Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Does Anyone have a Singer Superb or Singer H74?
Karlyn M.   Intermediate MO USA Member since 2002 Posts: 171	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/11 3:45 PM After learning from PortlandMaine's post that Singer makes some machines with box feed, I checked their website. Does anyone have the Singer Superb or Singer H74? I would love to hear opinions on how they sew.
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2011 Posts: 177	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/11 7:31 PM I own the Superb and love it! Actually, when I bought it, it wasn't called the Superb. Let me explain: Two years ago I bought through HSN Singers 'Professional Top of the Line Computerized 2010' sewing machine. I paid $499 but it came with something like 18 feet and extension table. I fell in love with it and all the modern features--all I had before was a 30 year old Kenmore. I love the new features and am never going back to vintage but that's for another thread. Anyway, then Singer made a duo of both the 2010 SM along with the Stylist serger, added a little bit of blue on the SM to match the blue on the serger and renamed the 'Professional' to 'Perfect Finish.' HSN sells this duo right now. Well then, Singer brought back the 2010 as a stand alone and renamed it 'The Superb.' HSN had it for $300 at the end of September with free shipping. That was a super price so I bought another for my DIL. I took it for a test drive and it sews wonderfully just like my 2 year old machine. Now remember, these are exactly the same machine--model 2010. HSN has the Superb for $329 right now but I still think it is a good price. Name changing is something alot of companies do--change the color and accessories and give it a new name. It's just like the Singer Stylist SM and Curvy SM are the same SM. Different names, different accessories but exact machines. Anyway, the reviews are not always stellar on the Superb, Perfect Finish or Professional Top of the Line (whichever you call it, it's the same model 2010) and I cannot understand why. It's awesome, easy to use, the manual is all in English, the stitches are beautiful and there are so many to choose from. What I really like is all the stitches are on slide out cards attached under the front right of the machine. Each stitch has a # so stitch selection is super easy--NO scrolling to find the stitch you want. Love that! You have about 200 stitches to choose from plus 2 alphabets. After reading many reviews on the 2010 (Superb) I do believe that many people have not brought up the bobbin thread correctly. The bobbin thread must lay across the top left part of the bobbin--even while sewing. If it's not your stitches will be wonky and appear as if you have tension problems that can't be solved (because it's not a tension problem) This is true for all top loading drop in bobbin machines. This little bit of info on the bobbin thread laying across the bobbin is not in the manual and I do believe is the reason for some bad reviews because the bobbin thread can come up wrong. And also, decorative stitches should be done with stabilizer under the fabric. I also think the H74 machine is pretty much the same as the 2010--the front panel buttons with direct stitches and other buttons (on/off, lock stitch, needle up/down, speed control) look the same. However, the H74 has about 50 less decorative stitches than the 2010 but it has an automatic thread cutter was added. Reviews for the H74 are not so positive on HSN which makes me want to buy one, try it and send it back just to see if it's user errors or the machine with the problems. I have several newer model Singer SM and sergers and love them all. So, yes I own the Superb. Had it for 2 years. Sews beautiful and have not had any issues. I love all of it's features, how it sews--I love it! So if you're thinking about which machine to get, I would think...which do you want more--50 additional decorative stitches or an automatic thread cutter? I would not be afraid to try either machine through HSN. Returning is super easy and right now, you have until January 31,2012 to return--plenty of time to give either or both a try. ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
Karlyn M.   Intermediate MO USA Member since 2002 Posts: 171	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pj3g Like this post Date: 11/10/11 8:02 PM Thanks so much for all the wonderful information on the Singer 2010/Superb and the H74. They sound like feature-rich machines, and I am glad to hear favorable reports about them. I have never shopped on HSN, but maybe I need to check it out. Do you like the box feed system a lot? Why don't you write a review here at Pattern Review about the machine? Sounds like it is a well-kept secret.
PortlandMaine Advanced Beginner ME USA Member since 2011 Posts: 612	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/11/11 1:19 AM Im glad to see a chat about these machines!- I like shopping local - but, it seems HSN has great service. I love to read reviews but, take 'em with a grain o' salt most of time. Im glad you wrote so much about the 2010 (or, pro...) - it seems like a rich machine for any money! For me the draw was 7mm stitches AND the H74 has a great selection of applique stitches! 7mm applique in brights and metallics!! YES! + a free table and all those feet! I also think those machines have .. mirror, elongation, edit, memory.. ! looking at these machines made me very reluctant to spend 999.99 on the expressio 2.0 ... it seems so outdated and overpriced! the 2010 is also at my local sears -- it had a nice feeling to it when i went over and touched it.. it was not plugged in or anything .. but, seemed like a fine machine.
Jannerie Advanced OH USA Member since 2009 Posts: 94	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/11/11 8:12 AM Glad to read some positive posts about singers. I like the looks of the H74. ------ Pfaff creative Sensation, Singer 15-91,237,221,328K,301,301a,401,403,404,500,503 Bernina 630, 125jubilae Viking 6020
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2011 Posts: 177	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/11/11 4:09 PM It dawned on me that I should've mentioned that of the 18 presser feet that came with my 2010 they included the ruffler, circle stitch attachment, side cutter, walking foot, teflon foot, roller foot and all your normal ones too. Also included was Singer's 'Ready, Set, Sew' video and another DVD showing how to use each presser foot. So actually, paying $499 wasn't a bad deal. And HSN has that flex pay. That's nice paying a little each month. After using the machine for awhile and playing with all the presser feet I did feel I needed a couple more and needed some for my DIL too so I have bought the Distinctive brand on Amazon.com. They are way cheaper than the Singer brand feet but look exactly the same. Really, I am very thankful that HSN sells SM's. I watched Darlene Cahill demo machines for a couple years before I took the plunge to buy one a couple years ago. No where else was there a place for someone like me to see different levels of machines in action and have all the different features each had explained. I am so glad I don't have to use my Kenmore I bought in 1973 anymore!!! I know watching HSN is all a sales pitch but in my case I am glad I was sold to and made the move to modern features. And I really find Darlene quite inspiring and I love her enthusiasm. About trying a machine from HSN--don't be afraid to order and try one. You have a 30 day window to try one out and can return it for any reason if you don't like it. Except for now--with Christmas you have till January 31, 2012 to return items. With something ordered, HSN includes a UPS return shipper label and a USPS label for easy returns. They will refund your money for any reason but will deduct from your refund $8.95 if you use the UPS label. The USPS label you pay for when you take it to a post office. Now, if anything is defective with the SM or anything you buy from them, just call their customer service and then they will not deduct the ship charge when they refund you. Yes, the 2010 has mirror imaging (awesome), elongation (again-awesome), memory modes, editing. The elongation works great. Say you are doing one of the satin stitch designs but elongate it-the stitches stay full--they don't thin out because you've made the design longer. The machine does not have presser foot pressure control but I truly haven't had a problem where I felt the pressure wasn't right on thinner verses thicker weight fabrics. I normally use Klasse Universal needles which are supposed to be good for wovens and knits but change needles for specialty sewing but still use Klasse. I've recently lost some weight so last week I sewed elastic inside the waistband on some of my jeans and cordouroy jeans and a size 12 Klasse universal needle in my 2010 plowed right through all the layers without a single glitch even over the layers where there were belt loops underneath. I do have have the Singer Heavy Duty 4423 but didn't use it for that job because when you're holding elastic and need to stop and stretch it out again, it's really nice to have the needle down feature. The 4423 is mechanical and doesn't have that feature. I didn't know what kind of dog feed system I had until you just told me I had box feed. I reread the 2010 description and it does say box feed. They work great. I have always been a thread tail holder when starting at the edge of fabric especially if it's thin fabric, or I start sewing in a bit and go backwards first but still hold the threads. I made kitchen curtains lately. They are yellow gingham but I inserted a 2 inch strip of white fabric about 3 inches from the bottoms. And then I used decorative stitches to connect the fabrics and did a a row of scallops, a row of flowers and another row of mirror imaged scallops. Doing those long rows of designs was so easy. The fabric really just flowed. I felt as though I could've walked away and it would have continued to sew in a straight line. Even my DIL was here and couldn't believe how the machine seemed to sew itself. So I would say that yes, box feed is good. Yes, Sears sell the Superb now too but when I checked it was $399. Hancocks had it in their latest ad for $329 too. And HSN has it for $329. I don't know how Sears and Hancocks are with returns but do know HSN is easy. Yes, I should write reviews on my SM's and sergers--one of these days I hope I get to it. I want to do them so they all post on the same day because each machine lead to another for a reason--kind of like a story. They are all Singers and I love them. I am a Singer fan (new, not vintage) and have not had a problem with any. And I've spent far, far less than alot of people have spent for 1 machine. I do not at this point have interest in embroidery machines. But I love all the pretty threads they make now and I love decorative stitches. And I have a 4 year old granddaughter who loves her grandma to make her girly girl dresses. I only had boys so having a girl to sew for is so fun. I hope I covered it all but if not let me know. Oh, the 2010 has all the same stitches as the H74 plus about 50 more. ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
AminaHijabi Advanced Beginner Member since 2010 Posts: 496	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/11/11 5:44 PM what is box feed, what makes it special? what other kinds of feed are there?
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2011 Posts: 177	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/12/11 7:45 AM I do not know about feed dogs either or how many types there are. Last night I brought out my 2010 to finish a project. When I turned it on I remembered I forgot to say that the lighting is poor. Only has 1 LED. I use the Bendable Bright Light for more lighting on my machines. ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
Karlyn M.   Intermediate MO USA Member since 2002 Posts: 171	Login to reply to this post In reply to AminaHijabi Like this post Date: 11/12/11 8:36 AM With box feed, the feed dogs move in a square. There is an older post called " Box feed--what is it and is the hype true?" that you might want to look at. I don't know enough about all the feed systems to describe them, but I'm sure there are others here who have much more knowledge than I. Hope they see your post and respond.
PortlandMaine Advanced Beginner ME USA Member since 2011 Posts: 612	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/12/11 1:31 PM It sounds like a great machine! Im glad you brought up the cicular attachment - Pfaff cant make a decent one.

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.