Customer Reviews

SINGER 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Sews okay, although the foot feed is very sticky - that is, it won't go and won't go and then suddenly takes off like a goosed horse. Has several features I don't like much: needle ends stitch in "up" position which makes it hard to pivot; reverse lever is in a different spot than any other machine I have ever seen or used; "decorative" stitches aren't particularly good or decorative; satin stitch width and length is hard to program in, unravels and looks crappy; and, finally, the buttonhole feature has major problems [1] it starts at the bottom of the marked buttonhole rather than the top (hard to see if you are on course) [2] it works backward from any other buttonhole feature I've seen or used and [3] the buttonholes look very amateurish -even after all possible adjustments the stitches are too far apart so that the buttonhole frays and unravels, plus because the feature has a programmed backstitch to start, it often jams. So far these poor quality buttonholes have ruined two or three garments. The whole machine seems over-engineered. Note: I've been sewing mostly clothes for 50 years now and have used many brands of machine, this isn't the worst but it is the worst for the price.

I can't really say enough good things about this machine. I inherited my first sewing machine from my mother-in-law, an old manual workhorse Kenmore from 1981 that still sews really well. I wanted to get an all-electronic machine mainly for the pre-programmed settings and updated threading system.

Like most electronic machines, this one is pretty easy to use. Pick your stitch with just a few presses of a button, then you're ready to sew. Of course, you can modify your stitch length and width by sliding a lever or two, but it is nice to have everything set to optimum length and width automatically. The machine comes with a good number of stitches, although I honestly don't stray very far from the regular old zig-zag and straight stitches. I will say that the overlock stitch looks absolutely identical to the ones created by a professional serger.

The threading system is pretty nice, too. While it's not quite as easy as the one on the Singer Curvy (where all you need to do is pull the thread through a slot and press a lever) I'm used to the complicated ins and outs of my old machine, so anything is a huge improvement. Singer calls it their "six second threading system" and, so far, I've found that claim holds up. The drop-in bobbin is very handy, especially for someone like me, who is used to fussing with an old-school side-loading bobbin. I guess it would be nice to have a bobbin that didn't need to be drawn up (as seen in the Curvy and several newer machines) but it's not exactly like pulling teeth with this machine. The presser foot lifts up enough so that you can fit your fingers underneath and grab the little "loop" that the bobbin thread makes, so now I don't have to struggle with it at all.

One small gripe I have with the machine is that the needle always ends in the up position. I know this is for easy withdrawal of materials, but it would be nice to have the option for the needle to end in the down position, if one so chooses. I do a lot of applique work that requires pivoting around tight corners, so it would be nice to have this option. However, I've just learned to release the foot pedal a bit early and then hand-crank the machine into the next stitch, leaving it in the down position so I can pivot smoothly.

I think you'll also find that the feeding system is pretty reliable. The machine has a six-piece feed system that has been very nice so far. There's no feature to drop the feed dogs, but the included darning plate should suffice. The presser foot is pretty good at accommodating materials of various thicknesses without having to manually readjust the height (as in older machines). Finally, the little light is a nice, bright LED that remains blessedly cool no matter how long you sew.

Overall, it's just a really nice machine for the price. If you're interested in upgrading to something with all the bells and whistles, I suppose that the Curvy would be a better option, but if you want something that works well, is easy to use, and nicely priced, try this one out.

I waited awhile before deciding to write a review for this item because I wanted to see how the machine would perform. I'm not an expert sewer and I mostly do light sewing, a lot of hemming and alterations and items for around the house. I've made a couple of garments on this machine as well. I haven't had any trouble with it at all. It's easy to use and it was an easy transition for me to this machine from my old one. I've used it on various fabrics, from denim to lace and I think it was worth the money we spent on it. I wasn't totally surprised that a lot of the parts are now plastic. At least I can lift it! I remember how heavy my mother's old machine was. The machine provides a great service to me however, so I don't mind the plastic components. I did buy new bobbins though. Plastic bobbins, I don't particularly like. I also don't use the threader bec I just never got into that habit. I love that it can make different decorative stitches too and I've only started playing with those. So far, I don't regret having bought this machine at all.

I purchased this machine about 5 months ago and love it. It does whatever I put before it with no issues. I have made lined velvet drapes as well as silk ones that were lined and interlined. It never skips a beat. The machine is heavy unlike many of the new ones.

I liked the price and all the different stitches. However, I needed a sewing machine that would handle many varied things, such as alterations and heavy sewing. I'm very disappointed in the lightweight quality of this machine. The needle threader never worked and on close inspection my husband found that a tiny hook was missing that was supposed to hold the thread. Also, the food feed stalls, jerks and surges. This machine has beautiful stitches, but is for lightweight sewing only.

This machine broke on me twice. The first time was back in April 2006 (I returned it within 30 days). The replacement took 6 months to develop the same problem- grinding noise and needle not locking while winding the bobbin. Don't be attracted by the many features and great price. From the standpoint of an experienced seamstress, this machine is poorly crafted and jamms easily. Caveat Emptor.

Too bad Amazon doesn't have negative ratings, because one star is WAY too high for this horror of a machine. It's a bad design [wait till you see what you have to do to thread the needle] and is finished off by bad engineering. I bought it because I, an experienced sewer, wanted an auxilliary machine to take along when so I could leave behind the big PERFECTLY OPERATING 1960's Singer given to me by my mother, when she quit sewing for my daughters.

I'd heard bad things about performance of the new Singers, which isn't surprising as the company got sold, manufactury was outsourced to China and god only knows who designed the dreadful thing. But I didn't dream it would be THIS bad.

My biggest complaint is that it's so tetchy. It's almost impossible to vary anything without having it go on strike. It wants to be on automatic, and it wants the trhead length and tension set just so. It doesn't like it when I vary the top tension to make the bobbin thread tighter so I can baste or gather. If the thread or fabric gets bollixed up in the bobbin compartment you have to have a screwdriver to remove the needle plate and bobbin case. Neither of the above problems is addressed in its completely inadequate guide, which gives, in three languages, only the sketchiest of instructions and doesn't in any way address the real-world problems of people who sew. And to think I only wanted it so I could make automatic buttonholes.

The old Singer, a 401, is the last Singer all metal machine. It's easy to use, easy to clean when the thread or fabric gets balled up in the bobbin compartment, easy to manipulate, flexible and forgiving. The bobbin case and the needle plate come out easily so one can get into the bobbin compartment. The guide is a delight. If you can find a 401, buy it immediately. It's a workhorse, and unlike modern electronic machines that are as trustworthy as the old 401, is not likely to cost you upwards of $2000.

I've used this machine several times and have not been disappointed. The instruction book is clear and concise (I love concise) and so far, the machine has performed exactly as promised. Set-up time was minimal and the machine is easier to thread and much "smoother" and less noisy than those I have used in the past. Additionally, the machine comes with an accessory kit that includes everything you need to get started AND extra needles.

Very pleased with this purchase.

We bought this for my 17 year-old niece and it has been a great machine for her. Not a heavy duty machine, but a great machine that does well with day-to-day mending, light-weight sewing. Probably not for upholstery and such! It has a wide variety of stitches, and the directions are EZ! Perfect!

I am so pleased so far...I have had a chance to mend clothes, medium and light weight. I have tried out all the decorative stitches, and look forward, on Spring break to much more. It worked consistently, and well, with very even performance. It operated more loudly than expected, however, I am sure to get used to it, as the machine works so well. It works better than wxpected, as the price was so reasonable.