Singer 9980 Review

Singer 9980 is definitely a machine worth considering. It has the features and it has the quality. The automatic needle threader is slightly tricky though.

Singer 9980 Main Features

  • 820 built-in stitches
  • Start/stop button and speed control slider
  • Automatic needle threader and thread cutter
  • Locking stitch button
  • Programmable needle up/down
  • Top drop-in bobbin

Singer 9980 Review

Singer 9980 ReviewSewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : HIGH

My first impression is, ‘Jeez there are a lot of features that you may not even use in your entire lifetime’. I am not joking, 9980 has that many features. Singer 9980 is not an inexpensive sewing machine by any stretch of imagination. It is an advanced sewing machine and it definitely has a premium feel to it. What you will love is the variety of stitch options on offer. It has a whopping 820 built-in stitches including 10 Basic, 21 Stretch, 776 Decorative, 13 Fully Automatic 1-Step Buttonholes and 5 fonts for monogramming.

Singer says 9980 has a built-in sewing assistance, which is kind of a marketing gimmick. Actually it is not very different from what we see on top-end computerized sewing machines. On the LCD screen, you can view the selected stitch, its settings, tension and recommended presser foot.  There are direct stitch buttons for the most frequently used stitches including straight, zigzag, blind hem and buttonhole. Automatic needle threader and automatic thread cutter saves time. Top drop-in bobbin with clear cover lets you keep an eye on the bobbin thread supply.

The stitch width and length are set automatically, however you can override them for customization. The maximum stitch width is 7mm. Programmable needle up/down button is essential while quilting and pivoting.

The presser foot sensor is a premium feature. The sensor detects the position of the presser foot and it won’t sew if the presser foot is raised. This prevents a lot of issues like thread bunching. A stitch elongation button is provided and the stitches can be elongated up to 5 times. Stitches can also be mirror imaged by the push of a button. The start/stop button and speed control slider helps you sew without the foot pedal (this is common on all computerized sewing machines). The speed control slider gives you ample control over the sewing speed.

You can save various stitch combinations on the built-in memory of Singer 9980 (everything gets deleted once you turn the machine off, which is a bummer). 2 StayBright LEDs illuminate the workspace. 25 needle positions are available on this machine. Electronic Twin Needle Settings automatically adjust stitches for twin needle sewing. For free-motion embroidery, monograms and button sewing, you can lower the feed dogs. The lever for lowering feed dogs is conveniently located.  It is a good thing that Singer has equipped 9980 with box feed and 7 segment feed system which ensures better feeding and stitch quality.

The automatic locking stitch function ties of decorative and utility stitches. The reverse sewing button is also conveniently placed. 9980’s motor is very powerful and it can deliver 850 stitches/min. Tension is automatic. The extra-high presser foot lifter offers more clearance for bulky fabrics. For sewing pant hems, cuffs and collars, you can convert the machine to free arm. A built-in accessory storage compartment is also provided.

The error warning system lets you know if anything is wrong with the machine. The feature, I liked the most about Singer 9980 is the optimum power control feature. This is something that you normally won’t find on most computerized sewing machines. What it actually does is that, the machine will sense the presence of multiple layers (more than 6) and will provide additional power to sew through them. In simple words, the power delivery is regulated according to the type of fabrics.

In addition to all the regular accessories, you will also get 13 accessory feet.

Usability

Singer says you can thread 9980 in 6 seconds, but it mostly depends on user expertise. Honestly, there is nothing that makes threading easier on 9980 than other computerized sewing machines. The machine which weighs 20 pounds is very stable while sewing multiple layers at high speeds. I have tried the machine with 8 layers of denim and the results were very impressive (use the right needles and thread recommended in the manual). The variety of stitches is absolutely mind blowing and you might not even use all. As far as monogramming is concerned, there are 5 fonts Block, Script, Italic, Outline and Cyrillic. They can be made up to 7mm in size.

The built-in sewing assistance is nothing more than recommending the right presser foot and adjusting stitch length and width, which is pretty common on all computerized sewing machines. The LCD screen and stitch selection is intuitive and you won’t have much trouble with it. Singer 9980 is one of the quietest machines around. The feed mechanism does its job quite well. The stitch quality is excellent. The stitch quality is consistent over long hours of sewing, which is a great thing.

Limitations

The monograms doesn’t look that impressive, but they are okay.

The automatic needle threader is tricky at times (especially while using certain needles).

Pros

  • Powerful motor
  • Good for multiple layers
  • Quiet operation
  • Excellent stitch quality
  • Lot of advanced features

Cons

  • Tricky automatic needle threader

Is It Worth Buying?

Yes. Those who are looking for an advanced sewing machine with a variety of options, Singer 9980 is the machine to consider. It just doesn’t have the features, it has the quality as well.


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