Spiegel 60609 Computerized Sewing Machine

It is not easy to use. I have sewed for many years. My old machine is easy to use. This one is hard to use and tangles the thread. After two weeks I still can't get it to sew at simple stitch. There is not enough help online. I am sure some day I will get it to work but there should be a workshop or some more help. Thanks

Bought this item on a Friday. Sewed on it for 10 minutes and broke or bent 3 needles. Couldn't get the tension right. Figured out that the bobbin was loaded incorrectly from the factory and it had bent the bobbin case so the machine wouldn't sew. Would not recommend this machine.

While my intention was to spend a few weeks with this sewing machine and hopefully give it Rave Reviews, unfortunately, my experience was not a good one. With that being said, I do not want to ruin the passion of first-time sewers; I just feel that this is not the right machine to begin on due to the comprehensive and unconventional way of threading this sewing machine. A difficult-to-operate sewing machine can make great students forever turn their backs to learning how to sew and I seriously do not want to see that! Yet, if there is a teacher, classroom or someone experienced with this machine to teach and instruct the student, then by all means learn how to use it. I am confident that once the User has moved passed the learning curve, it will serve to be an outstanding sewing machine. However, I have to base my opinions on my initial use of this machine, the online tutorials and customer support. I have been an avid sewer since pre-teen. I made everything from pleated drapes, to down jackets for all of my many brothers, to 3-foot Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that I sold while a teen to make extra cash. I even made my own silk Prom dress (of which I still have in storage). I am not new to sewing or threading a sewing machine at all. I'm all about the New Frontier and the new electronic age. Walmart provided this sewing machine for me to test and review for you, the consumer. First thing I noticed was, "60609" and thought, "Why would they name a machine with such a long number?" After Googling 60609, it lead me to a Chicago, IL zip code. After confirming my thoughts with Spiegel that this Limited Edition machine was named after this zip code, Spiegel confirmed that yes, it was - the zip code where the Company began, Chicago, IL; catchy and ----> I Like <----. The sewing machine arrived and everything was there including a bobbin full on thread. Apparently Spiegel had already tested this machine prior to shipping and it was wonderful to know that I had a spool of "their thread" to test out. I went out and purchased $100 of items and fabrics to get myself started with this new sewing machine. My goal was to make some very nice videos for the consumer. I downloaded the App and watched the instructional videos but the video I needed most was HOW TO THREAD THE MACHINE. Although the instructor was verbally stating how to thread the machine, his hands got in the way, thus, the User could not visually see how he was threading the machine. Spiegel informed me on February 17, 2016 that they are working on a new video for threading the machine and are aware of the problem with their first video. Unfortunately, as of this writing, I still can’t understand how to thread this machine and have still not sewn one thing! So here is my list of concerns with this machine: THREADING THE MACHINE: Not for beginners or novice sewers. It's just an odd and weird threading system and a complete waste of thread. I snapped thread over and over and o-v-e-r trying to thread this machine on the razor sharp "Thread Guide." CUSTOMER SUPPORT: They had me removing the Thread Guide from the sewing machine to get it to thread, yet I still could not get the machine to thread. They compare threading this machine to flossing your teeth, which isn’t a bad analogy if it worked, but it didn’t. Customer Service did not know which way the bobbin plastic attachment was supposed to face. Well, I don't know either. ONLINE VIDEOS: The instructor has his hands in the video tutorial which is blocking the viewer from seeing what is taking place. It's great that he is verbally walking us through it but, we need to visually see what he is doing! PAPER MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS: Still not enough for this comprehensive threading of the machine. The manual needs to include more color in the descriptions. The manual uses color photos to play up the marketability of the machine (page 19), yet uses very limited color to show how to thread the machine (page 22). INSTRUCTIONS: Mediocre, whether by video tutorial, customer support, or in hard copy…just not enough. No one can really verbally tell me, nor show me how to thread this machine or which way the plastic spool piece is supposed to attach. It's pretty impossible to thread; actually, with all of my sewing experience, I never achieved threading this machine. There is this metal mechanism called the Thread Guide to thread through that kept slicing my expensive thread. That was the piece that Spiegel told me to remove ---> but then why is it there in the first place? But I still couldn't get it to thread. And then there is the automatic threader? Ok, can't figure that out either. STITCH-CAM: Great feature and just plain fun! I made a YouTube video from it just to test it out. Unfortunately, I wasn't sewing anything because I never got the machine to thread. I could only wish they would have a cam to assist threading the machine because the user needs a magnifying glass to maneuver the thread through the threading process. INTERNAL SPOOL HOLDERS: There are two; not quite sure why. I did not like this feature. I like the spool on top of the machine. Spool thread continued to unravel. SMART DEVICE HOLDER: It fit my 11.6 inch laptop perfectly. Unfortunately there is no App for my laptop, therefore I couldn't use it with this machine. I used my tiny-screened cell phone instead, but watched my home surveillance cameras and surfed the internet on it instead while trying to thread this machine. I did enjoy the charging station on the side of the machine for my cell phone. However, when using my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in this holder, the handy hook could not slide down far enough to secure my phone in place. My cell phone slipped around and, at times, fell out of this holder. TOP CAP: Does not flip all the way back and around, thus, stands erect instead getting in the way of the User's hands when trying to thread the machine from the deep valley inside. Worse, it is non-removable. A nuisance, but could be great if it flipped towards the back or was removable for threading purposes. I think Spiegel should thread the machine, top and bottom, prior to shipping to the consumer so that they can get an idea of how to thread this machine. Unfortunately, it's been weeks now and I still can't get this machine to sew even one stitch due to not knowing how to thread the machine. It is not often that I give up on testing a product but this time I am throwing in the towel. I would have never, ever guessed that I would throw in the towel on a sewing machine. It is not a User Friendly machine at all. It's a great price if it worked for me, but it did not. It appears to be a great starter machine at a great starter price with all of its features, therefore I still recommend it but with a 2-Star rating due to the threading issue and only if the User has someone to teach them how to thread this machine. It is fair to say I really look forward to the day when Spiegel comes out with a new and improved video(s) on how to thread this machine so that I can begin using it. Until then, it is going back into the box to hopefully use at a later date.

The new Spiegel Sewing Machine, 60609, is by far one of the finest sewing machines I have ever used. It is light with a handle that helps you move it around when needed. I especially love the beautiful golden highlights on the machine that gives it that elegant look you come to expect from anything Spiegel produces. I remember the Spiegel name from my childhood. Back in those days, most of the things we got were bought from a catalog. We always looked forward to the newest Spiegel catalog for their exceptional products and for inspiration, too. If you are from my age group, don't let the fact that this machine is tech savvy keep you from trying it out! After all, it is still a sewing machine. However, I do love the fact that you can use your smartphone/tablet to enhance your sewing experience. The ability to see your work close up through the smartphone/tablet camera is a valuable asset for everyone. The instruction manual is handy but the videos on the Spiegel website are priceless!! I am a visual learner so having the tutorials made all the difference for me. There are directional arrows on the machine that will help you thread the Spiegel Sewing Machine but they would have been more helpful if they had been in a contrasting color. That was actually the only one thing I found that could have improved this machine. Other than that, once it is threaded, you are going to enjoy the many features this sewing machine has to offer. They included many of the tools you will need when sewing such as bobbins, needles, a foot pedal, different feet for sewing, and a handy machine cover. I could go on and on about this sewing machine so if you are looking for a sewing machine, then get the Spiegel 60609, and you will see for yourself just how spectacular it is!

I'm really happy with it! I'm completely a beginner. So is my husband. But between the spiegel tutorials, and youtube videos, we're catching on. The stitches are so easy! Each one has a corresponding number, so you just enter it, press ok, and its displayed on the lcd screen. Lots of other info, as well as a picture of each footer you should use! I'm so new to it all, I'm not familiar with the terminology. I really assume that someone who really sews a lot would find this machine totally awesome! I never liked sewing at all, so I just never did any, but I often need hems, or even simple repairs, and I'm actually enjoying learning. And my husband's an I.T. tech, so i figured the computerized aspect of this would appeal to him, and I was right! If I have any complaint, its that the cover is only a flimsy piece of plastic. I'd rather have something sturdier, for traveling. That's not a deal breaker for me.