The 6800c sewed perfectly for me right out of the box, quick set up and sew—easy to thread. Though i can thread anything without looking, I still think it’s simple. I haven’t tried to wind a bobbin because I always use the Sidewinder but I’m sure it can do that fine. It threads and cuts fine for me. I won’t say all the other positive things about this machine already stated eloquently by others so will only say what I found problematic or just disappointing.
I did buy the heavy duty 6800c to have a well rounded machine that can do most projects without reverting to my 1930’s industrial Singer but I did expect it to be quilter friendly, yet it fails me in that—at least in piecing tops which is what I do most of. There is a clearly marked 1/4” line forward of the presser foot but the feed dogs and presser feet are wider than the 1/4” mark so that when the fabric goes under the edge of the foot the mark is unseen, being someplace in the middle of the foot edge—very disconcerting. After the fabric passes the red line the 1/4” mark can no longer be visualized (and you can’t see if the fabric is on the line or over it anyway). I did order the 1/4” foot but it came separately and a week later, after I had used the machine for one whole quilt top, and had NOT gotten a consistent 1/4”—and I am a 40 year sewist of all kinds of things. The new foot, which should be included to start with, is of minor help because it sits INSIDE the feed dogs so they don’t actually pull the fabric consistently—maybe why it isn’t included but suggested. And since the 1/4” foot is not a flex foot it doesn’t go over doubled seams easily, in fact it bunches them up and most often refusing to budge. With small piecing there is nothing to grab to pull the piece through; simply unacceptable. So the 1/4” foot is pretty much useless on this machine; don’t waste your money on it.
I haven’t tried any decorative stitches yet, just zigzag which after switching back to the regular foot it did so perfectly. (It won’t beep to tell you to switch feet so if you’re using the 1/4” foot beware! )
In retrospect, as smoothly as it sews a quite pretty straight stitch—and I am picky about that issue—I’m not sure I would buy this machine since I’m primarily a quilter. Though I quilt by hand in big stitch I piece about four tops a week and this machine has impeded my flow rather than been an asset. I do have 30 other vintage machines to piece on but I wanted just one for everything. Dream on Alice, right?
Good or all but singer should send a manuel . For people like me with just cell phone and 70 year old eyes
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from singer.comBy Maxine, Customer Care, April 25, 2021
We are sorry that your experience with the Singer Heavy Duty model 6800C sewing machine fell short of the mark. We would love to know why so that we can improve. You may reach us anytime at: https://www.singer.com/Contact-Us.
Ive been sewing masks for a year now, over 5,000 personally. I just bought this because I need a heavy duty machine. I cant believe how fast it is! I love that is has a start/stop button for sewing rather than stepping on the pedal and it has a button for cutting the thread leaving about 1". I tried the monogramming but haven't figured out if I can make it bigger. Going to try the different stitch patterns next. I did download and print out the manual which is a great help. Overall im loving this machine!
So far I'm really enjoying this machine and wonderful features. I'm just sewing simple things and have not had the opportunity to explore the more intricate features. Nevertheless I am pleased to have invested in it. Happy customer!
Not as heay duty as claimed. Needle threader is missing a piece. I wouldn't buy this one again.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from singer.comBy Sherry, Customer Care, April 17, 2021
We’re so sorry that the Singer Heavy Duty model 6800C sewing machine did not meet your expectations. Please help us to improve by providing more information on your experience. you may contact our Customer Care team at: https://www.singer.com/Contact-Us. Thank you.
Great all around machine, has a lot of great features like elongation and mirror imaging that many more expensive machines don’t have. The selection of decorative stitches is an added bonus!!