SINGER 4452 Heavy duty sewing machine review

If you’re a sewist looking for a durable sewing machine at a low cost, the SINGER Heavy-Duty 4452 could be the perfect match for you!

As the top model in SINGER’s line of heavy-duty sewing machines, the 4452 is one of the most capable machines in its price range.

In this review, we’ll take a look at some of the machine’s best features, included accessories, and the most common user questions.

SINGER 4452 Review: At A Glance

SINGER is one of the most popular and well-known sewing machine brands on the market. Founded in 1851, they’ve built a reputation for making durable sewing machines that are accessible to a wide range of users.

Their line of heavy-duty machines is no exception. Built to be an inexpensive alternative to other mid-range and heavy-duty sewing machines, the SINGER heavy-duty machines are high-powered, fast, and capable of sewing through almost anything you throw at them.

The 4452 in particular is the most expensive model in the heavy-duty line, but it is still only half the price of other comparable machines.

The three SINGER heavy-duty machines that precede the 4452 are all built with the same motor, basic functions, and added accessories.

Their main difference is their number of built-in stitches, which SINGER reflects in their model number. The 4411 has 11 built-in stitches, the 4423 has 23 built-in stitches, and the 4432 has–you guessed it–32 built-in stitches.

The 4452 is the only model to break that system. You might assume that the 4452 comes with 52 stitches, but it actually only comes with 32. In fact, the 4452 is the same machine as the 4432. The only differences between the two machines are that the 4452 comes with two additional presser feet and leather needles.

Who is the sINGER 4452 aimed at?

The SINGER 4452 actually covers quite a few bases. As a mechanical device, it’s perfectly suited to those who are just starting out on their sewing journey, but it’s equally attractive to those who are looking to buy a new machine without any computerized components.

The additional “oomph” offered by the 4452’s motor will, naturally, appeal to anyone who works with heavier fabrics on a semi-regular basis. This is by no means an industrial appliance, but it will cope with thicker materials admirably in a home environment.

Here are a few examples of who the SINGER 4452 might suit:

• New sewists looking for an inexpensive, yet reliable machine
• Cosplayers and amateur costumiers who work with a variety of fabrics
• Home craft businesses owners who sew frequently on a range of projects
• Hobbyist upholsterers
• Amateur seamstresses who frequently alter materials such as denim
• Quilters who need to sew many layers at once
• Avid sewists who need a second appliance to take some of the donkey work away from their more expensive primary sewing machine

SINGER 4452: Our Verdict

The SINGER 4452 is an attractive model, but you’ll need to be certain of what you’re going to be sewing to ensure it’s right for you. The additional presser feet and needles you get with this model are great if you’re going to use them, but why pay more if you’re not?

If they’re likely to stay stowed away in the accessory storage compartment, you might be better off opting for the 4432 instead.

SINGER Heavy-Duty 4452 Review: An In Depth Look

The SINGER Heavy-Duty 4452 has a number of great features that make it stand out from the competition:

Strong motor

The 4452 has a powerful motor for better performance. It is 60% stronger than a regular sewing machine motor, which means that it can sew through thick materials that would damage a standard machine.

Stitch speed

With the 4452’s powerful motor, it boasts an impressive stitch speed of 1,100 stitches per minute. This means your projects will sew up twice as fast as they would on a regular sewing machine, and that more advanced users won’t need to worry about waiting for the machine to catch up with them.

All-metal chassis

The 4452 has a durable metal frame and outer shell that promises decades of use. The inner frame is made from steel while the outer case is made from durable plastic.

A metal body is an essential feature for a machine with a motor as powerful as the 4452’s. More motor power means more vibration when the motor runs. The metal frame also helps absorb and dampen vibrations, so you will have a quieter and more comfortable sewing experience.

Its metal chassis also ensures the machine is durable enough to handle rough and frequent usage.

32 built-in stitches

As we mentioned previously, the 4452 has 32 built in stitches. It has 6 basic, 7 for stretch materials, and 18 decorative, and one buttonhole, which is just enough variety to accommodate most projects and materials.

32 stitches is not a large selection in comparison to the offerings of most household sewing machines, but it is more than you typically see in a heavy-duty machine.

Stitch selection is given less priority in these machines to accommodate other features (strong motors, heavy frame, etc.), so the fact that SINGER was able to add a variety of stitches without compromising quality elsewhere is a nice touch.

Extra-high presser foot lift

The 4452 comes with an extra-high presser foot lift–another invaluable feature for a heavy-duty sewing machine, since the presser foot can be just as prohibitive to sewing heavy materials as the motor.

After all, a strong motor is useless if you can’t fit thick materials under the presser foot to sew them.

Drop feed

Another useful feature of the 4452 is the drop feed. This function allows you to lower and disengage the feed dogs for free motion quilting.

Since the 4452 has a standard 6” throat, you don’t have much clearance for large quilting projects like full-size blankets. However, the drop feed feature, as well as the aforementioned extra-high presser foot lift, makes smaller quilting projects like purses and baby blankets incredibly easy.

Adjustable presser foot pressure

We can tell by the wide variety of stitch options that SINGER wanted the 4452 to be versatile enough to work with most materials, and the ability to adjust the pressure on the presser foot is an excellent step in the right direction.

Most sewing machines come with a universal presser foot (including the 4452), which negates most of the need for adjusting the presser foot pressure. However, very thick materials like denim and thin materials like silk or rayon require the pressure to be in opposite directions.

Not all sewing machines allow you to change the tension, especially if the manufacturer assumes it will only be used for heavy-duty sewing applications. The fact that the 4452 has the capability to do so means that you can use very delicate or sheer materials with it and have great results.

One-step buttonholes

The 4452 has a built-in one-step buttonhole function. That means you can use the adjustable buttonhole presser foot that comes with the machine to quickly and easily make a buttonhole in any size you need.

Automatic needle threader

Another nice function included with the 4452 is the automatic needle threader. The machine will quickly thread the needle when you follow the threading guides and lower the needle, thereby preventing all the eye strain, cursing, and accidentally-pricked fingers that go along with doing the task manually.

Accessories

The 4452 comes with some impressive accessories that are usually not included with a machine in its price range.

SINGER also has a number of additional tools and accessories that you can buy separately as needed. However, since the accessories are so extensive, it is unlikely that you will need much more than what the 4452 already offers.

Walking (even feed) foot

The walking foot–also known as an even feed foot–is by far the best accessory to come with the 4452. A walking foot is a special motorized presser foot that works with the feed dogs to evenly feed your material to the needle.

It is great for quilting projects. Layer shifting is a common problem with quilts, as the feed dogs force the bottom layers through faster than the top layers.

The walking foot prevents this issue by feeding the top layers in time with the feed dogs to ensure that all of the layers stay together.

It is also helpful when sewing thick materials like denim (especially more than one layer). Since denim is so heavy, the feed dogs struggle to push it through to the needle.

The walking foot adds extra support and power to the feed mechanisms and ensures that the leather glides smoothly through the machine.

The walking foot accessory is one of the bonuses that only comes with the 4452 model. The other three SINGER heavy-duty machines are also capable of using the walking foot attachment, but it is sold separately for those models.

Non-stick foot

Another exclusive accessory for the 4452 is the non-stick presser foot. Non-stick feet are perfect for materials like leather, vinyl, or plastic.

Those materials can be somewhat tacky and will stick to a regular presser foot, causing skipped stitches and other issues. A non-stick presser foot is slick on the bottom, so the material can’t grip it and feeds smoothly through the machine.

Leather needles

The final accessory that came with the 4452 that was not included with other SINGER heavy-duty models is a pack of diamond-tipped leather needles.

Leather needles are essential if you plan to sew leather with any sewing machine. Regular sewing needles are not strong enough to reliably pierce through the leather and are unsafe for you and your machine.

A regular needle can break off and be sent flying (possibly at you or someone else) if you try to force it through leather. You can also burn up your machine’s motor or jam some of the inner mechanisms if you don’t use the proper needles, and those are all issues that are best avoided.

Other presser feet

These feet are well suited to garment making and general sewing applications, and should be more than sufficient to fill most of your sewing needs.

Tools and maintenance accessories

The 4452 comes with several additional accessories, as well as most of the tools and materials needed to maintain the health of the machine.

These tools are all very helpful, especially if you are new to sewing and don’t have them yet.

The 4452 also includes screwdrivers and a lint brush for cleaning, oiling, and otherwise maintaining your machine.

Unfortunately, it does not come with any sewing machine oil, so you will need to purchase a bottle separately.

SINGER 4452 Alternatives

While the SINGER 4452 Heavy Duty is a fine machine at an affordable price, it’s still a fair investment to make so you’ll want to be certain you’re buying the right device for your needs. If you’re not yet 100% sure that’s the case, here are a few alternatives to the SINGER 4452 to consider:

SINGER 4432

This is an obvious choice, and one that we’ve already mentioned above. The SINGER 4432 is exactly the same machine that will suit those who don’t need the additional presser feet and needles that come with the 4452. Not only that, it’ll save them a couple of dollars in the process, too.

Janome HD3000

Despite seemingly getting less machine for more money, the Janome HD3000 is worth a mention as a viable alternative to the SINGER 4452. This is a very decent mechanical machine that handles thick fabrics wonderfully well. Definitely one to check out if heavier materials feature regularly in your sewing projects.

Brother ST150HDH

This model is a relatively new addition to the Brother range, and it’s a very good machine indeed. Despite it’s cute, rounded design, the Brother ST150HDH is a bit of a beast and will handle a broad range of fabrics admirably. It’s also very light, which makes it ideal for transporting, yet remarkably stable in operation. A great little machine for the money.

Frequently asked questions

Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions prospective buyers ask about the 4452.

What materials can this machine handle? Does it work with thin fabrics? What about leather?

The 4452 works great with thin materials and thick materials alike. It handles delicate fabrics with ease, and it can power through several layers of garment leather (and about two layers of medium-weight belt leather) with no issues.

You must remember that different materials have different needs. Your sewing machine can only do so much. If you use the wrong needle size or type, or have the wrong tension settings for the fabric you are using, it won’t matter how well the machine is built. Research what settings and tools your project needs before you start to get the best results.

Is this machine good for beginners?

Absolutely! SINGER designed it to look and work the same as most of their other mechanical machines, so the controls are fairly straightforward.

SINGER offers a special app that teaches you how to use this specific machine. You can also search YouTube and find a trove of helpful videos by other 4452 users if you are still feeling stuck.

My thread keeps tangling into a little ball when I try to sew! What am I doing wrong?

Nothing.

It is a common sewing machine ailment, but it seems to affect SINGER machines the most. It crops up a lot on their heavy-duty models when you use a thick material like leather, but it is thankfully an easy fix.

Hold the tails of the bobbin and needle threads taut at the back of the machine for your first two or three stitches to avoid it.

I’ve read reviews that this machine only lasted some users a month! Is this even worth buying?

It is impossible to know if those users misused the machine or if something was indeed wrong when they bought it.

Those types of reviews tend to come up on pretty much any machine that can sew leather. Many users are unaware of the intricacies of working with leather and make costly mistakes.

It’s important to note that the majority of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. However, SINGER does offer a 90-day warranty for factory defects if you are still concerned.

Wrapping it up

Well, there you have it! That is everything you need to know about the SINGER Heavy-Duty 4452 Sewing Machine! If you still have questions, let us know in the comments below.

For more sewing machine reviews like this one, head over to https://yousewandsew.com/best-sewing-machine-reviews/ now!