Customer Reviews

SINGER CE-150 Futura Sewing and Embroidery Machine

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Before my Singer, I had only used a machine twice in my life, so when it arrived, I got a pleasant surprise - I was off sewing within minutes, getting great results and having loads of fun. I especially love that threading is so easy, and you learn quickly where to be careful to avoid thread breakage.

Changing to embroidery unit - no problem, though getting the right foot attached usually takes me a sec. I daringly started off with one of my own Embird designs... without a glitch, even without the use of stabilizer, just straight onto firm cotton.

I love that the machine is easy to use, especially the Futura software. Its 24 standard stitches are more than enough, its embroidery is great. And my absolute favorite is the hoop size! Other machines with a similar (still higher) price tag come with a 4"x4" hoop, this one has two hoops with a maximum of 5"x7". You might not think you will need this, but you will - either when doing multiple designs on one large hoop, or just embroidering longer names.

The manual could be improved at times, but I hardly ever needed it.

I hear people complaining about broken thread - honestly, just like with every machine, you just need to know the Singer's quirks.

During the first 3-5 stitches of every color, hold the upper thread in the back, and no false thread breakage will occur. If it still does, thread the whole thing again and you will be fine. Don't use pre-wound bobbins without stabilizer. It will give you trouble after only 1/3 of the bobbin is empty, and since the bobbin case is plastic, you really shouldn't use metal bobbins either. Just wind your own bobbins when needed, it is easy enough.

Make sure that you use good embroidery yarn; every machine has brands it doesn't like. I am currently extremely happy with the Madeira yarns.

The fact that it needs a computer next to it... You know that before buying, don't you? To me, that is not a disadvantage at all, since I appreciate the large screen, and that I can work in Embird while the machine embroiders, preparing the next project.

It really is an awesome machine for that price. In Europe, the only difference between the 150 and the 250/350 are the number of stitches and which software is included.

Since I am using Embird, I really needed nothing except the Futura software to send designs to the machine, and 24 stutches is more than enough for what I do.

I highly recommend the machine - I am utterly in love with it.

I have had this machine for 4 years now and as much as I have used it (approximately 10 hours a week) I like it fine, but if something goes wrong with the software it's awful. Both the original installation software and the HyperFont are almost impossible to install; many hours have been wasted trying to get it all set up. Really, it's beyond horrible to work with and both my husband and I are VERY computer literate. At one point I almost threw it out the front door for a snow plow to run over! The software isn't compatible with Vista or XP, you have to install patches, but then it's still a complete hit or miss if it will work. I wish I had purchased something with the embroidery computer included rather than having to hook up to an external computer. I originally wanted an external hookup so I could download images and fonts from the internet, but you can do that with the right built in computer functionality.

This machine was bought as a Christmas present for me. What firstly surprised me was this machine has to be connected to the computer or it will NOT embroider. All embroidery interacts with the computer. The first machine broke and Singer recommended it be replaced (this is after I waited forever to get help by phone). The replacement machine did "so-so" embroidery as I was not impressed with the final product of embroidery. I found the placement of presser foot lever and working on the bed of the machine was extremely awkward. The hoop had to be screwed on and off. When I tried normal sewing, kept getting thread errors and found out through Singer (another long wait on phone) the bobbin case was defective and should be replaced. This was the second machine. Was not interested in a third try. Defective machine was returned. The Singer was an immense source of frustration. Sewing should be a creative pleasurable experience and not a frustrating experience. Would I recommend this Singer? Only if you are extremely computer savvy, don't really need a tutorial, are used to awkward Singers, and not interested in a user-friendly machine. Bought the Brother 700II with the USB port and this embroidery machine has been an embroiderer's dream. The practice embroidery between the Singer and the Brother was like night and day. Give me a Brother any day of the week. I gave this machine a 2-star review as I was in a kind mood. And, by the way, I have been sewing for almost 50 years so am not new to sewing. Also, my husband was a computer programmer and his trying to "help" me figure things out with the Futura was a challenge to him too. The capabilities are there, just too bad trying to use them is so difficult and the machine is questionable as far as durability.

After spending weeks reading about all the different Embroidery machines out there I purchared the Futura CE-150. Not being a person who sews everyday, I was unsure about something this new. After reading and looking at the CD that came with the unit, I was able to make a small flower. Not bad for someone who only fixed rips in clothes. After afew hours of playing around, I found the Futura, and the software easy to use.

When I first got this I have to say I got mighty frustrated with it. I had the same error everybody else was having with the broken thread error. I looked and looked and swore I did it right. After doing the thread again and making sure it went around the round part and under the metal plate it worked wonderfully. I ran into the problem that I saw on other sites with the not plugged in and something about x86 and a x64. I downloaded the patch and fought with it for hours, turns out I downloaded the wrong patch. If you have Vista of Windows 7 you need to hit the futura support site and get the patch. I've never done embroidery in my life but after having it for a 1 1/2 days I'm watching it sewing the best monkey that I downloaded for free. I love this machine! Don't let the reviews fool you. It does take a little fooling with but once you figure it out it's wonderful!

I've sewn on Singer machines for 40 years. When I saw the Singer Quantum Futura 150 I was thrilled that now, I could embroider and sew with the same machine. The first few times sewing were great. It wasn't long though, before I was regretting getting this machine. Parts broke and since I am a long ways from any repair shop, I had to just make do and use it as best I could. I will one day be able to afford a new machine, but I will definitely not get another combo. I'll have a new embroidery machine, and pull out my old Singer regular sewing machine. This one's going to the dump because I wouldn't wish it on anyone I know.

I got this machine a couple of years ago and hate everything about the embroidery part of it. I bought it because it ran off the conputer which meant being able to see the design a lot better. I had to send it back right away for repair under warranty. It has never been dependable. I now have a newer computer and a laptop also, the software even with updates doesn't work on either one. Customer support is a joke if you can even get hold of them. I have to admit this is a great sewing machine for my sewing projects and that is the only reason I keep it. I love the way it sews but I already had a sewing machine I got it for the embroidery features. I wouldn't recommend this machine to anyone

Initially, I really liked this machine. It was my first embroidery machine so obviously there was a learning curve, however, found it easy to use. That said, perhaps my biggest frustration with this machine as of late is the software. If you make one small mistake when you are putting your design together, there is no way to correct it other than hitting the "undo" button. Often, I just end up having to start from scratch. The software has much to be desired. The existing designs are somewhat old..meaning, they aren't young or fresh, they are old and frumpy. I have not used a single one of their existing designs. I have tried to use the auto-punch software to create my own very very simple design, and unfortunately, it didn't turn out well. I got discouraged, and have not tried it again. Additionally, I recently had issues with my desktop computer so I went out and bought a MacBook Pro laptop computer. My futura software doesn't work AT ALL with this new laptop. Therefore, I either need to buy a new computer, or get a new embroidery machine!!! Neither of the above to are really viable options so it looks like I won't be sewing for a while...a huge problem given the holidays coming up. I wish there was additional software I could buy to make it compatible with my MacBook. I would happily pay extra to have it work on more than one type of computer.

I love my Futura! I have made all my christmas gifts this year! I download my designs from urbanthreads.com. I had trouble at first but once I learned how to do it and read the manual several times it sews like a dream. I wish it had more decorative stitches though!

I have had this machine for almost a year now. I absolutely LOVE it! I bought it after much research. The main selling point for me was the fact that it links up to the computer. I can go to one of the many, many websites that sell embroidery designs, purchase one (often for a dollar or two) and begin to sew it out in minutes. I have been sewing for probably 40 years but this is my first embroidery machine. The manual is definitely lacking, but there are great Yahoo groups that can answer any and all questions you might have (search for Futura). I have put hours and hours on it with no issues. The bobbin case tension is not very well calibrated from the factory, but with instructions from the group I was able to fix that and it has been a dream ever since. I run the software from an XP laptop and have not had any problems with it. It is a multi-tasker's dream. I have it set up on one table and am working on a second project on an adjacent table while it sews away. You do have to change threads for each color, but the needle threader makes that very easy. I am so glad I purchased this machine. My daughter is too, because her daughter reaps the benefits! It is the greatest Grandma machine ever!