| Singer:QUANTUMLOCK 14T957DC (Serger) | | Viewed 1014 time(s) |
4 more reviews for this machine | Review rated Helpful by 2 people Very Helpful by 5 people | | Reviewed by: | sew2006 | 
| About sew2006 | | ON CANADA | | Member since: 6/24/06 | | Reviews written: 58 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | Favored by: 2 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 8 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/18/13 5:52 PM | | Approx price paid: | $800 | | Had this machine for: | 7 years | | Recommended? | Maybe | | Online Merchants: | Amazon.com |  | Features
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- 3 Thread Serger
- 4 Thread Serger
- 5 Thread Serger
- Differential Feed
- Coverstitch
- Rolled Hem
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Discuss Sewing Machines with PR members Sewing Machine Forum | | What sew2006 likes about this machine
Background: I purchased this machine to be able to do cover stitched hems and bindings around necklines. The Janome Coverlock was just introduced but I wanted a machine that could also serge seams. At the time my old White serger had received a good working throught many years of design school and I wasn't sure how much life it had left in it.
Machine has the ability to produce 14 different stitches:
Double chain stitch
2 thread wrapped edge overlock
2 thread overedge
3 thread overlock
3 thread flatlock
3 thread ultra stretch mock safety stitch
4 thread ultra stretch mock safety stitch
4 thread safety stitch
5 thread safety stitch wide and narrow
Cover stitch narrow 2.8mm, wide 5.6mm and triple cover stitch
3 thread rolled hem
The instruction book is basic, but does have the chart of all stitches with required settings. The front of the machine has a decal with stitch pictures and tension settings. The machine has a stitch lenght, differential feed, cutting width and pressure foot adjustment. All dials have clear number settings per function.
Since the Singer, Husqvarna, Pfaff merger Singer continues to produce a similar serger now with auto tensions and VSP have introduced a clear cover stitch foot, a belt loop foot, a cording foot, and a lace edging foot. They also have an elastic foot for serged edge, gathering foot, taping foot, blindhem and lace foot, beading foot and piping foot.
In terms of threading it's easy because all 3 loopers can be accessed from the right side. The lower looper and chain looper have levers that make the loopers even easier to thread. Everything is color coded for easy reference.
What sew2006 does not like about this machine
What drives me crazy about this machine. The presure foot lever lifts up to lower the foot. Not a huge deal if it's your only machine but going back and forth between machines makes it ocward. The differential feed is on the back left side of the machine harder to reach for adjustments. The metal front guide flew off the machine while cover stitching. This had to be repaired by the dealer, without the guide securely on the machine dosn't form stitches properly. The waste tray clips to the front of the machine but needs to be removed from the machine is openned up to re thread. This is a combo machine serging and cover stitch. The feed dogs are wider than a serger but the left side of the foot is missing the front guide making it more difficult to turn a tight curve. The top knife is attached from the bottom curved like a hockey stick. For serging very close to the edge of finer fabric I need to trim off 3/8", my old White with a straight knife that comes down from the top can trim 1/8" off the edge. I have also sewn faster than the knife and had the trimmed edge go over the knife and catch the upper looper. This has never happend with a top knife.
I recently had my serger serviced and timings adjusted to prevent skipped stitches on the cover stitch. The service has helped, but the machine still dosn't handle sewing over seam allowences on a hem without pushing the fabric. Comparing the feed dogs on my Janome Coverpro 900CP long onces on outer edges of foot with 2 smaller at center front, the Singer has them long on the left side, 3 at the back but the right side of foot has no feed dog (this is where the knife is located for serging). This makes the machine pull to the left.
With the cover stitch machines now more common on the market prices have come down. Anyone looking for a combo machine, test test and do more sew tests to see how much control you have. Combo machines have benefits (they do lots of things in 1 machine, less expensive than 2 separate), but they lack precision and finess.
Conclusion: I'm hopping that a binder foot will become available. Babylock also has a machine similar with the auto tension is their line. My maçhine does serve a function in my sewing room but I'm glad I kept my old White metal workhorse. This one needs to be babied and coaxed. | *LOGIN to add a comment to this review
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10 Comments
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I appreciate this thoughtful review as I was thinking about this machine for serging and coverhems. I'm thinking that I will keep on looking as I want my machine to be precise when doing either function. Letting us know what the drawbacks are with this model is important to anyone thinking of purchasing this machine These are things that I would definitely want to know about before hand. Thanks again, Butter Bean
2/18/13 7:26 PM
Thanks for a thorough review and some pros and cons both. Nice to read a review when a person has had the machine a long time and can give a fair and honest opinion! :) Helpful!
2/18/13 9:29 PM
Good review! Lots of similarities between this and the Singer Professional 5 which I have. I don't think they sell this model anymore Butterbean. I do have all the clear feet you mentioned sew2006, plus the 6 feet that came with my machine. I won't give mine up for anything!
2/19/13 7:03 AM
Is this the same machine they're selling on HSN?
2/19/13 12:58 PM
NM gal--I have the 5 Thread they are selling on HSN. It is not the same as this one which is an older model. Notice this has dials whereas the newer version has auto tension but also sliders in case you want to tweak the tension.
2/19/13 2:01 PM
Thanks for the clarification. I also thought it was the one on HSN.
2/21/13 3:58 PM
It's true that mine is the older version of the machine with the manual dials. The new version has the auto tension, dial on the right hand top of machine you select a letter, it sets the tension. You can adjust to personal preference with the sliders for tighter/looser tension. The operation, function of the new machine is the same.
3/1/13 9:29 AM
I've had this machine for eight years now, still going strong. Singer has a downloadable workbook on their website which is much better than the original manual. I haven't had any issue with the knife or sewing narrow seams. Mine came with ten different feet, from binding to sequin trim feet. Threading is simple and tension is usually very close to the threading charts. My only problem has been skipping over cross seams on the cover stich hemming, but have learned to trim the seam and slow up a bit crossing the seam. Next serger will be the updated version which is selling now online. For the money it's a solid machine.
3/4/13 7:01 PM
Lanoll: Do you have a picture of the binding foot or a package label? I've hunted for this foot and still no luck.
3/4/13 10:47 PM
I'm interested in the belt loop foot as well.
3/8/13 4:21 AM