A little Update: Last week I got the $$$ Machine (Doyner) out to use. My (large) dog ran into the cord and the machine fell one foot from the table onto the padded chair. The machine broke. The take away: These machines are not heavy-duty. Be gentle with them.
This is so, so helpful! We have a big, fancy machine somewhere in storage, but I'm sure it comes with a big learning curve :) Hopefully a smaller machine with less functions would kickstart me in sewing!
Thanks! Big machines with a hundred functions do have a huge learning curve. Or you can be like me and learn how to do the 3 things I need most, and then stop learning ;-) One day, I tell myself (for over 2 years), I will get out the manual, sit down and learn the embroidery function.
Moy son interetested as birthday gift and he doesn't know English require enough to check international channels. To help him have broad prspective, I run into your channel. I'm so glad your methodology. Best review for novice enthusiastics.
I have a machine a bit like the magic fly. I couldn't even thread it and gave up (I'm a complete novice). That was the end of my sewing machine experience. I'll have to dig it out and try again.... I really liked the comparisons, really useful.
They are a bit fiddly to thread. I find using long tweezer s helped to get the thread through the tiny parts that are hard to see. - Well, there you go - tiny holes in places you can't see well is exactly why it's hard to thread these mini machines ;-)
First: Great job overall. Interesting. Second. I think that when you got puckering it might be because the bobbin tension is/was too high. If the bobbin tension is too high, when you balance the tensions, the top and bottom together are to tight, gathering the fabric. I don't know if the machines give you control of the bobbin tension.
thanks for the tip - I know on my pricey machine I can adjust the bobbin tension (It's a little screw on the bobbin case) But these machines don't have a way to adjust the bobbin
Thank you so much for making this video. I wish I had seeing it before I bought my Singer M1000. I am finding out that I enjoy sewing and lot and I should have saved a little more for a better sewing machine. Thanks again.
I'm really glad you are enjoying sewing because my selfish mission is to get everyone sewing, and then fabric stores will come back ;-) The Singer you bought is pretty good though and buying it was worth not spending $500 on a really good machine and then realizing you don't enjoy sewing. (bright side, right?) Maybe you don't have to wait until it dies to replace it. Perhaps you could sell it? I would think other folks want to try sewing without investing too much in case they don't really like it.
@@TheDailySew Thank you very much. Fabric stores are so much fun to visit!!! I found your channel today and I am looking forward to checking other videos. I know that I have much to learn but it does look like a lot of fun and you explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Thanks again and all the best.
@@TheDailySew My pleasure. Your video is really very neatly done. So much relevant info and lovely presentation. Please continue your good work. Whether you know it or not, it helps people all over the world. I am from India.
Thanks for the lovely comprehensive review! I’d almost made up my mind on the singer but wanted to double check. My use case is a machine that I can ferry about to my quilting circles to make quilt blocks on quilting cotton. Don’t want to risk carrying my heavy home machine everywhere 🤣
Smart! My repair man told me that when sewing machines are moving - as in traveling or moving house, sometimes even when being carried from room to room - most of the problems occur. He probably meant when the machine gets bumped, banged or jostled repeatedly is when the damage happens. So better to keep the more expensive machine safe. AND - important; When you are moving your machine, make sure the presser foot is down, against the bed, not in the lift position. (he told me that too)
Thanks a lot for this video it was really informative for a person like me that never had a sewing machine of their own but really like to start sewing 🙏🏽✨️
About 10 years ago. I bought a regular size Brother Machine for $ 47.00 at Walmart, and I still use it. About 5 years ago, I bought a Molly machine . Cost was $ 450.00. I used it for a while. I find myself using the Brother more. LOL.
Funny! Brother certainly makes good sewing machines. Sometimes the basic machines, because they only do the basic stitches + a couple and not dozens of stitches, they do them really well. And the machine itself is designed to be simple to use. I think I know which Brother model you mean because a student I taught had one. They're great machines for the money. The Babylock Molly model looks good though. A lot like my old New Home (now Janome) and that last 33 years of heavy use and abuse. You got some nice machines
This was an excellent review, both with information and your filming) and filled with solid information for a soon-to-be beginner who's trying to learn about today's sewing machines before I purchase one. I enrolled in your Garment Pattern Drafting class in November in JCCFS and may be in over my head. I sewed prolifically as teenager, but haven't touched a sewing machine in 50 years. It'll be a huge learning experience for me. Thanks for recommending other more substantial machines too.
Oh! I'm so excited you'll be coming in November!!! You will not be in over your head. I promise. I will bring my "student" machine along (a Bernette machine) so you can try it out. It's a great machine for the $$. And thanks for your kind words about this video ;-)
Thank you this was exactly the review I was looking for. I am thinking about getting a very small machine to take on holiday so I can make patchwork and I’ve looked at all of these options. To see someone actually using and comparing is perfect. You’ve confirmed my suspicions in that you get what you pay for. The top end Singer is definitely the way to go for my needs. Many thanks indeed. Oh by the way, I’m a pretty experienced sewer but still managed to sew through the tip of my finger rushing to get an appliquéd letter on an apron! I wasn’t using the foot pedal and couldn’t get to stop button quick enough! I said quite a few choice words I can tell you…thankfully it’s all better now but I’m not sure about the machine 😂
ouch! I'm glad your finger is better now. And I'm glad the video was helpful. Another good less expensive machine would be the "beginner" machine from Brother. When I did this video it was slightly over $100. It's a full size machine but would be a good one for traveling or taking with you to any classes or sewing sessions away from home.
One thing that I'm curious about is how the speed control is with those. I tried a mini sewing machine about 20 years ago, and the part that I couldn't get used to was that it was either on or off. I can't remember if it had a slow or fast switch, but there was no slow down just a little bit, only an all the way, or dead stop.
I think that writing a review is tough because you have to develop the criteria that forces you to be objective. You did a great job in this case. I thought the feature comparison was super informative, but as you tried them out, I could see the obvious issues and I'm not even a person that sews. I'm going to stare over my wife's shoulder as she's making a quilt and point out all the features. She has a Vignorelli. I'll probably get an elbow for my troubles.
Oh, a Vignorelli? I wouldn't mind a spin with that machine - Some people dream about driving exotic cars- I want to try out sewing machines ;-) Thanks for the feedback. I thought going into the video it was going to be pretty easy, but I was once again mistaken.
I actually sewed through my finger. My 4 year old grandson reached up to my sewing machine and I grabbed his hand and it continued to sew because I don’t use my presser foot, and the needle went 3 stitches through my pinky finger before I could stop it.
It's going to depend on how much you sew. Think of it this way; it has a certain and limited number of times it will sew until it breaks. Let's say for example that it can sew 100 times. If you sew every day it won't last as long as if you sewed only three times a year. It's not a great machine. It will introduce you to sewing and then when it breaks you can decide if you want to continue. If you do, buy a better machine like the Singer Heavy Duty 4452 or the Janome MOD 15 or Brother XM2701. If you don't want to keep sewing then you didn't waste a lot of money on equipment you no longer need.
The Magicfly is very similar to a White brand SC20 Sew Cute sold, I think, since the 80s. I just picked up an old White model 1888 Jeans Machine for about $35 and I would much rather sew on the Jeans Machine than any of these.
@@TheDailySew Well, I've had about 50 and the right one for me if the 70s Kenmore convertible free arms for sure. And if that can't sew it, my Mitsubishi DY-337 or Singer 29-3 can.
Satin is hard to sew even with expensive sewing machines. Baste your fabric pieces together by hand first. Then sew the pieces together at the sewing machine. After everything turns out ok, you remove the hand-basting stitches. Use a sewing machine needle that matches to weight of your satin. 70 for finer/lighter weight cloth, 80 for mid-weight, and 90 for heavy, dense cloth.
I would apply a drop to the bobbin hook and the shaft that lifts the needle up and down. The bobbin hook spins inside another ring and those two metal parts shouldn't be rubbing against each other without lubricant. Where the needle shaft moves in and out of the upper part of the machine also needs lubricant to move smoothly. Great question
😆 You are correct! The Singer M1000 was the quietest and smoothest. Some sewing machines bounce as they sew (especially the lighter-weight machines) but the Singer did a good job of holding steady
I am in Pakistan and 300 dollars is a fortune for me. If you are willing to discard one of the machines you've reviewed in the video, I'd be happy if you send it to me. I'm ready to settle for any machine, no matter how frustrating.
$300 is a lot of money. As far as the machines in the video one took a tumble and broke. Two others have gone to young people where I live so they can mend and make clothes. I mailed a machine across country and it broke so I really don't believe the cheap mini machine would survive a trip around the world.
A little Update: Last week I got the $$$ Machine (Doyner) out to use. My (large) dog ran into the cord and the machine fell one foot from the table onto the padded chair. The machine broke. The take away: These machines are not heavy-duty. Be gentle with them.
This is so, so helpful! We have a big, fancy machine somewhere in storage, but I'm sure it comes with a big learning curve :) Hopefully a smaller machine with less functions would kickstart me in sewing!
Thanks! Big machines with a hundred functions do have a huge learning curve. Or you can be like me and learn how to do the 3 things I need most, and then stop learning ;-) One day, I tell myself (for over 2 years), I will get out the manual, sit down and learn the embroidery function.
The big machine may well be as easy or easier to learn. Really.
Moy son interetested as birthday gift and he doesn't know English require enough to check international channels. To help him have broad prspective, I run into your channel. I'm so glad your methodology. Best review for novice enthusiastics.
thank you
I have a machine a bit like the magic fly. I couldn't even thread it and gave up (I'm a complete novice). That was the end of my sewing machine experience. I'll have to dig it out and try again.... I really liked the comparisons, really useful.
They are a bit fiddly to thread. I find using long tweezer s helped to get the thread through the tiny parts that are hard to see. - Well, there you go - tiny holes in places you can't see well is exactly why it's hard to thread these mini machines ;-)
First: Great job overall. Interesting. Second. I think that when you got puckering it might be because the bobbin tension is/was too high. If the bobbin tension is too high, when you balance the tensions, the top and bottom together are to tight, gathering the fabric. I don't know if the machines give you control of the bobbin tension.
thanks for the tip - I know on my pricey machine I can adjust the bobbin tension (It's a little screw on the bobbin case) But these machines don't have a way to adjust the bobbin
Well done and send thanks and good health. Again, thanks from a beginner; just the level of detail needed.
Thanks for watching the video. 😊
Great review. Thank you. I am after a new machine as my work horse is getting tired, and I agree better to spend more money and get a better one.
yes!
Thank you so much for making this video. I wish I had seeing it before I bought my Singer M1000. I am finding out that I enjoy sewing and lot and I should have saved a little more for a better sewing machine. Thanks again.
I'm really glad you are enjoying sewing because my selfish mission is to get everyone sewing, and then fabric stores will come back ;-) The Singer you bought is pretty good though and buying it was worth not spending $500 on a really good machine and then realizing you don't enjoy sewing. (bright side, right?) Maybe you don't have to wait until it dies to replace it. Perhaps you could sell it? I would think other folks want to try sewing without investing too much in case they don't really like it.
@@TheDailySew Thank you very much. Fabric stores are so much fun to visit!!! I found your channel today and I am looking forward to checking other videos. I know that I have much to learn but it does look like a lot of fun and you explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Thanks again and all the best.
@@raindrops_falling Thank you!
Thank you for this exhaustive comparison of portable sewing machines.
Very painstakingly and passionately done.
Very useful.
Thank you
@@TheDailySew My pleasure. Your video is really very neatly done. So much relevant info and lovely presentation. Please continue your good work. Whether you know it or not, it helps people all over the world. I am from India.
@@mojoomla💛💚💜 thanks
Thanks for the lovely comprehensive review! I’d almost made up my mind on the singer but wanted to double check. My use case is a machine that I can ferry about to my quilting circles to make quilt blocks on quilting cotton. Don’t want to risk carrying my heavy home machine everywhere 🤣
Smart! My repair man told me that when sewing machines are moving - as in traveling or moving house, sometimes even when being carried from room to room - most of the problems occur. He probably meant when the machine gets bumped, banged or jostled repeatedly is when the damage happens. So better to keep the more expensive machine safe. AND - important; When you are moving your machine, make sure the presser foot is down, against the bed, not in the lift position. (he told me that too)
Thanks a lot for this video it was really informative for a person like me that never had a sewing machine of their own but really like to start sewing 🙏🏽✨️
I’m glad you found it helpful. It does give you some ideas of what to look for in any machine.
About 10 years ago. I bought a regular size Brother Machine for $ 47.00 at Walmart, and I still use it. About 5 years ago, I bought a Molly machine . Cost was $ 450.00. I used it for a while. I find myself using the Brother more. LOL.
Funny! Brother certainly makes good sewing machines. Sometimes the basic machines, because they only do the basic stitches + a couple and not dozens of stitches, they do them really well. And the machine itself is designed to be simple to use. I think I know which Brother model you mean because a student I taught had one. They're great machines for the money. The Babylock Molly model looks good though. A lot like my old New Home (now Janome) and that last 33 years of heavy use and abuse. You got some nice machines
This was an excellent review, both with information and your filming) and filled with solid information for a soon-to-be beginner who's trying to learn about today's sewing machines before I purchase one. I enrolled in your Garment Pattern Drafting class in November in JCCFS and may be in over my head. I sewed prolifically as teenager, but haven't touched a sewing machine in 50 years. It'll be a huge learning experience for me. Thanks for recommending other more substantial machines too.
Oh! I'm so excited you'll be coming in November!!! You will not be in over your head. I promise. I will bring my "student" machine along (a Bernette machine) so you can try it out. It's a great machine for the $$. And thanks for your kind words about this video ;-)
Thank you this was exactly the review I was looking for. I am thinking about getting a very small machine to take on holiday so I can make patchwork and I’ve looked at all of these options. To see someone actually using and comparing is perfect. You’ve confirmed my suspicions in that you get what you pay for. The top end Singer is definitely the way to go for my needs. Many thanks indeed. Oh by the way, I’m a pretty experienced sewer but still managed to sew through the tip of my finger rushing to get an appliquéd letter on an apron! I wasn’t using the foot pedal and couldn’t get to stop button quick enough! I said quite a few choice words I can tell you…thankfully it’s all better now but I’m not sure about the machine 😂
ouch! I'm glad your finger is better now. And I'm glad the video was helpful. Another good less expensive machine would be the "beginner" machine from Brother. When I did this video it was slightly over $100. It's a full size machine but would be a good one for traveling or taking with you to any classes or sewing sessions away from home.
One thing that I'm curious about is how the speed control is with those. I tried a mini sewing machine about 20 years ago, and the part that I couldn't get used to was that it was either on or off. I can't remember if it had a slow or fast switch, but there was no slow down just a little bit, only an all the way, or dead stop.
The models with foot pedals had speed control like a standard machine. Not as precise, mind you, but decent.
Thanks for all the great info
I'm glad you like it!
Great explanation, your information was really useful
Thank you. I try not to blather on too much (I have been guilty of it though)
I think that writing a review is tough because you have to develop the criteria that forces you to be objective. You did a great job in this case. I thought the feature comparison was super informative, but as you tried them out, I could see the obvious issues and I'm not even a person that sews. I'm going to stare over my wife's shoulder as she's making a quilt and point out all the features. She has a Vignorelli. I'll probably get an elbow for my troubles.
Oh, a Vignorelli? I wouldn't mind a spin with that machine - Some people dream about driving exotic cars- I want to try out sewing machines ;-) Thanks for the feedback. I thought going into the video it was going to be pretty easy, but I was once again mistaken.
I actually sewed through my finger. My 4 year old grandson reached up to my sewing machine and I grabbed his hand and it continued to sew because I don’t use my presser foot, and the needle went 3 stitches through my pinky finger before I could stop it.
ouch! That hurts just reading that.
Omg!! How awful! I hope the hand is ok! I can almost feel the pain!
How long can l use the magic fly because some one has told me it gets spoilt easily 😢
It's going to depend on how much you sew. Think of it this way; it has a certain and limited number of times it will sew until it breaks. Let's say for example that it can sew 100 times. If you sew every day it won't last as long as if you sewed only three times a year. It's not a great machine. It will introduce you to sewing and then when it breaks you can decide if you want to continue. If you do, buy a better machine like the Singer Heavy Duty 4452 or the Janome MOD 15 or Brother XM2701. If you don't want to keep sewing then you didn't waste a lot of money on equipment you no longer need.
Very helpful, thank you!
Thank you!
The Magicfly is very similar to a White brand SC20 Sew Cute sold, I think, since the 80s. I just picked up an old White model 1888 Jeans Machine for about $35 and I would much rather sew on the Jeans Machine than any of these.
ha! I rather not have to sew on any of these. Thank you though for the extra info about machines. It's hard deciding what machine is best for you
@@TheDailySew Well, I've had about 50 and the right one for me if the 70s Kenmore convertible free arms for sure. And if that can't sew it, my Mitsubishi DY-337 or Singer 29-3 can.
Does the magic fly sew satin fabric 😢😢
Satin is hard to sew even with expensive sewing machines. Baste your fabric pieces together by hand first. Then sew the pieces together at the sewing machine. After everything turns out ok, you remove the hand-basting stitches. Use a sewing machine needle that matches to weight of your satin. 70 for finer/lighter weight cloth, 80 for mid-weight, and 90 for heavy, dense cloth.
Where do you oil these mini machines
I would apply a drop to the bobbin hook and the shaft that lifts the needle up and down. The bobbin hook spins inside another ring and those two metal parts shouldn't be rubbing against each other without lubricant. Where the needle shaft moves in and out of the upper part of the machine also needs lubricant to move smoothly. Great question
Which ones are less noisy? I believe the bigger ones.
😆 You are correct! The Singer M1000 was the quietest and smoothest. Some sewing machines bounce as they sew (especially the lighter-weight machines) but the Singer did a good job of holding steady
Re the Donyer machine, perhaps the finger guide is for children.
Yes, it probably is. But you have to remove it in order to thread the needle - and figure out how to put it back ;-)
I am in Pakistan and 300 dollars is a fortune for me.
If you are willing to discard one of the machines you've reviewed in the video, I'd be happy if you send it to me.
I'm ready to settle for any machine, no matter how frustrating.
$300 is a lot of money. As far as the machines in the video one took a tumble and broke. Two others have gone to young people where I live so they can mend and make clothes. I mailed a machine across country and it broke so I really don't believe the cheap mini machine would survive a trip around the world.
@@TheDailySew😢😢😢 Thank anyway for replying. Stay blessed.
Beautiful woman.