Customer Reviews

Simplicity SA1100 American Denim 35 Stitch Sewing Machine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Great machine, inexpensive and easy to use. Directions are easy to follow. Highly recommended, inexpensive and with free shipping you can't go wrong. Amazon shipped it right away too!

I recommend getting a carrying case. I ordered one after my machine arrived.

This is a great sewing machine if you know ABOUT sewing machines, meaning if you can adjust the thread tensions, foot pressure etc.
In another words, if you are an absolute beginner for using sewing machines, I recommend you to buy other machines with automatic tension adjustments, built-in bobin, etc, which requires you notheing but just run and you can sew.

I used to own a sewing machine from SINGER and it had top-loading bobin, automatic tension adjustment, etc (which I did not know back then) and I had no trouble sewing even if I had serious trouble when I had to use sewing machines in high school.

When I moved, I left the machine with my mother and bought this machine instead.
At the beginning, boy, I HAD SO MUCH trouble like one of the reveiwers here.
I thought maybe this machine is the reason, but I went to study about the sewing machines from its manual, websites, books, and people.
Then I found out the the reason I had so much trouble is the fact I did not know anything about sewing machines.
Yes, I need to adjust tensions, needles, foot pressures etc (which I did not even know what they mean) depending on what materials I am using.
They are easy once you know how to do it.

Now, I have no trouble and this is very quiet machine and I like it very much.

Also, its manual is much better than the one that came with my old SINGER machine.
It describes very well about the trouble shooting, how to adjust everything you need or sort of things.

The bottome line is: This is the machine if you want a machine with simple, but has enough stiches or features that make your sewing easier and if you know something about sewing machines, or are thinking about learning about them.

This is not a machine to choose, if you are an absolute beginner about sewing machines and have no interest in learning about them.

First, I bought this because it was described as having a drop in bobbin. It is not. The bobbim jambs unless you hold the threads as you start each seam. I have never had to do that with any of my other sewing machines. I sew a lot of heavy fabric and bought this machine for that reason, but save your money and get a better machine. The reverse button fell off after a weeks use. I was able to put it back on but that just shows the quality.
As for the free patterns...I was suprised at how fast they arrived. Less than a week after I sent my order in.

I had only used older Singers and a Kenmore of my Mothers' and took sewing in High School, many years ago.
This machine has many more features and attachments than I have ever used before. It has clear directions, that do require some focus to read and understand.
In the past someone else set everything up and I just used it.
I got this partly to use for making crafts, such as a kitty tunnel, mending jeans, etc and sewing heavier fabrics such as upholstery vinyl and several layers of padding. It has special attachments for this and works well. Haven't had any problems.

I did nothing but struggle with this machine. It was so fussy--it would break pretty much every time I used it. And there was no consistent problem. Sometimes it would freeze up, other times get jammed, other times chew up my fabric. Don't waste your time or money!