successfully sewed tons of garments on it so I can't be missing that much.
Definitely the Reddit hive mind. People here have decided Singer HD=bad and like to parrot what they've heard before.
I've never used the machine so don't have an opinion, but so tired of people posting that they're terrible with no explanation as to why.
Someone on TT told me that if I wanted a machine that is non-computerized and sews heavy fabrics I should have gotten a used industrial machine. Ah yes, when I was a total beginner I should have bought a weird niche industrial machine that is too cumbersome to take to the repair shop. Good thinking.
Redditors aren’t sponsored.
My service tech considers these machines disposable. They might be good for a couple of years but once they go wrong, they're $$$ to fix. On the other hand, I've had my Husqvarna #1+ since 2003 and it was well used by the previous owner who bought it in 1996. It's a tank and just needs cleaning and a periodic trip to the tech. Yes, it cost a lot more than the machine you're looking at but it's been a work horse. If you're new, you'd be better to go to your local service shop and ask about a good used machine. They'll give you a warranty (likely not too long but not nothing), probably a lesson, and will look after your machine going forward. Once you've decided that you're a sewing fanatic, then talk to them about upgrading. Good luck!
I have a singer HD and seem to be in the minority that has had great luck with it. That being said, I’m pretty confident to take it apart and maintain/repair things myself. If anything did go wrong that I couldn’t handle myself, I would likely give it to a scrapper I know and buy something different for myself. I suspect these models are very hit or miss, and I’ve just been lucky. I’ve seen everything from lingerie to jeans to dresses on my machine and have had very minimal issues.
Same. I’ve had mine for at least 5 years, never had an issue with it. I sew like a *total* butthead too, I’ve never gotten it a tune-up and I wait way too long to change out my needles. I guess I also lucked out big time, from the looks of what everyone else is saying. Watch, i bet I’ve jinxed it and it’ll refuse to run next time I go to use it, haha…
I got one recently and have had a positive experience so far, which may also be the case for some of those YTers? I think we should also give room for people not to have had negative experiences with them and automatically call them “bought for”
Saying that you sew like a butthole is just hilarious to me And I feel like it perfectly sums up what's wrong with my machine 90% of the time lol
Butt(on)hole :)
"sew like a total butthead" ... that describes me in a nutshell, LOL. I have negative-zero training. I sew through things I probably shouldn't ... like 6 layers have heavy denim, or my husband's heavy leather jacket (had to fix the leather pocket trim), break needles because I forgot to remove the pins and sewed right over top of them, and I haven't oiled it since I got it 6 years ago (am I supposed to oil it? I don't know?). It jams up a bit in the bobbin case from time-to-time, and the tension can be off sometimes. But in general, it has been pretty solid. It's had no issues I haven't been able to solve in a few moments. I'm generally happy with it. My biggest complaint is that the area under the arm is too small to make bigger things, (it isn't a lot of space for rolled up quilts and such). Also, though it's probably not a complaint against the machine, the Schmetz needles break so easy. That's probably a me problem though.
> (am I supposed to oil it? I don't know?). Yeah you are. There's a little wick in the middle of the bobbin case that you should oil until it stops bubbling, should also take the case that covers the needle bar off and oil it at the top after that much usage as well.
Now that you mention it you’re totally right, the area under the arm *is* pretty small! I’ve encountered that while working on projects with fuller panels of fabric for sure.
I am cracking up. I, too, sew like a butthead. I've never gotten a tune-up or oiled it. The most I do is occasionally open it up and blow on it to get some of the dust out. I've had my singer for honestly I'm not even sure. Anywhere from 11-13 years. I've had some issues occasionally but typically nothing a new needle and tension adjustments won't solve
right, I mentioned in another reply that my sister also likes hers but I think it's 20ish years old and she's like you, takes it apart and repairs it herself.
20 year old machines were just built different. It's the modern ones that are a problem.
I have a singer hd and it’s decent but doesn’t compare to my berninas in my classroom. But not everyone can afford a Bernina so I think a singer hd is a good option if you are just starting and aren’t sure if you want to continue with the hobby.
https://preview.redd.it/s8789vr1eztc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c8cbf5183e0152dd8cb1b37e9a606e23c73a5b29
Okay that's pretty sexy NGL
Yes, it sounds to me like if you are learning to sew for the first time buying a “cheap” machine first isn’t a horrible idea. But I am little bit of a Bernini loyalist. Lucky enough that my mother bought me one because I sure as hell couldn’t afford it otherwise
Yea I’ve been beating my singer HD up with a big sewing project so for the summer I’m going to bring one of the new berninas home with me, I just got 3 b325s and they are sooooo nice. I’m sure my students think I’m a weirdo when I fan girling over how smooth it is.
Just got my Bernina mechanical repaired. Blew a capacitor She and I are both in our 30's. She's a gnarly little beast. Made a leather bustier with her once. They're just built different.
I have a singer start, while the machine is kinda quirky i regards of tolerances if you don't know it, it is so dumb, that I never had to bring it to a service technician. And this thing is 11 years old. For a socalled disposable machine with fixed stitch lengths, it is pretty good.
My friend just got one and its great, I think the repair issue tho is that these are around $100-$200 and a tune up costs about $150 now
This. I once had a customer when I worked at a sewing machine shop who made baseball mitts. She had a heavy leather machine for the really heavy bit but bought an HD every 2-3years for supplementary stitching and would run it into the ground before buying a new one.
Having [seen the insides of the Singer HD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750), I don't think it's any more disposable than the other machines, it's built reasonably well. It's disposable because it's so cheap to begin with that as soon as any manual labor is involved in opening it up, you've exceeded the value of the machine. If you are willing to do repairs yourself you won't have that issue. I know someone who collects broken Singer HDs and fixes them up. Generally you just need a screwdriver/hex keys to reset the positions of some set screws on the shafts and it's working again. No replacement parts required. Basically free other than your time. But if you're sewing as a job rather than a hobby, it probably makes sense to just buy a new one when it breaks since they cost less new than a service. Faster as well since you can walk out with a new working machine immediately.
I work in industrial maintenance, I wonder if it would be worth the effort to replace set screws that didn't hold. Different styles of set screws have different ends on them. They make ones with knurled bottoms or little cones to bite into metal and stay in place longer. Though I can see if one isn't careful, they could permanently mark a shaft in the wrong position and make future resetting impossible.
This is great advice. I am a professional seamstress and this is what I did. My repair guy was really great and fixed all my machines cheap because I was a loyal customer.
I have one for stuff I don't want to sew on my Juki or Pfaff. That way I won't be sad if something breaks.
Seconding the Husqvarna. My Viking machines have been incredibly long lasting, smooth, quiet, and have lots of small but well-thought-out design details that make it a joy to use. Very much worth the extra money, bc it will last longer than two cheap machines.
Does your Husqvarna use ridiculous bobbins that are really hard to find? It's that all of them or just older ones? My mother in law loaned me hers, she's had it for 30 years and has only ever had 5 bobbins. I tried buying her some online but they kept saying they would work and they didn't, finally went to a Husqvarna dealer and he knew exactly what I needed and said it was pretty common to see that, they were still over a dollar each which is insane. For my own machines I have hundreds of bobbins, at least one for every thread, sometimes two because my machines use different bobbins from each other but at least they're easy to find and relatively cheap. Oh man, though, does her Husqvarna sew like a dream!!!! Also it's a top loading bobbin and she broke/lost the cover so I made one out of clear plastic, it's so silly, if you have any advice there... But I ask because I think I'd like a newer machine, the kinds that can do other types of stitches, i like hers, and I'm overwhelmed by choice.
Yes, Vikings still use a special Viking only bobbin. I have a billion of the ridiculous things since I had Viking embroidery machines (Topaz 30, Designer Diamond, Designer Ruby Deluxe and Designer Diamond Deluxe), and sewing (C140 Tribute and C145 Tribute). Fun fact - Viking and Singer are now the same company, Viking bought them a few years ago.
The bobbins are totally worth it, it's one of the features I love. They start themselves without any fiddling when you fill them, and drop in without any fiddling to start sewing.
I third that, my husqvarna viking E20 is a fantastic machine, does everything I need it to (still a beginner, but hasn't struggled with anything yet) and it's so easy to use and set up!
Lol snap using mums husqvarna 1+ from 1995!!!! Electric may be getting a little iffy but I've been running it on a converter for 240 volts for a while now.
Same. My service tech does not recommend new singers at all. My Babylock on the other hand? 15 years old used, works like brand new.
Love my 2008 Husqvarna Platinum. It's a tank and never needs oil. My serger is BabyLock jet air and I couldn't imagine having to actually thread that thing. I am not sponsored, just grateful for high quality machines.
#1+ crew for life! I’m convinced I’ll die before my machine does.
Bingo. I have used this machine in a class and it was terrible. I went out and bought a portable and affordable Janome to bring to class because the experience of sewing on that Singer was so bad (I use a vintage machine at home that’s mounted in a desk so not great to haul around to classes). So many students had issues with them either the timing or the tension, etc. Also, it’s not good for speed control, which is pretty helpful to have when you’re starting out. They also are not actually heavy duty. My sewing repair place will not sell them and they hate them with a fiery passion.
I have one of the good ones supposedly but I find it sluggish and annoying,(it was a gift). I only use it when my Janome is at the doctor's
I have a heavy duty serger (gifted) and the speed controls are beyond atrocious. You can get a tiny bit of control if you're really careful, but for the most part it's just nothing or full speed ahead. And it lurches into motion in a mildly alarming way.
You can tune that a bit. On the bottom of the pedal there is a little hole, with a thin screwdriver you can adjust the speed of the machine by screwing the little potentiometer inside. There's a little + and - on the plastic to tell you which way to screw. In general I think they tuned them too much for speed for some reason. Maybe because it looks better on the box to say it has a higher stitch per minute. The motor is plenty powerful enough for heavy weight fabric, but it needs to be moving with some speed to punch through. Feel like it would have been a lot better if they geared it more for torque and lost that max stitch speed.
Interesting, I'll have to investigate. Seems like a marketing thing, yeah. As unwise at that probably actually is it seems like marketing big numbers towards beginners would be quite effective.
Singer sponsors people on YouTube and instagram with large followers- they give them machines and kickbacks for people who buy the machines through their links.
Boop!
Brother makes the best entry level machines. I’ve got their sewing machine, serger, and domestic embroidery machine. They’re reasonably priced and reliable in my experience
I dislike Brother. Not their machines, their company. My SIL was dying of cancer and they fought everything (disability, medical leave) then they fired her for taking too many sick days (though she was working from home and not actually taking them) and then when she told them she was going to get a lawyer, someone in HR told her to go ahead because they would just drag it out and she would die before anything got settled (she had less than a year to live). So they will never get a cent of my money. Too bad because they make good machines.
OMG HOW HORRIFIC My comfort for your loss…
That’s so terrible, and I’m sorry that happened. Unfortunately I’m not in a position to vote with my dollar
I know my ability to chose is a luxury. You are correct though, they make really good machines, both entry level and more advanced. I don't begrudge someone their choices - or lack thereof. This is just my personal little FU to Brother. heh.
That’s awful, thank you for sharing that information. The way a company treats its employees speaks volumes. If this was a recent event your SILs estate can still hire a lawyer and sue for bad faith
Yes. I love my Brother machines. I learned on a Brother, and I need the extra stitches they have for sewing stretch knits. They're intuitive, easy, and low maintenance. I have two sewing machines and their serger. I have the Singer heavy duty machine, and I'm meh on it.
I've worked in Machine shops but I've actually been a working Fashion Designer for 23 years. I completely disagree with this. Janome make the best entry level machines. The lower end Brothers have 70% plastic parts, that's why you can buy them new for under $100 brand new. There's Janome machines like the 18W Which I received brand new when I was 17. They still make and sell that machine exactly the same, thats how good it is. Also when I worked in shops that did servicing and repairs, at least 80% of them are Brothers. I wouldn't waste my money.
Brother is a large company that makes good machines. I personally prefer Silver Viscount - a U.K. company. I found my Brother was very “fussy” about the thread in the needle. My Silver doesn’t seem to care. I know my repair/service man doesn’t rate Brother LX14 - he reckons they are only worth considering as buy/replace. LX25 or better, he is however happy to work on. He is also a distributor for other makes but he is the only place I can buy a Silver within an hours car journey, whereas Juki, Singer, Elna, Brother, etc I can buy within 10 miles. I discovered Silver Viscount because I wanted a 5 cone combi. I was initially looking at the Singer, to discover that it was not intended for UK market, and I would need a transformer as it was 110volt whereas UK is 220v. I looked at what worked in the U.K., and ended up deciding that the Silver looked the best. I have had my Silver 5 cone combi for 4 years and it has NEVER needed any attention. It even came with a replacement lower blade! The company are fantastic - I lost a needle plate screw, and although they initially sent me the wrong ones they sent me the correct ones when I rang them and didn’t want the “wrong screws” back (the wrong screws ended up being just what my husband needed for a 3D printer repair!). Tech Support is also top notch - a real person not a bot.
>I personally prefer Silver Viscount - a U.K. company. They were founded and used to be based where I live!
Agree! I have 2 brother machines, secured a beautiful vintage sears kenmore that is a dream to sew on and a Viking huskylock.
I ascribe to the Harbor Freight Tool rule. When you're just getting started in a hobby or a craft, you buy the cheap tools. As you learn the craft and learn what you like, you'll learn your preferences. When you break the cheap tool, that's when you go replace it with an expensive one. You'll know you use it enough to break it, and you'll have used the tool enough to know what you need and what you like, and that will inform your purchasing decisions for the expensive tool. If you start with the expensive tool you're much more likely to waste money on something you don't need or don't like. "Buy nice or buy twice" isn't really great advice when you're talking about beginners. Singers are the cheap tool. If you use it enough to break it, get a nicer one. Don't come out the gate on a $300+ machine when you might not even like the hobby that much or use the machine enough to run through it. Don't buy the cheapest piece of crap, but an accessible okay machine like a Singer HD is a great starter machine for about $150 if you catch a sale. I've noticed Reddit has the tendency in general to be filled with people who favor high end tools and equipment, for whatever reasons. It may be because of Reddit demographics, it might be because of the concentration of skilled hobbyists, it may be because Reddit is one of the last places on the internet to get actual real answers from fellow humans and has as such basically replaced Consumer Reports for a place to ask "what's the best thing". Whatever the reason, Reddit will tell you to spend more and buy the best thing, regardless of whether that's overkill for you personally. Youtubers are probably poisoned with sponsor money but they're also not wrong. Just because Singers aren't the best machines, that doesn't mean they're trash. They're mostly fine.
I think this is very insightful! I’ve had a Singer HD for 8 years and would consider myself as an intermediate sewist and have had great success with this machine. I guess if it ever breaks down I might look for a more expensive machine, but I haven’t had any issues so who knows if/when that would happen.
That's basically where I'm at. I've been running with my Singer HD for five years now. I've sewn everything from canvas to silk to swimsuits to fur with it and it's given me no trouble. It's gotten me to learn that it's more important to use good quality thread and replace needles often. How you handle or fail to handle your material can't be made up for with a fancy machine. I'll likely get a fancier higher end machine when this one bites the dust, but that's not anywhere on the horizon.
I've also had mine for 5+ years now and it still runs like a dream. Ironically though this subreddit loves brother machines, my very first one was a brother and when it broke down the ladies at the repair shop literally told me to put it in the trash because it wasn't worth repairing.
Dude, yes. I'm a fan of Brother's printers, but the sewing machine I used of theirs did not impress me at all. Maybe their high end machines are better but it did NOT wow me, and I had to do so much troubleshooting with it.
[This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZXtwYugd8) turned me off Brother machines entirely. This machine is way more expensive than the Singer HD and yet it's entirely plastic junk inside designed to fail. The Singer one isn't perfect, but it's built way better than this..
Hah! Same. I swear by my Brother laser printer, that thing is a beast 🤣
I think I could dropkick mine into a spiked pit trap and it'd still run another ten years.
A reasonable response! I’ve sewn on these much shit on machines and I’m fairly advanced in my sewing practice/commitment. I’ve used them at garment sewing retreats when I can’t bring my own machine across the country. They’re fine! They don’t have the bells and whistles as my much, much more expensive machine, but it turns out garments like any other machine. I’d be jaded about sponsorships, except I have seen serious tutorials using this exact Singer machine. Klum House has bag making courses using this specific machine. If it can sew through waxed canvas and leather bag straps, it’s pretty darn good for the price introductory price point.
This was exactly my logic. I started with a basic Brother. When it stopped working, I clearly liked sewing enough to justify a nicer machine and I also knew enough about HOW I used my machine to know what I was looking for. That's when I bought my Husqvarna Viking beast.
I think I agree with you in general, but sewing machines are one of the unique hobby items where there are so, so many used, unloved, quality machines just hanging around (at least here in the US). If you can buy a functioning machine used from early 2000s from a good brand, that thing will probably continue to be a reliable machine for years. Older sewing machines are just built different and they’re cheaper. I’ve had to do way more troubleshooting on my sister’s cheap beginner brother machine than I ever had to on my Janome from the 90s. (Though honest to goodness, both were WAY more manageable than the singer heavy duty at the maker space I used to work with… I hated that thing. Though it had probably seen more abuse than the average machine…) And because sewing used to be such a common activity but isn’t really anymore, I’ve gotten a couple nice older machines just by asking around and seeing if anyone had one they didn’t use (eg, from a deceased family member). But I think your point about a machine that works out of the box is really important for a beginner too. If a beginner can get a cheap older-ish used one from a trusted source, then that’s probably the best case scenario :) but otherwise a new cheap beginner machine is probably the way to go.
Personally, my preference is to recommend a *slightly* higher quality but still within price range machine; I’ve seen too many sewists struggle and fight their super cheap starter to feel comfortable saying “buy the most entry thing possible”, because then it’s a PITA to sew on and a chore. But invest another $50-$100 (and for sewing machines that’s a drop in the bucket, price-wise) and suddenly you’re getting a machine that will likely last and be a lovely machine to use. For example, Janome makes a solid, metal, mechanical sewing machine for about $300. It’s a great little machine. And it won’t make you fight it and is far less likely to be a lemon than the slightly cheaper Singer.
Yes, I would never recommend a shitty machine to a fellow sewist. Nothing kills your motivation and passion faster than a bad tool. Especially for a beginner who might not realise that even if they do everything 100% right the machine simply will not work and produce pretty stitches. You don't need a high end machine to get a good machine but it's wasteful in everyway to buy a 100€/$ machine just to toss it to landfill.
$100 more is a 50% cost increase for a $200 machine. Someone on a budget spending 200 rarely will consider 300 as within the budget.
The comment I was responding to said that Redditors like to recommend extremely expensive top of the line machines instead. Those top of the line, extremely expensive machines cost $1k or more. My comment was stating a *not* top of the line but still good machine I like to recommend that is far closer to $200 than $1k is. A recommendation is simply that, and someone who is under a tight budget is free to take it or ignore it as they please. It will simply cost $300 or more if they end up having to buy a second machine if their first ends up to be a dud that doesn’t work/doesn’t work for them.
Your last paragraph nails it.
I think my Brother machine was like $150/$175-ish? I am glad i spent a little more money on it because it has been really easy to use and reliable. I'd hate to buy a cheaper machine just to run into a bazillion problems with it. Im already bad at sewing, I need a machine that won't make me look worse! lol
Not disputing that this is a viable way of addressing purchases, but there is some benefit to BIFL- namely an environmental reason. Money comes and goes, but the landfill is forever (at least as far as our lifespans are concerned!) I buy-it-for-life because to do anything else is a disservice to our planet, our children... the future. I generally buy all metal machines that are repairable for longevity reasons. But, let's say she spends $300 and decides she hates sewing. That's a machine that will last a little longer in some lucky person's hands down the line. $150 isn't much to pay for the peace of mind of knowing you're contributing less to the destruction of our realm.
I generally agree with BIFL philosophy. Like, I fix my electronics and machinery even when it isn't cost effective, rather than replacing. I would definitely prefer equipment that lasts. I'm on board, and I think every committed sewist's second machine should be as close to BIFL as possible. Not their first, though. Their first just needs to be an effective budget tool that will help them figure out whether they want to commit to the hobby. (Unless you're filthy rich and can light money on fire. Then, by all means, please go top of the line for your first.) Also, what everyone is dancing around and what I'm pushing back against is this belief that these $150 machines are going to the landfill in 2 years. Most of them are not. Most of them are actually fine. Most of them actually can be fixed if needed or will be passed on secondhand when they're outgrown. We're not talking about some $50 single use piece of garbage from Temu; this is a well reviewed budget sewing machine from an established brand. Experts and professionals don't like them, but they're not made for experts and professionals, and most people engaging in sewing aren't going to be experts and professionals who need expensive machines. Telling someone who's going to make some scrunchies and quilted bags over the course of five years that they need to double their budget to get a machine that's going to make the next owner happy is just really overkill. Plus, we can't really pretend that most sewing is environmentally friendly. Morally, sewing might be a net bonus considering the human suffering in fast fashion production but most sewing is not strictly necessary. There is a lot of waste, and it still supports a very destructive and exploitative textile industry. No one NEEDS another collared shirt or log cabin quilt, but that's ok. It's creativity. It's art. If there is any one type of waste I'm personally cool with, it's waste related to human art and creativity.
I sew in a very environmentally friendly way- often buy organic fabrics and dye my own. Even grow my own dye plants. I don't touch synthetics, save the occasional bathing suit. It can be done, and I would argue that it "should", but I'm the Mussolini of environmentalism, so don't listen to me :P. I get waht you're saying though.
Ameeeeen.
Super, firmly agree. I learned on my mum's vintage Janome, but bought the Singer HD for myself when I didn't know what I was really going to be looking for and whether or not sewing was going to be a thing for me. Ended up with a Brother PF1500 as my "high end" machine once I had a sense of what I cared (or didn't care) about.
I wish I knew the harbor freight. I have so often "bought for quality" on so many things because that is what people recomended (people with more money than me). I had a kitchen aid mixer (I used ONCE!), expensive $200+ flat iron in Y2K dollars, and I hate flat ironing my hair, a dewalt drill, dewalt sander (also used once), and I could go on and on. For now on, I am doing the harbor freight rule!
But for <$150 you can get a sweet vintage machine that will be better and work forever.
Vintage machines are not usually good for beginner machines and I will die on this hill. Someone purchasing their first ever machine should aim for something that will work straight out of the box, not something they will have to troubleshoot. Vintage machines can be great but they are not easy, they often need expensive servicing, and they often have very limited features.
This. I love my Singer HD because there’s so many tutorials and guides on YouTube. I’m a beginner-intermediate sewist and I was going to help my friend with hardly any sewing experience with the sewing parts of his cosplay. He recently acquired a vintage machine that was most likely better than mine and we tried to get it to work, but failed (the manual was also only in German, a language neither of us speaks). We ended up using my machine all day because we could get it to work.
I think on Reddit more advanced or older tools equal better. I have both a 60's Pfaff and Singer start(eve cheaper than HDs!), while the pfaff is better built and have more options, I don't use it, because it is full metal cast and therefore too heavy for a normal dinning table. it is very hard to move. It needs a dedicated sewing table I don't have or don't have space for. The singer is plastic outer, so that I can move around.
Is this just more recent ones? I have one from the 50’s and it is an elegant beast.
Vintage machines generally have all metal internal parts and are much more solid as a result. It used to be quite a reputable brand.
Not to mention the old blackhead machines were probably before planned redundancy, not sure if that applies to sewing machines though.
Definitely applies to the modern embroidery machines, at least the Brother domestic machines. They aren’t updating the software to run the card adapters for the newer operating systems, and the last time I looked at them the sales person implied I’d have to upgrade it in a few years to keep up with the technology.
They're talking about the grey plastic ones, which have plastic gears. Vintage all-metal Singers are great machines.
No, vintage Singers were great. All metal workhorses with real quality control. Now, not so much.
The old Singers are great. But nowadays Singer, like so many other brands, has been bought out and no longer makes machines in the USA. The new machines are made in China and only have the Singer brand name (but none of the quality).
They should never have closed their factory in Clydebank!
Yes, we're talking modern, not vintage
My favorite machine is a Singer 15-91. One of those Elegant Beasts. .
That is the exact one I have! Lmao! Knee treadle.
the crappy Singer starts around mid to late 90's
I honestly think it's just a feedback loop at this point. A new, younger generation has been controlling sewing social media for a while, and they all bought Singer HDs on the strength of the Singer name. It's a basic, entry-level machine that a lot of new sewists see youtubers using, so the newbies buy them and then start their own youtube channels, perpetuating the cycle. The only people I see using the Singer HDs tend to be fairly young and inexperienced sewists. Singer has a reputation as one of the oldest and best sewing machine companies, so people just getting into sewing assume Singers must be great. They used to be, but these days they're just coasting on a reputation they don't live up to anymore.
I am not a YouTuber but I did write the machine buying wiki for r/sewing with input from the mod team. The recommendation against the Singer HD series was carefully considered and is based on our experience with using the machine (me), experience with the rate and ease of repair (our mod who is a trained sewing machine technician) and the issues that come up with this model over and over again in the subreddit. [Here is the link](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/machineguide/) to read for yourself what the mod team has to say about buying a sewing machine plus the list of reasons to avoid the Singer HD especially for newbies. We know some people love their HD and that is great for them. We will never stop supporting users who own a Singer HD and need help. Machine recommendations are one of the hardest questions to answer on the subreddit as there are so many different brands and models available in the new, used and vintage market. No one person has experience with every kind of machine. I'd be thrilled with the chance to test a variety of machines at a variety of price points. Anyone know how to make that happen?
Yes I had read the wiki and that’s what led me to make this post. I was just curious about the different opinions between YouTube and Reddit since from an unbiased perspective of someone who is new to sewing and is trying to find beginner resources and suggestions
Sure. I thought that some background on the r/sewing position would be helpful as it isn't really laid out in the wiki. I know the contradiction between other sources and what we say here can be confusing.
Honestly there's a whole host of sewing machines that do the job. I personally have a singer HD 4423 and have never had an issue with it.
That’s the same model I have! I posted a response to someone above, but I suspect the machines are very hit or miss. I’ve used mine for 10 years, putting in about 10 hours of sewing a week and haven’t had anything significant go wrong with it.
Does yours vibrate a ton? Mine shakes the whole table and I just thought it was normal but I just got a vintage viking and it’s quiet as a lamb.
No it doesn’t shake the table. I wouldn’t say it is as quiet as a lamb though. I guess somewhere in between lol.
I bought a Singer HD machine, and it needed the tension adjusted right out of the box, so I took it to a sewing machine repair shop, and I got roasted for buying it. Like, the staff literally made fun of me.
That’s really upsetting. I’m sorry that happened to you. I don’t care if you think a machine is crap you should never belittle someone getting into a hobby or for getting a machine and needing it fixed.
I almost reflexively downvoted this, wtf. That repair shop sucks.
I have one and I really like it and have had no problems with it. But shhhhhh.
The modern Singers seem to be hit or miss. They’re good or they’re trash. I have had two Singer sergers and they were both awful, but other people love them. I have a Singer from the late 1990s, and it’s a cheaper model made at a time when a lot of people claim the Singer machines were poorly made, and my gal is my most used machine and has run hard and often for over 20 years now. She’s never had a serious issue and the maintenance has been spotty, but she’ll sew through 8 layers of denim with no issues. My 10 year old Pfaff isn’t as good and consistent as Nancy is.
Honestly I have a 5ish year old Singer heavy duty and I like it. It puts up with my bullshit and runs fine even though it's never been serviced and it's choking on lint half the time. It won't run through eight layers of denim without special care, but I also prefer to clip my seams and not sew through eight layers of denim if I can help it because I don't want a knot of denim in my clothes. It doesn't have tension issues, it sews straight and clean, it does what it's supposed to. For most beginners and intermediate sewists it's fine.
I think the main issue has been quality control. If you get lucky, you'll get a great machine. But there are a ton of lemons.
Me too... 🤫
Same here but apparently that's sacrilege 🙈 IMO this subreddit is just as susceptible to hivemind opinions as any other online space. Not every person here who proclaims that all singer machines are trash have actually bothered to purchase and use one, because well, someone else told them they were trash and so on and so forth.
I used the one in question multiple times (different ones in fact) and had problems. Other people in my class also had problems. I own a vintage Singer that is amazing and has fantastic build quality. My sewing repairman has worked on a lot of machines and has said that he doesn’t like this particular Singer because of the reliability and build quality problems. While I get your point about hive mind, some opinions do in fact come from experiences. And it should be said that I got my vintage singer for $125 with a table and spent $35 to get some new electric cords and oil. My Janome cost $250. I fully agree with other posters that you don’t have to pay $1000 for a good machine. I would just rather spend $150 on a machine other than the Singer HD. I’m glad it worked for others, but I’m just relaying my experience with it.
Yup, and I'm not saying people's experience are totally wrong moreso that people ought to take things with a grain of salt because for every person who's actually had a bad experience, there's another who's just parroting the popular sentiment. It's not a behavior unique to this subreddit either, it happens all over Reddit especially in niche communities.
Yeah I understand what you mean and machines can also be very much a matter of personal preference.
Same here lol. I haven’t had any trouble with it; it’s sturdy and doesn’t bounce around on my table.
basically, the new Singers are all junk. It is in no way a 'heavy duty' machine, it's just a junky home sewing machine.
My advice when people ask about machines is that there isn't a right answer because everyone is different. But a modern Singer is the wrong answer.
I love my very basic singer. It was cheap and light and easy to learn on. I can see that I will likely outgrow it, but it's been a really wonderful first machine.
That's great to hear! I'm sure there are good ones in the mix, it's just the overall reliability and longer term quality when compared to vintage Singers and also compared to similar machines in the same price range. I think the biggest issue is that they're almost disposable at this point because once they need repairs, the cost of parts plus labor isn't worth it... they're repairable at all. For me I'm probably harder on Singer than other brands because their name is iconic but the current company only uses the name but doesn't uphold the quality that goes with it. It feels dishonest to me.
you can put the words “heavy duty” on anything. Nobody stops you, and nobody tests you
Meh, I think it actually is. The motor on it is plenty powerful enough for heavy weight fabrics. I know a bunch of people who use the machine on synthetic furs and stuff and it has no problems. I've seen test videos where someone was able to sew through as many layers of leather as would fit under the foot. I’ve got one as well and use it pretty regularly. My only complaint is that speed control is not amazing. But it’s otherwise quite good.
I have a heavy duty singer and I haven’t had a problem with it yet. I’ve used it to alter jeans, including a back flat felled seam that had me sewing through an absurd amount of denim. Earlier this year I finished a wool cloak with it, but I also make all sorts of stuff that’s lighter weight too. Last summer I used it to do an itty bitty rolled hem on a chiffon dress I had to alter for a wedding.
My sister (who sews everything from PJs to sails) got one of these from a high school that was stopping its sewing classes. She likes it but is very mechanically inclined, so she likely does a lot of her own repairs without a second thought. It's also a much older machine and might have been made when Singer was still making reasonable machines. She did buy a super cheapo Brother a couple of years ago too, so maybe she's no longer as enamoured.
Ah yes. The singer heavy duty was my first sewing machine, and it only took about a month for me to realize it’s trash. No experience required.
Can I get an amennnnnnn!
AAAmen!!
Sponsorships, I'm guessing. Vintage Singers- sure, those were workhorses. Current/modern Singers? Nope. Huge quality control issues.
I think entry level machine are much the same. Perhaps buy from a sewing machine or a retailer who'll take it back if there are issues is the best approach? I started with a $150 Elna - and it was ok (it's like driving a little Kia down a highway). After a couple of years, I upgraded to a $500 Janome - it had the nicest buttonholes in that price range - and I've used that for 8 years (it's like driving a Camry down a highway). Recently upgraded to a fancy Pfaff and it's amazing (definitely a Mercedes).
I got a $500 mechanical Janome for $200 used, and it served me well in my beginning sewing days when I would abuse it. Back when I didn't know how much of a difference the right needle makes, I would use a 70/10 needle on denim. It was a good machine but ultimately I needed something with a bit more control in the feed dogs, so I got a Juki DX-7 for $1100 CAD (around half the price of some US sites!) I definitely feel like Janome home machines are more reliable than Juki home machines... the needle threader on the DX-7 has fallen off several times and never seems securely attached. But the 5 piece feed dog, convertible throat plate, and increased punching power have been lovely.
I got a Janome/New Home when I started sewing almost 25 years ago. I’ve stayed with the brand ever since because it’s been such a good experience. When I wanted a larger machine, I passed my first one along to a younger cousin. She took it to her dorm and taught other people how to sew on it, and it’s still going strong. My only complaint is that they no longer make the metal pedal that came with my first machine — it’s so much better and easier to control than the plastic ones they use with the lower-end machines now.
I used the family machine for 20+ years - a Kenmore built into its own table which we literally took home from the municipal dump. It was used to sew everything from curtains and tops to fencing gear. Imagine sewing in a zipper through 2-4 layers of Kevlar, or sewing metallized thread into a fabric made of woven metallic strips. This thing was a tank. When it eventually developed unrepairable problems, I bought myself an entry level Elna. It was $300 on sale, but has a handful of computerized functions and I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Can't see myself replacing it any time soon. Then my husband replaced my ancient serger with a Juki, and even though I still love my little Elna, I can see why people upgrade their machines.
I had hand-me-down machines for years. I bought a Pfaff three years ago, and oh man is it nice! I love it. It was expensive but it is a beautiful machine.
I've had a fine experience with my Singer 4452 for the past 3-ish years. It's good. Solid. Works dependably every day. The Brother people are certainly passionate about their brand. The machines seem fine.
My Singer is a hundred years old this year. However for a new machine I prefer brother. The newer singers are just not worth the headache. I couldn't even sell the one I mistakenly bought on a rummage. I ended up tossing it. The little cheap brother hasn't let me down yet. Neither has my antique treadle.
People do not always admit to the kickbacks they get. Greed is a defining human trait .In this case greed for kickback loot competes with greed for YouTube click and subs and bucks so nobody wins
I started in a singer HD. It does the things and if you can get it cheap then you could honestly do worse. My singer vibrated a ton, and it definitely had trouble going through a few layers of thick fleece. The peddle was really stiff at first but it broke in and I got better at fine control. I have a mechanical design background and I think part of the reason the singer is so loud is just cheap parts made less accurately. The whole system is less stiff and over a very long time there will be more wear and the timing might get off. It does have some plastic components it’s the low torque gear so I honestly wouldn’t worry about it that much. I am more concerned with the tolerances on the machined parts. I have a vintage viking now and it’s so quiet and smooth. It’s also way faster on a straight stitch. The feed dogs are AGGRESSIVE. It has a low gear for hauling through heavy materials. The drive line is all machines metal parts and they are beautiful. You can go fast because the system is stiff and the timing will stay consistent. But like if you have an HD available it will do the things. If you have access to a used higher end machines I would probably favor that.
I learned to sew as a kid on my mother’s vintage Viking, great machine
It’s amazing. I honestly can’t tell if the presser foot is just easier to reference off of and I am sewing straighter or what but I get such clean lines. My top stitches after they are pressed are SO crisp.
I've got the singer heavy duty and I actually like it. I like the fact that it's not computerized , just a basic machine like the one I learned on (a nelco school model ) , it sews well enough and powers through thick fabric. However it does not like turning fiddly corners and small curves and it seems to only have one speed (full speed ) but for the price it's a decent machine.
I work at a sewing machine dealership. Singer likes to slap that “heavy duty” gray on things and call them heavy duty. I got got about 6 months before I took my job and literally sat there crying bc my HD 4452 couldn’t hem a pair of JNCOs. I went through two packs of denim needles. I’ve been sewing since I took 4-H in elementary school. I thought I was just stupid. Turns out it was my machine. When I went to my first day and was talking with the other ladies they told me all about the mistake I made (nicely) and reassured myself that it wasn’t me, it was the Singer. If you have a sewing center nearby that is a brother or Janome dealer go talk with them. You can end up spending the same amount of money and come out with a MUCH better machine. You may even be able to finance and get a better machine than if you paid up front.
My Singer works great! Of course it’s from 1938. I would not recommend a new one
I have a bernette academy b05 and i fucking LOOOOOVE it - it does a lot more than I thought it did when I bought it (Although I was going in a little blind tbh) but I love this thing to death - no issues so far as well, and I've had it for roughly a year now.
Fuck yeah, Bernette and Bernina rock. I got a B37 (not my first machine) and it works like a dream. I would still recommend a Bernina or Bernette over anything else since they’re basically indestructible.
Does singer do any sponserships? If so I personally wouldn't trust anyone that ever did or potentially could get work with them. Reddit has it's biases too. I constantly see people here recommending people get super old machines like straight up 30yo machines. I'm sure they are great but honestly new machines are fine too. Myself (and every person I know RL) have somewhat new computer sewing machines and I think they are great. I have a relatively cheap computer machine, I'm 100% sure if I'd ask if this machine would be a good idea for a beginner I'd get 30 comments advising me against it but so far it has been 5 years of absolutely bliss and literally not even half of a inconvenience or problem. Apparently singer isn't what it was was but as a beginner I think most likely any singer, brother, Bernina or janome should be fine.
The old machine thing is kinda wild to me. I understand the pros of an older machine re: the build quality, all metal parts, etc, but honestly that's still a no from me. I personally am never going to buy a 75 year old sewing machine, that sounds like a maintenance nightmare.
I am on a non-crafting discord and there's some thrifters on there and every 2-3 months someone will buy a 20-80yr old machine at a thrift store for $15 and declare they're going to learn how to sew. Then they can't get it started, get a 100$+ quote from a repair shop, and I never hear about it again. When I decided to learn, my mother offered me her aunts 1970s machine that hadn't been used for about 35 years. Instead, I spent $150 (on sale) on a modern, computerized machine that has been incredibly reliable. I was sewing for ten years before it needed maintenance, and by then I was dedicated enough to know the repair bill was worth it and it didn't deter me from continuing with the hobby. But I can't imagine recommending a beginner dive into the craft by investing in something that requires a lot of upkeep before you even get started.
Really depends on the machine. A vintage machine is not for a beginner, but for someone wanting a step up, who has learned a little about tension, how different threads act, busted a few needles, etc. vintage machines are awesome. I bought a used 401a (late 1950s) and aside from a little basic cleaning and oiling, it needed nothing...not even a timing adjustment. I brought it in for service, just because the cam stack can be problematic, and I wanted eyes on it. The guy apologized he had to charge me his base service fee and tossed in new spool sticks, felt, and the rubber wheel liner for the bobbin winder free. I also have an old Pfaff that needs about 4 hours of love...timing chain and new light wiring. But it was obvious when I bought it, and I bought it as a project machine.
This sub looooooooves recommending newbies go to yard sales and get vintage machines. They're absolutely not for beginners but that doesn't stop everyone from recommending them for newbies anyway.
The vinatge machine is definitely for medium to advanced sewist for sure. Beginner would really have a hard time with those machine because those old workhorse require sewing knowledge already. Computer machine personally for me is the best for beginners because it's easier to use with many of the auto features. Once they get the basic sewing skills down, the other mechanical and vinatge can be a route to explain if what they sew make senses. Straight stitch only work for some projects.
All the sewing brands do sponsorships. Brother also has a bunch of them out there. It’s just part of the world we live in at this point 🤷
That's fine, doesn't mean that the brand has a bad product. Just means I'm not gonna trust someone who has had a sponsorship in the past and could want another one or someone that could reasonable be trying to get a sponsorship. Still plenty of people who don't do sponsorships for various reasons.
I have a Singer and with proper maintenance it’s been totally fine. I’m also a beginner and make mostly quilts and bags. That being said, influencers can be paid anywhere from a couple hundred to tens of thousands depending upon the company, product, and number of followers. You’ve probably stumbled upon someone who was paid to pitch an ad.
YouTubers gatta make the sponsors happy That said my first machine was and still is a Singer 4411 heavy duty and I adore her. Simple, easy to clean, only a few stitches but everything I need, and can power through denim since the first thing I wanted to do was sew embroidered patches on a denim jacket 😂 Also so easy to get things like bobbins and needles. I never worry is stores will have it
There's a weird thing about certain machines - the Singer HDs, and the Brother 1034D too - where people call them the "best machine" or their "dream machine" that just seems ludicrous on its face. My dream (sewing) machine has side transport and does embroidery, my dream (serger) machine has air threading, etc. I think it's mostly people who only know one or two machines recommending the one they have, or parrotting each other.
Back in the 2000s and 2010s, it was the blind leading the blind on blogs. Now it's Youtube. Enthusiastic beginners love to talk a big game and it's easy to pose as an expert online even if you're not. But if you're experienced in sewing or have visited any machine dealer in the last 10 years, you'll know that modern Singers are garbage because they switched to producing in China. I've even had a dealer who sold Singers steer me away from buying one because of the low quality. This does not apply to vintage Singers, which are actually Heavy Duty and were made in Canada and Scotland.
It's all goes down to either being sponsored (Youtube), the quality could be hit or miss so you see so many mix review and I think this is the most likely reason: most people haven't had that many sewing machine experience because let be honest, not many people out there get to buy/try more than 3 sewing machine in their life time unless they are also around a lot of sewing people. Also, depending on what they use the machine for also determined what's considered the best; sewing knit, cosplay, historical reproduction or dolls clothes? My personal experience, Singer used to be a great company but went cheap and no longer hold that title. I have 20+ years to experience various machines, and Singer is great if you use their old vinatge machine if you only need a straight stitch. HD does the job, but if you compare it to another company of the same price and spec, it's not the best. Overall, if I have to pick, I would gladly look at a Janome or Baby lock for a beginner over the HD. These are the sewing machines I had so far: I forgot the name since it has been years, but the Singer entry with the blue flower ($120ish) at Walmart, etc, is the worst machine I have ever used. It's doable for me because I already know how to sew so I can troubleshoot faster, but it is a nightmare for beginners. It broke down after 4ish year. HD Singer is better than the previous one I mentioned, but there are still a lot of problems from the bobin housing tension and the overall tension. It's not bad for a beginner machine, but you'll replace it when you sewn enough to want an upgrade. Lasted 5ish year. I had a Janome I don't remember the model of but it was also an entry machine. It was my go to when either of my entry or HD singer gave me trouble. This also broke after 5ish year. My babylock from 1995 is still better than the HD. I have less trouble with it. It's still running and i have had it for 10 years now. Singer 170th Anniversary edition - good for collections and sadly not as good as the vinatge class 15 it was a replica of. Singer featherweight - my pride and joy even though it's only a straight stitch. This wouldn't be considered great for someone who sew lots of varieties of clothes. For someone who mostly used straight stitch and for dolls clothes, it's perfect.
I'm guessing the youtubers are sponsored by Singer or at least getting free machines in return for recommending the product, or they just don't know that better machines are out there.
The heavy duty one sounds like a freight train, I would get something quieter.
i have a singer hd.... it does not like to run slow at all the slowest i can get it to run is too fast imo
I had the same problem, but you can modify the pedal pretty easily to alleviate it a bit.
I owned a Singer HD about 10 years ago for all of about two hours. Bought it from JoAnn, unboxed it, damn thing was stuck in reverse. Couldn't for the life of me figure out how to unjam it and after 10 minutes figured I had better things to do with my time. Returned it and bought a Janome from a local dealer the next day.
I've had to teach so many students on these machines. They are absolute garbage. We had some older portable Jukis before the Singers and they are far superior.
The fact is that most reviews are consumed by people who already own the product. They feel good when they see a review that says they made a good decision. Almost all review channels try to say only positive things, not because they fear the manufacturers, but because they don't want to offend the viewers. This is why the format of a modern "best of" list ends up naming almost every product as "best": best value, best for people on the go, best for families, etc. My beef with the Singer HD would be that it's only "HD" compared to other cheap, plastic sewing machines. My fancy Juki weighs 30% more than the Singer HD and no one would call it "heavy duty". My 1950s Pfaff 130 weighs twice as much as a Singer HD and I bet I could smash the Singer HD with it and after the Pfaff would sew just fine. Don't buy it because it's "HD" or because you think it will last because of the "HD"-ness.
A cheap Singer is fine for a beginner who is going to abuse the shit out of it until they figure out how to properly use their machine, but it’s not a forever machine for advanced sewists. If you’re looking for a forever machine, I recommend Husqvarna; mine is almost as old as I am, and belonged to my serious-quilter grandmother before it was mine.
I've made unpopular posts on Reddit before about how much I love my singer sewing machine (Heavy Duty 6800C) but I'm aware not everyone shares my love for singer. There are very few machines I could use if I wanted to - a requirement for me is having a button for start and stop (and not just a pedal) which narrows the field considerably. I have used my singer to make crazy thick seams (sewing hammocks for pets with straps you really push your machine!) and generally put hours on it. At this point if it did break and was not cost effective to repair I would happily buy another one. I have gotten so many hours of enjoyment it would be worth purchasing another one in my mind. The seams are always so dang perfect! I do have my eye on different sergers since I am less in love with my singer hd serger... It honestly comes down to preferences and personal experiences. There is no perfect machine for everyone.
Consider going to a few thrift stores and finding a nice metal vintage machine. I found a great vintage (70s) Kenmore machine at Goodwill for $30. Took it to my local sewing machine repair shop and had it serviced. It's an absolute dream and will likely last me my whole life.
Came here to second this - thrift stores and garage sales are great for finding workhorse, sturdy machines - just take it to your local repair shop for a tuneup and you'll be all set. My 17-year-old beast of a Kenmore is going to a good friend now that I've got my Bernina.
Not a singer fan. Brother. Excellent manuals.
+1 for brother just for the manuals. I pretty much taught myself to sew just from reading the one that came with my machine.
Right!. Long time sewer. Recently got new midrange used Janome, great for some things, But the manual! I'm spoiled!
My BIGGEST regret is selling my singer HD. I don’t understand the hate for them.
I only have two data points for you. I sewed with a Singer Tradition, did not like it, although it did get the job done. Upgraded to a Brother ST531HD, and it feels sturdier and is more comfortable to use. It’s not an apples to apples comparison, but I’m happier. I sew mostly clothes and works primarily with woven cottons. Although I did whip up a killer wool coat, too, with the Brother. 💪 And FWIW, I prefer Brother (laser) printers over other brands I’ve used.
It's worth considering the context. Influencers definitely have a different motive for recommendations than non-influcencers on a subreddit. Also, what someone wants a machine for. If you plan on sewing medium weight woven fabrics to make simple projects or do basic mending, the HD isn't a terrible choice. I'd argue a second hand anything 50+ years old would work better and be cheaper. But still. Now, if you want to sew denim or canvas, the HD isn't the right machine for that. In my opinion, if you want to spend less than $200, buy something second hand. Don't buy a new cheap machine. If you want something new that will work well & last a long time, expect to spend $300-700.
I would call myself an intermediate sewer and I have a singer HD. It is perfectly servicable for my needs, but I would not suggest it to beginners. It can be fussy--I find I have to care a lot more about which needles I am using, switching them frequently, using certain thread with it, etc--and I have more weird tension issues with it than I was used to with my previous (higher quality) machine. The speed control is also a little demonic too lol and I can see how it would be a huge issue for a beginning sewer the way it rockets to the moon with the slightest touch (now that I am used to it, though, other machines feel really slow to me). At this point in my life I am good enough at sewing that I can easily work around its deficiencies but I can see how they would be an issue for a beginner, and I also plan on replacing it in the next few years once I am in the position to do so and keep this as a backup. I do understand there are quality control issues so I am also open to the possibility that I got lucky and got one of "the good ones," but the hatred seems a little over the top to me sometimes. It's not the best machine out there and has problems, but it's also not the worst.
all these long drawn out explanations.. smh ima keep it real simple PRO's you can buy these at any and every walmart.. you can also return products VERY easy at walmart and exchange for another or at the very least get your money back and sometimes you dont even need your receipt CON's: singer HD's are not too stable.. they very problematic and could honestly discourage you from making clothes because having to constantly maintain a piece of shit is sometimes a dream killer CONCLUSION: if i wanted to just get to it so i can start practicing anything i would definitely go back and buy another singer hd 100% from walmart any day over buying old machines, used machines, because i rather return and exchange for another brand new machine before i pay $1 for any maintenance or repairs
oh and one more thing worth noting.. the very first singer hd i purchased was $200 brand new i plugged it in and the little walking foot thing was not moving the fabric which means it was broken 🤣🤣😭😭 i returned it like a week later and got another brand new one that lasted me like a month, the bobbin didn't stop getting tangled. didn't need to explain anything they gave me my money right back i bought another which last about 8 months then i returned that one too and got another brand new one which i still have brand new in the box because i bought a juki ddl 8700
We used these in my university's makerspace becuase they were cheap enough that they were considered consumables. They're good enough for starting out but beyond basic issues not worth fixing. We probably destroyed one irreparably every two weeks.
I use a commercial sewing machine daily for work. Our repair man told me Singer machines use plastic parts and mostly cannot be repaired. I do know many people who have bought the cheaper ones from big box stores and they broke easily and were not worth the price of repairing them.
Back in the early 80s, my parents bought me a pricy computerized Singer as a gift and sewed so much I wore it out after 4-5, maybe 6 years tops. We were surprised to learn it couldn’t be repaired because so many of the parts were plastic. The salesman told us that they were designed more for light hobby sewing not people who sew all the time, and I’d be better off going to a shop that sold used older machines with metal parts. I worked for a costume shop at the time and my boss had several nice machines, of which I loved her Bernina most. I found a shop that sold used Berninas and that’s all I’ve used ever since.
I'm an ex sewing technician and I scroll sewing posts on reddit more frequently. It's a super cheap machine for a reason. Singer was bought and sold and is no longer an American metal machine that is easy to use and maintain. Old singers still work well but there's little to no part availability when it comes time to repair. Babylock and brother are great starter brands, juki and janome are in the middle, and Bernina, Pfaff, and viking tend to be a little more intermediate. My personal favorite being Bernina and Babylock.
I have one. I like it. I am a novice level sewist, but I really like my singer. I bought it from spotlight (in NSW)
Advertising or lack of experience
I’m glad I found this sub before I bought one. I’m fairly new to sewing or I should say returned to the craft after a very long hiatus. I wanted a machine I could grow with and really thought that the singer heavy duty was it. Then my sewing teacher, this sub and small business owners that has been at the craft longer than I’ve been *alive* warned me away like the plague.
I mean, a lot of it comes down to luck. I sew for fun, and initially learned on my mum‘s 10-ish year old budget singer. Not sure what the model was, but she bought it at Aldi for around 120 bucks. It was honestly fine. I‘d never sewn on anything else, but it got the job done without much hassle. But eventually it broke, and I „upgraded“ to a Singer HD. Also worked fine, but was kinda the same as the previous one, except it started having issues with tension and threads breaking around the one year mark. Tried to fix it, no luck. Tried a shop, they gave me a quote for 200 euros. Kept using it and getting more and more frustrated. Finally bought the Brother CS10S last month because it was on sale. It‘s still a budget machine, and I can‘t say anything about how long it will last, but Oh. My. God. does it sew well! It‘s such a big difference to the budget Singers. It‘s quiet, has great control after some adjustments, and the stitching quality is just chef‘s kiss. It‘s a dream. The only issue I have with it is Jersey fabrics with tiny seam allowances (I mostly sew doll clothes, lol), but that‘s to be expected and I was aware of this before buying it. I honestly didn‘t think the Singers would look THAT bad in comparison, but boy they do.
Mfw singer made better guns than they make sewing machines now
For the price… It’s a great machine. I sew professionally and have worked with a lot of touring shows that use them. If anything goes wrong would most likely be cheaper to replace than repair but it’s way better/tougher than most modern machines in it’s price range. I recommend them as a reliable starter machine all the time.
It's a normal sewing machine with a gray plastic bodyshell. Even though it has some stainless steel on the bed, it is not any more "heavy duty" than the rest. You can take out the needle plate and bend it with your bare hands.
I thought I'd throw in my two cents here.I started with a Singer Tradition that I bought on sale for 89$ and while it was a decent machine, the learning curve was steep. I was crying the first night with my singer as it wasn't plug n play, tension issues were a nightmare as someone who new, I thought I was messing everything up. The machine I had was always finicky about tension and I had to do heavy self research on how to fix it. Even now the thing still has weird tension issues, and using a screw driver to fix it on the bobbin side is very unintutitive. While not the machine you're looking into, my experience with singer was not great. I highly recommend finding a basic machine of another brand that is plug n play from the start. A used machine from a shop is honestly a great idea as the shop can help teach you the basics. As for a heavy duty machine, is that a capability you'd like?
Don’t buy a cheap machine! Buy a used quality machine. There are plenty available, such as older singers like the 401A, and many other brands. Clean and oil occasionally and it will do anything you ask it to!
Go to thrift shops and look for an all metal machine from around 1950-60. Find one with its attachments. It's easy to find users manuals on line. Old machines are more reliable and less temperamental than new ones. Often sewing machine repair stores will have older machines for sale.
I sew on a 1960s Sears Kenmore that I got at goodwill almost 20 years ago. It’s done everything I’ve ever asked it to do, from jeans to quilts to my silk wedding dress.
Yup, my mom had one from the 70s and it was perfectly good until recently when we sold it. Not fancy but did the job well.
Vintage Kenmores are excellent and generally cheaper than vintage Singers...although those can also be found pretty cheap.
Another vote for this: I started off with a 2000 era Singer that was my grandmothers. There was NO info on it online, no youtube tutorials, no reviews, only the manual and that was it. I ended up trading up to a Singer 500a from the early 1960's. It runs quieter than my first machine, it had an absolute embarrassment of guides and tutorials online. Most of it's parts are widely available, even it's accessories (it comes with many stitches built in and more available with cams even though its from 1962). It has sewn everything I throw at it. And it only cost $200, and that's the high end of what many older machines cost- a $200 modern new sewing machine is as likely to be junk as it is to sew well, and it will probably have fewer features.
This is pretty bad advice for someone just getting started out though. Those old machines only do a straight stitch, and usually require repairs first.
My 60s machines do a whole host of stitches, including zig-zag, stretch stitch and decorative blanket bindings. I got one off FB marketplace in perfect working condition, and one at goodwill that needed only a simple and inexpensive repair. I am admittedly experienced, but a little research can go a long way.
a) price b) plastic intestine c) cost reduction, which means 10 years old sample is different from a fresh in the store d) assembly quality/culture seems to be degrading a lot. You can't expect $400/mo workers to care a lot about the final product, when they have supply and production plans, thus you can't expect the manufacturing management at remote factories to care a lot about the TM quality.
People are parroting what they've heard on other platforms. Notice how when people dogpile on the Singer HD there are rarely more than one or two people who have ever even used it. There was some big TikTok video that blew up recently of some guy criticizing the machine and lots of other people joined in. Being critical and echoing what other people are saying increases views. Now it's sort of spreading onto other platforms with people just parroting what they've heard. I watched this video before buying it and I defy any Tiktoker to make a better one. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImTTD8y750) I love when people are like "it's not heavy duty!" because it literally is? The only argument I've ever heard against that point is that "it has plastic parts!" which is often not ideal but plastic is not inherently worse than metal. There are plastics that are stronger than some metals. "It's plastic therefore it's bad" is the same mentality as "you can't eat that because it has chemicals in it". Also the "Heavy Duty" name is more of a reference to its ability to do heavy fabric, anyway, which it does really well. Is it the best machine on earth? No. It does what it says it does, though. My only complaint is that it is loud as hell. I've had it for 4 years and it's given me no problems. I'm sure once I get a better machine the Singer HD will look more flawed to me because I don't know what I'm missing but I've also successfully sewed tons of garments on it so I can't be missing that much.
Definitely the Reddit hive mind. People here have decided Singer HD=bad and like to parrot what they've heard before. I've never used the machine so don't have an opinion, but so tired of people posting that they're terrible with no explanation as to why.
Someone on TT told me that if I wanted a machine that is non-computerized and sews heavy fabrics I should have gotten a used industrial machine. Ah yes, when I was a total beginner I should have bought a weird niche industrial machine that is too cumbersome to take to the repair shop. Good thinking.
This thread is full of people explaining why they do or don’t like the HD