Singer 8280 Mechanical Sewing Machine

Pros: All NECESSARY function in an affordable package

Cons: No basting stitch if you need one

The Bottom Line: If you want a SIMPLE machine that is a GOOD VALUE, and YOU are willing to KEEP INSTRUCTIONS with machine, BUY & TRY THIS MACHINE.

Review: SHORT VERSION: My first impression when I began sewing was that using this machine was so much easier and simpler and SMOOTHER than my old expensive Necchi. In general, I have hated sewing, but using this machine made sewing FUN. I am now looking ...

Pros: SIMPLE, PRICE, SMALL, SIMPLE

Cons: No automatic needle threader, front-load bobbins are hard to figure out for newbies.

The Bottom Line: If you just need to sew, This is your machine.

Review: This is a man's perspective for a home sewing machine. I lost my Pfaff $1000 machine in a divorce and still needed to fix the kids pants and general sewing around the house; curtains, hems, shirts, etc. So, Not being a sewing guy, I didn't care about ...

Pros: Inexpensive, instructional DVD is helpful, compact and easy to transport

Cons: Still requires some degree of a learning curve, but masterable.

The Bottom Line: If you're willing to put in a little time and effort, you should be able to use this machine to do basic sewing.

Review: I have very little experience with sewing, but wanted to be able to perform simple tasks like mending a seam, putting in a basic hem, and other routine sewing jobs. The Singer Prelude 8280 seems to be a pretty good machine for these kinds of jobs. It ...

Pros: It's basic and inexpensive.

Cons: It only works half the time and breaks easily.

Review: I've had this sewing machine for 6 months now. I wanted one to just make basic repairs to my clothes, mostly hemming them. It worked fine for awhile. I would say that I have used it maybe six times now and it's already giving me problems. The last couple ...

Pros: Not bad for a limited time.

Cons: It has a minimal life.

Review: I've had my machine for 10 months and have used it for one and a quarter projects. The thing jammed. The wheel will not rotate. I called Singer and did get through after many busy signals and a long hold. The busy signals should have tipped be off. I ...