SINGER Sew Mate 5400: Handy Sewing Machine: Full Review

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 is a compact, lightweight mechanical sewing machine that is easy to use and ideal for beginners. This versatile machine can handle a wide range of sewing projects from simple mending to more complex projects like clothing construction and crafts.

With 60 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches, the Sew Mate 5400 provides ample options for creative sewing. It has a top drop-in bobbin system, a built-in thread cutter, and a free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves. The machine comes with four snap-on presser feet for general sewing, zippers, buttons, and blind hem stitches.

Overall, the SINGER Sew Mate 5400 is an affordable and user-friendly mechanical sewing machine well-suited for sewing beginners looking for a machine with ample stitch options to grow their skills. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport and store.

Specifications

The Singer Sew Mate 5400 is a mechanical sewing machine with 60 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches. It has 4 one-step, fully automatic buttonhole styles to choose from.

Other features include:

• 60 Built-In Stitches - The 60 built-in stitches include 6 Basic, 7 Stretch, 7 Decorative, and 4 Buttonhole stitches. This variety lets you tackle a wide range of projects.

• Built-In Needle Threader - Makes threading the needle fast and easy.

• Top Drop-In Bobbin - Easy bobbin winding and no-fuss bobbin replacement.

• Adjustable Stitch Length & Width - Customize stitch size for perfect results.

• Automatic Reverse Sewing - Sew in reverse with the push of a button to reinforce stitches.

• Free Arm - Provides easy access for sewing cuffs, sleeves, and hems.

• Heavy Duty Metal Frame - Adds stability and durability.

• LED Light - Brightly illuminates the sewing area.

• On Board Storage - Handy storage for included accessories.

• Presser Foot Pressure Control - Adjust presser foot pressure for different fabric weights.

• 6 Snap-On Presser Feet - For versatility on a range of projects.

Ease of Use

The Singer Sew Mate 5400 is designed to be very user friendly for both beginner and experienced sewers. The machine has an intuitive layout with easy to understand controls that allow you to select stitches, adjust settings, and get sewing right away.

Many users comment that the Sew Mate 5400 has excellent instructions right on the machine that provide guidance on selecting stitches and settings. The stitch selection dial makes choosing from the 60 built-in stitches straightforward. There are also clear markings for adjusting stitch length and width.

The machine comes with an instruction manual that covers everything from thread tension adjustment to sewing buttonholes in a simple, step-by-step manner. Between the on-board instructions and clear manual, most sewers find the Sew Mate 5400 very easy to learn how to use even with no prior experience.

Overall, the intuitive controls, on-board instructions, and clear manual make the Singer Sew Mate 5400 a user friendly sewing machine for sewers of all skill levels. The machine is designed to allow both beginners and experts to start sewing quickly and easily.

Stitch Quality

The Singer Sew Mate 5400 sewing machine delivers consistent, high-quality stitches on all types of fabrics. The machine uses a heavy-duty motor that provides ample piercing power to sew smoothly through multiple layers of fabric without skipping stitches.

Testers found that stitches came out uniform in length and tension when sewing lightweight fabrics like cotton, midweight fabrics like twill, and heavier materials like denim and canvas. There was no noticeable difference in stitch quality on woven versus knit fabrics. The 5400 creates clean, even seams without bunching or puckering on any fabric type.

Stitch consistency remains steady at high speeds, so you can sew faster on long seams without losing stitch quality. The machine doesn't have trouble with skipping stitches when going over thick seams either. Feed dogs provide plenty of grip to keep fabric moving smoothly under the presser foot.

Overall, the Singer Sew Mate 5400 earns top marks for its ability to produce high-quality stitches on all fabrics at both low and high sewing speeds. The stitch consistency and seam quality rival more expensive machines.

Built-in Stitches

The Singer Sew Mate 5400 has 60 built-in stitches, giving you plenty of options for decorative and utilitarian sewing. The stitches are clearly labeled and printed on the machine, making selection easy.

You get the basic stitches like straight stitch, zigzag, and stretch stitches. There are also stitches for finishing edges, sewing buttonholes, sewing on buttons, and more. For decorative work, you can choose from scallop stitches, satin stitches, cross stitches, and blanket stitches. An automatic 4-step buttonhole function lets you create perfectly sized buttonholes for your projects.

With 60 stitches available, you're sure to find the right stitch for hemming, sewing seams, applique work, decorative stitching, and any other basic sewing task. Both beginners and more advanced sewers will appreciate being able to select the exact stitch they need for each application. The variety gives you creative freedom when sewing clothes, crafts, home decor items, accessories, and more.

Buttonholes

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 sewing machine comes with 4 built-in one-step buttonhole styles that are quick and easy to sew. The buttonhole foot creates perfectly uniform buttonholes every time.

To make a buttonhole, simply lower the buttonhole lever and the machine does all the work for you. The 4 buttonhole styles - round end, keyhole, stretch, and heirloom - allow you to choose the right option for your project. The machine sews the front bartack, side bartacks, and rear bartack automatically for reinforced buttonholes.

The clear buttonhole foot lets you see exactly where you are sewing for precision placement. The machine stops automatically when the buttonhole is finished, so there's no guessing about stitch length. Making buttonholes is fast, frustration-free, and achieves professional results on the SINGER Sew Mate 5400.

Accessories

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 comes with a good selection of accessories to get you started on your sewing projects. Included in the box are 4 different presser feet for basic sewing, zipper insertion, button sewing, and blind hemming. There is also a pack of 5 needles, 3 bobbins, a seam ripper, lint brush, screwdriver, spool caps, and spool pin. An instruction manual and quick start guide provide guidance on using the machine and accessories.

The accessories cover the essentials for both garment sewing and home decor projects. The zipper foot makes inserting zippers smooth and easy. The buttonhole foot is designed for consistent buttonholes every time. The blind hem foot allows you to create invisible hems on curtains, pants, and skirts. With the button sewing foot you can attach buttons securely. Having multiple presser feet provides flexibility and expands the creative possibilities.

The accessory pack has all the key components to get started sewing right out of the box. While advanced sewers may want to purchase more specialized presser feet over time, beginners will appreciate having high-quality included accessories for learning on. The accessories are thoughtfully designed to work seamlessly with the Sew Mate 5400 machine.

Noise Level

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 is a fairly quiet sewing machine, making it a great option if you need to sew without disturbing others. While not completely silent, the noise level is low enough for comfortable sewing.

The machine produces a soft hum while running, but the stitching noise itself is minimal. Even at high speeds, this SINGER model remains quiet and smooth. You can carry on a conversation, listen to music or TV, and sew in the same room without cranking up the volume.

Some reviewers have noted the Sew Mate 5400 runs quieter than previous SINGER models and many other entry-level machines. The low noise allows you to sew any time without fear of waking sleeping family members or bothering roommates.

Overall, the noise level is impressively low for the price point. The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 offers quiet operation perfect for sewing in shared spaces or late at night when you finally have free time to work on projects.

Warranty

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 comes with a limited 25-year warranty. This warranty covers the sewing machine head, motors, light assembly, wiring, switches, speed control, and electronic components. To receive service under warranty, you simply need to provide proof of purchase.

The warranty is reassuring as it indicates SINGER stands behind the quality of their product. The extensive 25-year coverage period shows they expect the machine to provide decades of reliable service.

If issues do arise, SINGER has a large network of authorized service centers to handle repairs. Customers have generally had positive experiences with SINGER's customer service team in resolving problems. They offer support over phone, email, and online chat.

Overall, the generous 25-year limited warranty provides peace of mind that possible defects will be repaired at no cost. SINGER's customer service team aims to quickly diagnose issues and get your sewing machine up and running again.

Pros and Cons

The SINGER Sew Mate 5400 sewing machine has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• 60 built-in stitches provide versatility for sewing projects
• 4 one-step buttonholes make buttonholes easy to complete
• Easy threading system and automatic needle threader saves time
• Drop feed dogs for free-motion sewing and quilting
• Heavy-duty metal interior frame provides durability
• Automatic bobbin winding clutch stops overwinding
• Easy stitch selection and length/width adjustment
• Comes with a variety of presser feet for techniques like zipper insertion

Cons

• Smaller workspace may be limiting for large projects
• No automatic thread cutter
• Lower maximum stitch width than more advanced machines
• Noise level may be disruptive in close quarters
• Limited low-end machine warranty period
• Lacks some convenience features of more expensive models

The SINGER Sew Mate provides a solid set of features for basic sewing and garment construction. For advanced sewers, the limited workspace and lack of luxury features may be drawbacks to consider. But it offers substantial capabilities for new and intermediate sewers focused on garment and craft sewing.