My mom recently bought me a new sewing machine; The Vivo by Singer. This is the first time I’ve been able to check it out and see how it works. I figured I’d write a little review about it as I go through my first time winding the bobbin, threading the machine and doing a small sewing project. Really, I’m just going to adjust the elastic on my sleep mask, so it’s not a big deal at all, but it’s still a good way to see how this machine will stack up.
I plugged the power cord and foot pedal into the back and turned on the machine. First thing I thought was “No light?” In my experience all sewing machines have some sort of light on them to make it easier to see your work. However, that’s when I picked up the manual and did a little reading. And viola! There was a diagram that had a button for the light, so I looked on the left side of the machine, and sure enough, there was a little picture of a light bulb, and a button. PRESTO! Let there be light! :-) Now to wind the bobbin.
I read in the manual that the reason they use metal bobbins is because it’s magnetized to control the tension, so I have a handful of plastic bobbins that came with a sewing kit I picked up that are useless to me. Oh well…sticking with the metal bobbins. Took me a couple of tries to get it to wind, but I read and re-read the instructions and got it done. :-) Now I have a nice bobbin full of black thread for whatever that needs black thread. Now to get the bobbin in the machine and thread it too. This is where I sometimes get into trouble, so we’ll see how I do!
Machine is threaded, now the fun part of raising the bobbin! So far, so good! :-) Bobbin is raised and now I need to try out the machine and make sure the tension is just right. And I need lighter colored material. I’m using some dark patterned material...duh! LOL
Big thing to watch out for that I just discovered! Watch out for the stitch selection dial! It comes off and if it’s loose you won’t get the stitch you’ve selected because while you’re turning the knob, you’re not turning the mechanism to change stitches. Make sure you push the knob all the way into the machine and you feel tension when you turn the dial to make sure you’re changing the stitch! I found out the hard way, but thankfully it didn’t mess anything up, just didn’t change the stitch as I was sewing. Taken care of and it seems to work just fine now. :-)
The foot pedal doesn’t give you the option to go all that slow. There’s stop and GO! LOL But there is a high and low and there is a noticeable difference between the two speeds. I’ll need some practice to get my lines straight, but I know I’ll get there. The machine isn’t quiet, but seeing as it’s a plastic body, it feels fairly sturdy and isn’t overly loud. I had my TV going while sewing at a medium volume and I could hear it for the most part. The light on it could stand to be a bit brighter, but it does the job. It’s a good machine for someone learning or someone that does basic sewing. It only has 12 stitches and a reverse, but I don’t think most things needs more than that unless you’re a seamstress. Oh, and there’s no way to do a buttonhole on this puppy, just so you know. So, if you do them you’ll need a different machine for sure. The instruction manual seems to be pretty well written and the photos are nice and clear. I haven’t gotten into things any farther, but perhaps as I get more practice I can share some more info about my new lil friend!
