Singer machines

A friend has asked me about getting her daughters-in-law sewing machines for Christmas. I know we discuss this ad nauseum, but I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with the Singer 7400 series machines. I'm a machine snob and I know it....I've had several Berninas that were the top of the line when they came out. A quick Google search didn't yield any prices, so I'm not sure what to compare it to. Oops, just found it.....looks like the prices range from $169-399. I always feel so lost when I'm asked about these types of machines. I realize someone who might be dabbling with sewing and/or mending isn't ready to take the plunge into 4 figures, but I don't have any experience to guide someone to a reliable machine. Any help out there??? Thanks! Kathyl

Reply to
KJ
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I'd suggest going to Target and buying Euro-pro Shark machines rather than the newer Singer ones. The Euro-pro Sharks have metal gears so they are more likely to last longer than the plastic geared Singers.

Here is a link to one similar to mine. Mine is the 7133 which comes with a quilting extension table and a walking foot and I love it.

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Debra in VA See my quilts at
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Reply to
Debra

I have the basic Euro Pro machine--I think it has about 30 built in stitches, no quilting attachment. I just hate it. I am thinking about putting it out on Freecycle and giving the thing away. It's hard to thread, and the stitches don't even look nice. Even the straight stitch looks nothing like my old Singer's. Most #1 thing I hate about it is how stupid the threading seems. I'm wondering if I had upgraded to the one you have I would have liked it better. Or if there's just something wrong with the *operator*, not the machine. :-)

Sherry

Reply to
sriddles

So? There's no one in the group using a Singer 7400 model??? I'm in a quandry about what to tell my friend about them. I think I'll suggest the low end brands that seem to be favored with the RCTQ crowd. I hope they are in her price range. KJ

Reply to
KJ

Are you talking about this one:

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I saw it at Target and decided very quickly that it wasn't going to fit my needs. The mid-range priced one looked better, weighed more, had a hard cover(important when the cats want to jump on everything), and offered a couple of stitches that I knew I wanted. I can tell you that none of the new machines I checked have a really nice straight stitch like an old (pre-1962) Singer (or Singer look-alike machine), and none of them thread the same way either because everything is all hidden inside the machine now. This one does look like it threads differently than mine does, and that might make it harder to thread.

I learned to sew on an old Singer 185J, one of the green machines, and I bought one second hand so I would have something to use. I've bought several second hand machines, but none had all the feet or even a manual. I thought I should have at least one brand new machine with a manual and everything at least once in my life. So far I am happy with my Euro Pro, but I still like to use my green machine. Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

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> I saw it at Target and decided very quickly that it wasn't going to > fit my needs. The mid-range priced one looked better, weighed more, > had a hard cover(important when the cats want to jump on everything), > and offered a couple of stitches that I knew I wanted. >

Yes, Debra, that's the machine. Actually, I didn't buy it; DH was home sick watching the Home Shopping Network and "surprised me." (husbands really shouldn't try to buy sewing machines for their wives). LOL. I also have an old Singer. I love it, but it only sews a straight seam, and that's all! It's definitely pre-1962; it's one of the black ones. I think I want the simplicity of the old machines, with the features of the new ones. I did notice that in the "review" on the link you posted, the reviewer mentioned it was hard to thread. So that made me feel a little better knowing maybe it's not just me. I also think, like you, I would have liked the upgraded model you got much better.

Sherry

Reply to
sriddles

One of those black ones? Like a Featherweight? There are a lot of people who are looking for those! KJ

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>> I saw it at Target and decided very quickly that it wasn't going to >> fit my needs. The mid-range priced one looked better, weighed more, >> had a hard cover(important when the cats want to jump on everything), >> and offered a couple of stitches that I knew I wanted. >>

Reply to
KJ

It's not a featherweight, it's bigger. The book just says "Singer

15-91". I really do like it, I just wish I could do something besides a straight stitch on it. It is just so dependable and you can sew through any kind of fabric. I also like the way you have a big cabinet with a level area for sewing. It seems from reading here that lots of ladies have more than one sewing machine, and use each one for specific tasks. I do think I will keep looking for another one that has more features. I still think I'd go back to the Singer for piecing though.

Sherry

Reply to
sriddles

Those are real workhorses too. Just not as light. Good luck with your search. KJ

Reply to
KJ

I have a variation on the 15-91. Mine is a 15-125 - basically the same machine, just margarita green! I love this machine for quilting. I get great tension (I much prefer a vertical bobbin), and just love how she purrs along for me. I have a walking foot for it, so I can do straight machine quilting as well as dropping the feed dogs for free-motion.

I have a Viking Rose electronic machine that gets used for piecing and other sewing, but my Singer is my quilting machine.

Reply to
frood

Oh, yes, lots of us have at least one oldie that does marvelous straight stitching. They are good for piecing, sewing thick fabrics, machine quilting--especially grid and SITD though some use their machines for free motion too, and most important of all--being there when your newer machine is broken. Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

KJ, I used to sell Singer machines. Or rather they were carried in the department and I didn't sell them. In the last several years "Singer" has been sold several times. The machines are not any where near the quality they once were. Especially the low end ones. The last ones we had were made in Brazil. And were loud and not real nice to use.

Some of the other brands do have low end machines that are better made and will probably be easier to use. The Babylock "companion" machines are usually pretty good, as are the Simplicity and so on. Some of the HuskyStar machines are pretty good, but do remember that they are made for Viking, not by Viking.

Pati, > So? There's no one in the group using a Singer 7400 model??? I'm in a

Reply to
Pati Cook

Just the kind of information I was looking for Pati! Thanks!!! I heard back from my friend and she was hoping to spend no more than $200, which makes us all gulp when hearing that, I'm sure. She's not sure either daughter in law knows how to sew very well, but I think a crummy machine wouldn't push one to learn either. I've kinda steered her toward the Janome Gem if she can find one. I hope they aren't too much over her budget. Thanks for your suggestions, Pati! KJ

Reply to
KJ

I bought a fairly basic, but full size, Janome , as a back-up for my large Janome. It is a Janome 415. It cost something over £100, so should be in your friend's budget? But the Jems have a great reputation, even though they are small and light. . In message , KJ writes

Reply to
Patti

I'll have to check that one out also, Pat. I certainly hope I haven't confused her more, but I do hate for someone to spend money on machines that just aren't going to work well (Singer). The non-sewing public automatically links the name Singer to sewing machines...so they must be good huh??? I've gently tried to let her know there are better options that she's probably never heard of. Which, of course, goes against what you usually think.....obscure name...must be a poor brand. Not true. KJ

Reply to
KJ

You are very welcome. And you are right, a better machine is easier to use and more fun which encourages more usage. There are probably some reasonably good machines out there for around $200, but she might want to check on trade ins and such. Many have a pretty good warranty and so on.

Pati, > Just the kind of information I was looking for Pati! Thanks!!!

Reply to
Pati Cook

I appreciate that info. I had no idea Singer wasn't the machine it used to be. "Singer" is just so ingrained in me from all the older ladies when I grew up. I seriously thought if I bought a low-end Singer, it would automatically be "better" than any other low-end brand just because of the reputation that I associated with the name. I was wrong! And had no idea.

Sherry

Reply to
sriddles

In that same vein is the Electrolux brand of vacuum cleaner. My midwest grandmothers (and mother) thought they owned they Rolls Royce of vacuums. But now the company has been sold and is not the same as it used to be. Some of the sewing and vac places won't even work on them anymore. KJ

Reply to
KJ

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote:

Singer is only a badge these days. They (like many other companies) do not make machines themselves: they buy the different ones from different manufacturers. Some are excellent, some are not. Last year I tested a LOT of machines in the under £300 bracket, looking for a light weight machine with a useful set of utility stitches and good stitch quality for my mum. After extensive testing and reading, I bought a Singer 117 Featherweight II. For the money, it was the best in its class at the time. It's a great little Granny's Occasional type machine, with many excellent qualities. HOWEVER, it is NOT a heavy duty machine! It wouldn't cope well with lots of denim or other tougher fabrics, nor would it be good for quilting or curtains. It doesn't have the power or the weight. Something heavy sliding off the table could easily drag the wee thing with it! But it was just the thing for a granny with rheumatic thumbs who can no longer lift her cast iron 99K and who wanted more stitches! Mum is unlikely to make curtains or wear denim, so... ;) It's a VERY nice little machine, but my dealer doesn't sell the replacement 118. They 'updated' it, and in his opinion (and mine, after trying it!), it just isn't as nice. In that slot he currently sells the Frister & Rossman Cub SP. When I bought the machine for Mum, the Brother ones were not as good as the Singer: those HAVE improved with the latest updates.

The moral is: decide what TYPE of machine you need, and TRY before you buy! And test on the types of fabric and combinations you will use.

Singer have been through a LOOOONG doldrums period, since the mid sixties, when they were so-so at best, and frequently dire. A new upsurge in sewing popularity on the craft side seems to have given the latest generation of buyers for the company something to aim for, and some of the new models coming through in the last couple of years have been lovely. But you have to pick and choose! You cannot just equate Singer with excellence. Nor most other makes! Pfaff, Husqvarna and Bernina seem to have kept their reputations intact by providing excellence, but you pay for it, and even they have produced one or two that were less than one would expect for the name and the price!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

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