Cheap Singer CE-150 Futura Sewing-and-Embroidery Machine Review
Before my Singer, I had only used a machine twice in my life, so when it arrived, I got a pleasant surprise - I was off sewing within minutes, getting great results and having loads of fun. I especially love that threading is so easy, and you learn quickly where to be careful to avoid thread breakage.
Changing to embroidery unit - no problem, though getting the right foot attached usually takes me a sec. I daringly started off with one of my own Embird designs... without a glitch, even without the use of stabilizer, just straight onto firm cotton.
I love that the machine is easy to use, especially the Futura software. Its 24 standard stitches are more than enough, its embroidery is great. And my absolute favorite is the hoop size! Other machines with a similar (still higher) price tag come with a 4"x4" hoop, this one has two hoops with a maximum of 5"x7". You might not think you will need this, but you will - either when doing multiple designs on one large hoop, or just embroidering longer names.
The manual could be improved at times, but I hardly ever needed it.
I hear people complaining about broken thread - honestly, just like with every machine, you just need to know the Singer's quirks.
During the first 3-5 stitches of every color, hold the upper thread in the back, and no false thread breakage will occur. If it still does, thread the whole thing again and you will be fine. Don't use pre-wound bobbins without stabilizer. It will give you trouble after only 1/3 of the bobbin is empty, and since the bobbin case is plastic, you really shouldn't use metal bobbins either. Just wind your own bobbins when needed, it is easy enough.
Make sure that you use good embroidery yarn; every machine has brands it doesn't like. I am currently extremely happy with the Madeira yarns.
The fact that it needs a computer next to it... You know that before buying, don't you? To me, that is not a disadvantage at all, since I appreciate the large screen, and that I can work in Embird while the machine embroiders, preparing the next project.
It really is an awesome machine for that price. In Europe, the only difference between the 150 and the 250/350 are the number of stitches and which software is included.
Since I am using Embird, I really needed nothing except the Futura software to send designs to the machine, and 24 stutches is more than enough for what I do.
I highly recommend the machine - I am utterly in love with it.
