Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was really excited (and a little bit apprehensive) to get this new Singer Simple 3223y sewing machine: although I'm not strictly a beginner, I haven't owned or used a sewing machine for over 30 years! But I desperately wanted some new sun porch curtains and, with five sliding glass doors to cover, I knew I could make them far cheaper than I could buy them. Now, I'm old enough that I actually took sewing in Home Ec class in Junior High School in the 1950s-and grew up with the benefit of a grandmother who was an expert seamstress. I know how a pattern actually goes together so sewing wasn't exactly a foreign concept to me. But my problem in the past has always been adjustments the sewing machine needed . . and I could never get the tension right-or keep it right, it seemed ( I kind of envied Grandma's old Singer that had been converted from treadle to electric . . .very few adjustments!).. So I was excited to see the clear directions offered in the video that came with this new Singer. Threading this machine is a snap! it almost threads itself! No more opening the head and trying to thread through a series of small eyelets . .just bring the thread thru the zig-zag slots from right to left and it is basically done! I also learned something else from the enclosed "Ready, Set, Sew" DVD: I never knew you needed to have the slot on the thread spool at the far right end to avoid snagging it-one of those things you learn too late in life! Within minutes, I was sewing on some scrap practice fabric . . and had the tension just right. I was really pleased with how easy it was. The presser arm actually raises the foot high enough to easily get your fabric in or out of position-very nice! This machine comes with the ability to adjust to 23 stitch patterns in various widths and lengths. I haven't tried them all out yet and suspect I wont use more than a few different stitches as I probably wont be doing much fancy sewing. But, with the help of the enclosed DVD, I now see how they are supposed to look rather than spending a lot of time, trial and error getting them just right. The 4-step buttonhole maker looks pretty easy . . .far easier than any I've attempted to use in the past (I say attempted as I never actually mastered the 'buttonhole art' before). I would have been lost trying to figure out all of the different foot attachments without the DVD but I now see what they are supposed to do and how they can make project completion easier. The machine comes with an all-purpose foot, button sewing foot, buttonhole foot, and a zipper foot. These should serve most of my sewing needs. The only one I think I may need in the future is a 'walking' foot (for working with several layers, as in quilting). They can be purchased at many fabric stores such as Joanns. The screwdriver needed to change accessories and make adjustments is included, as are a darning plate and a quilting or edge guide. There are also needles, bobbins, a second thread spool pin for working with twin needles (I can only dream I'll be there someday), a brush for cleaning the lint out of the workings, a seam ripper, a soft fabric cover and an instruction book. All of the smaller accessories fit in a handy removable case that attaches to the front of the machine bed. Removing the storage case makes the machine a narrow free-arm capable of smaller sleeves and cuffs. Between the instruction book and the DVD, you have a complete beginning sewing course in the box. The DVD is quite dated . . the video looks, from the styles depicted, to date back to about 1970. It also is not specific to this machine and covers most modern Singer machines. But it is very instructive and I can see I'll be referring to it repeatedly for attempting different tasks. Now, if I can actually figure out how to machine-sew on a button, I will consider myself an expert-lol! At around $100-with s 25-yr limited warranty, this is the one all-around machine you need for standard household sewing. I would highly recommend it for a beginning-and maybe lifetime-machine. And with the Singer name, should it need repairs, any sewing machine shop should be able to get it working correctly in a jiffy. All around good little machine. And my new curtains look great!