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Reviews for 7256 Fashion Mate
70 Built-In Stitches, Top Drop-in Bobbin, Automatic Needle Threader, Fully Automatic 1-step Buttonhole
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sewing is a breeze!
Overall Rating: 
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
25 out of 25 people found this helpful.
I've been sewing for 35 years and have thoroughly enjoyed using this machine. Even though my mother sewed on a Singer machine for 50 years, this is my first. My first was a Sears portable, then a Penney's portable, and my last two were White portables. I have intentions to purchase a high quality electronic machine with all the bells and whistles, so I wanted to try a machine with some electronic features. I hit the jackpot! This machine is lightweight, easy to thread, has wonderful stich selections......who knew buttonholes could be so easy?! The only drawback I can find (and I've been sewing on this machine for 6 months now) is that even though I like the LED light, I wish it had an additional light to the left of the needle. The LED does not seem to shed as much light as the old light bulbs.......but I can live with that. The best compliment I can think of is that I sewed on this machine for 2 weeks before I had to consult the direction book.....and that was to check the instructions for doing buttonholes. If you are an experienced seamstress and want to try a machine with some electronic features, this is the machine for you! It's inexpensive and idiot friendly. I've always believed that nobody needed anything but a basic zigzag machine to sew beautifully......now I see the light! I plan to sew on this machine for the next year or two and then pass it on to my niece. I'm looking forward to purchasing my next machine which will have lots more electronic features......and it WILL be a singer!!
good machine
Overall Rating: 
Pros: Great Features, Easy To Use
Cons: Jams Easily, Cleaning Access Poor
21 out of 21 people found this helpful.
Overall, I really like this machine. It makes sewing a breeze. But, it needs to be cleaned more often than my old one. A small ammount of fabric dust will make it lose bobbin tension or jam. Also, the bobbin cover should have been metal, as mine broke after only a couple of months of home use.
Good Machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Light Weight
Cons: Bobbin Winding Is A Pain
20 out of 20 people found this helpful.
Overall this is an improvement over my Singer bought in 1969 ( which still works). At least I don't have to change cams for different stitches. which is wonderful. The other great feature is the weight. It was getting very hard for me to lift my old machine.
The biggest drawback is the bobbin winding. It was so easy with my old machine. You could just wind it with the machine threaded normally. No taking the bobbin out and changing thread distribution. You just wound the bobbin, cut the thread and you were set to go. Now, if you're in the middle of a project you had better have more than 1 spool of thread. or re-thread the machine each time. I still count on the Singer name.
Now I cannot find bobbins, even at the store where purchased.
the 7528
Overall Rating:
17 out of 17 people found this helpful.
I have the 7528 that is a bit newer then the 7526 but has all the same features. I have struggled for years to thread the machine even with an extra magnifying glass and threader and developed sewing machine rage.....
the ease and user friendlyness of this machine is incredible. I have waited for years for a machine to be this simple. thanks singer...
It only took 3 minutes to fall head over heels for this new gift.
Love this machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality, Great Design
15 out of 15 people found this helpful.
I had received a singer for my high school graduation 23 years ago and loved it. Still have it and have nicknamed it " Ole Reliable". My husband decided it was time for me to get a new machine since my old one sounds like it will throw a rod! We looked at several but I couldn't stay away from a Singer. I love this machine and it already has me spoiled! Beautiful stitching, easy to use! I would recommend this machine to anyone who is looking to upgrade. I would stay with the basic for the beginning seamstress until they get used to a machine as the choices are too great and tempting!
Great Little Machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
14 out of 14 people found this helpful.
I have two Singer Machines. My older Fashion Mate was bought back in the 1970s and still runs very well. This one I bought so that I can transport it to quilting classes. It does all that I expect and then some. I wish the light was a little brighter and covered more area but that is just my preference. I am very pleased with my purchase and enjoy all that it can do with ease. I would recomment it to anyone looking for their dollars worth in buying a new sewing machine. Singer has always been my choice.
Problems with Fashion Mate
Overall Rating: 
9 out of 9 people found this helpful.
I like this machine for the most part. However,it is constantly jaming and getting the thread NOT to loop at the back of the project takes many re-threading of the needle every time I change the thread. I find this two issues very irrating. I have changed the needle three times in the two months that I have owned this machine and cleaned the hook assembly on a weekly basis. THe old machine that I still have is a singer that is 70 years old and I never had these problems with that machine.
This machine rocks!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
Cons: Would Be Better If It Was Bedazzled!
7 out of 7 people found this helpful.
I love this machine. It was the perfect replacement for my bulky machine from the 70s (that still works, btw)!
So far so good.
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
I've been using this machine for 6 months and I've had no problems.
Great for cloth diapers!!!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
I needed a sewing machine to make my epileptic daughter night time pullups so she wouldn't have to be upset if she has a seizure during the night. I've made a good number of them now, and I LOVE this one!! I'm used to the manual style machines, and love the ease of use! In fact, I plan to buy one more for my mom so she can make her own curtains and do garment repair. I would highly recommend this to anyone!!!!
Good Price! Great Machine!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
I have had Singer machines over the years and this one is good too! I had a new Viking and replaced it with this new Singer Fashion Mate. The Viking did not have the drop in bobbin and was really hard for me to use. This Singer fits the bill perfectly!
Great Home Machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
Great machine for a Home Sewer who does a lot of different types of sewing. Easily switches from Jeans to Quilts to Prom Dresses to Doll dresses!
Great Machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
This machine is great! I love it. Easy to use, although to be honest, I still haven't mastered the automatic threader yet. I didn't watch the DVD. Brought it home, took it out of the box and within 10 minutes I was sewing with it.
I've been sewing for about 25 years. Started off on an old Singer that is now over 100 years old. Still have it and it still works except that the belt broke and I can't find a replacement. I then, (don't know what I was thinking) bought a Brother. It worked well at first but then started giving all kinds of problems. Noisy, tension problems that just couldn't be fixed. The Singer 7256 is like a cadillac compared to it.
I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this machine. It's quiet, works wonderfully and for the money is a great machine.
Buttonhole Problems and others
Overall Rating: 
Pros: Good Value, Easy To Use
Cons: Computer Glitches, Buttonhole Problems
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
Soon after i got this sewing machine it started sewing like it was drunk. Everything was all correct except the stitches looked so messed up, just plain messy and wrong. Basically I finally figured out that every time this happens I just have to turn off the machine and turn it back on. It's obviously some kind of computer problem. So everything went smoothly for about another year and now the buttonhole doesn't work properly. It took me about a week of messing with it to figure out that I have to manually pull down hard on the buttonhole key thing or it will just sew a straight line and not do the buttonhole. I've used this machine moderately for 2 years and it needs repairs. I keep it cleaned and oiled and I read the manual religiously to ensure proper usage. It's just a disappointment that it would already need a repair.
Good Machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use
Cons: Small Bobbin Capacity
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
I used a cabinet machine for 40 years so this is very different for me. This machine is very easy to use. My only complaint is that is has half the bobbin capacity of my old machine, so I run out of bobbin thread quickly, which is very annoying.
Pedal problem
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use
Cons: Foot Pedal Doesn't Work Right
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
This is my first new Singer Sewing machine in 40 years. I love automatic needle threader and number of stitches to chose from, but the foot pedal only seems to work when it wants to and usually must be in an upright position. I've had to hold it between my knees. Hopefully, Singer will make good on this problem.
A breeze
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
This machine has all the features that I have ever wanted in a sewing machine.
I've had a very simple machine for about 10 years, and decided that I wanted a new and better machine. I spent a good while looking for a new machine online and this one was just simply the best for what I was looking for.
The large stitch option and drop bobbin feature are a major deciding factor in my purchase. But after finding out that it was quiet sealed the deal for me!
The manual is very clear and very helpful with all the features and buttons.
The needle threader is very convenient.
I was very happy happy to find a darning plate in with the accessories.
The only thing that I wish was better was the LED light. It's kind weak, but I use a desk lamp to help.
Hope you have better luck than I did.
Overall Rating: 
Pros: Good Value
Cons: Constant Jams, Broken Needles And Thread Breaking Constantly
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
I spent more time trying to un-jam the machine that I did sewing. If I was a beginning seamstress, I would have given up after using this machine. Maybe I just ended up with the lemon out of the bunch but I returned my machine to the store that it was purchased at.
This was my first new machine in 20 years and I was disappointed.
Big disappointment
Overall Rating:
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Instruction Manual Hard To Use And Incomplete
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
After 1 stitch, my machine quit and gave me an E4 error message. I looked in the manual and there was no information about an E4 error, so I had to go online to search for it. There were several supposed fixes, but none worked. I called customer support and after an extended wait, talked to a nice person who walked me through attempts to reset the machine, to no avail. Since I had not purchased it locally, my only recourse was to spend $20 to ship a brand new machine to an authorized repair center. I have no idea how long this will take, or if it will be really fixed when it finally comes back. In my travels online, I found this is not an uncommon problem with the 7256 Fashion Mate.
return to sewing
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Light Weight, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I have been away from sewing machines for 12 years. The 7256 offered what I felt I needed to do my projects. So far I am pleased with performance and am happy with it.
Runs like a sewing machine!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Easy To Use
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I am a beginning sewer, and am very pleased with this machine. It is easy to use, and does what it is supposed to do. In high school Home Ec (many years ago), I was too confused by sewing machine mechanics to learn how to sew, but this machine is easy to use. I am taking it to a sewing class in my community, and my instructor has remarked on how quiet it is, too.
ambilivent
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use
Cons: Thread Wraps Around The Shaft Easily.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I like my machine but I have a recurring problem. I have had it about 3 months and it's been in for repair 2 times already. Thread keeps wrapping around the shaft!!! When this happens it pushes things out of sync...
singer fashion mate
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I've had this machine 1 month, sewed drapes, and made an air conditioner cover(heavy material), this machines sews beautifully, very easy to use, very pleased.
Not that happy with it
Overall Rating:
Pros: Great Features
Cons: Not Very Reliable
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Been to repair shops 3 times and still not working right. The buttonhole maker seems to have constant issues, not sure why. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
suprisingly good machine
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
Cons: The So Called Screw Driver Is Inadequate
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I wasn't sure what to expect for the price but the depth of throat area and the all metal internal structure sold me.I wanted a machine that would stay in place as I worked. The machine is a breeze to use and the instructions are easy to follow.I wasn't sure at first, but have decided that I like the seperate power cord as I can unplug and push the machine aside in order to make use of my table top for cutting and measuring.I put a hook under the table to keep the cord out of the way. I also ordered a walking foot at the same time as the machine. That is a great decision if you want to sew heavy fabrics or do quilting.
My neighbor who has been making do with a very old machine has already ordered the same machine.I pray she is as pleased with it as I am with mine, after I sang it's praises
Just love this machine!!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I have been wanting a new machine for quite some time now, so when I saw this one I had to have it. I just love the auto needle threader and all the stitches. I have only had this machine for about a month now so am still learning, but very easy to use,
Didn't work
Overall Rating:
Pros: Easy To Use
Cons: Poor Quality
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Machine shut down on me twice for no reason. No electrical connection whatsoever and the machine was less than a month old. It did come back on after each shut down but you had to wait for about 8 hours for that to happen. Did not receive any empathy or help from Singer other than to take or ship it to a service center at my cost!
Good price, poor tension maintenance
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Easy To Use
Cons: Poor Tension Maintenance
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I purchased this machine when my grandmother's Singer from the 1960's bit the dust. I was able to go to my local Wal-Mart and purchase this machine for a reasonable price. It is not bad, but doesn't seem to maintain tension. I have to adjust the small screw on the bobbin about every third use of my machine. I usually use my machine for light sewing for 1-3 hours at a time. I sew light cotton fabrics, linen fabrics, and cotton/polyester blends. Overall, I have a machine that is not bad for the convience of purchase and price.
Jammed
Overall Rating:
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I used it for 10 minutes, hit one pin and now it will not work. My old singer could run over pins and never miss a beat. I cannot un-jam this machine, and I don't have time to find a repairman.
Love It!
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality, There Are No Cons
I love my new singer sewing machine, it one of the models I have always dreamed of owning, I love the simplicity of working on it. I also love that it sew so quietly. I have not yet sewn with any of the features such as the embroidery stitches that are programmed into it, but in time I will, I did try two of the stitches on scrap cloth, the #49 and #51 Wow! is all I can say.
spectacular
Overall Rating:
Pros: High Quality
this is the best,i love it,is easy to use.
I love it !! :)
Overall Rating:
Pros: Good Value, Great Features, Easy To Use, High Quality
Cons: Complicated
I'm very happy with this sewing machine.
Price and its easy to use and I love it's features of variety stitches.
I have been having a bit complications with threading and tensions adjustments but of course thats according to different fabric.
Overall that's something I have to figure out and continue on having patience with my sewing machine which has wonderful features.
I have so many projects in mind with my sewing machine :)
