The Singer 9960 is a computerized sewing machine that’s designed for beginners and professionals alike. It boasts an intuitive design and troves of automatic features for those learning how to sew, and at the same time, it offers numerous feet, stitches options, and customizable sewing tools for professional sewists working on advanced projects.
In recent years, leaps in technology have brought new refrigerators, robot vacuums, and even sewing machines into our homes. As a result, sewing machines like the Singer 9960 with computer displays, options for different stitch options, and automated settings are now available for use at home, although they offer exceptional results for your next project.
In that regard, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 cuts a niche for itself, it’s available at a fairly reasonable price, and it packs a wide array of features and adaptability to different kinds of projects – for both beginners and professionals.
About the Singer 9960
The Singer 9960 sewing machine looks great on any surface and has great features, but is far from the most portable machine available on the market. At just over 20 pounds, we thought that it was too big and bulky to use on the go routinely. While Singer includes a hard protective carrying case with a handle, we still feel that carrying it around for sewing meet-ups or classes is still hefty and cumbersome.
Despite being heavy, the throat of the Singer 9960 sewing machine is 6.5 inches, which is a bit small for quilting and other large projects. It features an LCD computer screen that displays the stitch pattern as well as the width and length of the stitch in real-time. The screen also displays detailed information about your project and error messages when the machine is being used incorrectly.
Again, once you set up this sewing machine in your home/craft service, we’re sure you’ll be a bit hesitant to move it around. So, keep in mind that you’re buying this machine for its impressive workmanship and its portability.
If you plan on sewing large fabrics like blankets or curtains, having a large table, or using the machine’s extendable table. The extendable table is not a must-have for bulkier projects, but if you’re investing in the long term and will be working with large fabric pieces, it’s worth considering.
Singer 9960 Specs
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.2 x 8.2 x 12 inches
- Stitches: 600 built-in stitches including 13 automatic step buttonholes
- Speed: up to 850 stitches per minute
- Computerized/Mechanic: Computerized
- Bobbin: top drop-in with a see-through plate to keep an eye on your thread
- Table: Extendable sewing table with ruler
While the ease of use makes the Singer 9960 the best sewing machine for beginners, the wide assortment of accessories makes it ideal for completing more advanced projects too. The additional accessories included with this model are: 18 different presser feet, extra bobbins, needles, seam ripper, lint brush, screwdrivers, spool caps, auxiliary spool, pin and felt, and a seam guide, quilting bar, clearance plate, and shank for the presser feet.
This sewing machine is compatible with many more pressed feet, in addition to the 18 included; and the bundled needle set comes in different sizes. The smaller needles work fine on delicate fabric, while the larger needles work better with thick or difficult fabric. The needle set can be used as a replacement needle as well. The included screwdrivers and cleaning brush helps with maintenance and prolong the life of your machine.
Finally, setting up the machine is not as straightforward as you could on a simple sewing machine with mechanical controls – these computerized models have a steep learning curve. In the case of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, there are 600 stitches, but without the manual, you’ll not readily understand which stitch you have selected on your display. Well, the simplest straight or zig-zag stitch is obvious, but the complicated, decorate stitches are difficult, in which case, you will need to consult the manual and make a few tutorial videos.
Features and Performance
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 sewing machine includes 600 different types of stitch patterns and includes an adjustable speed setting that can hit up to 850 stitches per minute. That’s a high stitch-per-minute pitch that you can use to sew your projects fast and efficiently, and the number of available stitch patterns is impressive. It’s more than double the next highest stitch speed on the sewing machines we’ve reviewed before.
While the Singer 9960 can be used by beginners, it’s nonetheless a heavy-duty sewing machine with several features that professionals will find useful. The automatic thread cutter, needle threader, and tension control are some of the efficient features of this machine that let you sew without having to stop and cut the thread or adjust the tension. It also has an automatic bobbin winder that you can use before each project. All it does is quickly wind your bobbin in the thread you need for your project.
Additionally, there are other exciting features on the Quantum Stylist 9960 that help you create clothing. For instance, you can choose from 13 different buttonhole styles for attaching buttons. You can attach the buttons using a one-step operation that quickly attaches any button style.
- VERSATILE STITCH OPTIONS: The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 offers 600 built-in stitches and...
- TIME-SAVING FEATURES: The built-in automatic needle threader threads the needle in...
- PRECISION AND PERSONALIZATION: With 13 fully automatic one-step buttonhole styles,...
Also, with twin sewing capabilities, you can attach a twin needle to the machine and it will create uniform hemlines on your clothes. It’s also possible to manually adjust the stitch width and length on your projects to match the style of the item you’re creating.
There are several convenience features that, while not directly tied to sewing, help you while you sew. For instance, instead of controlling the machine using a foot controller, like most machines, the Singer 9960 comes with a start and stop button as well. Also, when using the hand controls, you can conveniently adjust the stitching speed to match your speed.
Other worthwhile features on the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 include a drop-in bobbin that lets you place the bobbin in the machine and leave some of the thread outside of the casing. This is much easier to place than a standard bobbin as it lets you see the thread. The sewing machine also features a sewing light that helps you see better in low-lit areas.
Additionally, you can adjust the machine for free-arm sewing by detaching part of the table. By doing that, you can sew hard-to-reach areas or maneuver difficult fabric with ease. The Singer 9960 also has adjustable feed dogs so that you can drop them and sew in any direction freely. This feature is especially handy for quilting. The machine comes with an extension table for projects that need more space, such as quilting.
Is the Singer 9960 worth it?
The Singer 9960 comes in an intuitive design that makes it great for beginner sewists who will be using it mostly at home – while at the same, it offers several advanced features that professionals can use to complete the most intricate projects. The ability to work for any type of sewer makes the 9960 one of the best sewing machines available on the market. And, between the included accessories, customizable stitches, and tools, you can use this machine for all your sewing needs.
That said, as priced, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 and the feature set feel like overkill for a home machine. Beginners buying this machine may not likely use all its features, and those are the ones that are behind the fairly expensive asking price. Aside from its complicated controls and robust list of stitch options, it’s a more expensive machine than most beginners will need.
There are cheaper options available for beginners, including the Singer 7258 and Brother XM2701 which offer a variety of choices without a substantial financial investment. While we love the features of the Singer 9960, the high cost compared to other home sewing machines is hard to justify for a beginner, though.
Singer 9960 Review | Verdict
All said, if you’re a beginner keen on upscaling your skill, or a professional who will consume all the features on this machine, in that regard, it’s one of the best-computerized sewing machines on the market.
There are many included accessories, which add to the cost of less expensive sewing machines if you decided to buy them separately. There’s the hard protective case and other extra accessories that cost around $320, so that makes the machine worth the higher cost if you know you might need to purchase these anyway.
Overall, we like most features of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 computerized sewing machine, including the extension table, a variety of font options, and a wide array of stitch options. If you plan on using these features often, then the Singer 9960 comes highly recommended over most other available sewing machines in the market.
The Review
Singer Quantum Stylist 9960
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 comes in an intuitive design that makes it great for beginner sewists who will be using it mostly at home – while at the same, it offers several advanced features that professionals can use to complete the most intricate projects.
Recommended Configuration
SINGER | 9960 Sewing & Quilting Machine With Accessory Kit, Extension Table - 600 Stitches & Electronic Auto Pilot Mode
1 used from $499.99
PROS
- Large stitch pattern selection
- Expandable work table
- Included hard protective case
- 600 decorative scripts
CONS
- Heavy and not portable
- Expensive for a home sewing machine
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-10-30 at 11:58 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
