Singer C5200: Computerized Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Singer C5200 sewing machine is a versatile computerized sewing machine designed for beginner and intermediate sewists looking for an easy-to-use machine with plenty of built-in stitches and features. This lightweight yet sturdy model offers 80 built-in stitches including basics, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches, giving you a wide variety of options for sewing projects.

With its automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, and adjustable stitch length and width, the C5200 makes sewing simple. Its computerized functions, automatic tension, and programmable needle up/down allow for more precise sewing. The LCD screen and LED lighting provide excellent visibility as you work. Overall, the Singer C5200 offers user-friendly operation and helpful features ideal for sewing, crafting, quilting, and everyday mending and alterations.

Design & Appearance

The Singer C5200 is a compact and lightweight sewing machine, making it easy to store and transport. It measures approximately 15.5 x 7.5 x 12 inches and weighs around 14 pounds. The machine comes in two color options - black and turquoise.

The black model has a sleek, modern aesthetic with its jet black finish. The smooth curves and clean lines give it an elegant, sophisticated look.

The turquoise version offers a bright pop of color. The light turquoise finish looks fresh and lively. This vibrant hue adds a fun, playful vibe to the sewing machine's design.

Both color options feature a hard protective cover that clips over the machine when not in use. This cover helps keep the machine free of dust and debris.

Overall, the Singer C5200 has a streamlined, contemporary design. Its small footprint doesn't take up much space, while the lightweight build makes it easy to carry to classes or move around your craft room. The two color choices let you pick a machine that matches your style.

Features

The Singer C5200 sewing machine comes with 80 built-in stitches, providing a wide variety of basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches to choose from. The automatic needle threader is a convenient feature that effortlessly threads the needle, saving you time and frustration. Just follow the thread guide, lower the lever, and the wire loop pulls the thread right through the needle. No more straining your eyes or struggling to get the thread through the needle!

Another handy feature is the top drop-in bobbin. This makes changing the bobbin quick and easy. Simply lift the hinged cover plate, pop out the old bobbin, drop in the new bobbin, and you're ready to sew again. The clear plastic bobbin cover allows you to monitor the bobbin thread supply as you sew. With 80 stitches, automatic needle threading, and a top drop-in bobbin system, the Singer C5200 offers user-friendly features for both beginners and experienced sewers.

LCD Screen

The Singer C5200 sewing machine features a large LCD screen that makes selecting stitches and settings a breeze. The screen measures approximately 2.5 inches diagonally and has a high resolution for a clear and vivid display.

The LCD screen is backlit with LEDs so it can be easily viewed even in low light conditions. The backlight has an auto-off feature to conserve energy when not in use. There are multiple brightness levels to adjust for your preference.

The screen displays the selected stitch number, stitch width/length settings, recommended foot, and more. Everything is clearly labeled in an intuitive layout. There are on-screen menus for selecting stitches, adjusting settings, and accessing other functions. The menus are well-organized and the screen makes navigating them simple.

Overall, the Singer C5200's LCD screen provides excellent visibility and makes selecting stitches, adjusting settings, and using the sewing machine's features effortless. The large high-resolution display with LED backlighting is a major asset of this computerized sewing machine.

LED Lighting

The Singer C5200 sewing machine comes with bright LED lighting to illuminate your workspace. It features 6 LED lights that are positioned around the needle area to provide optimal visibility as you sew. With 60% more brightness than a standard bulb, the LEDs produce a crisp natural light that reduces eye strain and shadows. The lights are located on the front, back and sides of the needle plate so you can see every detail and stitch clearly. The brightness is adjustable so you can increase or decrease the lighting based on your preference and lighting conditions. Overall, the LED lighting system makes sewing easier on the eyes and allows you to sew with precision even on dark fabrics. The lights last for many hours so you don't have to worry about frequent bulb changes.

Buttons & Controls

The Singer C5200 comes with an intuitive layout and easy to use control panel. The buttons are clearly labeled and logically arranged for seamless navigation.

The main buttons include:

• Start/Stop button - Large circular button to start and stop sewing. Conveniently located for easy access.

• Reverse button - For reverse stitching.

• Needle up/down button - Raises or lowers the needle. Useful for pivoting fabric.

• Speed control - Adjustable sewing speed for optimal control.

• Stitch width and length buttons - Easily adjust stitch settings.

The LCD screen clearly displays the selected stitch number, width and length. Navigating through the various built-in stitches is simple with the stitch selection buttons.

Overall, the button controls are well-designed for simplicity and ease of use. Everything is clearly labeled and accessible for efficient sewing. The intuitive layout allows you to effortlessly select stitches, adjust settings, and maintain full control as you sew.

Performance

The Singer C5200 delivers excellent sewing performance for the price. Its powerful motor can reach speeds up to 850 stitches per minute, making quick work of most sewing projects. Stitch quality is also impressive - stitches come out clean, even, and consistent on all types of fabrics.

The C5200 handles lightweight fabrics like silk and chiffon with ease, producing beautiful seams without puckering the delicate material. Heavier fabrics like denim and canvas are no problem either thanks to the machine's strong piercing power through multiple layers. Adjusting the presser foot pressure allows you to fine tune settings for any fabric you're working with.

Zigzag and decorative stitches are just as high quality as the straight stitches. The wide range of stitches available are rendered precisely and with great detail. Performance remains consistent even during long sewing sessions, so you can rely on the C5200 for all your projects.

Ease of Use

The Singer C5200 sewing machine is easy to use for both beginners and experienced sewers. For beginners, the LCD screen provides clear instructions and guides you through selecting stitches and adjusting settings. There are also built-in tutorials that walk you through how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, and start sewing. The automatic needle threader is a huge help for getting the top thread through the needle quickly and easily.

For those with some sewing experience, you'll find the C5200 very intuitive. The buttons and dials are clearly labeled, so you can easily select stitches, adjust length/width, and change other settings. Singer has designed the machine to allow smooth sewing right out of the box, with no complicated set-up required. The top drop-in bobbin is simple to insert correctly. Overall, the process of choosing a stitch, adjusting settings, and sewing is streamlined.

Both beginners and experienced sewers will appreciate features like the automatic tension adjustment, which takes care of setting the best tension for your selected stitch. The start/stop button allows you to sew without the foot pedal if desired. And the built-in needle up/down control lets you stop with the needle in the fabric or in the highest position. These conveniences make sewing projects faster and easier for sewers at any skill level.

Accessories

The Singer C5200 comes with a variety of accessories right in the box to get you started sewing. It includes 4 presser feet for basic sewing techniques - a all-purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, and button sewing foot. There are also 4 bobbins included, a seam ripper, lint brush, edge guide, spool pin, spool caps, auxiliary spool pin, screwdriver, and darning plate. The presser feet snap on and off easily allowing you to switch between techniques and materials with minimal effort. The zipper foot in particular glides smoothly along zipper teeth for perfectly aligned zippers. And the buttonhole foot takes the guesswork out of buttonholes by ensuring they are consistent in length and width every time. With its assortment of included accessories, the C5200 has everything you need to start sewing and make repairs right away without purchasing any additional parts. The accessories store neatly inside the machine as well for convenience.

Pros & Cons

The Singer C5200 sewing machine has several notable pros along with a few potential cons to consider.

Pros

• 80 built-in stitches to choose from, providing versatility for many sewing projects
• Computerized functionality allows for easy stitch selection, adjustment, and editing
• LCD screen displays key settings and guides users through stitch options
• LED lighting illuminates the sewing area for improved visibility
• Automatic needle threader saves time and frustration
• Built-in thread cutter snips threads quickly after sewing
• Top drop-in bobbin is easy to insert and monitor thread supply
• Adjustable stitch length and width for customization
• Free arm/flat bed convertible design accommodates sewing sleeves or larger projects
• Heavy duty metal interior frame provides durability and stability during sewing

Cons

• Computerized functions may have a learning curve for some users
• Smaller throat space may limit projects that can be sewn
• Limited low-end speed control for delicate fabrics
• Manual thread tension adjustments may be required with some fabrics/threads
• No included quilting feet, so additional purchases may be needed for quilting projects