Review: Singer Simple Sewing Machine

Despite having done a Textiles GCSE many moons ago up until recently I have had a fear of sewing machines. I don’t really think I was ever really shown how to use a one properly and not only couldn’t I make up a bobbin but always pictured my hand slipping under the foot and ending up sewing all up my arm – hardly likely!

At the end of last year, I decided I didn’t want to be afraid of sewing machines anymore and I took part in a little Christmas stocking making workshop with a local lady who is an expert in quilting. I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed making something from scratch, so much so that when the lady decided to run a ‘quilting for beginners’ course I decided to sign up.

There was only one problem, I didn’t own a sewing machine! Not a surprise you might be thinking to yourself. Luckily my mum, who had signed up to do the quilting course with me, kindly picked out and bought me one as a gift.

She picked out the new Simple Singer Sewing Machine which has been designed specifically to be simple to use for new sewers like me. I have to admit the first thing I noticed was the lovely white and lilac design of the 3232 machine (it comes in a range of nice colours), and the lack of loads of complicated dials and knobs which made me feel a bit more confident.

Described as one of the easiest mechanical machines available on the market, the Simple Singer has a traditional front loading bobbin (offering lower tension) which is easily adjusted when doing shirring, bobbin work or thick material work.

The machine offers 32 different stitches, including a one-step automatic buttonhole (very handy), 6 essential construction stitches, 6 very flexible stretchy stitches and 19 decorative stitches. It is easy to select which stitch you want by turning the stitch selector dial on the front of the machine. You can also change the lengths and widths of your stitches with other simple dials.

Full list of features:

• 32 Built-In Stitches
• Automatic Needle Threader
• Fully Automatic 1-Step Buttonhole
• Adjustable Stitch Length & Width
• Quick and Easy Threading
• Heavy-Duty Metal Frame
• Easy Stitch Selection
• Extra-High Presser Foot Lifter
• 5mm Stitch Width
• A maximum speed of 750 stitches-per-minute
• Automatic Reverse
• Accessory Storage
• Free Arm
• Automatic Tension
• 3 Needle Positions
• Adjustable Presser Foot
• Includes Accessories
• 2 Year Limited Warranty
• Built-in above needle light

What comes in the box:

• 1 x Sewing machine
• 1 x power cord
• 1 x foot control pedal
• 1 x all purpose foot
• 1 x zipper foot
• 1 x buttonhole foot
• 1 x button sewing foot
• 1 x edge/quilting guide
• 1 x pack of 5 needles
• 3 x bobbins
• 1 x large thread spool cap
• 1 x small thread spool cap
• 1 x darning plate
• 1 x L-screwdriver
• 1 x seam ripper/lint brush
• 1 x soft-sided dust cover

I have found the Simple Singer easy to set up and use. There are handy arrows on the machine showing you where to run the thread which is great for beginners like me. I have found the foot pedal to be just the right level of responsiveness and have not had any problems with controlling the speed of the machine.

Although I have had the odd trouble when threads get caught and pulled into the bobbin case, however, I have discovered that if you pull through a decent amount of thread before you get started this is less likely to happen.

Another slight issue is I find that there is a lot of tension on the thread as it winds through the machine which sometimes means the thread snaps or is pulled out of the needle. However, I am rather smug when I get to use the needle threader which was a bit fiddly at first but now I have got it down and threading the needle is super quick and easy.

I have certainly enjoyed learning how to sew with the Simple Singer sewing machine and am really excited at the prospect of making my very own quilt. I feel that with any new machine there will be quirks you as the user will have to discover and learn how to work around and this hasn’t put me off using the machine.

Although I have had a couple of issues with it I think overall the machine has been easy to use and has certainly allayed my fear of sewing machines. I am happy to award the Singer Simple sewing machine 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely recommend it to any newbie sewer!