Question 1

Does anyone know if this machine has metal gears inside versus the nylon or plastic ones?

Accepted Answer

Here is the link to Sears parts, hopefully you can see which parts you are looking for to see if they are plastic or metal. If it's not spelled out in the description I'd call singer with the part number and ask.. http://www.searspartsdirect.com/Singer-Sewing-machine-Parts/Model-7258/1232/1220000.html

Question 2

How appropriate is it for a first time sewer, beginner?

Accepted Answer

This is perfect for a beginner. I hadn’t touched a sewing machine in 40 years and was making elastic waist skirts in 2 weeks. I have also taught my 6 year old granddaughter to sew doll blankets and make Barbie sleeping bags. I just sit beside her to watch and she does everything. Also I found some good videos on You Tube that helped.

Question 3

Does this machine sew on knit fabrics?   Thank you.

Accepted Answer

You have to hold up the foot some or it will squish the fabric when it feeds, stretching it out.  Also, this makes it complicated because of having only one hand to guide the fabric with.  Be careful of that knob that tightens the needle on the left of the needle.  It is longer than normal and will come down to hit your finger if you try to guide the knit.  The teeth on the feed are very fine and do not seem to guide the knit in well unless the presser foot is very lightly holding the fabric, which the machine does not do.  Fleece won't go, even light-weight micro-fleece.

Question 4

does this machine have a "one-step buttonhole" as opposed to doing a buttonhole in 4 steps?

Accepted Answer

It does and it works very well (just try it out on scrap fabric and see how it works).  I would comment (as of Jan 2015) that the recent buttonhole foot only has a red horizontal alignment mark on the left which means it's hard to make sure your fabric is correctly aligned.  I put a marker pen mark on the right so that I could do proper alignment.

ASIN	B09LDC16KD
Best Sellers Rank	#340,164 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing ( See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing ) #940 in Sewing Machines
Brand Name	SINGER
Color	White
Customer Reviews	4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (394)
Global Trade Identification Number	00037431885999, 00840163302005
Is Electric	Yes
Item Dimensions D x W x H	13"D x 22"W x 15"H
Item Type Name	\| 5560 Computerized Sewing Machine with Included Accessory Kit, 203 Stitch Applications - Perfect for Beginners
Item Weight	22 Pounds
Manufacturer	SINGER
Material	Metal
Model Number	5560
Part Number	5560
Power Source	Corded Electric
UPC	037431885999 840163302005
Warranty Description	25 year limited manufacturer warranty.

SINGER | 5560 Computerized Sewing Machine with Included Accessory Kit, Hard Cover & Extension Table, 203 Stitch Applications - Perfect for Beginners

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