Singer 7442 Electronic Sewing Machine

Comment: I purchased a similar Singer Sewing machine 2 Christmases ago for my older (33 y.o.) daughter. She loves her machine, learned to use it easily, and has used it about monthly since. My younger daughter wanted a Sewing machine this Christmas, so I tried to get as close to the other machine as possible. This is basically the same model. My old machine (a sturdy but difficult to use Swiss "Elna" machine that I bought used more than 30 yrs. ago) was on the blink, so I decided it was time to get a new machine for me also, while I could still find the model that my older daughter liked so much.

I really love the ease of use. I basically only straight stiched with the old machine, or used simple zigzags, but I have already tried most of the features with my new machine. All are very easy to use. The free arm is wonderful!! I have repaired a hole near the knee in a favorite pair of jeans already. There is no way that I could have done that with the other. I used the button stitch to sew several buttons onto my lab jackets. This is wonderful!! I hate sewing buttons by hand. I also like the automatic needle threader very much. My eyes are getting poor, and it is hard to see the needle to thread it. The machine is intuitive for initially threading, and for most functions. I like that the optimum stitch size is programmed in, but that it is easily changed if needed. I also prefer having the stitches on the machine, over a LED display on the newer/ higher end models, where it might be harder to figure out what stitches are available. I learned how to use a blind hem stitch to take up a pair of pants: the instructions on the web site were clearer for this than in the manual. The manual was very good for everything else, and was clear about the care needed (minimal) for the machine.

I am very happy with my purchase: a reasonable price for a wonderful machine for all basic and intermediate sewing!!

Comment: I purchased this sewing machine just this week. Chose standard shipping (free) from Amazon, and received in 3 days!
The machine was waiting for me when I got home from work. I took it out of the box, set it up, and made a poodle skirt in no time at all. The machine practically sewed the skirt by itself. Easy to thread both the machine and the bobbin. Easy to understand and read the manual. My sewing experience is costumes for the kids, pillows, blankets, crafts. Not a beginner but certainly not advanced, either. There are fun choices of stitch patterns that can be easily selected by simply pushing a button. No advanced degree needed for this machine!
The week prior to purchasing this machine, I purchased the Singer Inspiration 4210. The Inspiration should be named "Perspiration". It was not at all easy to interpret the manual, or to figure out what stitch was what from the confusing dial(s). The Inspiration 4210 operation was not smooth and semi-automatic like the 7442 model is.
I was very frustrated and disappointed, and returned the Inspiration to the store, then went back to the drawing board and did some more research. Found several on Amazon, decided on the Singer 7442--and I love it!

Comment: As a beginning sewer, I've only had the machine three weeks but I've taken 3 classes at Joann's Crafts and have 4 more lined up. Although one can learn a lot by simply using the machine, it's amazing the tips you can learn from experienced instructors and sewers. TAKE CLASSES ~ anywhere ~ if new! Most problems I've had have been due to the most common errors beginners make: misthreading either bobbin or machine. For instance: when done sewing, my teacher taught me to pull threads straight back to cut, b/c if pulled to side the bobbin thread slips out of second groove and messes up next seams. I kept wondering why it worked on a few seams and then goobered up the bottom and had to be ripped out and rethreaded! Now I rarely have that problem.

I love the automatic threading feature of the 7442 for those over-40 eyes but miss the Drop & Sew bobbin feature my grandmother had ("Drop In" bobbin is NOT the same thing, very misleading). The new machine is much easier to thread than hers ~ which is good since you have to do it every time you wind a bobbin or change thread colors. (My inherited machine from grandmother was stuck on straight stitches only and used VERY infrequently for minor repairs too big to be done by hand)

Although I originally had my heart set on an entry-level Brother embroidery machine, after talking with a number of experienced sewers and reading the three pages in that on-line manual referring to how to set and adjust tensions, I decided to get a beginner machine with automatic tension. I've not been disappointed there since the 7442 has gone from two to thru 10 (yes, ten) layers of denim without hesitating or growling.

I am learning tote/purse making and quilting so am working with multiple layers of material, batting and fusible fleece. The foot lever only holds in the first position and does not go high enough for some of the topstitching I've wanted to do. When the foot lever has to be held up with right hand while trying to work thick materials under the needle with the left, it's very difficult for a right-hander.

Thirty stitches should have been enough but I find I am doing a lot of decorative finishes and topstitching so in hindsight I should have looked into more stitches.

So yes, it's a great entry level, beginner, basic or back-up machine but I may be one of those unfortunate enough to out-grow it quickly.

Comment: I am new to sewing, but not totally novice. I had helped and watched my mother and grandmother sew clothes for my sister, and took a few sewing lesson in home Eco. So, I would say that I have a very basic understanding of sewing. I have had my machine for at least 1 year.

Things I really like about the sewing machine is the ease of which you can get the machine ready to go, and the automatic needle threader. (I hate threading needles).

Now for the problems with the machine:

The light by the needle is not nearly as bright as my old singer sewing machine. Almost to the point of saying the light is worthless.

The cloth guides are only around the needle area. since the bobbin cover is clear plastic (instead of metal like the old days) I find guiding the cloth to be more of a task. Of course the task is not impossible, but for a beginner, it is slightly annoying.

The sewing machine is extremely light weight. I do not except to get years of service out of this machine.

And I wish there would have been some better instructions included with the unit.

Comment: I love this sewing machine because it hems my jeans without knotting or pulling. It can handle thick fabric and it's really fast. The cute stitches work great and are beautiful when styling boho tops. I would reccomend this sewing machine to anyone.