Singer 1304 Sewing Machine Review: Must Read Before Buying
Are you new to sewing, or you just need a sewing machine for domestic use? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, you might want to go for the Singer 1304 sewing machine.
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It's an affordable yet functional sewing machine suitable for the sewists on a tight budget.
The quality of stitches is on par with the entry-level sewing machines.
What are the features of the Singer Start 1304?
It might not have all the features you desire, but if you’re a beginner, you shouldn’t be focused on machines with a lot of features.
Nevertheless, the Singer 1304 comes with a host of features that make it perfect for home use. Below are some of the noteworthy features.
- Dual spool pins:
The Singer Start comes with two spool pins for sewing with twin needles. Although an optional feature, this means you can simultaneously sew with two needles and parallel to each other.
You might wonder how this has any practical use, but you can use it to create beautiful looking hems. It also allows you to create designs by using two different colors of thread in each needle.
This feature will help you in your creative journey as a sewist.
- Six built-in stitches:
The Singer Start 1304 has the option for six different types of stitches which are:
- Straight,
- Scallop,
- Satin,
- Zigzag,
- Buttonhole,
- And blind hemstitches.
Just six stitch type can be seen as a limitation, but it’s quite functional and more than enough for domestic and beginner sewist use.
Switching among stitches is very easy; all it takes is the twist of a knob.
Also, the stitches come preset with length and width, so you never have to bother about that.
- Automatic tension adjustment:
You never have to worry about setting the right tension for stitches. It comes with a handy and time-saving feature that helps you automatically adjust the tension.
No one likes to deal with thread breakage. The Singer Start sewing machine takes care of this for you.
- Three interchangeable presser feet:
It has three presser feet that can be changed to cater for your various needs.
Each foot has a peculiar function:
- The all-purpose foot is used for sewing activities like joining clothing materials and basic mending.
- For adding zippers, the zipper foot makes everything easier even up to cording and piping.
- Buttonhole foot for adding buttonholes to your projects.
- Free arm:
The arm on the Singer Start is easily removable. This not only gives you enough room to maneuver as you sew circular items (think sleeve cuffs), but also the option of storage tray. The storage comes in handy to keep a couple of stuff.
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Who is it meant for?
It's aimed at ease of use and simplicity. If you’re a hobbyist, or you’re just starting as a sewist, you can try your hands at the sewing machine.
It comes packed with just the right features to handle what you’ll throw at it. The singer start is also suitable for home use because it makes no sense for a casual sewist to invest in an expensive machine.
However, because of its simplicity and lack of extensive features, it’s not suited for advanced users or professionals unless they are looking for an additional unit for basic sewing and mending tasks.
If you want more premium features, you should opt for a more expensive sewing machine. But for a beginner, the 1304 is a no brainer.
You don’t need to possess any extraordinary skills to be able to operate the sewing machine. Just set up and begin sewing.
The Singer 1304 start is so easy to use that even kids (under the supervision of parents) can sew their little projects or use it to learn the craft.
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How capable is the Singer Start 1304 in handling tough materials?
You might be wondering if it’s strong enough or capable of handling tough materials.
Well, we’re here to tell you that it’s very capable of handling sturdy materials like denim, even more surprising, the machine can sew through faux and garment weight leather (2 to 3 oz - Don't go beyond that.)
However, make sure you get the appropriate needle (Singer 2026 size 16 to 18) for thick material, because the needles that come with this device are not heavy-duty needles, and will break on tough materials.
Use the longest straight stitch on your device for thicker fabric and stitch slow.
Also, let us add that if you’re a novice or a hobbyist, you probably won’t be working with too many sturdy materials, so you’ll be just fine, but if you are, the motor of this machine is powerful enough.
What is speed?
This model is capable of reaching a top speed of 350 to 400 stitches per minute. Depending upon who you ask, it is a bit disappointing, but then again, you are not paying for a high-end sewing machine.
However, this speed is enough for all the basic sewing activities you would carry out.
Is it Durable?
Despite being lightweight and very portable, it has a frame made of heavy-duty metal. This ensures the machine’s durability and consistent stitches.
This frame holds together all the internal components ensuring they’re properly aligned and are not damaged.
Singer makes very durable sewing machines, and you should expect the same level of durability from even their budget machines.
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What's the warranty period?
Honestly, this is just icing on the cake. The machine comes with an astonishing 25 years of limited warranty for the sewing machine head.
Electric parts, switches, motors, wiring, light assembly, and speed control only have a two-year limited warranty.
Additionally, you'll get 90 days limited warranty for bulbs, rings, belts, and required adjustments for manufacturing defects.
It's great to have something to fall back on if something would happen down the road.
What are the pros?
When you purchase the Singer Start sewing machine, you can expect to get the following from it:
- Ease of use
- Portability
- Durability
What are the cons?
However nice and glamorous it may be to you, it has a couple of cons.
- Jamming:
Some singer 1304 reviews have pointed out that the sewing machine is quite susceptible to jamming.
The bobbin can sometimes get caught inside the bobbin case, and it takes up quite a bit of time to resolve. It’s said that you should try to maintain speed to reduce the chances of this happening.
Pro tip:
You can replace the plastic bobbins with a steel one, although the plastic is functional enough, the later trumps it as it is more precise, and will not jam.
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- Limited stitch options:
The six stitches can be limiting if you’re starting to progress as a sewist. As such, the 1304 is not suited for advanced and intermediate users.
You would need to get a more capable machine like the singer 4432 as you begin to deal with more complex projects that require different types of stitches.
- Limited speed control:
There’s no way to fine-tune speed; the only control is the foot pedal.
Speed control is not just as flexible as on other machines, where you would find a speed adjusting knob.
Conclusion
When choosing a sewing machine, you need to take into consideration your budget, its use, and your level of expertise. An expensive sewing machine packed with features may not be a wise idea for a novice.
The Singer 1304 sewing machine is an excellent entry-level sewing machine with minimal features suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and household use.
The minimalist nature makes it the perfect machine for students to learn.
If you’re just starting and are not ready to invest in a high-end sewing machine, the singer 1304 is your go-to sewing machine.
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If you want other options, you can take a look at other singer sewing machines aimed at beginners such as the singer 4432, singer 4411, and the singer 2277.
