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List Price: $499.99
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My affair with sewing started back in my youth, but like most affairs, ran hot-and-cold. Mostly cold. I cut my sewing teeth on my mom's old Montgomery Ward from the early '70s, and stopped sewing as soon as I left her house. Fast forward to the adoption of the first machine I'd owned, a late 1940s National Brand machine I got on trade.
Using creaky, temperamental machines with that warm oil smell, ear piercing screech, and a dozen or so stitches accessed by rotary wheel is all I know. Or, at least, used to know. I purchased the Singer ONE 2-3 months ago, after much internal debate and reading hundreds of reviews on different models.
I had no idea sewing was supposed to be so easy, so fun, and so rewarding. This machine is ready-to-use, right out of the box. It is not the most advanced computerized machine, so it the bill to be my first. There are some nonessential "perks" it offers (storage, a variety of feet, flexibility with accommodating various spool sizes, idiot-proof bobbin winding) that pleasantly surprised me.
I am not a master seamstress. I'm struggling to type this review because I don't know enough "sewing vocab" to avoid looking foolish. But this machine makes my work look like I'm far better than I am, and most importantly, it is so user-friendly for beginners than I FEEL good about sewing. Which leads me to use it more. Which makes me better. It's a beautifully vicious cycle.
There are some obvious things that should be noted, that will help you avoid many common problems--and many of these apply to ANY computerized machine:
1. It is a computer, first and foremost. It's not going to run like Mom's old Montgomery Ward, because that was a machine. This is a computer with machine parts attached. It's a different beast. Comparing the two types is like comparing your granddad's work truck to your neighbor's Prius.
2. It's not "flimsy" or "cheap," but it's not going to send vibrations through your table or give you hernia when you move it. It is mostly plastic, with a metal internal frame for stability. It is light, it is stable, and feels nothing like it's elders (or most expensive models). These points ended up in my favor, as those older, heftier, or more expensive types were too intimidating for someone wanting to love sewing, not develop career skills.
3. It is a computer. Computers are sensitive to being dropped, getting wet, being exposed to (or building up) heat, and to power surges. Logic must prevail; I want to ask if the people who experienced power failure with this machine had it plugged in to a surge protector. If not, that's a more likely culprit than it not being a quality machine.
4. I have made a few mistakes resulting in mystery error codes on the LED screen--the manual is only marginally helpful. The Internet, however, is a gold mine. Each and every error has been my part (not lowering the foot, trying to sew something that is too thick, not properly doing something... On my "old" machine, I wouldn't have gotten a mysterious screeching beep and flashing red light, and could have kept sewing until I realized my error. This one "locks up" as people say because the computer is designed to not let you tear the machine (or your project) up. If you don't like being corrected when you're wrong, this isn't the machine for you.
5. I did not test drive a bunch of machines before purchasing. I did look at a few hundred pictures and agonized over reviews from professionals and amatures/hobbyists. And among the people "like me," this was the best machine for me. The decorative stitches are beautiful and plentiful, but not abundantly overwhelming. It is easy for me to adjust the length of stitches. The computer tells me when the stitch I have selected needs a different foot.
The bottom line is with this computerized model, I CAN SEW what I want to sew, and learn. I did not have to learn everything first in order to use it. As for its durability, it has helped me make well over 30 thick, plump, thirsty cloth diapers and a handful of crib sheets. It also allowed me to recover a glider chair with some beautiful heavy upholstery fabric I was previously afraid to cut for fear of "screwing it up." Any machine that can give me confidence and perform consistently and reliably is a 5 star item for me.
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I originally bought the Singer Curvy and had all sorts of issues with it... I returned it and purchased the Singer ONE and it is working out nicely for me. Is it a deluxe machine? No. It's a nice beginner machine for $250 and it works nicely. The stitches usually come out nicely. I say usually because at times the stitches do seem to stack themselves as the track doesn't always move the fabric through. When you go over sewn seams just go slower or this is the area that the stitches can occasionally double up.
You DO NEED to ALLOW about 5 inches of thread tail before you start stitching. If you only have like 3 inches loose to start a stitch the needle pulls it completely through and you have to put the tread through the needle again. That is a pain and I just have to remember to leave that nice long tail.
I've not had a single needle break or come loose like I did with the Singer Curvy. I DO recommend that you purchase the inspira needles vs the Singer brand needles that are sold at Joannes. The Singer needles broke often and the inspira that are sold FOR Singer machines work great. They are about double the price but they are worth it! I've used the same needle for almost 5 weeks and I've worked on quilts, purses and dog clothing.
It is easy enough to move from my sewing room to my dining room without having it too big and heavy to hassle with. That is important to me. Over all I'd give it 4 stars. I do wish it had more stitches and was quieter and could get through thicker fabric easier. But what do I expect for $250. The stitches that it does have are fun and will work nicely for me until I'm ready to spend $1000 on a fancier machine.
The removable extended arm is USEFUL! Wow -it's so nice to have the extra space for quilting and then be able to remove it to fix my children's clothing or work on a delicate seam.
Ultimately it's a good machine that I'm having a lot of fun with. I would recommend this machine if you aren't working on super thick quilts. My quilts are usually 1/2 inch thick and so far that works out okay for this machine.
Have fun!
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I love my new sewing machine. It came out of the box easy. I plugged it up and read the paperwork. The bobbin threaded so easy and I love the way the bobbin just popped in. Threaded so easy. I can see many years of sewing with this machine. The sound was so quite compared to my last machine. Again I love it.
Honest reviews on SINGER One Easy-to-Use Computerized Sewing Machine
I've had this machine for 3 months. I've used it almost daily, when it's working. I've had it in for service twice already, the bobbin case and mechanism has several issues. I've also had a VERY hard time replacing the bobbin case, apparently it's different then all other Singer Machines. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have purchased this machine. I don't have time to have it in for service once a month.
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I had read a number of reviews about this particular machine and knew it would be the one to replace my almost 50 year old machine. Directions/ diagrams made getting started quite easy. The extent of computer assisted stitches is perfect. It is amazingly light weight and replaces what I call my hernia machine. The extra storage and accompanying extras are appropriate. I would only suggest to purchasers that they make sure to purchase enough of the precise recommended Singer bobbins for anticipated projects...only three bobbins came with the machine.
