Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsEnjoying building up my handmade wardrobe on this puppy
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2018
I am an advanced beginner sewist, and I mainly sews garments and home items. I was hunting for a machine that was affordable, from a reputable company (supposedly Eversewn has ties to Bernina), easy to use, came with the most important basic features for sewing (straight stitch, zig zach stitch, automatic buttonholer), and able to withstand thicker fabrics like denim and quilts. I wasn't able to find a lot of information about the EverSewn Charlotte, but based on what I could see, it seemed like a machine that would suit my purposes. I've owned it for two months and have sewn roughly 7 garments on it - fabrics including linen, knit, french terry, cotton, double gauze.
What I like:
-Very easy to use once you familiarize yourself with the manual
-Along the same lines, I have no trouble winding the bobbins and threading the machine.
-I like the needle threader a lot (but it doesn't work with smaller needles)
-You can control how fast the machine goes.. and it can go FAST
-Stitches look great
-The needle up/down button
-I like that it's computerized. I was scared at first because my previous machine was mechanical and computer products seem to break more often and then you're kinda screwed.. but so far I dig it and hope it lasts me a long time!
-It's handled the fabrics I've used pretty well so far (see below for caveat)
-It's cute
-The collapsible top handle is super handy, especially since I don't have a dedicated sewing space and move it around a lot. Not too heavy.
-Comes with good assortment of feet
Don't like:
-The needle area LED light doesn't shine completely on the needle plate, which makes using the guide marks on the needle plate more difficult to utilize. The needle plate guide marks could've been visually designed better.
-When sewing a thicker knit mix cardigan, the machine got locked up on a few corners of seams where there were 4-6 layers of fabric
-I accidentally put topstitch thread in the machine and it DID NOT like it at all. However, it may be because i didn't have the proper needle and settings going on because I didn't realize it was topstitch thread. So fingers crossed when I do make jeans, it doesn't cause more fits.
As I'm embarking on becoming a more serious sewist, I've learned some important things that may be helpful to you in your sewing journey! You must regularly clean the machine (lint and thread pieces are a sewing machines arch nemesis!). Use a new needle for EVERY project or after 8 hours of sewing.. and change it more often if you're sewing thicker fabrics that dull the needle faster! Make sure you're using the correct needle for the thread you're using and the weight of your fabric. USE GOOD THREAD .. I know it's tempting to use the cheapest stuff you can find but it will create more lint in your machine, probably cause more threading issues, and be less durable in your garment. I like Gutermann. If you're going to go to the joyous "trouble" of sewing your own clothing and home items, use the nicer thread.
I purchased this machine with my hard earned money and overall I'm pleased with how nicely it's sewn up my garments. I would recommend it for someone who is on a budget, doesn't need fancy features, and doesn't sew thick/heavy fabrics every day. If my opinion of this machine changes, I will update this review. I hope it's helpful!
