Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Review
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is one of the most popular computerized sewing and embroidery machines from the reputable brand Singer. In this detailed review, we will look at all the features, performance and pros and cons of this machine to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Review
With over 160 years of history, Singer is one of the most well-known and trusted names in sewing machines. They make machines suited for everything from basic clothing alterations to professional embroidery. The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 sits right in the middle – it’s full of easy-to-use automatic features perfect for beginners, but with the capability to handle more complex projects as your skills improve.
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is a computerized sewing and embroidery machine packed with features. It has 600 built-in stitches including fonts for basic monogramming, automatic thread trimming and needle threading, variable speed control, and an extension table for larger projects. In this detailed review, we will look at the features, performance and suitability of this versatile machine for different sewing needs.
Main Features
Here are some of the main features and specifications of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960:
600 Built-in Stitches
The most highlighted feature of this Singer sewing machine is the massive library of 600 built-in stitches. This includes:
- 12 basic utility stitches like straight, zigzag, blind hem etc
- 91 decorative stitches perfect for embroidery or embellishing projects
- 34 decorative satin stitches for making patterns and textures
- 13 one-step buttonhole styles for professional buttonholes
- 450 font stitches with 5 font styles – Script, Outline, Italic, Gothic and Cyrillic
With so many options, you can add decorative details, monograms and textures to any type of sewing project. The variety gives you creative freedom whether making home decor items or clothing.
Having 600 built-in stitches to choose from is a major highlight of the Singer 9960
Automatic Needle Threader
Nobody likes straining their eyes and fingers trying to thread a tiny needle. The automatic needle threader does this tedious task for you in seconds. Simply follow these steps:
- Raise the needle to its highest position.
- Pull down the lever of the automatic threader. The wire loop passes through the needle eye.
- Place the thread through the guide and into the hook of the threader.
- Let the lever go up slowly to pull the thread through the needle.
It may take you a few tries at first, but once you get the hang of it threading becomes a breeze. This handy feature alone can save you significant time and frustration!
Top Drop-in Bobbin System
This Singer sewing machine uses a top drop-in bobbin that is incredibly quick and easy to load. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the hinged cover on top to access the bobbin case.
- Drop the wound bobbin in the case and pull the thread through the slit.
- Route the thread as indicated by the diagram next to the bobbin housing.
- Close the bobbin cover and you’re ready to sew!
The clear bobbin cover allows you to monitor how much thread you have left so you can re-load before you run out mid-project.
Variable Speed Control
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 gives you full control over how fast or slow you want to sew. The maximum speed of 850 stitches per minutes is perfect for efficiently zipping through long seams.
For more delicate materials or intricate details, you can limit the speed using the variable speed control slider. Slowing things down helps you maintain neatness on tricky parts. It also prevents mistakes and broken needles when sewing multiple layers or thick fabrics.
Extension Table
The included extension table expands the sewing area to provide ample space for managing large projects. With the extended bed, you can easily sew quilts, home decor items and crafts.
The smooth surface prevents your fabric from sticking or snagging while you work. If you frequently make oversized items, the extension table saves you the trouble of bunching up fabric and wrestling to fit it under the needle.
Additional Presser Feet
Most standard sewing machines only come with a basic presser foot or two, like a zipper foot. But the Singer 9960 includes a whopping 18 specialty presser feet for handling any type of project!
Some of the presser feet included are:
- Buttonhole foot – For perfect buttonholes
- Zipper foot – Zippers and piping
- Blind hem foot – Invisible hems
- Satin stitch foot – Decorative stitches
- Overcasting foot – Neat edge finishing
- Cording foot – Adding elegant cording details
- Open toe foot – Great visibility for decorative stitches
- Darning and embroidery foot – Free motion techniques
With almost every presser foot you could need already included, you can take on a wide range of sewing techniques right out of the box.
Performance
Now that we’ve looked at the stand-out features of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, let’s see how it performs for different sewing tasks.
Excellent Stitch Quality
First and foremost, any sewing machine has to deliver beautiful, neat stitches. The 9960 produces excellent uniform stitches with the default settings.
The stitches are consistent in length and have just the right amount of tension. Decorative stitches are precisely formed without any bunching or looping on both the top side and bottom side.
Of course, make sure you’re using the recommended needles for your fabric type and weight. The machine can handle a range of fabric weights and types when set up properly.
User-Friendly for Beginners
From threading to stitch selection, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is designed to be intuitive for beginners. With the detailed threading diagrams printed on the machine, getting set up is straightforward.
All the stitch options are clearly visible on the LCD display screen. You simply use the buttons to pick the type of stitch, and any adjustments you want for length, width etc. The foot that should be used is also displayed on the screen for each stitch.
With so many automatic functions like needle threading and tension adjustment, you can just focus on guiding the fabric through the machine.
Handles Light to Heavyweight Fabrics
The strong motor and metal interior frame give the Singer 9960 plenty of power to sew through multiple layers or dense fabrics like denim. Slowing down the speed and using the appropriate needle for the fabric thickness allows it to handle several types of materials.
It does best with light to medium weight woven fabrics like cotton, linens, chambray etc. But you can sew through heavier fabrics like canvas by making adjustments. Make sure to use the correct needle size and pressure for the fabric weight.
Endless Creative Potential
Where this machine really shines is the abundance of decorative stitches for embellishing projects. With 91 decorative stitches, 34 satin stitches, 13 one-step buttonholes and 5 font styles, you have endless creative potential!
Add monograms, border designs, textures and other intricate details to clothing, crafts, quilts – you name it! Lengthen or elongate the stitches for even more options. All these capabilities make your projects look professional.
Automatic Tension
Having just the right thread tension is crucial for beautiful stitches and preventing tangled messes. The Singer 9960 automatically sets optimal tension no matter what stitch or fabric you select.
For most sewing, you can rely on the automatic tension to do its job. But you do have the option to manually adjust tension if needed. Either way, you don’t have to deal with the frustration of irregular stitches from poor tension.
Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 Specs
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Number of Built-in Stitches | 600 |
Buttonhole Styles | 13 One-Step |
Maximum Sewing Speed | 850 stitches/minute |
presser Feet Included | 18 presser feet |
Automatic Features | Automatic Needle Threader, Thread Cutter, Tension |
Needle Positions | Up/Down position adjustable |
User-Friendly Features | Easy stitch selection, Extension table |
Instructional Resources | DVD, Printed manual |
Warranty | 25-year limited warranty |
Machine Weight | Approx. 28.2 lbs |
Machine Dimensions | 17.2″ L x 8.2″ W x 12″ H |
Pros and Cons
Now that we’ve gone over the features and capabilities, here are some of the key pros and cons of the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 based on customer reviews and experience using it:
Pros
- Huge variety of built-in stitches for unlimited creativity
- Computerized features yet easy to operate even for beginners
- Automatic needle threading saves time
- Good speed control for precision on delicate fabrics
- Top drop-in bobbin is quick and convenient
- Extension table provides a larger sewing area
- Comes with tons of presser feet for many techniques
- Overall excellent stitch quality even at high speeds
- Durable heavy-duty metal interior frame
- Easy to follow instruction manual included
Cons
- Buttonholes could be improved – sometimes too narrow
- Smaller monogramming fonts than a dedicated embroidery machine
- Can’t save customized stitch settings
- LCD screen positioning makes it prone to accidental adjustments
- Not as portable due to heavier weight
- Limited workspace even with extension table
- Noisier than some other sewing machines
- Not suitable for heavy thick fabrics on a regular basis
- Doesn’t have a built-in quilting tray
While it does have some drawbacks, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 offers tremendous value overall for the price.
Who Should Buy the Singer 9960?
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is a great choice for:
- Beginners who want an automatic sewing machine with easy instructions and useful features. Starting on a computerized machine will make upgrading in the future much easier.
- Intermediate or hobby sewists that want to expand their skills into decorative stitches, embroidery and monogramming. The variety of built-in stitches provides endless creative options.
- Sewers who work on clothing, crafts or quilting with light to medium weight woven fabrics like cotton, linens, chambray etc. It can handle some heavy fabrics too with the right settings.
- Home sewers looking for an affordable machine with essential features like automatic threading, variable speed control, extension table etc. It eliminates frustration and gives you more control.
- Anyone who wants a powerful machine capable of handling large projects like quilts, drapes and home decor items. The extension table provides ample workspace.
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 offers tremendous value and capabilities for hobby and intermediate sewists. While not suitable for heavy duty or commercial use, it has plenty to offer in terms of features, convenience and versatility within an affordable price range.
What Do Other Reviews Say?
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 enjoys positive reviews and ratings from most users. Here is an overview of what reviewers especially like about this versatile sewing and embroidery machine:
- The automatic needle threading gets rave reviews for making the tedious task quick and easy. Many love this convenient feature.
- Users mention the abundance of built-in stitches being a huge highlight that allows them to get creative.
- Many mention how quiet the machine is compared to older mechanical sewing machines.
- Most users find it very easy to operate overall, especially beginners who love the automatic features.
- Many reviewers highlight the stitch quality – neat, even and consistent stitches even at high speeds.
- Those who frequently make larger items appreciate the extension table for added workspace.
- Lots of users mention the automatic thread cutting as a useful feature that saves time and effort.
- Most say it handles lightweight and medium weight fabrics well with great stitch quality.
Critical reviews mention issues like:
- Some report inconsistent buttonhole quality, with buttonholes turning out too narrow at times.
- A number feel the maximum embroidery font size is too small for monogramming large items.
- Some advanced sewists don’t like the lack of presser foot pressure adjustability.
- Few mention issues with bobbins jamming, so proper insertion is important.
- Some say the machine can be noisy at very high speeds but otherwise runs reasonably quiet.
Overall, most users agree that the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is an excellent value for the price. It meets both basic and more advanced needs for home and hobby sewing.
How Does It Compare To Other Models?
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is comparable to other popular computerized sewing and embroidery machines in the mid-price range of $500 – $700. Here is how it stacks up against some alternatives:
- The Singer Quantum Stylist 9985 is an upgraded version with 850 stitches, a large color LCD touch screen, and more font options. But it costs significantly more at around $900 – 1000.
- The Brother CS6000i has 60 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threader and easy bobbin winding like the Singer 9960. But it lacks the stitch variety, font capability and extension table for roughly the same price.
- The Juki HZL-F300 has 126 stitches compared to Singer’s 600. But it lacks an automatic needle threader and costs slightly more at around $699.
- The Janome Magnolia 7318 offers great value with 18 stitches, automatic needle threader and easy operation at under $300. But it lacks the stitch selection and computerization of the Singer 9960.
- Higher end embroidery machines like the Brother PE800 have much larger hoops, embroidering areas and more editing capabilities. But they cost over $650 – 700 just for basic embroidery functions.
The Singer 9960 provides the best balance of user-friendly features, decorating capabilities and value in its price bracket. It beats out competitors for versatility and performance at this price point.
Does Singer Offer Other Similar Models?
Yes, Singer has a few other computerized sewing and embroidery machines similar to the Quantum Stylist 9960:
- The Singer Quantum Stylist 9985 mentioned earlier has more stitches, a color touchscreen, wider table, and improved machine speed. But it costs around $300 – $400 more.
- The Singer Quantum Stylist 9970 has 600 stitches like the 9960. It adds a large color LCD touchscreen display. It costs around $800 – $900.
- The Singer Stylist 7258 is an entry level option with 100 built-in stitches, automatic needle threading and speed control for around $200.
- The heavy duty Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is a basic mechanical machine with 23 stitches but a powerful motor for $200 – $250.
- The Singer Simple 3232 has 57 basic stitches, automatic needle threader and free arm. It costs just over $100.
Within the Quantum Stylist line, the 9960 hits the sweet spot between price and features. But check out the full range to find the right match for your budget and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you embroider with the Singer 9960?
Yes, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 allows you to do basic embroidery and monogramming using the built-in font stitches and decorative stitches. It comes with an embroidery foot specially designed for stitching embroidery designs. You can make small embroidered accents on clothing, linens, crafts etc. However, the maximum font size is 7mm so it cannot handle large embroidery motifs or names. For more advanced embroidery capabilities, you would need a separate specialty embroidery machine.
What maintenance does the Singer 9960 need?
Like any sewing machine, the Singer 9960 needs regular cleaning and maintenance for optimal performance:
- Remove lint and threads from bobbin case, feed dogs and shuttle area using the included brush.
- Wipe down with a soft dry cloth after use to remove any oil and dust.
- Oil the moving parts periodically as indicated in manual to prevent sticking.
- Change the needle regularly, especially after thick or heavy projects. Use the right needle for your fabric.
- Take it in for servicing once a year to a Singer authorized service center to prevent major issues.
With regular care, maintenance and servicing, your Singer 9960 can deliver years of trouble-free sewing!
What needles work best for the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960?
Use Singer branded needles for best results in your Singer sewing machine. Here are some top choices:
- Singer Quantum Stylist Universal needles in sizes 75/11 and 90/14 for most fabrics
- Singer Denim/Jeans needles size 90/14 for heavyweight fabrics
- Singer Stretch needles 75/11 for knits and stretchy fabrics
- Singer Leather needles size 100/16 for leather and vinyl
- Singer Quilting needles size 75/11 for quilting through layers
- Singer Metallic needles 90/14 for sewing sequins and metallic threads
Refer to your manual for the full range of needle sizes the Singer 9960 can accommodate. Change your needle every 6-8 hours of sewing or when it starts giving you skipped stitches for best stitch quality.
How do you do regular maintenance on a Singer 9960?
Follow these basic maintenance steps regularly, before problems arise:
- Brush out lint from bobbin area, feed dogs etc. using the included lint brush
- Wipe away any stray threads, oil or dust from surfaces using a soft dry cloth
- Check and refill bobbin when it gets low to prevent mid-project stops
- Change your machine needle every 6-8 hours of sewing time
- Test stitch quality and tension on scrap fabric before starting any project
- Use sewing machine oil to lightly lubricate moving parts when stitches sound strained
- Take it in for professional servicing once every year to keep the machine running smoothly
What thickness can the Singer 9960 sew?
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 can handle a wide variety of light to medium weight fabrics around 2mm to 6mm in thickness. Here are some guidelines on fabric thickness capabilities:
- Lightweight fabrics (2mm) – Cotton quilting fabrics, voile, lawn, batiste, crepe, chiffon, charmeuse, taffeta
- Medium weight fabrics (3-4mm) – Calico, poplin, chambray, linen, corduroy, chino, satin
- Heavyweight fabrics (5-6mm) – Denim, canvas, twill, brocade, upholstery fabric
You can sew multiple layers of lightweight and medium weight fabrics. For heavy fabrics, limit to 2-3 layers. Always use the appropriate needle size and foot pressure for best stitching. Avoid fabrics heavier than 6mm thickness if sewing regularly. For occasional heavy projects, adjust settings carefully.
Can the Singer 9960 sew leather?
The Singer 9960 can handle genuine and faux leather up to 2-3mm thickness using the correct settings and accessories:
- Use a Leather Needle, size 100/16 for leather
- Attach the general purpose foot or buy a Teflon foot specially for leather
- Set the stitch length to 3-4mm for leather
- Slow down the speed to prevent skipped stitches
- Increase thread tension slightly to account for stretch
- Use polyester or nylon thread which is stronger
- Use painter’s tape to secure seams and prevent puckering
- Consider using an awl to pre-punch holes for easier stitching
With some trial and adjustment, you can sew medium weight leather for small accessories, crafts or minor mending work. For heavy duty leatherwork, a specialized machine would work better.
How to adjust tension on the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960?
Though the Singer 9960 has automatic pre-set tension, you can manually adjust tension if needed:
- Select the stitch on the LCD screen. Note current tension setting.
- Stitch a test sample on scrap fabric to observe issues.
- Press the function button labeled “Adjusting Thread Tension”.
- Use the +/- buttons to increase or decrease tension from the default.
- Stitch another sample and compare results.
- Repeat small tension adjustments until you achieve balanced tension with no puckering or looseness on the bottom side.
Make tension adjustments in small increments. Drastic changes can cause a tangled mess! Refer to your manual for the optimal tension range and troubleshooting tips.
Where is the Singer 9960 made?
Singer sewing machines are manufactured in various factories across the world:
- Entry level models like the Simple range are made in China, Thailand or Taiwan to keep costs low.
- Mid-range computerized machines like the Stylist line including the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 are predominantly manufactured in China.
- Some high-end industrial machines are made in Taiwan. While assembly is globalized, development and design facilities are still based in the US.
- All factories adhere to Singer’s quality control standards. Being made in China doesn’t automatically imply poor construction.
Singer maintains acceptable quality benchmarks across their international supply chains. Focus more on features and performance rather than country of origin when choosing your Singer sewing machine.
Final Thoughts
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 clearly justifies its popularity among hobby and intermediate sewists. Packed with convenient automatic features, a huge variety of stitches for endless creativity, excellent stitch quality and ease of use, it empowers novices and provides plenty of room to grow your skills.
Some downsides like noise at high speeds, limited monogramming fonts and lack of built-in storage can be overlooked for the price. Neither a basic starter machine nor a high-end industrial machine, the Singer 9960 strikes the ideal balance of user-friendly operation and versatility.
So if you’re looking for the best sewing machine that can handle a wide range of projects with decorative flourishes, all at a budget-friendly price point, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 should undoubtedly be on your consideration list. It delivers tremendous value for money that improves your sewing experience, creativity and results.