Can you afford Janome HD1000? If the answer is no, then the next best heavy duty sewing machine is Singer 5532.

Singer 5532 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Features

• 32 built-in stitches
• Heavy duty metal frame
• Powerful motor
• Automatic needle threader
• Extra-high presser foot lifter

Singer 5532 Review

Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : HIGH

5532 is a heavy duty model from Singer. It is directly in competition with Janome HD1000 which is one of the best heavy duty sewing machine in U.S. As 5532 is a lot cheaper than Janome HD1000 and has 18 more stitches, it holds a fair advantage. Singer 5532 has 32 built-in stitches which include 6 Basic Stitches, 7 Stretch Stitches, 18 Decorative Stitches and 1 full automatic one-step Buttonhole. It features a frustration free automatic needle threader.

Singer 5532 is sturdy. It has a heavy-duty metal interior frame and stainless steel bedplate. The thing that makes this machine a workhorse is a powerful motor capable of delivering 1,100 stitches per minute. Normally in this price range, you won’t get machines of this power. Most other machines come with a motor of 850 stitches/min capability. This machine is free arm capable as well, so that you can easily sew cuffs and sleeves. The top drop-in bobbin with clear cover lets you keep an eye on the thread supply.

Singer 5532 has drop feed for free motion sewing. It is a mechanical sewing machine, so stitch selection is done by turning the dials. It features an automatic bobbin winder which will stop turning when the bobbin is full. It will also disengage the needle bar while winding to prevent the needle moving up and down. Tension is adjustable for customized projects. The machine has 3 needle positions. The presser feet is snap-on type.

Singer 5532 has an on board storage compartment which is good enough to store away all the accessories. The stitch width on this machine can be set to a maximum of 6mm. You can easily adjust the stitch width and length by turning the dial. Another good feature is the extra-high presser foot lifter which is always handy while working with multiple layers of fabric. Automatic reverse button can be used for locking stitches and reverse sewing. The presser foot pressure is set automatically.

Singer 5532 weighs 14.5 pounds, which is on the average side regarding weight. A built-in carry handle is there to carry it around. The machine comes with 25 year limited warranty. Included accessories are

• All-Purpose Foot
• Zipper Foot
• Buttonhole Foot
• Button Sewing Foot
• Edge / Quilting Guide
• Pack of Needles
• Bobbins
• Thread Spool Caps
• Auxiliary Spool Pin
• Spool Pin Felt
• L-Screwdriver
• Seam Ripper / Lint Brush
• Soft-Sided Dust Cover

Usability

The material used outside is mostly plastic, which is the case with most heavy-duty sewing machines. Probably Janome HD1000 is an exception with most metal parts. Singer 5532 does an exceptional job with denim, the stitches were spot on. While sewing with silk or stretch materials you are advised to sew slowly. What I love about this machine is its simplicity, at the same time it delivers like a workhorse. It sews through multiple layers of denim quite well (more than 6 layers is not recommend as the machine seems to strain a little bit). Theoretically you can sew any kind of leather on this machine, but practically it works well only on thin leather.Singer 5532 can be easily mounted into a cabinet. There are 3 screws to mount it.

Limitations

It seems to struggle with 6 plus layers of denim

Pros

• Affordable
• Works well on thick fabrics
• Easy to use
• Very strong motor
• Quality sewing

Cons

• Struggles with 6 plus layers of denim
• Not all metal

Is It Worth Buying ?

Singer 5532 does a superb job with denim. It is a very good machine for heavy duty stuffs. I will break it down for you. If you can’t afford a Janome HD1000 the next best option is Singer 5532. There are three main reasons to opt 5532 over HD1000 and they are

• Extra number of built-in stitches
• Few dollars cheaper
• Slightly more advanced features like automatic needle threader and drop-in bobbin