SINGER MX60: Sewing Machine: Full Review

The SINGER MX60 is an entry-level sewing machine designed for beginners and casual sewers. It offers basic functionality with user-friendly features, making it a great choice if you're looking for an affordable and straightforward machine.

This mechanical sewing machine has 57 stitch applications, including utility stitches and decorative stitches, allowing you to tackle a variety of sewing projects. It comes with an accessory kit that includes presser feet, bobbins, a seam ripper, needles, and more. The SINGER MX60 sewing machine also features a top drop-in bobbin, a built-in needle threader, and a free arm for sewing sleeves and pant hems.

With its lightweight design and easy threading system, the SINGER MX60 aims to simplify sewing for novices. Its dial pattern selection and stitch length adjustment provides straightforward operation. The machine also has adjustable presser foot pressure to handle different fabric weights. An included foot pedal allows you to control the speed.

Overall, the SINGER MX60 offers a solid set of features to cover basic sewing needs. It provides an affordable and approachable option for beginners looking to learn sewing skills or take on simple projects.

Specifications

The Singer MX60 is a compact sewing machine that measures 14.25 x 7.5 x 12 inches and weighs just 14.11 pounds. Despite its small size, it packs in plenty of features.

This machine operates on 120V AC and has 57 built-in stitches including utility stitches, stretch stitches, decorative stitches, and buttonhole stitches. The maximum stitch width is 5mm and the stitch length can be adjusted from 0 to 4mm.

There are 57 stitch applications available, allowing you to tackle projects like basic hemming, adding elastic, sewing on buttons, and more. An automatic needle threader makes it easy to get the machine threaded and ready to go.

For those looking for another reliable option, the SINGER Tradition 2277: Sewing Machine offers excellent functionality. This model comes with a variety of stitches, including essential, decorative, and buttonhole stitches, making it perfect for home sewing projects. It's user-friendly, thanks to features like an automatic needle threader and adjustable stitch length and width. Additionally, the Tradition 2277 provides a sturdy build and consistent performance, making it a dependable choice for both beginners and experienced sewers.

Features

The SINGER MX60 sewing machine comes with 57 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches. The stitch selection dial allows you to easily select the stitch you want.

Some key features include:

• 57 Stitch Applications - With 57 built-in stitches, you have plenty of options for basic sewing as well as decorative stitches for creative projects. The variety of stitches provides versatility.

• Stitch Selection Dial - Easily select the stitch you want with the turn dial. The stitch diagrams are printed next to the dial making it simple to choose the right stitch for your project.

• LED Light - The LED light illuminates the sewing area to help you see your work clearly. The bright light eliminates shadows while sewing.

• Top Drop-in Bobbin - No need for threading. Just drop the bobbin in and you're ready to sew. Jam-resistant too.

• Automatic Needle Threader - Threading the needle is effortless with the automatic needle threader. Simply lower the lever and the threader pushes the thread right through the needle.

For more advanced sewing and quilting projects, check out the SINGER 9960: Sewing & Quilting Machine. This machine offers a wide array of features including 600 built-in stitches, an extension table for large projects, and automatic needle up/down functionality. The SINGER 9960 is perfect for both beginners and expert sewers who require a powerful and versatile machine.

Ease of Use

The Singer MX60 sewing machine is designed to be very beginner-friendly. It has an easy to use interface and intuitive controls, making it simple for even first-time sewers to get started.

One of the biggest pain points for beginners is threading the machine, but the MX60 makes this incredibly easy. It has easy to follow threading guides printed right on the machine. The automatic needle threader does most of the work for you - just follow the guides, press the lever, and the thread is pulled right through the needle. You don't have to strain your eyes or fumble with tricky threading steps.

The MX60 also comes with a very helpful instructional DVD that walks you through how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, select stitches, and get started on your first project. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow along. Between the well-labeled machine itself and the instructional DVD, getting up and running is quick and painless.

Overall, ease of use is clearly a priority for the MX60. Both absolute beginners and more advanced sewers will appreciate how quick and intuitive it is to get started sewing.

Performance

The Singer MX60 sewing machine delivers excellent performance for the price. It can handle a variety of fabrics and produces consistent, high-quality stitches.

Sewing Speed

The MX60 has a maximum sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute. This is fast enough for most general sewing projects. The speed control lets you easily adjust the pace as needed when sewing different fabrics.

Stitch Quality

This machine produces nice looking stitches on all types of fabrics. The stitches are uniform in length and have minimal puckering. Even at high speeds, the stitch quality remains consistent. The machine handles lightweight fabrics like silk as well as heavier materials like denim with no issues.

Fabric Handling

The MX60 can sew multiple layers of fabric without difficulty. It has no problem going through 4 layers of medium weight cotton. With the presser foot pressure properly adjusted, it also sews slippery and sheer fabrics well. The feed dogs provide good grip to move the fabric smoothly during sewing. Overall, this machine handles a wide variety of fabrics capably.

Accessories

The Singer MX60 sewing machine comes with a number of handy accessories right out of the box. This allows you to get started sewing projects without having to purchase any additional items separately.

It includes 4 snap-on presser feet for basic sewing needs - a all-purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, and button sewing foot. There are also 3 bobbins, a pack of needles, thread spool caps, a lint brush, a seam ripper, screwdrivers, and spool pin felt.

One of the most essential accessories is the foot pedal, which allows you to control the speed of sewing without using your hands. The MX60 includes a sturdy foot pedal with adjustable height to keep your foot comfortable during long sewing sessions.

Having all these accessories included right away makes this an great value sewing machine, as you don't have to worry about any extra purchases just to get started. Everything you need for basic sewing and garment construction is in the box.

Pros

The Singer MX60 sewing machine offers many advantages that make it a great choice for beginners as well as experienced sewers looking for an affordable and user-friendly option.

• Affordable Price Point: The MX60 is very competitively priced, especially considering the features and performance it delivers. At around $100, it provides excellent value without breaking the bank.

• High Stitch Quality: This machine produces uniform, good-looking stitches on a range of fabrics. The 57 built-in stitches allow you to tackle decorative projects as well as everyday mending and alterations.

• User-Friendly for Beginners: With easy threading, automatic needle threader, and large dials, the MX60 doesn't intimidate new sewers. The included DVD provides clear instructions for getting started.

• Wide Range of Included Accessories: Everything you need comes in the box - different presser feet, bobbins, seam ripper, etc. This makes the MX60 ready to go for both basic and more advanced projects.

• Reliable Basic Performance: It handles lighter-weight fabrics well and has enough power to sew through multiple layers of medium-weight fabric without issue. The MX60 delivers on core functionality.

With its combination of affordability, quality, and approachable design, the Singer MX60 hits a sweet spot for novices looking to learn sewing as well as experienced sewers needing a dependable secondary machine. For the price, it packs in features that make sewing projects easy and enjoyable.

Cons

The Singer MX60 does have some drawbacks to consider.

• Noisy operation - Some users report that the MX60 can be quite noisy when running, especially at high speeds. This may not be ideal if you need to sew while others are sleeping or working nearby. The noise is likely due to the internal mechanics and plastic body.

• Limited functionality compared to higher-end models - While the MX60 includes 57 stitches, this pales in comparison to top-of-the-line sewing machines that offer hundreds of built-in stitches. The MX60 is designed as a basic, affordable machine, so it lacks some of the more advanced features you'd find on pro-level models.

• Plastic body - The MX60 has an all-plastic construction to keep costs down. But this means it may not stand up to heavy use over many years as well as metal-bodied machines. The plastic body can also contribute to the noise issue mentioned earlier.

Comparable Models

The Singer MX60 has similarities to other beginner sewing machines like the Brother CS6000i. Both are computerized sewing machines with a good selection of built-in stitches and easy threading mechanisms.

Some key differences:

• The Singer has 57 built-in stitches compared to 60 for the Brother. However, the Singer includes 6 fully automatic 1-step buttonholes while the Brother only has 7 buttonhole styles.

• The Singer comes with a hard protective case, while the Brother includes a soft cover.

• The maximum sewing speed on the Singer is 800 spm, faster than the Brother's top speed of 750 spm.

• The Brother offers a slightly larger workspace at 25% larger than the Singer.

• The Brother includes an extension table, the Singer does not.

• Both machines are lightweight and portable. The Brother weighs 13 pounds while the Singer is a bit lighter at 11.5 pounds.

• Warranties are similar - the Singer offers 25 years limited, Brother offers 25 years limited on the machine, and limited lifetime on the computerized components.

Overall the Singer MX60 and Brother CS6000i are comparable, basic computerized sewing machines good for beginners or casual sewing. The MX60 is a bit more compact and portable while the CS6000i offers a few more built-in stitches and a larger work area. Choosing between them comes down to the specific features most important for your needs.

Conclusion

The Singer MX60 is an excellent sewing machine for beginners. It has user-friendly features like easy threading, automatic needle threader, and easy bobbin winding. The variety of 57 built-in stitches allows you to get creative with your projects. It sews smoothly at a decent speed and has adjustable stitch length and width for customization.

The accessories included are sufficient for basic projects, though you may need specialty presser feet for certain techniques. It's lightweight and portable enough to take to classes. The instruction manual is clear and there are many online tutorials available.

Overall, the Singer MX60 offers great value at an affordable price point. It has just enough functionality for a beginner without being overwhelming. The simple operation, variety of stitches, and smooth performance make this a great first sewing machine. While it may have some plastic parts, it should meet the needs of a hobbyist learning to sew. I would recommend it to anyone looking to start sewing as a creative outlet.