SINGER Heavy Duty 6800C: Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C is a computerized sewing and embroidery machine aimed at advanced home sewists and small business owners. Singer is one of the most well-known and iconic sewing machine brands, with over 160 years of history. Founded in 1851, Singer has been a leader and innovator in the sewing industry.

The Singer 6800C is packed with features to handle a wide variety of sewing, quilting, crafting, and embroidery projects. Key features include an automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, built-in scissors, adjustable stitch length and width, speed control, start/stop button, and a built-in needle up/down button. It includes 120 built-in stitches including utility, decorative, quilting, heirloom, and buttonhole options. An extended workspace of 6.5 by 4 inches provides flexibility for large projects.

This Heavy Duty model offers substantial metal internal components and a sturdy build. With an automatic presser foot lift and extra high foot lift, the Singer 6800C can smoothly sew across thick seams and multiple layers of fabric. An automatic thread cutter is a handy addition to trim threads with the touch of a button. Overall, the Singer 6800C provides advanced sewing capabilities in a heavy-duty package.

Design & Build Quality

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine features a sturdy metal interior frame and smooth rounded edges for durability. Despite its rugged metal construction, it maintains an ergonomic design and measures 15.5 x 6.2 x 12 inches while weighing approximately 14.5 pounds.

The rounded edges and sleek exterior help make the sewing machine comfortable to use for extended periods. The metal interior frame ensures the 6800C can handle thick fabrics and heavy sewing projects without flexing or shaking. It has a modern, streamlined appearance with a matte black finish and minimal exterior parts.

Overall, the combination of sturdy metal framework along with ergonomic shaping makes the Singer Heavy Duty 6800C well-built for longevity while remaining user-friendly. Its medium weight and compact footprint allow it to be easily moved around your sewing room or craft area.

In comparison, the SINGER 3337FR: Simple Sewing Machine is designed for beginners and casual sewers. It features a lightweight and user-friendly design, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their sewing journey. The machine is compact, lightweight, and portable, perfect for small spaces or on-the-go projects. With easy stitch selection and simple threading, the SINGER 3337FR allows for stress-free sewing experiences.

Stitches & Sewing Features

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine comes with an impressive array of built-in stitches that allow you to tackle all sorts of sewing projects. It has 32 built-in stitches including 6 basic stitches, 7 stretch stitches, 18 decorative stitches, and 1 fully automatic 1-step buttonhole.

You get a great deal of customization and control over your stitches with this machine. There is adjustable stitch length from 0 to 4mm and adjustable stitch width up to 6mm. Adjusting the stitch length and width allows you to achieve the right look and functionality for different fabric types and sewing techniques.

Another handy feature is the top drop-in bobbin system. This makes loading the bobbin quick and easy as you simply drop it in from the top. There's no need to wrestle with a bobbin case underneath the throat plate. An clear cover makes it easy to monitor your bobbin thread supply.

Threading the needle is also frustration-free thanks to the built-in automatic needle threader. Just follow the thread guide, press the lever, and it threads the eye of the needle for you in seconds. This handy tool saves time and aggravation, especially for those with poor eyesight.

With its variety of built-in stitches, adjustable settings, top drop-in bobbin, and automatic needle threader, the Singer Heavy Duty 6800C gives you the essential stitches and convenience features any sewer needs.

Additionally, the SINGER Brilliance 6180: Portable Sewing Machine offers great portability, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced sewists on the go. It features 80 built-in stitches, including several one-step buttonholes. The machine is lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport to classes or sewing groups. Its user-friendly interface and quick-start guide let you dive right into sewing projects without hassle. The SINGER Brilliance 6180 is perfect for a variety of sewing needs, from simple repairs to elaborate crafts.

Ease of Use

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine is designed for intuitive use right out of the box. It comes with an instruction manual that provides step-by-step diagrams and directions to get you up and running quickly.

Threading the needle is straightforward with the built-in needle threader that does the tricky work for you. There are also numbered guides printed right on the machine to aid in threading the top thread and bobbin. Selecting a stitch is as simple as turning the dial to the desired number.

For continued convenience, the 6800C also provides quick reference guides located under the top lid. These guides visually demonstrate how to wind the bobbin, change the needle, and more. Between the included instructions and on-board reference charts, anyone can learn to use this user-friendly sewing machine.

Advanced Capabilities

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C comes with several advanced capabilities that make it suitable for more complex sewing projects. One of the most notable features is the heavy duty motor, which provides extra power to easily handle sewing thicker fabrics like denim, canvas, and multiple layers.

The presser foot on this machine has an especially high clearance - up to 6mm higher than standard machines. This extra space makes it easier to fit thicker fabrics and material layers under the presser foot without bunching or resistance. You'll have an easier time sewing things like quilts, home decor items, crafts, etc.

Another handy capability is the free arm, which allows you to more easily sew cylindrical pieces like pant legs, sleeves, cuffs, and piping. Simply slide off the flat bed attachment to reveal the free arm. This gives you the clearance and maneuverability for navigating tubular sections through the machine.

Overall, the advanced capabilities of the Singer Heavy Duty 6800C give you the power, clearance, and flexibility needed to take on more complex sewing tasks with a wide variety of fabrics and material types. From heavy canvas to delicate silks, this machine can handle it.

Accessories

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine comes with a variety of useful accessories.

• It includes an all-purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, blind hem foot, satin stitch foot, and darning/embroidery foot. Having all these different presser feet allows you to tackle any sewing project.

• The machine comes with 4 bobbins, so you always have a spare on hand. The bobbins are made of durable plastic.

• A handy seam ripper is included to easily remove stitches. The seam ripper has a sharp point for precision and a brush on the other end.

• To hold the thread spool in place, the machine has spool caps in two sizes - large and small. This prevents the thread from getting tangled or unwinding too fast.

• A clear plastic dust cover protects the machine when not in use. This keeps lint, dust and dirt off the machine.

Warranty

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine comes with an industry-leading 25 year limited warranty that covers the entire machine, including the motor, light assembly, wiring, switches, speed control, and electronic components. This provides peace of mind that the machine will deliver years of reliable performance.

In addition, Singer offers free technical support for the life of the machine to help with any questions or troubleshooting needs. Their customer service team can be reached by phone or email to provide assistance. With the extensive warranty coverage and lifetime technical support, customers can feel confident investing in this heavy duty sewing machine.

Pros

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine has many positive attributes that make it a great choice for sewists.

• Durable metal construction: The 6800C has an internal metal frame that provides stability and prevents vibration while sewing. The exterior housing is also metal, making this a very sturdy and durable machine.

• Lots of built-in stitches: With 60 built-in stitches including utility, stretch, decorative, heirloom, and buttonhole stitches, this machine offers plenty of options right out of the box. The stitches provide versatility for all types of sewing projects.

• Easy to thread and operate: There is a clearly marked path to follow when threading the needle, and an automatic needle threader does most of the work for you. The machine has simple controls and buttons that are intuitive to operate.

• Good for heavy duty projects: From denim to canvas, the 6800C has the power to sew through heavy fabrics with ease. The metal interior and powerful motor allow it to tackle thick seams without hesitation. This makes it a great choice for home decor projects or sewing things like tote bags.

Cons

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Manual threading of the needle - There is no automatic needle threader on this model. You have to manually thread the eye of the needle yourself, which some may find tricky, especially those with vision issues. An automatic needle threader can be a useful convenience.

• No automatic thread cutter - There is no built-in thread cutter, so you have to cut the threads manually with scissors after sewing. An automatic thread cutter neatly trims the top and bobbin threads when you finish sewing. Having to manually cut the threads slows you down.

• No extension table - This machine does not come with an extension table or insert to increase the sewing area. The lack of an extension table limits the size of projects you can work on. Quilters and sewers working on large projects may find the sewing area too confined without an extension table.

Conclusion

The Singer Heavy Duty 6800C is an excellent sewing machine for both beginners and experienced sewers looking for advanced features. It's sturdy and reliable, able to tackle a wide variety of fabrics and projects.

The 6800C comes with an impressive array of stitches and sewing functions that allow you to be creative with your projects. Features like the automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, and adjustable stitch length and width make the sewing process smooth and frustration-free. This machine can handle thick fabrics without hesitation and produces neat, even stitches.

The 6800C's ease of use combined with its versatility makes it a great value. It's comparable to other sewing machines in this price range like the Brother CS6000i and Janome 2212, offering similar stitch selection and built-in stitches. However, the Singer stands out with its robust metal frame, heavy duty motor, and ability to sew faster than competitors.

Overall, the Singer Heavy Duty 6800C is highly recommended for sewists who want professional-grade performance without the professional price tag. Its excellent stitch quality, user-friendly design, and array of capabilities make it a sewing machine that will grow with you as you take on more advanced projects.