Singer Classic 44S : Common Problems And Solutions

The Singer Classic 44S is a heavy-duty mechanical sewing machine with quite a small build to be considered heavy-duty. But it’s main interior frame is completely made of heavy-duty metal to warrant the Singer Classic 44S the title of being in the line of Singer’s heavy-duty sewing machines. And although strong and rigid, the Singer Classic 44S does have a couple of problems from time to time. The Singer Classic 44S is said to have a motor that is 60% stronger that a standard sewing machine, and because it is a mechanical sewing machine it only has 23 built-in stitch patterns which some people will have no problem with at all.

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1. It Can Die Completely

Whether due to overuse on the owner’s part or negligence on the Singer manufacturing factory and assembly line, the Singer Classic 44S can die out completely. The problem is also due to the massive (in terms of power) sewing machine’s motor blowing out some of the fuses in the sewing machine or due to an overload from the power source of the sewing machine. Although the Singer Classic 44S is said to be a mechanical sewing machine, it does use some electricity to run. Using the simple foot pedal that the sewing machine comes with, you press your foot against it to turn the Singer Classic 44S ON and release your foot to turn the sewing machine OFF. When the sewing machine dies it becomes unusable.

To Do

  • If your Singer Classic 44S dies and it is still under warranty, you can confidently take it back to the dealer where you purchased it from.
  • Avoid using a power source with high voltage output. This can cause the electronics in the sewing machine to burn out.
  • Make sure to read your Singer Classic 44S user manual thoroughly before even plugging it into a power supply. This can help mitigate a lot of issues as well.

2. The Dials Break

The Singer Classic 44S has two main large dials, one for stitch length (located top center on the sewing machine) and another bigger one for stitch pattern (located on the center.) The dial located at the top center is the one prone to the breaking problem to the point where it is so loose that you cannot correctly select an option, without having to struggle a little more than usual. Another dial that is prone to breakage due to overuse and abuse is the thread tension dial located on the topside of your Singer Classic 44S sewing machine.

To Do

  • Although the Singer Classic 44S is said to be a heavy-duty sewing machine, it is quite obvious with all the problems it has up to this point is not true on the Singer company’s part.
  • You can take your Singer Classic 44S sewing machine in (at an accredited repair technician) for these types of repairs as they require the sewing machine to be opened up.
  • Do not be fidgety with the sewing machine’s thread tension dial, it is a piece of the sewing machine that controls a very volatile function.
  • Also do not ever put the thread tension dial to the highest numbers on the dial. This can break it as well. It is very important to keep the dial at the lowest numbers like one and two, otherwise you sewing machine may need to be repaired.

3. The Needle Breaks

Because of the ‘heavy-duty’ title the Singer company has slapped onto the Singer Classic 44S, users and sewists of this sewing machine are likely to use tough and heavy fabrics on it. But the needle size of the sewing machine is also very important in this very regard. This problem can also be caused by the incorrect presser foot being used on the Singer Classic 44S, such that when the Singer Classic 44S is running and the needle is moving it starts to collide with the presser foot, causing it to bend and in extreme cases break instantly.

To Do

  • Always refer to your Singer Classic 44S sewing machine’s manual to get the correct needle sizes in proportion to the fabrics you will be using. The thread should also be as strong as the fabric.
  • Using the correct presser foot is also an important aspect, when purchasing your Singer Classic 44S it is important to make sure that you have done your research via the official Singer website, so as to know what types and kinds of accessories your sewing machine comes with and is compatible with.
  • Make sure you insert the needle correctly, with the flat side facing the back of the needle clamp.
  • When the needle bends or breaks, make sure to replace it immediately, and always turn the sewing machine off first.

4. The Seams Gather

The Singer Classic 44S sewing machine can turn the sewing experience into a problematic and energy draining process altogether. But this problem, when seams gather, can be due to the sewist’s mistakes. The needle you insert unto the sewing machine may be too big or too thick for your particular fabric, causing the seams to fold onto one another whilst you’re stitching such that you stitch over them. It can also be due to a faulty stitch adjustment on the Singer Classic 44S.

To Do

  • Make sure that when using finer fabrics, you also use a finer or thinner needle on the Singer Classic 44S sewing machine.
  • Always readjust the stitch length to the type of fabric you will be using, sometimes this may not work because of the project you will be sewing. In which case you would need to find another sewing machine.

Conclusion

The Singer Classic 44S is not the best heavy-duty sewing machine on the market, it certainly isn’t the worst either. But for a sewing machine that is said to have 60% more power than the average sewing machine, you would expect more than the Singer Classic 44S performs and that’s a big problem. With the competition offering better entry-level heavy-duty sewing machines, the Singer Classic 44S is one of Singer’s blunders.