SINGER 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine

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...Read more

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...Read more

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...Read more