SINGER 2624

I do not sew, for a living. We acquired a sewing machine, not long after my wife quit her employment days for good. I did a brief research on few brands available locally. So, for sewing machines in Malaysia we have Singer, Brother, Juki and even Toyota (lol). I was closed to acquire a Brother sewing machine, since I know the seller. Fortunately, this is what I’ve found; 2 types of sewing machine which are the consumer type and industry type. So we guessed, we should opt for the consumer or beginner or the casual sewing machine, since the wife is about to have her first sewing machine experience. Then again, there are also 2 type of consumer/home sewing machine; which are electronic (or partly computerized, or fully computerized) sewing machine and the traditionally all-mechanical sewing machine. The computerized sewing machine is priced around RM1100 to RM too expensive to write. I thought of, that this might be a good investment, provided my wife could really benefit from it. Then, decisions had been changed right after a visit to the Singer website, not Singer Malaysia but SingerCo.

So we go for this portable Singer 2624 sewing machine at the price of approximately RM1300.00. It’s a full mechanical sewing machine with 24 stitch patterns, 1-step button holder with stitch button control, Automatic Needle Threader and other features that will be explain later. We opted for the full mechanical machine, since SingerCo is providing warranties up to 25 years for their full mechanical sewing machine. Unlike their automatic or computerized sewing machine, SingerCo only provides 5 years support for the system, and another 10 years support for the machine. By the way, this is still super awesome, warranty up to 25 years for the mechanical sewing machine, yeehaw!

Upon visit to the local Singer dealer, we were told that Singer Malaysia only provides 5 years warranty on service only. What?? What happen to the other lost 20 years warranty!! No big deal. Since SingerCo is willing to give up to 25 years warranty in the States, so I bet, these sewing machines sold locally would be close to that too, in term of durability, wear and tear, build quality and long lasting. So, for us, Singer 2624 is good enough, fully mechanical sewing machine with the most features.

The sewing machine was sent in a huge grey carton with the accessories which include needles, bobbins, large and small spool pin, screwdriver, oil and buttonhole foot. There may be other stuff which I miss, so do not rely solely on this writing. Then setting up the sewing machine is quite simple… we just sit back and watch the technician doing it for us, while explaining the do’s and don’ts. Basically we need to connect the foot control to the sewing machine (located on the right side) and plug it ON. The sewing machine speed is regulated by the amount of pressure the foot control received. Just like driving, hit the pedal deeper, you go faster.

Like any other sewing machine (I presume), there’s a Presser Foot Lever. Raise the lever to middle position to insert or move the ‘work-subject’ or the fabric (lol) and lowering it to sew it. The Singer 2624 also placed the thread spool pin on top side of the sewing machine, for Bobbin winding. This Bobbin will later be inserted into the Bobbin Plate, located under the Flat Bed Extension. The other useful feature of this sewing machine is the Automatic Needle Threader. This is indeed very helpful for newbies and even pros alike who suffer unsteady hand and eye coordination. Yes, I am one of them. The Singer 2624 Presser Feet can also be changed and fitted with the desired Presser Foot. There are also the adjustable Feed Teeth under the Presser Foot. According to the manual the feed teeth should be always up for all general sewing. The Feed Teeth should be lowered for free-motion-darning (what is this!!), embroidery, monogramming (what is this too!) and stipple quilting (err.. okay). 

The huge boost of the Singer 2624, is the stitches. The sewing machine has 24 stitch patterns, which can be selected on the Stitch Pattern Selector (right side of the machine) and Indicator (in front of the machine). Pretty easy, select the desired stitch using the Stitch Pattern Selector (dial-like switch), and the Indicator will show numbers ranging from 0 to 5. These stitch patterns can also be adjusted its length and thickness settings using 2 dials on top of the sewing machine. Anyhow, some months later, we found out, that we’re not using these stitches much. But yeah, we do need a faster sewing machine. I had to agree with a few professionals I’ve queried, just stick to straight sewing machine. Get heavy duty and faster sewing machines.

The Singer 2624 other notable feature is the removable front and rear Flat Bed Extensions. The front extension is small compartment that goes handy storing spare Bobbins, needles and mini screw driver. For sewing small projects, sleeves, hems and children clothes, just slide the extension out for free arm sewing. The One-Step Automatic Button-Hole is quite nifty too. By using the Button Carrier, buttonhole can be adjusted automatically on the dress we are working on. Insert a button inside the Button Carrier, slide the Button Carrier in, attach the buttonhole foot, put the dress underneath the needle, lower the buttonhole lever and Presser Foot lever, push it away until it clicked and …. shoot! Ops, I mean sew.

The 15 watts light bulb provides adequate lighting, and in just a few months we had to change it. The Singer 2624 is given a real run for its money. As any other sewing machine, regular servicing and maintenance is compulsory. This is where we are lacking, either my wife too busy sewing or myself too busy not-sewing. Special care and regular cleaning need to be done especially on the Bobbin area, under the Presser Foot. By the way, there are friendly local Singer agents and representatives around that gladly do the cleaning and maintenance job for you. Normally they’ll charge you around RM30.00 to RM50.00 for normal services. As for spare parts and components, in my opinion, Singer spares are abundant! A Singer agent correcting me; "Locally, Singer mechanical sewing machines spare parts are abundant, but computerized sewing machine spares is super-rare". Happy shooting… ah, again… sewing!