Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic Machine
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2017
It's been a few months since I've purchased this machine (ok, about 9 to be exact, so a little more than a few..lol), against all of the negative reviews listed here on Amazon, wanted to try all of the features out before writing an accurate review of my experience with the machine. This machine purchase was a definite upgrade for me, went from a Brother SE-425 to the Singer XL-580.
For everyone, the learning curve is different, each machine is different, all have their pros and cons and some are more easy to use and operate. I would most certainly put this machine in the middle of the range from beginner to advanced. Does it have a lot of features, yes......Is it the most easy to use machine....No......as with anything, practice makes perfect.
Overall, I have enjoyed every second of sewing and embroidering with this machine. Here are a few PRO's and CON's that I've come up with after using my machine for almost a full year:
PRO's:
- Easy to use controls : The stitch selectors are on the right of the machine, you simply select a stitch by turning a knob. The stitch is shown on the display and from there you can easily change the length and width of the stitch. Before you settle on a stitch, I would definitely test the stitch out on a sample piece of fabric first, just to make sure you like the default stitch settings before stitching your project. The controls are clearly marked and you can easily figure out what button does what by looking at them. I will say that it took me a few weeks before I figured out that you could actually PRESS the turning knobs on the machine...lol.....after I figured that out, I was golden. For example, on the bottom knob, you press to alternate between stitch length and width, the corresponding light lights up so you know what you are selecting, then you turn the knob and change the setting, press the knob to go back and turn it to adjust, ect. Very easy.
- Speed Control : Great feature, on most machines now I believe, but this is invaluable. You can sew as slow as a tortoise or quick like a bunny. Hint, when you are using the embroidery function, keep your speed at the "S" or between the "S" and "P". I wouldn't recommend going much faster than that. If you hit a snag while your project is stitching out, you'll have enough time to stop the machine, fix it and move on. You go too fast, and you've ruined your project most likely. But this is true for all machines.
- Large work Surface : I was truly amazed at the amount of room on the bed of this machine.....it was unlike any other I had (without an extension table). You truly do have ALOT of space to work in, both on the bed of the machine and the throat.
- Easy to thread : We're all used to counting the steps of threading.....1....2......3.....4....5.....6.....7......................................................haha. With this machine, it's a lot simpler, 1...2...3. When you do thread this machine, make sure you here the faint little click when you place the thread through the tension disks and also make sure you are keeping the thread taught with your right hand while moving it through the machine. And the bobbin......Drop in Bobbin.....can't get any easier than that.
- Easy to maintain and take care of : I think this speaks for itself......as easy as any other machine to clean and maintain. As long as you take care of your machine, it will keep running for you.
- Smooth even stitches : In all my months with this machine, I haven't had to adjust the tension one time. My stitches still come out as smooth and even as the first day I tried the machine out. I will say that depending on what fabric you use, you may need to alter the length of the stitch or width, to get the stitches even and smooth, but this I believe is true for all machines.
CON's (and answers to some of the complaints I've read about the machine):
- Exact foot for each stitch not displayed on display when stitch selected : This could definitely be a difficult task for someone new to sewing, heck, I've been at it a while and I still have trouble figuring out the foot needed for a stitch. I will say that It's just a little bit annoying having to reference the manual when you want to "make sure" you are using the correct foot. If Singer put this on the display, it would be a very welcomed addition. We have all at some point had the wrong foot on and BAM.....needle hits the foot that is on the machine. Not a major disappointment, but I would say it's one of the CON's.
- Automatic threader issue : I think most of us have gotten spoiled with this feature on machines, but I will say, I wouldn't get a machine without it. Threading through that tiny hole in the needle by myself, no thank you. I did encounter one issue with the threader, it wouldn't thread the needle lol. I simply removed the small plastic piece from the knob on the left side of the machine (the actual knob to thread the needle) and I now press down on the metal arm that is there instead of the plastic piece. I found that the plastic piece didn't let the threader come all the way through the needle when it was pressed all the way. Singer did send a replacement part out, just waiting on that to arrive currently. Also, make sure your needle is in the highest position. If it's even a little too low, the threader won't catch. So if you're having an issue with threading, turn the fly wheel towards you to raise the needle, and try again.
- Dust cover! Please! : C'mon Singer lol. The machine could come with a cover and maybe a bag for the embroidery unit...lol. Just be aware that the machine does not come with these items....and you don't want to leave either of the pieces uncovered when not in use. Easy fix.....but worth noting.
- Embroidery Program : A little outdated......but it's only me being picky. Just be sure to read your manual and learn about what the program does before you attempt embroidering.....which is the order we should do all things really...lol. Once you use it once, you'll know how to use it in the future.
Overall, this machine is great and absolutely worth the price in my opinion. It will most certainly be different for each and every person that purchases this machine, but this is my general feeling. I do see a lot of complaints about some things in the reviews, so here are a few of the solutions, or what may have caused the problem for that negative reviewer (only from my experience with those same issues). Remember, make sure you are using the right supplies and the right tools.....some issues are completely user error which I am not ashamed to admit.
- Thread break issue AND Tension while embroidering not correct - When you embroider with this machine, or any Singer machine with the "SmartSwift" threading, please make sure to use the thread netting that goes around your spool. I tested embroidering without it and then with it, BIG difference. It just helps the thread remain taught while on it's way to the tension disks. If you are getting this issue when you sew, use the netting around your spool as well, completely resolved the issue for me. Yes, it's an added step, but it's worth it by saving the aggravation. Please know that every spool does not need the netting when sewing, just some that come unraveled easily.
- Thread bunching while embroidering (on back) : Lower your feed dogs everyone......LOWER them....lol. I will admit, I forgot to once, which is easy to do since the switch is on the back of the machine.....and yes, birds nests on the back of my work. Lowered them and all was well. On that note too, make sure you have a system when switching from embroidering and sewing. Remember that when you remove the accessory tray, lower the feed dogs and open the door for the embroidery unit to detach. Then remember when you remove the embroidery unit, raise the feed dogs and close the door to where the embroidery unit attaches.
- Broken needles : I see a lot of reviews about broken needles, I've only had a few break. The only reason they broke, the needed to be changed. Once I put a new needle in the machine, everything was well. When embroidering very large areas, and multiple areas, the needle dulls (as do all needles on machines)....replace the needle and you'll be fine. I stitched out 4 6X10 designs before I needed to replace the needle.....and that's a lot of stitching. I found that needles break also if the tension is too tight from the top thread. Make sure you are using the appropriate spool cap and that the machine is threaded properly.....and you'll be good to go. If it's still too tight after that, remove the netting from the spool (or stretch it out a bit and put it back on).
- Not being able to walk away from the Embroidery while it's working : The simple answer to this one is that you shouldn't be leaving the machine while it's working in the first place. Yes, it's tedious to sit and watch a machine stitch out 4000 stitches in one color, but keep yourself occupied near the machine while it's working. Just like an expensive embroidery machine, you can't just set it and forget it.......you have to keep an eye on the machine. In my opinion, you can't blame a machine for stitching out a purchased design incorrectly if you started it and went to the kitchen to make dinner, then came back in 40 minutes to find the axis off. Maybe you didn't have enough room behind the machine for the hoop to move, maybe there was an issue with tension......there are tons of things that could have happened that you could have caught while you were there. The only time I've ever had an issue with embroidering was with the design itself, not the machine. (Well, I didn't leave enough clearance once behind the machine and the axis did get off, but moved the machine out and started the stitch sequence again and all was well). Remember, purchase your embroidery designs from a reputable seller, that has good reviews. I've purchased a few that haven't stitched out properly or I sat there thinking, "Why the heck would you jump from there to there" or "Why is it stitching over those stitches....UHHHHH".....it was the designs, not the machine. The machine does what it's told to do, by the program......period.
- Faint humming noise : I seriously only started hearing it after I read about it lol....it's there.....very faint......and if you are in a completely quiet room, it can be annoying lol. It's not an issue with the machine, it's all that power being pumped into it......just have some soft music on in the background, or catch up on your favorite show haha.
I hope this review helps someone out there with their purchase. Just know, every machine is different, but this is my honest experience with my XL-580. I love the machine and wouldn't be one to get rid of it anytime soon.
