The Singer 3116 is a dream machine for newcomers in sewing. It is the ultimate sewing machine for a sewing enthusiast who has never sewn by machine before or has little experience. It is incredibly easy to use and affordable. This Singer 3116 review looks at all the attractive features and downsides of the beginner-friendly machine, so you can decide if it is a worthy investment.
The Singer 3116 is fairly basic, with 18 built-in stitches, but it has plenty of bells and whistles for its price point. It also comes with plenty of accessories that make it a good buy for the money.
The Singer 3116 comes in a very basic sewing machine design. Its stitch selections are printed on its arm. It comes with a convenient detachable work table for holding accessories. When you detach the work table, it reveals the free arm, the drop feeder slider, and the bobbin housing. Also featured are a thread cutter, on board needle threader, and an oversized reverse stitch lever.
The Singer 3116 is a basic sewing machine that anyone would love to use. It is super-easy to use and comes with a load of useful features you would hardly find on entry-level machines. Thanks to features like an automatic needle threader, an automatic one-step buttonhole, and 4 different presser feet, you can get your projects started in a snap.
The Singer 3116 is better suited for beginner sewists who have never used a sewing machine or have minimal experience. A professional would find its basic features limiting. For a beginner, it is a dream. It has all the features you would expect from an inexpensive sewing machine. Moreover, its features are so straightforward that even a child in elementary school would wrap their head around the machine’s functionality in no time. The only challenge an inexperienced user may face with this machine is loading the front-loading bobbin. If loaded incorrectly, the bobbin can make a massive nest of thread balls and mess with the thread tension.
The Singer 3116 has 18 built-in stitches, including basic, decorative, and stretch stitches. You can work on any project with the stitch collection. Moreover, the stitch selection process is the least complicated. Each stitch has a letter assigned to it, and the letters are prominently displayed on the front side of the machine. The stitch selection dial is located on the right-hand side of the machine, beneath the hand wheel. To choose a stitch pattern, you simply turn the stitch selection dial clockwise or counterclockwise and dial the letter next to your desired pattern.
Unlike many entry-level sewing machines, the Singer 3116 allows you to adjust the stitch length and width for good stitch quality. The stitch length and width adjustment dials are located on top of the machine. Once you have selected a stitch pattern, you can adjust the width and length to suit your project. Most of the stitches can be set to a maximum width of 5mm. This means you can use bold satin and decorative stitches for various projects.
Sewing speed is measured in stitches per minute. According to an article by
American & Efird
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STITCHES PER INCH (SPI) - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
When writing garment specifications, you should not neglect specifying the proper number of
stitches per inch that should be used in your sewn products. Why?
www.amefird.com
higher sewing speed will result in longer seams because a greater number of stitches are being made every minute. The Singer 3116 has a maximum sewing speed of 650 SPM. As a beginner, you might never have to sew at the maximum speed setting.
To calculate the correct sewing speed for your project, measure the desired length of seam in inches, then divide the number by the number of stitches per inch you need. For instance, if you want a seam that is 5 inches long and you need to do 10 stitches per inch, you divide 5 by 10 to get 0.5 SPM.
Like many other Singer machines, the Singer 3116 features a reverse lever that you can press and sew backward to tie in stitches at the start and end of a seam. With this feature, you are guaranteed secure seams for any project you work on.
The Singer 3116 has an automatic thread tension system that ensures excellent straight switch quality on any type of fabric you are working on. You will know you have a perfect thread tension if the thread looks smooth and flat on both sides of the seam.
The Singer 3116 features a light bulb for convenience when working on dark projects or in a poorly lit room. However, the light bulb is not bright enough and you cannot rely on it in complete darkness.
Besides simplicity and affordability, portability is another selling point for the Singer 3116 as a beginner-friendly sewing machine. It weighs a mere 15.5 pounds and measures 14.5 x 12 x 7.2 inches which you can easily carry to your sewing classes or move from one place to another in your craft room. Moreover, it features a carry handle for easy transportation.
The number of accessories that the Singer 3116 comes with would make you doubt if it is an inexpensive entry-level sewing machine. The accessories include;
You would only need to part with $100 to $125 for the Singer 3116. All the impeccable features and a ton of accessories offer excellent value for money. Plus, Singer backs the machine with a 25-year warranty. The warranty cover the sewing machine head for 25 years, motor and electronic components for 2 years and accessories like bulbs, belt, and rings for 90 days.
Pros
Cons
The Singer 3116 is a fantastic sewing machine for beginners, students, or hobbyists who need a machine for simple DIY projects. It is affordable, easy to use and transport from one point to another. It has a few shortcomings but its pros, especially at its price point make it a worthy buy. Our Singer 3116 review clearly depicts the machine’s bells and whistles than no one looking to get into sewing won’t want to miss.
