The Singer Fashion Mate 5560 Review, this is a computerized sewing machine with enough features and stitches to make sewing all your projects from face mask to mending clothes a pleasure to do.
Singer has been producing sewing machines since the 1850’s, and I can remember my mother’s Singer when you had to pedal them in order to sew.
This model has come a long way since the first machines were made. With its metal frame under the exterior it will stand up to many years of sewing, and with a weight of around 14 pounds it can easily be transported to sewing classes.
With its LCD screen you will find it very easy to select the stitch you’re looking for, and the stitches are displayed just below the screen for convenience.
The Singer Fashion Mate 5560 Review
We will run through the features for the 5560, and you can see if this machine will be a good fit for your sewing projects.
Stitches For The Singer Fashion Mate 5560
This machine comes with 100 built-in stitches, and there are 76 decorative, 9 basic, 8 stretch, 6 one step buttonholes and 1 endless buttonhole.
The maximum stitch width is 6.5 mm and the maximum stitch length is 4.5 mm
When a stitch is chosen the length and width are displayed on the screen, and can be adjusted with the buttons just below it.
The machine also has 13 needles positions 0.5 is for left, the center is 3.5 and right is 6.5 and this is also adjusted by the buttons below the screen, and if any problems refer to diagrammed instruction manual.
For the buttonhole stitches, they can be easily selected on screen, and are numbered 91 to 99.
The model will sew up to a speed of 800 stitches per minute and is controlled by the foot pedal.
On the face of the machine above sewing area is a reverse stitch button, for reinforcing the stitches at the start and finish of a seam.
Front Loading Bobbin Case
This is a front-loading system for this model and is located on the front of the machine where you need to remove the storage drawer than you reach the bobbin case to remove and insert the bobbin, this system is different than the top loading bobbin system found on other models, but it provides quality stitches for all your projects.
For winding the bobbin on this model just follow the thread guides on top of the machine over to the bobbin and than thread it through the bobbin moving it and spindle to the right and use foot pedal to wind it, and bobbin will stop winding when it has enough thread.
To load the bobbin in this front loading system on this model you need to remove the storage drawer and open the cover just below needle area and pull out the bobbin case than put in full bobbin with thread coming off in a clockwise direction and follow the thread guides than insert the bobbin case holder.
Easy Threading
Threading down to the needle is easy by following the arrows on the machine down to the needle threader, and use it to thread the needle, and if you thread the needle by hand go from the front of the needle to the back.
To bring up the thread just turn the hand wheel to bring up the bobbin thread, than guide both threads under the presser foot towards the back of the sewing machine.
Before you start sewing on a project it is best to try out the sewing stitches on a scrap piece of fabric.
This model also has the thread tension dial, and most sewing is done with the tension between 3 and 5.
Free Arm Sewing
To access the free arm remove the storage compartment by pulling it to the left, than you can sew sleeves, pants, cuffs, etc.
Lighting
The light on this model is just above the needle area to give good illumination when sewing darker fabrics, and turn on when machine is turned on.
Feed Dogs
The feed dogs on this model will move the fabric very evenly while sewing, and it comes with a darning plate for free hand sewing or quilting.
Buttons and Dials On the 5560
- Reverse stitch button – for locking stitches
- Thread tension dial – for upper thread
- Manual thread cutter – on end of sewing machine
- LCD screen
- Function buttons for stitch selection plus length and width adjustments and more
- Handwheel at end of machine
Presser Feet
The machine comes with 4 presser feet
- General use foot
- Sew easy foot
- Button hole foot
- Zipper foot
The feet are easy to change by pressing lever behind the foot releasing it, than just lower foot holder unto a new foot, and it snaps into place.
This model also has the extra high position for the presser foot.
Extra presser feet can be purchased for this machine separately.
The pressure for the presser foot is preset on this model.
Accessories For The Singer 5560
- 4 presser feet
- Package of needles
- Bobbins class 15 metal
- Thread spool cap
- Spool pin felt
- Darning plate
- Screw driver
- Seam Ripper
- Lint brush
- Foot control
- Singer 5560 manual
- Power cord
- Hard cover
- Extension table
Specifications For The Singer 5560
- 100 built-in stitches
- 800 stitches per minute
- 14 pound weight or a little more
- 6.5 mm maximum stitch width
- 4.5 mm maximum stitch length
- 4 sewing feet
Warranty For The Singer 5560
The machine has a 25-year limited warranty, which is 25 years against defective material and workmanship, 2 years on the motor and electrics, plus 90 days free of charge on parts and labor.
It’s always best to check the warranty when purchasing.
The Pros And Cons For The Singer 5560
Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced sewer, this unit comes with enough features to help you to work on your projects.
Pros
- Very easy to set up even for a beginner sewer.
- Well made with interior metal frame
- Light enough to take to sewing classes
- Large amount of stitches available
- The best part is that this machine is not high priced.
Cons
- Could have more presser feet such as the walking foot
FAQ For The Singer Fashion Mate 5560 Review
Is The Singer Fashion Mate 5560 For Beginners?
This is a computerized sewing machine that comes with up to date features any beginner sewer would love to have to learn the basics of sewing, as the sewer learns more sewing skills, this model will be a great help for all his/her projects
Can I Make Quilts With This Sewing Machine?
This is a great sewing machine to work on any size top for a quilt, it’s easy to set up and start working on the piecing for your new quilt top.
However this sewing machine was not designed with quilters in mind, as it doesn’t come with the walking foot to help you to sew with multiple layers and when it is time to work on the free motion quilting, it doesn’t have the drop feed dog system, but it comes with a darning plate that it can be easily installed to cover the feed dogs while you work on the free motion quilting.
Where To Buy The Singer Fashion Mate 5560?
You can find it on the specialty stores shelves or with the sewing machine dealer in your area, you can also find it online
Our Closing Thoughts For the Singer Fashion Mate 5560 Review
This is an easy machine to get used to sewing on and would be suitable for the beginner sewer as well as the more experienced.
As this is a computerized model the price is certainly not high for what you{re getting, and would make a very good sewing addition to any sewing room.
We do recommend that you check out the features to see if they would be a good match for your sewing projects and you might want to visit your sewing machine dealer and give it a test run before purchasing.
Also, this is a strongly built sewing machine and is made to give years of sewing.
Wishing you all the best on your sewing projects – Happy sewing!
More articles to read:
- Best Singer Sewing Machines – Find the model you’re looking for your sewing projects.
- How To Sew A Pencil Case For Beginners – A step by step sewing tutorial for beginners
This brings me back. From the time I was eighteen years old, I have sewed my own clothes. I stopped a few years ago, running out of time with all the other things I had to do. I sewed formal wear, coats, suits dresses, raincoats for me and my children, even for the rest of my family. When I first started, I would use my mother’s Singer. It was old and didn’t have a tenth of the features this new machine has. Then when I got my own, I bought a Bernina with all the trimmings, and later on a Singer with all the presser feet and the lovely decorative stitching. Some things were smoother and easier to format with the Bernina like a zipper stitching or a blind stitch hem, other features like buttonholes and a certain width of stitching were much easier with the Singer. I used my Singer machine to make French pleated curtains and drapes for my whole house. Now, it was not as fancy as the Fashion Mate 5560. I read the full description, and this is a seamstress’ dream. I can tell you.
Hello there, thanks for sharing this awesome article I know it would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me. I have used a few numbers of machines and singer is one of the best brands that I have used…I think this singer fashion mate 5560 would be nice and think i would get it immediately as my current singer is machine is getting bad.
Hello there! this is an amazing review you have got here. I am sure this post will be of help to anyone who across it as it is to me. I have owned this machine for a few months now and have made so much with it. I love how simple it is to use and how easy it is to move from table to table.
It fascinating how far the sewing machine has come. I remember the sewing machine with the pedal that my mother use to use. Currently, my mother still sews clothes and I am sure she would like this machine. Being computerized and having built in stitches is such an upgrade.
Great review on the singer sewing machine. Very detailed. I appreciate that you answered all the possible questions.
Hello there, I am a fashion designer and I really love a good sewing machine because you can do a whole lot with it and that is really amazing. Since the last home machine I out for home, I really have not had time to check on it and lately when I did, I saw I needed another machine because my kids makes use of is while at home and it saws me some money and I will be getting that machine for them
Hi, thank you for sharing this. My mother has been talking about getting another sewing machine. She’s been hinting about it so much that I’m gonna break down and get it for her. This one is perfect. I think she would love all the upgrades, especially the feature with 100 built-in stitches. After reading your review I’ve decided — the Singer Fashion Mate 5560 will be just right for my mom. I know she’s gonna love it.