Singer 14SH6540 Differential-Feed Serger Sewing Machine

Comment: I bought this Singer serger (my first and only) at Walmart about 3 years ago. I also bought my first Brother sewing machine there the year before. They have both been excellent machines and low prices.
The instruction book that comes with the serger explains threading, what each part is and how it works also how to make different stitches. Never want to lose that booklet. I had my machine up and running within minutes. It does take patience in threading it the first time but it is all color coded to show how to run each thread throughout the machine. After the first threading, the instruction books shows an easy way to change out colors of thread without rethreading the whole machine.
I had no problems finding the needles. They are sold everywhere and are called Singer overlock/serger 2022. I can't remember the number right off the top of my head but it is the number the serger calls for and it has 2 different sizes of needles in the package.
The Singer serger sews beautiful stitches. I've made many baby clothes, my own clothes and all sorts of things with my Singer serger. Now I would be lost without it. (I won't say the same thing for other Singer machines and especially not the Singer Futura.)
There is no need spending huge prices for other brand name sergers that do the same thing. If you are considering purchasing a 5 thread serger, ask yourself if the very few extra stiches are going to be used often enough to warrant spending an extra $200- $400.
I give this Singer serger a 4 star in all ways. I use mine almost daily and am very pleased with it.

Comment: I purchased this model from Joanns 3 days ago. I have had years of experience with a 5-thread serger, so I know how a serger is supposed to work. The swatch of material under the needle showed a perfect 4-thread stitch when it was set up, (right out of the box)and I attempted to stitch on the same swatch of material. It was a mess. After investing about 18 hours in trying to get this machine to sew (I had resorted to trying only 2 threads utilizing the spreader)I contacted Singer and was given various "tips" to try as the tension would not hold for over 10 stitches, then would loop-de-loop for a few stitches, and go back to serging properly for only a few stitches. I was told it was a problem with the tension holding (yes, I knew that) and since it was under warranty I could take it to one of 2 dealers in the State, each dealer located approximately 2-1/2 hours away.

It is easy to thread, yes, but the light is a big problem. It is an LED light and only if there is no other light source you can see to sew with it. Unless you sew in the dark, consider a different purchase.

After reading the reviews (which I wish I had done before purchasing this serger) I ordered a Brother1034D from Amazon. I've used only Singer machines for the past 40 years, but after this experience I doubt I'll swear by the Singer Brand again.

Comment: Bought this at Walmart thinking that being a Singer it should be a decent machine. After a few days, thread got all tangled up inside which I can understand can happen. Problem is that the threading directions and pictures in the manual are so lame, and the color coding is a joke, so it was impossible to get it re-threaded. Funny thing is it says right on the box that it is color coded for foolproof threading! There is no color coding on the more detailed pathways the thread must take. I have been a dentist for 27 years and am used to detailed work (machine is for my daughter), but there is no way anyone can thread this machine using only the directions provided. The manual does not even show enough detail to see where the thread is going. I could not find any other directions online. Very disappointed in Singer's lack of regard for the consumer. Returned to Walmart and told manager to pull it from the shelves.

Comment: I purchased this machine thinking it would live up to the Singer Name, (even purchased a gathering foot, which by the way no attachements come with this machine,) boy was I wrong, the first time I used a different setting on the tension for gathering it never worked right again, no matter how it was set. I contacted support and they told me that it could be due to using different brands of thread, or setting the tension differently, anyway I got the run around. I have been a professional seamstress for over 30 years and know how to set tension and know about quality thread. They also told me to get it corrected I would have to send it to a repair shop, keep in mind that this machine was less than three weeks old! It worked a total of about one week. So I boxed it up and returned it to Wal-Mart and ordered a EZ Lock and it is working beautifully! and guess what, you can use different brands of thread.

Comment: I bought this Singer serger as a back up machine,it is good for what it can do, but you get what you pay for. I would recommend going up to the next model.