Singer 14SH654

I only ever write a review if I am extremely happy with the item or extremely unhappy. Unhappy starts with the instruction manual - the pictures indicating the parts of the overlocker are quite blurry and you have to second guess - is it that part or that part. The light is not located for easy of use. It is a nightmare to thread. The lower looper has a hook located under the presser plate - makes it impossible. The needles are located behind the upper knife - you have to use the tweesers to get access to thread. If you get a needle lock up it takes upward of 45 minutes to fix. Do not buy this overlocker.

Wouldn't recommend this machine – It is very noisey and threads constantly break. Wish I had never bought this. I have had it 8 months and not been able to make anything. It has been back to the shop twice and getting worse. I am an experienced sewer and never not been able to work a sewing machine of any kind.

Great reliable machine – Bought this overlocker and am thrilled to bits with it!Ive sewed clothes and found it’s easy to use,and it’s not too bulky.Best thing is it was half price at Spotlight,$600 machine for $300!I always trust Singer and recommend it to others as it’s always a reliable machine.

Disappointing replacement for my old Singer overlocker – Reluctantly replaced my old Singer 14U34 model that I purchased 25+ years ago for $499. Had problems with the tension. Something to do with the dials that according to the service centre couldn’t be fixed. Bought another Singer model because of my previous experience with this brand. Not at all happy and looking to replace it, this time I’ll steer clear of Singer. Partly my bad, I probably should have found a store where I could test drive before buying.

This overlocker is extemely noisy, when compared to my old machine and the motor sems to strain when sewing thicker fabric eg, two layers of denim. I also find the lower looper frustratingly difficult to thread which on my old machine I rarely needed to do. On this machine I find the lower looper thread tends to work it’s way loose, causing the machine to jam up which requires me to rethread. Removing the flat bed in order to use the free arm is not particularly easy to do either. There is a plastic clip, holding the flat bed to the machine, that needs to be depressed, while removing the flat bed from the machine. Even when I manage to do this the flat bed requires some jiggling before it will come loose. I’m extremely careful as I get the feeling, one wrong move and the clip or the flat bed will break. On the upside this model has a differential feed function that my old one didn’t have. The function is easy to use and works very well.

I would suggest if you consider buying this model you trial it out in store first. Try threading the machine, and removing the flat bed yourself rather than just being shown how to do it.

I purchased this overlocker approx. 4.5 years ago for $299, when Singer was offering what I recall was a 40% off special. I definitely wouldn’t have paid full price. I have noticed this model is currently listed on Singer’s website for $549.

Knowing what I don’t like about this machine and what I liked in my old machine will help me decide what I want in a new one. I am in the process of researching other makes and I’m currently liking the look and specifications offered by the Elna Pro 664. It is more than I paid for my ‘new’ Singer, so I’ll definitely take it for a test before buying.