 | High Frequency Machine
SMGU -- 2009-07-24
This product works well. My concern is te fact that it comes without a brand name, no manufacturer name, and no costomer service number in case you need replacement parts.
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 | Singer Esteem II Sewing Machine - 2273
Great Learner Machine -- 2010-08-13
The basic machine worked very well for me. I actually learned how to sew on the machine before this one (a used Singer Simple) until that one broke. (Motor busted: I sewed daily.) I replaced that Singer with this Esteem since it was basically the same model, and I wasn't ready to upgrade or spend a lot of money. This machine is easy to use and figure out. Between the not-so-great user manual & YouTube videos, I taught myself all the basics and some intermediate stuff on this machine. I have used it every other day almost for 4 months now and have not had the bobbin issues that others speak of. I will say that the size bobbins you are supposed to buy for this machine are slightly too big for the winder. (Had the same issue on the Simple, too.) I remedied that by sticking a very tiny hand-sewing needle between the winder and the bobbin. This created the tension needed to make the bobbin wind (vs. the bobbin saying still while the winder wound.) The other annoyance is that after cutting the thread, you will need to pull the thread out another inch or so before sewing again or it will come out of the needle. But really, for the price, these annoyances can be lived with for the beginner sewer or for someone who wants to just have a basic machine around for occasional projects.
Never Could Get The Machine to Sew -- 2010-05-12
I purchased this sewing machine a few weeks ago from Target. Watched the instructional cd on threading, bobbin winding, etc. Then read the manual that by the way was very annoying (it came in 3 languages: one page English, next page Spanish, next page another language. You could not read continuously without flipping thru several pages to get your next page). Then I started by winding the bobbin. Then threaded the upper machine (manually). Machine comes with an automatic threader but it did not work. I was never able to get the machine to sew. Thread kept jamming in the bobbin area. After 3 hours I gave up and took the machine back to Target.
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 | Janome Decor Computer DC2010 Sewing Machine
Some trade-offs, but a great sewing machine overall -- 2010-05-30
I really like Janome sewing machines; they are rugged, feature-rich and really excellent for the home sewist. While there are fully-featured models from competing manufacturers that cost half as much, the Janome deliver trouble-free features such as clog-free bobbins and a number of innovations that make sewing a pleasure, for example, a very good feed dog system with seven parts that delivers smooth operation.
The tension is very well made; I had few issues adjusting upper tension and the lower tension seems to react incredibly well--I was trying to abut two adjoining pieces of fabric with a loose fringe-like ladder by loosening the upper tension to almost nil. However, the lower tension adjusted and made a smooth satin-like stitch which actually was not the effect I wanted (I wanted messy loops) but shows that the technology of the Janome bobbin tension is quite remarkable. Not surprising as Janome's fame is their bobbins, and in fact, the name means "Eye of the Dragon" or "Eye of the Snake" and refers to the round bobbin that they invented.
However, the way the machines are marketed makes me delete a star; to get a model with the right "bells and whistles" plus some features I consider "musts" is not easy and you end up having to move up to the most expensive machine in the series in order to get the most versatile model. And the models are revised constantly; wait a year and a whole set is discontinued and a new set with an equally perplexing matrix of features will be introduced. And then there are "commemorative" models that come and go quickly. It's confusing.
The DC2010 is a case in point. If you drop down to the "Magnolia" line, which is a line of starter machines (by the way, suitable for any young sewist to start out on) then you give up a lot of the heirloom stitches that make sewing garments and decorative home linens worth your time. But the Magnolia top-of-the-line 7330 has the option of foot-free start-stop, meaning you can sew and coordinate free quilting without having to press a foot pedal up and down to regulate speed and start-stop. (This is something akin to rubbing your tummy and patting your head. You can do it, but it takes a bit of concentration.)
The DC2010 lacks two other features that make it less than optimal. Firstly, there is no adjustable pressure for the foot. This is a dial on top that makes the presser foot squeeze the fabric onto the feed dogs with more or less pressure and allows you to adapt the pressure for the fabric you are working on (sheer to heavy.) The "Threadbanger" TB-30 has this feature (at a similar price point to the DC2010) and start-start stop as well. You just give up 20 additional heirloom stitches to get this. (So, if you don't like machine ornamental stitches, go look at that model before it's discontinued.)
Secondly, there are only three choices of buttonholes, done in satin stitch. The knit buttonhole and "hand-stitched" buttonhole are missing. Strange, considering this machine has 50 stitches including heirlooms like feather and ladder stitch.
In order to get adjustable pressure and more buttonholes, there is a more expensive machine (DC2160) or you go with the Threadbanger TB-30 and leave off doing darning or heirloom stitching, because the TB-30 has 30 stitches NOT including darning nor many heirloom hem stitches. (You can of course darn by dropping the feed dog and moving the fabric freely with an optional darning foot.)
However, if you aren't as fussy about buttonholes, don't care about adjustable pressure and if you like heirloom stitching and can live with foot-pedal operation only, the DC2010 is machine that delivers a lot for a very reasonable price.
My feeling is that if you can find about fifty percent more to spend, it's worth it to move up to a better machine but if your budget is around four hundred, this is a fantastic home machine and only the foot-free and pressure versus stitch choice would have you choose between the Threadbanger or Decor.
You can spend a lot less on some very widely available mass-marketed machines, but reports of tension problems and overheating during long sewing sessions are common complaints, and if you are serious, you don't need such frustration.
More quibbles; the lower end machines have an accessory box that pulls off the free arm end and is simply two connected tubes in which you store the feet and other accessories. The better machines have the drawer type of accessory box that pulls down in front. I hate pulling off the box just to find a foot. And may I also say that a zipper foot, buttonhole foot, satin stitch foot and regular foot are not a generous number of presser feet. Again, the higher end machines have blind hem and overedge as well. These feet can add up quite a bit when you are outfitting your machine to suit your projects. I like to have a good open toe foot, a darning foot (like a mini embroidery hoop), a button foot (padded open toe that holds a button better than the satin foot) and a walking foot and the blind-hem ditch-stitching foot. Even at discounted prices, this adds up quickly.
Despite these quibbles, I'd recommend this sturdy machine for anyone on a reasonably tight budget who wants a durable, decent machine that makes pretty stitches and can do a lot. For heirloom sewing and quilting, this is a wonderful machine. If you are sewing on a large variety of fabrics that require adjustable pressure, you might try a different model.
Sewing Machine -- 2010-04-19
This product arrived quickly and in perfect condition, I just plugged it in and started making quilts! It is a wonderful sewing machine, well worth the money. I would definitely use this supplier again in future for other sewing needs.
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 | Singer Chain Stitch Sewing Machine Set
Wish I had the receipt.. -- 2010-08-01
Please please please do not waste your money on this thing. We purchased it on clearance, thinking it would be great for our 5 year old daughter to sew with while Mommy sews. Yeah, no. It is INCREDIBLY noisy, and doesn't work at all. I am very familiar with sewing machines and machinery in general and this piece of junk is worthless. If you can get it to make a stitch at all it doesn't hold after you take it off of the machine - it instantly falls out. Save your money and see if you can find a 2 stitch sewing machine at a yard sale or something for probably the same amount of money. I ended up just breaking out my old 2-stitch Singer for my daughter to sew on since my she was so disappointed that this piece of ^&%* didn't work.
Does not work--AWFUL design -- 2010-07-29
My grandniece wants to sew--bought this with her birthday money. The stiches do not hold--just unsecured loops through the fabric--unravelled instantly. Set-up, especially threading, is extrememly difficult. she even tried exchanging it for another thinking maybe she got a lemon--the 2nd was the same. She was sorely disappointed. And it was a big waste of everyone's time as we all struggled to try to make it work. DO NOT BUY THIS!!!!
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 | Brother 40-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine CE4000
Great Machine for a Great Price - Highly Durable -- 2010-03-03
I love this machine. I received it as a gift and have been sewing with it for over a year. I have made many different items using fabrics of varying thicknesses. It has always done everything I've wanted it to, and the only time I have problems is from operator error. It is a breeze to sew with and I recommend it highly!
Had better machine -- 2009-08-29
I've done about 5 hours sewing on this machine and now it comes up with a F2 fault code and the machine won't work. According to the manual I have to contact the Brother service department....
I've also never encounted such problems with the cotton getting tangled around the top spool nor had the needle unthread it self. I know this can be handled by pulling enough thread through but I've done alot of sewing over the years and never had this problem. Still I guess you get what you pay for.
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 | Dritz(R) Iron-Off Hot Iron Cleaner - 1 oz
Doesn't remove all stains -- 2010-08-31
I tried this product on my non-stick iron (Sunbeam brand), and it didn't remove all the brown sticky residue. I used to use Faultless brand, and it worked better. Incidentally, this produce is available at any large fabric store.
Iron Cleaner -- 2010-05-03
This is a very hard to find product that I have used for years. Easy to use and is very effective in keeping your iron plate clean like new.
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