SINGER SC220GRFR: SC220 Sewing Machine: Full Review

The Singer SC220 is an entry-level sewing machine that is designed to be easy to use for beginners while still offering enough features and versatility for more advanced users. This machine is manufactured by Singer, which is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in sewing.

The SC220 is a compact, lightweight machine that is very portable and can be stored away easily when not in use. It has a sleek, modern design with a strong metal interior frame and plastic exterior housing. This is an electronic sewing machine that offers both mechanical and computerized features.

Some of the key highlights of the Singer SC220 include its automatic needle threader, top drop-in bobbin, built-in stitch selection, and adjustable stitch length and width. It can handle basic sewing tasks like hemming, mending, crafts, home decor projects, and simple garment construction. This versatile machine aims to be accessible to sewers of all skill levels.

Overall, the Singer SC220 is designed to be an affordable, user-friendly sewing machine for basic everyday sewing needs. It offers a good selection of stitches and customization options in a compact and portable package. This overview will explore the SC220's main features, performance, and ease of use in more detail.

Key Features

The Singer SC220 is a compact and lightweight sewing machine that is easy to move around and store. It measures approximately 13.5 x 7.2 x 12 inches and weighs about 13 pounds, making it a good choice for those with limited space. Despite its small size, it packs in plenty of useful features.

This machine offers 22 built-in stitches including 6 basic stitches, 4 stretch stitches, 12 decorative stitches, and 1 buttonhole. The basic stitches handle your everyday sewing needs like straight stitching, zigzag, and blind hem. The 4 stretch stitches are ideal for sewing knit fabrics that need give, such as T-shirts. You get decorative stitches like scallop, smocking, feather, and more to embellish your projects. The automatic 1-step buttonhole is conveniently sized for most buttons.

With a maximum stitch width of 5mm and stitch length of 4mm, you have flexibility for adjusting your stitches. The machine sews up to 750 stitches per minute, allowing you to complete projects quickly. An automatic needle threader helps you easily thread the needle without eye strain or frustration.

Overall, the Singer SC220 squeezes useful functionality into a portable package. It provides ample options for both basic garment construction as well as creative touches, while remaining compact and lightweight.

Stitch Options

The Singer SC220GRFR sewing machine offers an impressive array of stitch options to accommodate a wide variety of sewing projects. It comes with 80 built-in stitches, including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches.

With 80 stitches to choose from, you'll have plenty of creative options for clothing, crafts, home decor projects, and more. The selection includes utility stitches like straight, zigzag, blind hem, and stretch stitches. Decorative stitches like scallops, vines, hearts and more allow you to add beautiful embellishments. There are also 7 styles of 1-step buttonholes to create button closures easily.

An easy-to-use stitch selection dial allows you to quickly choose the stitch you want. Each stitch is clearly marked with a number, so you can refer to the stitch chart in the manual for guidance. The stitch length and width are adjustable as well, giving you more control over the look of the stitch. You can customize the stitches for your particular project needs.

Overall, the extensive selection of built-in stitches gives you exceptional versatility on this sewing machine. Whether you are sewing clothing, crafts, home decor or other DIY projects, you'll have a wide assortment of stitches for creative sewing.

Ease of Use

The Singer SC220 sewing machine is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The interface is clean and intuitive, with clearly labeled dials and buttons for controlling all settings and functions.

The machine has an easy to read LCD screen that displays your selected stitch, stitch width/length, and other settings. Key settings like stitch selection, stitch width/length, and reverse sewing have dedicated dials and buttons for direct access without having to navigate complicated menus.

The foot pedal allows you to control the sewing speed, starting slow and then pressing down harder to go faster. There are also buttons for start/stop and reverse sewing right on the machine.

Threading the SC220 is straightforward with easy to follow guides printed right on the machine. There is an automatic needle threader that threads the eye of the needle for you at the push of a button.

Overall, the controls and interface are well laid out in a logical way that is beginner friendly. Everything is clearly labeled and simple to adjust. Within minutes of sitting down at the machine, you'll have the hang of selecting stitches, adjusting settings, and controlling the speed.

Performance

The Singer SC220 sewing machine delivers smooth and consistent performance for basic sewing projects. It has a maximum sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute, which is decent for a starter model. The machine handles lightweight to medium weight fabrics well, though may struggle with very heavy or dense materials.

The motor provides ample power to get through multiple layers of fabric. It can sew smoothly without slowing down or feeling strained on most common sewing projects. Some users note the machine maintains its speed well when sewing thicker seams or hems.

Many reviews mention how quietly the SC220 operates. It produces minimal vibration and noise even at high speeds. This adds to the overall smooth performance of the machine. The internal components are precisely balanced to prevent skips or thread jams while sewing.

Overall, the performance capabilities of the Singer SC220 are well-suited for beginner and intermediate sewers. It can tackle basic construction, hemming, mending, and craft projects on commonly used fabrics. The consistent stitching speed, ample power, and quiet operation make it a smooth-running starter sewing machine.

Build Quality

The Singer SC220 sewing machine features a sturdy metal frame and heavy-duty metal interior parts, ensuring it can withstand frequent use and last for years. The outer casing is made of high-quality plastic that feels solid and durable.

The machine weighs a little over 10 pounds, giving it a reassuring heft that stays planted on your sewing table. The interior metal parts like the needle plate, bobbin case, feed dogs, and inner workings are made of steel and finished smoothly to prevent snagging fabric.

Customers report the SC220 holding up well over time without any issues of parts breaking or wearing out prematurely. The machine appears to be built to Singer's typical standards of reliability and longevity.

While not advertised as an industrial machine, the SC220's sturdy build quality makes it suitable for regular home sewing and minor craft business use. The metal internal components and smooth steel finish help the machine sew various fabrics without jamming or struggling.

Overall, the materials and construction create a sewing machine that feels like it will hold up for many years of sewing projects. The SC220 manages to balance portability and lightness with an underlying durability that inspires confidence in the machine's longevity.

Accessories

The Singer SC220 comes with a good selection of accessories to get you started sewing right away.

Included Accessories

In the box, you'll find 4 presser feet - all-purpose, buttonhole, zipper, and button sewing feet. This gives you versatility to tackle most common sewing tasks. The machine also includes 3 bobbins, a pack of needles, thread spool caps, a lint brush, screwdriver, seam ripper, and spool pin. Having multiple bobbins and needles means you can switch between thread colors more quickly.

Storage

The SC220 has a handy built-in storage compartment that provides space to organize all the included accessories. The compartment has specialized slots that hold the feet securely in place and keep things tidy. This is a useful feature that ensures the accessories are easily accessible when you need them.

Extras

While the SC220 comes with the basics, there are a few optional accessories you may want to add. An extension table provides more surface area for large sewing projects. A pack of quilting feet opens up decorative stitch options. There are also presser feet available for specific techniques like piping, cording, ruffling, and hemming. Purchasing a few extras can expand your creative possibilities with the machine.

Warranty

The Singer SC220 comes with a limited 25-year warranty. This is an impressive warranty that shows Singer's confidence in the durability of their machine.

The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for 25 years from the date of purchase. It applies to the original owner only and requires proof of purchase.

Normal wear, misuse, or failure to follow operating instructions are not covered. The warranty only applies to machines purchased and used in the United States.

For warranty service, the machine would need to be taken to an authorized Singer repair center. Singer will provide the parts and labor needed to repair any defects covered under warranty.

The Singer customer service team is available by phone and email to answer any warranty-related questions. They can help determine if an issue qualifies for warranty repair. Overall, Singer stands behind their products with this generous 25-year warranty.

Pros & Cons

The Singer SC220 sewing machine offers many benefits for novice and experienced sewers alike, but also has some downsides to consider.

Pros

• Has 22 built-in stitches including utility, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches, providing versatility for sewing and mending projects
• Automatic needle threader makes it easy to thread the needle quickly
• Drop-in bobbin is simple to insert and doesn't require threading
• Adjustable stitch length and width allows customization for each stitch
• Heavy-duty metal interior frame provides durability and stability
• LED-lit work area illuminates fabric for ease of sewing
• 6-segment feeding system feeds fabric smoothly
• Comes with 3 presser feet for basic sewing, buttonholes, and zippers

Cons

• Smaller work area may feel cramped for large projects
• Manual threading can be tricky until you get the hang of it
• Bobbin winding is done manually and can be time consuming
• No speed control so sewing speed may be too fast for beginners
• Limited accessories - only includes 3 presser feet
• Warranty is relatively short at just 1 year

Conclusion

Overall, the Singer SC220 sewing machine is a great choice for beginner and intermediate sewers looking for an affordable and user-friendly machine. It has many attractive features like automatic needle threading, top drop-in bobbin, and adjustable stitch length and width. The variety of built-in stitches allows you to complete both basic projects as well as more creative sewing endeavors.

While the plastic construction makes the machine lightweight and portable, it may feel flimsier than metal machines. The SC220 performs well for lighter fabrics, but may struggle with thicker materials. The automatic buttonhole feature can be tricky to master. Lastly, the machine is covered by a limited 25-year warranty.

In conclusion, if you are searching for an easy-to-use, budget-friendly sewing machine for simple projects and mending, the Singer SC220 is an excellent option to consider. It provides great value at an affordable price point. The SC220 offers user-friendly operation and versatility for both new and experienced sewers. Overall, it's a great entry-level machine that can grow with you as you advance your skills.