SINGER Start 1304 Portable Sewing Machine | Lightweight, Beginner-Friendly with 57 Stitch Applications, Automatic Bobbin Winding & 4-Step Buttonhole | Includes Accessory Kit

My initial reason for purchasing this machine was to simply re-attach buttons to my dress shirts. The quality of even expensive dress shirts seems to have declined in the last few years and after just a few washings, buttons are coming off. I have tried hand sewing but could never seem to get it right. So I was looking on YouTube for tutorials and came across one that showed how to use a sewing machine to reattach buttons and the machine she was demoing was the Singer Start 1304. It looked so easy I decided to check the price on amazon and was surpised by the low cost. I mean this thing is about the cost of 2 or 3 of the shirts I buy for work. The machine is very simple but offers some really nice features like double needle support, reverse and 6 different stitch types and of course, a foot-pedal. It is very light weight making it very easy to setup and store. Now honestly I haven't touched a sewing machine in over 40 years and that was in an 8th grade home econmics class, but with in 10 minutes I had the bobbin wound, the machine threaded and was ready to go. After repairing 2 shirts, I was pretty pleased with my purchase and put the machine away, confident I could repair any of my shirts in the future. Then a day later, I was looking at my tablecloth on my dining room table. It has never fit right and hung way to far over the edges. So, I watched a quick tutorial on hems and then I trimmed the tablecloth down to the overhang I wanted (plus 1/2" seam allowance), got the machine back out of the closet and within 15 minutes it was done! It now fits perfect with an exact 8" over hang on all sides AND it looks incredible! I'm convinced that this machine is the gateway drug into the sewing hobby, because now I'm thinking custom throw pillows for the living room. Maybe a laptop sleeve, (yes this machine includes a "zipper foot"). As the headline states, be careful, this is a very addicting activity!

I took a sewing class in high school over 50 years ago. I haven't sewn much in many years, but needed a good basic machine for household mending. The first one I bought was advertised to be easy, but definitely was not! The Brother cs6001 was extremely complicated, and even with a so-called "self-threading needle," I found it almost impossible to thread that needle. The light was a harsh blue LED, which made it hard to see. The number of steps needed to sort through 60 stitches to find a basic stitch was confusing. I began to wonder what happened to the simple, mechanical sewing machines from high school days, and voila, I found the Singer 1304! I was a little hesitant because it was advertised for beginners, and also had references saying it was suitable for children, but I finally took the plunge and ordered it. I am so glad I did! Even though I've only hemmed 2 pet towels and mended a stretchy undergarment so far, I am in love with this little machine! It is lightweight, has a built-in carrying handle, sewing light which is easy on the eyes, and just the basic stitches - several straight and zigzag stitches, a blind-hem stitch, a scallop stitch, and a buttonhole stitch. Even with a bobbin case, I find it much easier to insert the bobbin than the drop-in bobbin of the previous machine. And as for threading the needle, my senior eyes and fingers have been able to do so the first time, every time. I am writing this review mainly because I don't feel adults should shy away from this machine. 60 or 100 stitches may be necessary for a professional seamstress or tailor, but the average person will find enough here to do mending or make clothes, curtains, etc. with this machine. The machine is very intuitive, and Singer even provides online videos to help you get started, so the learning curve is short. And at under $100, the price is right.

I used for light work and happy with its functions

Over all I like the machine and am getting good use from it. My complaints are side issues that would make the machine a bit more user friendly. I would still buy the machine and am glad I did. First, the cord from the machine to the foot petal is very stiff, too short and goes into the side of the petal. All of this means the petal wants to turn sideways all the time. Please, make that cord a foot longer and put it in the back of the petal. The petal also slides around. It would be nice to have some rubber pads on the bottom. My next minor complaint is with the Presser Foot Lifter. It goes half way up with no issue, but the second half of the lift is spring loaded. It is hard to hold that up and still do some of the maneuvering of the material with only one hand. I will work a fix for this, but it is annoying. Maybe there is a good reason for this, but I cannot understand what it is. Finally, the manual does not come with the machine. I had to go on-line to download it and then print it for my use. Every other page is not in English, so wasted paper. The Manual is skimpy to say the least. I could use more detail. Yes, it is a simple machine, but the Manual is over simplified. I guess they saved a few bucks. Remember, the machine is for beginners and we need more guidance. But I can use the machine to make the repairs I need, sew on buttons and am working on sewing from a pattern. It works.

I've had this for over a year, and I am very pleased with it. Great as a beginner machine, or if you're like me and do few projects a year and mend. I could also see it as a "portable" option since it is so lightweight. I mostly use it for mending or small work - I think this machine's price point is perfect for this; you'll save money if you learn to fix your clothes. It does have an invisible hem for dress pants, so you can buy them unfinished and taylor them to what you want. This comes in handy for my the pants my tall and skinny fiance wears! I have used it on heavier fabrics, including denim and canvas duck. Because the machine is so lightweight, it slipped a little on the table I was using when sewing large pieces of canvas (Sprinter window covers). I wouldn't recommend this machine if the bulk of your projects is upholstery or quilting, I think a heavy duty machine would be more appropriate. It worked fine with the right needles on the heavier fabric, so if its an occasional thing it's probably alright. The main limitation is really stitch variety. There are other machines out there with same vary fancy stitches, which might be preferred on garments, especially baby clothes or lingerie. If you're headed that direction, you might grow out of this very quickly. All in all, simple to use and maintain, sews nice even stitches. A great little machine for the occasional or beginner sewer.

This machine is easy to use. It comes threaded already so you know exactly how to do it in the future. The YouTube videos are very helpful for the bobbin wind and insertion at the bottom. My order arrived the next day (Prime) and I was able to test it right away. I have some experience with sewing machines and I think this unit is easy to learn and use. I am left handed and some features feel weird but a matter of getting use to. I bought it to replace a Faux Leather collar in a coat and I was successful at it. It does sew thicker fabrics. I also use different stitches and they all work pretty well, and it easy to set up. I fixed several pieces of clothing, hems, skirt, and rips in only a couple of hours. No issues changing thread and bobbin. One thing new customers should be aware is that the mechanism in the bobbin is lubed. I used the a piece of paper to test the machine and the paper got small oils stains from the first stitches. I re run the paper several times to make sure the excess of oil was gone. When I did my clothes I had no issues at all. The bobbin wind is great and fast. The machine is light and portable. It does have a reverse function that is easy to use. Light is bright enough. Adjusting the thread tension helped me to work the machine better. My setting is a 3. The machine comes fully assemble, (you must connect it to the power source). Overall I am happy with the price I pay for this sewing machine and I am foreseeing using it a lot more than just some clothing fixes.

Every decade or so I decide to get out the sewing machine to make something that I'm certain can't be "that hard". With a new grandchild due any day I thought about a quilt, until I found about 2000 pieces of fabric in the kit I ordered and sent it back to go to a beginner who was going to live that long. I finally settled upon a receiving blanket, two pieces of fabric and only straight lines to sew. This I could handle. I went out to my local craft store, I'd seen fabric there, bought enough for two, according to the lady who cut it for me and went home to find my sewing machine. When it surfaced it seemed to be missing some parts, probably in a box in the garage. I live in SE TX, too hot to hit the garage that day, so I went to Amazon, instead. I love Amazon. Very happy that when I hit 69 or even 65 I had Amazon to bring me things. Eureka! A bit of searching brought me to the Singer Start and the first machine that I've actually been able to thread and change stitches and all that good stuff. I am delighted! It only cost $63.00 and I've completed 8 blankets for my newly arrived granddaughter and one big 'un for her Aggie daddy. This machine is wonderful, I even used zig zag on the last one I made and I still haven't gotten through the instruction manule, probably won't, I've discovered YOU TUBE. You can find out how to do anything on there, including how to work a Singer Start, and make at least 50 different versions of receiving blankets. I'm addicted and am about to move on to pajama pants. There may be fancier machines out there but ignorance is bliss and I don't miss what I don't know. Happy sewing. I love this machine, it's so easy.

Not real happy with this machine I can't get the bobbin to stop notting up. I've been sewing for 60 yrs and I love singers but this one I just gave up on

La verdad para el costo muy bien hasta ahora ningún problema cumple bien.

Zipper opening is very wide for getting my machine in and out

And unfortunately now I have to return it back

llega en empaque original y bien protegido. Es fácil de usar y requiere poco espacio para guardarse. Es práctica

Fonctionne très bien, facile à utiliser.