SINGER 1306 Start: Sewing Machine: Full Review

Singer is one of the most recognized names in sewing machines. Founded in 1851 by Isaac Singer, the company helped pioneer the technology that enabled the sewing machine to be produced on a mass scale. For over 170 years, Singer has been a leader in home sewing, introducing many innovations along the way.

Today, Singer offers a range of sewing machines for all skill levels. The Singer Start 1304 is one of their basic entry-level models aimed at beginners. With a lightweight design and user-friendly features, it provides an easy introduction to sewing.

Overview

The Singer Start 1306 is an entry-level sewing machine designed for beginners and occasional sewing. This lightweight machine features a basic set of stitches and settings to handle simple sewing projects.

The Singer 1306 has 6 built-in stitches including: straight stitch, zigzag, buttonhole, blind hem, and decorative stitches. It is a mechanical machine, meaning settings are changed by turning a dial, rather than digitally selected. The maximum stitch width is 5mm and the stitch length can be adjusted up to 4mm.

This affordable model offers the essential features for basic sewing in a compact size. With a small footprint of 13.5 x 7.2 x 12 inches, the 1306 can be easily stored when not in use. The machine weighs just 10.1 pounds so it's easy to transport to classes or from room to room.

The Singer 1306 sewing machine comes in a crisp white finish that will suit any decor. With its simple operation and limited capabilities, it's best suited for beginners looking to learn sewing skills or sew occasional small projects. More advanced sewers may want a computerized machine with more stitch options. But for basic garment construction and mending, the 1306 delivers on functionality.

Design

The Singer Start 1306 sewing machine has a sleek, modern design with rounded edges and a white finish. It has a compact and lightweight body, weighing just under 15 pounds. The dimensions are approximately 15.5 x 7.5 x 12 inches, making it easy to store away or transport between uses. Despite its small footprint, the machine does not feel flimsy or cheap. The outer casing is made of durable plastic that can withstand regular use. All the dials, buttons and levers are ergonomically placed for convenient access while sewing. Overall, the physical design is well-suited for beginners learning to sew as well as more experienced sewers looking for a secondary portable machine. The clean, minimalist aesthetic will fit right in with most decor styles too.

Stitches

The Singer Start 1306 sewing machine comes with 6 built-in stitches - straight, zig zag, blind hem, buttonhole, stretch, and decorative. This gives you versatility to handle basic sewing tasks like hemming, sewing seams, adding buttonholes, and decorative stitching.

The zigzag stitch is especially useful as it allows the stitch width to be adjusted, helping when sewing on stretchy fabrics. The machine also has a 4-step buttonhole function to easily sew buttonholes for shirts, jackets, and other projects. An automatic needle threader is included to make threading the needle hassle-free.

While 6 stitches may seem limited compared to computerized sewing machines, it's a decent variety for basic sewing and garment construction. The stitches cover the main functions a beginning sewer needs. More advanced sewers may want a machine with more stitch options, but the Singer Start 1306 provides ample capabilities for learning and simple projects.

Settings

The Singer 1304 sewing machine comes with a variety of adjustable settings to handle different fabric types and sewing techniques. One of the key settings is stitch length, which can be adjusted from 0 to 4mm. A shorter stitch length is ideal for sewing lighter weight fabrics, while a longer stitch works better for heavier fabrics like denim.

Stitch width can also be adjusted up to 5mm wide. Adjusting the stitch width allows you to do a straight stitch, zig zag, and various decorative stitches. There are 6 basic stitches built in, including:

• Straight Stitch
• Zig Zag
• Buttonhole
• Blind Hem
• 4-step Buttonhole
• Decorative Stitch

Adjusting the stitch width and length allows you to customize these stitches for your project. For example, widening the zig zag makes it better for applique work. Overall, the settings provide enough flexibility for both basic garment construction as well as decorative stitching.

Accessories

The Singer Start 1306 sewing machine comes with a good selection of accessories to get you started with sewing projects. It includes:

• 4 snap-on presser feet for basic sewing techniques - zig zag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, and button sewing foot

• Pack of needles - It includes 3 regular sharp needles, 2 ballpoint needles for knits and stretch fabrics, and 2 jeans needles for denim

• L-screwdriver for changing needles

• Seam ripper

• Lint brush

• Spool pin caps

• 3 bobbins

• Darning plate for free-motion techniques

• Soft-sided dust cover

• Instruction manual

The variety of presser feet allows you to create buttonholes, install zippers, sew on buttons, and do basic zigzag stitching out of the box. Having multiple needle types ensures you can sew smoothly on any fabric type without skipped stitches. The bobbins, screwdriver, and seam ripper cover the sewing essentials.

Overall, the included accessories provide everything a beginner needs to learn sewing techniques on a variety of fabrics. More advanced sewers may want specialty presser feet like a walking foot or quilting foot. But the Start 1306 offers ample accessories to start.

Ease of Use

The Singer Start 1306 sewing machine is designed to be very user-friendly, especially for beginners. The controls are straightforward and intuitively laid out on the machine.

Threading the needle is made simple with a built-in needle threader that does most of the work for you. There are threading guides printed right on the machine as well. The foot pedal allows you to control the speed while keeping your hands free for guiding the fabric.

The stitch selection dial makes it easy to choose the stitch you want. There are 6 basic stitches available, including straight, zigzag, and buttonhole stitches. The stitch length and width can be adjusted using dials to customize the stitches.

An automatic bobbin winding clutch stops the needle while winding the bobbin, preventing accidental stitching of the fabric. Jam-resistant technology helps prevent tangled threads or stuck fabric.

Overall, the Singer Start 1306 is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The basic controls and handy features like the built-in needle threader allow even novice sewers to get started and learn the basics of sewing.

Performance

The Singer Start 1306 sewing machine performs quite well for a basic entry-level model. It has a maximum sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute, which is decent for general sewing projects. The motor provides adequate power to get through multiple layers of fabric without slowing down or stalling out.

It produces nice, even stitches on both lightweight and midweight fabrics. The stitch quality looks consistent and there's minimal puckering on seams, even when sewing at high speeds. The needle is able to pierce through denim, canvas, and other heavier fabrics without issue. However, performance may start to suffer when working with very thick or heavy materials that require a more powerful motor. But for most lightweight garments and crafts, the stitch quality remains reliable.

The feed dogs provide good control and help feed the fabric smoothly under the presser foot. There's not too much fabric slipping or bunching up, except maybe on very slippery fabrics. But overall, the 1306 does a good job maintaining even stitches and preventing uneven fabric feeding.

Noise Level

The SINGER Start 1306 sewing machine runs quietly while in operation. Users report that it produces a low hum that is not bothersome. Even when running at high speeds, the 1306 does not make loud noises that would disrupt conversation or require you to raise your voice.

The low noise level makes the 1306 a great option if you need to sew while others are sleeping or working nearby. You can listen to music or the TV without having to turn the volume up to drown out sewing machine noise.

Some budget sewing machines are notoriously loud, but the 1306 has a quiet motor that allows you to sew in peace. You won't find yourself getting a headache or annoyed from a loud, buzzing sewing machine. The 1306's quiet operation really sets it apart from other entry-level models.

Conclusion

The SINGER Start 1306 is an excellent entry-level sewing machine that's packed with helpful features. Its lightweight design and easy controls make it simple for beginners to learn how to sew. At the same time, it has enough functionality for more experienced sewers with its 6 built-in stitches, 4 step buttonhole, and top drop-in bobbin.

The 1306 sews smoothly at a decent pace and handles a variety of fabrics well. It comes with useful accessories like a seam ripper, needles, bobbins, screwdriver, etc. to get you started. The machine itself is sturdily built yet lightweight at just under 10 pounds.

Some drawbacks are the lack of speed control, automatic needle threader, and adjustable stitch length/width. The foot pedal could also use some improvement. However, considering the affordable price point, these omissions are understandable.

Overall, the SINGER 1306 is a great choice for beginners looking for an uncomplicated, budget-friendly sewing machine with all the essential features to learn on. More advanced sewers may want to opt for a model with more customization options. But for basic mending, alterations, crafts, and simple projects, the 1306 delivers impressive performance and quality.