SINGER PixiePlus: Electric Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Singer Pixie Plus is a lightweight, compact electric sewing machine designed for basic mending, alterations, and craft projects. As an entry-level model, it offers just the essential features needed for basic sewing in a portable size.

Weighing under 7 pounds, the Pixie Plus is easy to carry and store away when not in use. The small footprint takes up minimal space, making it ideal for sewists with limited work area. It's a great starter machine for beginners learning to sew, or as a secondary machine for advanced sewers to keep on hand for quick mending jobs.

While it lacks some of the functionality of full-size sewing machines, the Pixie Plus provides good value given its size and price point. It's capable of handling simple garment alterations, hemming, craft projects, and minor mending tasks. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the Singer Pixie Plus's features, performance, and ease of use.

Features

The Singer Pixie Plus is a compact, lightweight sewing machine that measures about 12 inches wide, 7 inches high, and 14 inches deep. It weighs only 9 pounds, making it easy to transport and store.

The Pixie Plus comes with several handy accessories including 3 sewing feet (all purpose, buttonhole, zipper), 4 bobbins, seam ripper, lint brush, quilting guide, needles, screwdriver, and spool pin. Having multiple presser feet allows you to tackle different sewing projects without needing to purchase additional accessories. The included accessories provide everything you need to get started sewing right out of the box.

Stitches

The Singer Pixie Plus electric sewing machine comes with a variety of built-in stitches for basic sewing needs. It has the following:

• 4 basic stitches - straight stitch, zigzag, blind hem, and buttonhole stitch
• Each stitch width and length is adjustable, allowing you to customize your stitches
• There are stretch stitches available for sewing on knits and stretchy fabrics
• An automatic 4-step buttonhole function makes buttonholes easy
• The machine includes a built-in darning/embroidery stitch for free-motion sewing and simple embroidery
• A straight and zigzag stretch stitch allows for elasticity when sewing on knit fabrics

The basic built-in stitches cover all the necessities for clothing repairs, alterations, craft projects, quilting, and more. While advanced decorative stitches are not included, the machine offers enough variety for most basic sewing tasks. The adjustable stitch width and length provide added customization.

Threading the PixiePlus Sewing Machine

Threading the PixiePlus is designed to be quick and easy, especially for beginners. There is a clearly marked path to follow that threads the needle in just a few steps.

To start, raise the needle to its highest position by turning the handwheel. Then lift up the presser foot to release the tension discs. Place the spool of thread on the spool pin at the top of the machine. There are two spool pins, allowing you to sew with two threads at once.

Lead the thread from the spool through the thread guide directly above, pulling it down through the take-up lever. This lever moves up and down with the needle and helps control the thread tension. Next, bring the thread down through the two thread guides on the front of the machine.

Threading the needle itself is very straightforward. The machine has a built-in needle threader that automatically threads the eye of the needle in seconds. Simply hook the thread through the guide, lower the lever, and the thread is threaded through the needle for you. There's no squinting or frustration trying to get the thread through manually.

The clear markings and easy needle threader make getting set up quick and hassle-free. Even those new to sewing should have no issues getting started and threading their first project. It's a thoughtful design that removes one of the trickier steps of sewing for beginners.

Setting Up

Setting up the PixiePlus out of the box is simple and straightforward. The machine comes with everything you need to get started sewing right away.

First, remove the protective styrofoam and plastic covering the machine. The foot pedal, power cord, foot control, 4 bobbins, needle set, seam ripper, and instruction manual are all included. Make sure to remove any stray bits of packing material.

Next, attach the foot pedal by plugging it into the front socket on the bottom right. Insert the power cord into the back to provide power.

To insert the bobbin, follow the diagrams in the manual. Lift up the storage compartment on the top of the machine, then slide open the bobbin case. Place the bobbin in the case so that the thread unravels counterclockwise. Pull the thread through the slit and to the left.

After securing the bobbin thread, close the bobbin case and compartment. Place the spool of thread on top and feed through the guide from back to front. Bring the thread down through the take-up lever and threading guide before securing in the needle.

Refer to the stitch selection guide on the front to choose your desired stitch. Adjust any settings like stitch length and width accordingly.

The PixiePlus comes with a removable extension table for extra working room. Snap this on the back when needed.

With everything threaded up and connected, the PixiePlus is ready to start sewing right out of the box! Just plug it in, thread up, and go.

Using the Machine

Using the PixiePlus Electric Sewing Machine is very straightforward. Selecting stitches is easy with the turn dial on the front of the machine that allows you to choose from the machine's 14 built-in stitches. Adjusting settings like stitch length and width is also simple with designated knobs right on the machine.

Sewing with the PixiePlus is smooth and consistent. The machine sews at a speed of 800 stitches per minute, which is fast enough for most general sewing tasks. The foot pedal allows you to control the speed while you sew. The machine handles a variety of fabrics well including woven fabrics like cotton and linen as well as stretchy knits. It produces nice straight stitches and has no issues with skipped stitches. The automatic thread cutter is very convenient, instantly cutting the threads when you finish sewing.

Overall, the PixiePlus Electric Sewing Machine is easy to use right out of the box, even for beginners. It has intuitive controls and settings that make selecting stitches, adjusting tension, and starting sewing projects uncomplicated. Experienced sewers should also find the machine simple to operate.

Sewing Performance

The Singer Pixie Plus sewing machine performs quite well for basic sewing tasks. Its all-metal interior components allow it to handle a variety of fabric thicknesses without difficulty.

When sewing multiple layers of thicker fabrics like denim, the machine is able to stitch through smoothly without jamming the needle. It can handle lightweight fabrics like chiffon just as adeptly. The feed dogs grip lightweight material properly to move it through for even stitching.

Straight stitching with the Pixie Plus turns out uniform, neat seams. There is little bunching or puckering of fabric. The stitch length is adjustable so you can set it for the task at hand. A shorter stitch works well for dressmaking while a longer stitch can be used for basting or construction stitches.

The machine's 4-step zigzag is also quite good. The stitch width is adjustable up to 5mm which allows for satin stitching. Zigzag stitches are smooth and consistent. The stitch settings provide enough variability for applique work, buttonholes, and decorative stitching. Overall, the sewing performance of the Pixie Plus is impressive for the price.

Ease of Use

The Singer Pixie is designed to be very easy to use, even for beginners. The controls and settings are intuitive and clearly labeled.

• The stitch selection dial makes it simple to choose the stitch you want. Just turn the dial to the stitch number and you're ready to sew. The stitch diagrams printed next to the dial illustrate what each stitch is used for.

• There are also preset stitches for common tasks like sewing buttonholes, elastic, and more. These eliminate any guesswork.

• Adjusting settings like stitch length and width is straightforward with the turn dials. The numbers are easy to read.

• The reverse lever allows you to easily backstitch for reinforcing seams. Just push the lever down as you sew.

• An automatic needle threader does the tricky threading for you with just the push of a lever.

• For winding the bobbin, there are clear markings on the hand wheel showing which direction to turn it.

Overall, the Singer Pixie is designed for simplicity. With its intuitive controls and settings, even someone who's never sewn before can learn to use it quickly.

Maintenance

The Singer Pixie Plus is relatively low maintenance, but does require some basic upkeep to keep it running smoothly. Here are some tips for maintenance:

Cleaning - It's important to keep your machine free of lint and stray threads. Wipe down the exterior with a soft cloth and use the included brush to sweep lint out of the bobbin area. Unthread the machine completely and use compressed air to blow out any lint in crevices. Avoid using liquids for cleaning.

Oiling - The Pixie Plus will need periodic oiling to lubricate the moving parts. Use only sewing machine oil, never regular household oils. Put a few drops of oil on the parts specified in the manual, such as the race hook. Run the machine for a bit to distribute the oil. Wipe away any excess.

Changing Needles - Needles should be changed frequently, especially if they become bent or dull. Use the correct needle system and size for your fabric. To change the needle, loosen the needle clamp screw, remove the old needle, insert the new one, and tighten the screw again.

Replacing Light Bulb - Over time the sewing light bulb may burn out. Replacement bulbs can be found at craft stores. Unscrew the plastic cover over the bulb, remove old bulb, insert new bulb, and replace the cover.

Regular cleaning, oiling, and replacing worn parts will help keep your Pixie Plus running smoothly for years to come. Refer to the manual for full maintenance recommendations.

Pros and Cons

The Singer Pixie Plus Electric Sewing Machine has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight design makes it very portable
• 25 built-in stitches for basic sewing needs
• Good for simple projects like hems, seams, and crafts
• Easy threading system
• Drop feed dogs for free-motion sewing
• Affordable price point for a beginner machine

Cons:

• Small sewing space limits larger projects
• No speed control so can only sew at one speed
• Presser foot pressure not adjustable
• No automatic needle threader
• Not suitable for heavy duty sewing like denim or curtains
• Limited accessories included

Overall, the Singer Pixie Plus is a solid starter sewing machine for basic needs, but may be limiting for more advanced sewers. The compact size and lightweight build make it a good portable option. However, the lack of customization in speed, pressure, and accessories may be restrictive. For simple sewing projects and beginners, it provides good functionality at an affordable price point. More advanced users may want to consider a heavier duty machine with more settings and capabilities.