Siruba HSM-2221 Twin-Needle Holder21 built-in stitches Sewing Machine, with thread cutter, 2 extra spool pins at rear, and free-arm sewing

Let me start by stating my primary Machine is a Bernina Artista 640 with embroidery module and BSR. So... WHY ON EARTH earth would I want this Siruba 2221?Simple- I needed a machine to suit several needs, and this one cost less than $100:I have 6 year old twins who like fancy halloween costumes, invariably with cheap glittery fabric, and the Bernina costs about $65 to service after those projects because of all the complicated laser eye devices and the glitter that goes everywhere inside the machine.I like to sew when I visit relatives, which requires Air travel. The Artista 640 is no longer made and I LOVE that machine too much to trust to baggage handlers It’s too heavy to haul around airports, and too risky to gate check.I wanted a fully mechanical machine made of sturdy components. I also have a 50 Lb vintage 1930’s Century Deluxe, but the only boasts straight and Zig Zag stitches. I have had poor experiences with computerized machines under $200 that cram lots of features in but appear to sacrifice quality for a dazzling array of features- features that I already have on my high-quality primary machine in spades.I had much trepidation about buying this machine- first, NO REVIEWS. There were mixed reviews on the Siruba serger, and basically none on the Siruba HSM series machines.Enter my pal Google. I went to the Siruba home page for this item: http://www.siruba.com/Product/Product.aspx?id=147As I browsed the rest of the site, it occurred to me that Siruba is primarily an industrial machine manufacturer. They also manufacture MANY components put into other common low-priced brands of home sewing machines. In addition, many attachments sold for other manufacturer’s machines have not even bothered to change the item number Siruba designated on the parts. This tells me that even if I were to buy another brand machine, the odds are pretty good that if it was manufactured in Taiwan, it probably came from a Siruba factory anyway.So I took those attachment part numbers to Amazon and Google, and came up with the following items: http://amzn.com/B00JRMXCSE, http://amzn.com/B004PJWTF6, http://amzn.com/B00L4O5JFM, http://amzn.com/B00NTNXAH0. I also bought a tote: http://amzn.com/B00HYGCP3S which holds all these attachments and the machine. For the whole lot, I paid right around $200. (I’ve spent $200 on just a few feet for my Bernina.) So in comparison, The airline could throw it out the window and I can replace the whole setup for less than the minimum insurance that automatically comes with my checked bags, and have a replacement delivered by prime before my vacation was over! (It all arrived at my destination within 52 hours with 2 day free prime shipping.)BIG DEAL, you say, if it sews like junk... well, it doesn’t. It’s lightweight, yet, doesn’t jump around at high speeds (it does a little bit at half-throttle, but I just let up or sped up and that settled it down), fairly quiet, has a solid casing comparable to other plastic cased popular brand named machines, and has and adjustable stitch length and width. There are 21 basic stitches- everything you need to get by your everyday usage. It comes with the feet and tools you need to use a machine. The attachments I bought all fit the machine and work well.Stitching is balanced and even. Motor and mechanisms run smoothly. Controls are simple and obvious. As a fairly experienced sewer, I never had to read a manual to figure out how to pick the stitch I wanted or to adjust any settings. And despite the warnings of “deadly peril” that could ensue if you change the light bulb with the power cord plugged in (I love those hard to translate English Idioms written by those who speak English as a second language), the manual is clear and simple, and has good diagrams for those who are less experienced or would need a basic tutorial in buttonholing and such operations.I’ll admit a few issues: one, you cannot change the needle position from left to right to center. It’s just a center needle. But, if I want to mimic the Bernina 10 foot with a guided topstitch, I just use the adjustable blind hem foot in the accessory foot collection, and Voila! I can do a serviceable simulation of needle movement by simply adjusting the guide and fabric position instead.I also had a hell of a time using the Ruffler with it. I am fairly certain this is user error, though, since I can barely use a Ruffler effectively on anything but the 50 Lb. Century. I was also sewing multiple layers of ruffles of chiffon, organza, and other fine slippery fabric to make a glittery multi-tiered peacock tail costume. I then was sewing these onto quilting weight cotton. Not easy to feed these drastically different types of fabric evenly at the best of times.Overall, it’s a great purchase. The price cannot be beat, it has everything you need in a basic machine, and it works how I’d expect it to with no hang ups. I plan on using this machine in my upcoming middle school introductory sewing exploratory class. If I run into any snags, I’ll update. I’ll also monitor for questions.PS: If anyone knows what the heck a JAGUAR foot is for, please let me know! I can’t find anything on this item!

I was searching for a good sewing machine under $100 for my daughter who had been using vintage and second hand machines where she could find them. She needed her own. Usually I would just go out and buy a Singer, but I was light on cash. So I hunted through Amazon and found this little number. There was only one review on it, but it was a stellar review by an experienced seamstress who worked on costumes, which is exactly what my daughter does. It arrived on time, in perfect condition, everything worked, and she was especially pleased to find a loaded bobbin to test out the stitch selector and mechanisms. She does travel around from time to time with it, so the fact that it is lightweight is very advantageous. Don't worry about buying this, it's a great little machine at a great little price!

I owned a sweet Montgomery Ward Sewing Machine for years. It finally bit the dust. I am an experienced sewer. I took a chance on the Siruba because after a deal from Amazon, it was $21.00 delivered. Now I know why they were giving them away. The machine sounds like it has no oil. I was able to oil the bobbin area and the shaft that goes up and down. Nothing else is accessible. I was repairing seams on a jersey shirt. I had to fight and pull the fabric to get it to feed. Reverse is a total joke. One hand has to be on the reverse button and the other hand turning the hand dial. No hand was left over to hang on to the shirt. If all you are making is simple kitchen curtains with a straight stitch, this machine will work. For anything else, sewing by hand is more accurate and faster.

works just like I was promised

Thank you.