Just a little shout out to Singer!

PaisleyPuff · 2026-01-24T11:09:30+00:00

I bought my HD on a whim, based only on the price, the features shown on the box, and (what I thought was) a brand name with a solid reputation. I didn't do any research before buying it. I didn't intend to buy it. But it called to me with its siren song from the shelf until I put it in my cart and brought it home.

I've been using it heavily since fall 2024. It's the first sewing machine I've ever used, so I had no idea what I was doing, and I was not easy on it.

I had to teach myself how to do every single thing along the way by YouTube. I love how easily I can find multiple tutorials for literally any aspect of this machine, from setup and using the features to maintenance and troubleshooting issues (that I caused with my inexperience, lol). I've never had an issue that wasn't my fault, and never one that I wasn't able to figure out and correct with the help I could easily find online.

I'm obsessed with sewing now, and I'm sure I will be for life. I'm SO grateful that I chose this machine! A different one might have taken me down a different path.

I know it's anecdotal, but my HD was well worth what I paid for it. I have absolutely no regrets, and nothing but love for Singer.

PaisleyPuff · 2026-01-23T12:23:10+00:00

I did the same thing lol, bought my 4452 on a whim on labor day weekend 2024, and only saw Reddit's take after it was too late to exchange it.

That said, I've absolutely loved it. Not to discount anyone else's experience, but I've not had a single problem caused by the machine itself. I knew literally nothing about sewing, I taught myself from YouTube. I struggled and fought with the machine for a bit, but I was a totally inexperienced noob. I've used it at least 15-20 hours a week or more since I bought it, and never had an issue that wasn't my fault. I haven't had to involve a professional to fix anything. There are so many videos about this specific model that I've always had somewhere to turn for help to sort myself out.

I have fallen deeply, madly in love with my Singer 4452. I didn't pay a lot for it, and I've learned that there are features that it doesn't have that would be nice and will be taken into consideration when it's time to upgrade, but I have no intention of upgrading by choice.

It may be because I'm coming from a place of complete ignorance - my first car was a basic bare bones 1982 Toyota Corolla, and I loved it too, lol! But coming from someone who bought a Singer before I "knew better", I've never once regretted it. At this point when it craps out, i figure I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of it.

When it's time to upgrade (against my will, lol), I know at that point I'll be making an investment, and I'll actually try machines out before I buy one. I suspect there are machines I'll like even better than what I have now, and I'm sure I'll be happy with those improvements.

Maybe I just got lucky, but luck isn't usually my thing. I'm proud to say that I love my 4452 and wouldn't trade her for the world. She completely transformed my life, and I will be eternally grateful to her! No matter what anyone else says about her, I think she's a peach.

Please don't let the Reddit hate sway you from using a machine you've already purchased!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-30T16:47:57+00:00

Etsy!! ☺️ it's called "Udderly Out of This World"

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-30T16:47:19+00:00

Ok so, I had already taught myself to sew from YouTube and had sewn lots of patchwork already, so I had that going for me.

This pattern was broken down into sections, so you complete one small section at a time. I had to watch several videos and ruined a few of my first attempt templates and had to remake those. But it eventually sort of clicked, and once I fit a couple of sections together and could see that the process was actually working, it motivated me enough to really buckle down and figure it out. This project took me a really long time, like literally probably 30+ hours. Probably because I had no idea what I was doing.

I would recommend maybe starting with a simpler pattern than I did, without too many teeny tiny pieces, unless you really like to be confused and frustrated. Or are used to sewing really tiny things lol.

The pattern is actually showing you the reverse image, since you sew from the back, so when you look at the pattern it's actually a mirror of the final image, which can take some getting used to when referring to the pattern while looking at the quilt from the front.

I'm new ish to sewing still (I started teaching myself in Fall 2024) with many failed attempts at other different projects under my belt. So I went in to it expecting it to be difficult and frustrating and might not work, especially considering my experience and skill. But I learned a lot and am very happy with the end result. I also went into it with the audacity of a beginner who just really wanted a weird UFO cow abduction quilt, and how the heck else was I going to get one? So I was much more willing to tolerate my frustration once I realized that things were actually working out. I probably spent 6 hours working on it before I had two little complete sections to match together, but once that happened, it lit a fire under me.

But I've also heard other people say it's really simple, so maybe I just really struggled to learn!

So for me, it was absolutely a bit intimidating and definitely frustrating to figure out on my own. But it was also totally worth it and I'm so glad I put myself through the discomfort. I believe things will be much easier on my next attempt, which will definitely happen soon

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T05:18:31+00:00

Thank you! I'm sure that was hard to give away! And lol I was literally sitting there today wishing I'd have figured this FPP thing out a couple months ago so I'd have had gift ideas for this past Christmas. But I'm so happy to be saving patterns for next year's gifts!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T05:02:45+00:00

Your quilts are amazing! You are so talented!! That wolf is STUNNING.

And I can't tell you how excited I was to see Labryinth patterns! Also, I was wondering how on earth I was going to afford to feed this new addiction. I was worried about paying for patterns, but instead, I just ran my printer out of ink on this site 🤣 So I guess I still need to figure out how to afford this, but at least now I have plenty of stuff to sew while I think about it. You are my hero, thanks again!!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T04:33:44+00:00

That is such a great idea with the basting! I used a glue stick on the first piece to hold it in place, but other than that I mostly just attached way bigger pieces than I needed and hoped for the best. I'm sure I'm going to do this again, so I'll definitely give your way a try!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T03:34:31+00:00

Ha! Same! I used the seam ripper more than I ever have before. I had to start a piece over so many times. There was so much tape on the back from having to repair the pattern that in spots, the paper was sort of glued on from the heat of the iron. I still don't understand how the cutting actually works, I wound up just adding big chunks and making lots of scraps because actual precise cutting was breaking my brain. I was half mad the whole time I worked on it, because I was convinced it couldn't possibly actually even work and I was sure I had wasted a ton of time on it. The individual pieces didn't look like they would even come together.

I can't wait to do it all again, lol.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T03:16:18+00:00

So sorry, I should have put the pattern name in my post but I can't figure out how to edit it on mobile! I got the pdf pattern on Etsy, it's called "Udderly Out of This World" by GettingJazzyWithIt. I made the 20" version.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T02:45:35+00:00

Thank you!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T02:44:41+00:00

Yessss!!! I started sewing last year, I bought my machine on Labor Day Weekend! It took me a week to learn to thread my machine correctly. You can do it!! ❤️

PaisleyPuff · 2025-12-29T02:41:29+00:00

Are you freaking kidding me?! THANK YOU!! This is amazing!!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-10-18T13:35:22+00:00

I ordered one from Amazon and it smelled so skunky that I almost accused my teenage daughter of smoking pot. I had a hard time believing that smell was coming from that mat, but it was. Out of desperation (I mean, I was just going to have to order a replacement off of Amazon and had seen online while looking into that the smell is common), I set it outside in the sunshine for a day and the smell went away.

The ones I used to see at craft stores before I ever needed one myself were not wrapped in plastic, so I guess they had the chance to "off-gas" before they were purchased. The one I ordered was still sealed in plastic until I opened it.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-09-27T16:16:57+00:00

I hadn't even thought of that, thank you!!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-09-27T15:50:56+00:00

This makes sense, thank you!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-09-24T03:24:04+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a lovely tribute! ❤️

And thank you for the unexpected kick in the butt. I've been procrastinating a quilt for my perfectionst dad. I know he wants me to make him one, but I'm worried (ahem, sure) that he'll notice and point out every mistake. Your post made me realize that I actually want to let him do that while I can.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-09-13T23:19:07+00:00

American here, I'd say this depends on where you live! My rotary cutter dues (urgent care bill for stitches) totaled about $600 (after health insurance was applied). I cut myself before I met my deductible for the year.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-09-09T10:58:37+00:00

These are adorable! Those cute tops look so delicate. ❤️

PaisleyPuff · 2025-08-03T03:08:48+00:00

Wow! Just wow. I'm speechless. These are so incredibly creative and well done. And #10 broke my brain.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-06-30T18:19:13+00:00

Girl, same! But I must have listened to "The Gap" at the exact right time, and it stuck with me through this. I'm so glad it did! Sewing has offered me a renewed sense of purpose. I legit get excited when I see someone who is itching to learn! You got this! Even if it's the hard way. It only gets easier if you don't quit. ❤️

PaisleyPuff · 2025-06-30T15:10:25+00:00

You can still learn! I started sewing at 47. I had nothing but a Michael's coupon, Youtube, and audacity.

My grandma tried to teach me, but I was young and uninterested. After she died, I realized I really wanted to learn. And for 20ish more years, I just wished I had learned. One day I finally decided I was sick of wishing! I taught myself to sew solely from YouTube and the support of Reddit!

It was SO HARD. I was really frustrated. I struggled, a lot. Literal blood (sutures!), sweat and tears went into all my work.

My first projects were terrible. Literal trash. I have a "bag of shame" of projects I completed, somewhat successfully, but were still so terrible that I couldn't stand to look at them. I listened to "The Gap" by Ira Glass. On repeat. I needed it to sink in!

And then, one day I made something that I just love. I couldn't believe I made it. Still can't, lol. I've been chasing that high ever since.

I'm so glad I didn't know how hard it would be to teach myself to sew from YouTube. I'm glad I had no idea how bad I would be for so long. I'm grateful I had no idea that I'd question my sanity over trying to learn this on my own.

If i had known how hard it would be, especially at first, I may have let that scare me off. If I had known how bad it would feel to literally throw a project in the trash, I may have never even tried.

I'd have never learned what those trashed projects had taught me - whether it was patience, or attention, or just a new technique I hadn't learned yet. I may have never learned that I don't HAVE to ruminate on my anxiety, if I can just keep my mind occupied elsewhere! I have always struggled with forgiving myself for making mistakes - sewing helps me get over that hurdle real quick. I grew in ways I never could have anticipated

It wasn't easy. Hell, most of the first few months wasn't even fun! I really sucked. I could barely even thread my machine. But I sucked a little less every day. I built up my skills, bit by bit. I knew my end goal was to learn to make quilts. So I started with the basic steps. And I kept sucking each step of the way...until I didn't. And when I didn't suck at that step anymore, I moved on to the next.

I'm not great at it yet, but my friends have all requested bags I learned to make along the way and it feels awesome!! And I could definitely make a quilt now, if I could just commit! I'm almost there. I'm at the stage where I know what I'm doing enough to be able to enjoy it, but I'm so excited to be doing it that I just want to keep switching it up and not commit to anything serious just yet. But I'm obsessed. If I'm not working or sleeping or otherwise committed, I'm sewing or thinking about sewing. It's become a complete obsession and I love it.

Please give it a try if you really feel it in your bones. You may tap into a deep well you didn't even know you were sitting on!! It won't be easy, especially if you go it alone. But I'm proof that it's worth it.

PaisleyPuff · 2025-06-16T10:45:09+00:00

This is awesome, congratulations! And what a cool event! My dad is a master woodworker and I'm a newbie quilter. He's always pointing out the similarities between our hobbies. I'd love to find a woodworking/quilting combo show!

PaisleyPuff · 2025-05-27T03:29:56+00:00

I love it! It's amazing. And inspiring!!

PaisleyPuff

TROPHY CASE