To be very honest, I can’t recommend SINGER 2263 to you, as it lacks some of the basic features of a beginners sewing machine. It doesn’t have a drop-in bobbin or a 1-step buttonhole.
SINGER 2263 Sewing Machine Features
- 23 built-in stitches
- Automatic needle threader
- Automatic bobbin winding
SINGER 2263 Review
Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : LOW
SINGER 2263 is a beginners mechanical sewing machine. First look reveals that it has all the features a beginner will look for. Now let us go to the detailed review.
SINGER 2263 comes with 23 built-in stitches which include 11 decorative stitches, 5 stretch stitches, 6 basic stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. It seems to have a good motor inside, which will sew through thick fabrics. The stitches are displayed on the dial in front of the machine. Stitch length adjustments are provided on another dial.
SINGER 2263 has an automatic needle threader. There is a reverse stitch lever as well. It has a manual thread cutter on board. This sewing machine comes with 3 snap on presser feet. It also has extra-high presser foot functionality for thick layers. You can easily remove the extension arm and use this machine for free arm sewing.
SINGER 2263 has a built-in handle. The LED work light is not so great, it is not so bright. Similar to all popular sewing machines, this one also comes with a 25 year limited warranty.
Usability
The build quality of SINGER 2263 looks good. It has all the basic stitches a beginner needs. It is good that the bobbin winder is made of metal instead of plastic. The machine is light enough to carry around.The stitch quality of SINGER 2263 is very good and it works smoothly. It has a responsive foot pedal. The automatic needle threader is slightly tricky and it will take some time to get used to it.
SINGER 2263 has a heavy duty metal frame, which adds to the stability of the machine. The feed dogs are impressive, little manual intervention is required.
Limitations
SINGER 2263 comes with a front loading bobbin, which is a huge bummer. Drop-in bobbin system would have added a lot of ease. A drop-in bobbin system is a must for a beginner, with a front loading bobbin on this machine, you will spend more time dealing with thread jams. Another thing is the 4-step buttonhole instead of 1-step, which is also another disadvantage as more manual work is required. The needle threader is another frustrating thing. It is not easy to get it going.
Pros
- Consistent stitches
- Stable
- Responsive foot pedal
- Impressive feed dogs
Cons
- No drop-in bobbins
- No 1-step buttonhole
- Tricky needle threader
- Not user-friendly
Verdict
Honestly speaking, after reviewing SINGER 2263 I don’t feel that impressed. Even though it is a sewing machine designed for beginners, it lacks some basic features that a beginner needs, such as drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole. It will be better for you to consider an alternative model such as the Brother XL2600i, which has drop-in bobbin, 1-step buttonhole, 25 built-in stitches, needle threader etc. It ranks second in the list of ‘Top 10 Mostly Bought Sewing Machines In U.S’ list published by Sewing Machine Reviews. Moreover it costs few dollars less.