Singer Futura CE-250/CE-350

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Singer Futura CE-250/CE-350

by Tammy Negley
(Shippensburg, Pa. USA. )

I have had the Singer Futura CE-250/CE-350 machine for 3 years now and I've had no real problems till now. The machine is making horrible noises like a dry bearing, getting help or repaired seems very difficult. No place to take it!

I oil and maintain the machine but this noise doesn't stop. I truly wish someone would help! I paid lot for this and it needs to work, I truly feel these machines are nice but they cost almost as much as a commercial machine.

I have trusted this Brand Name for over my lifetime even my grandmother used Singer, but now getting service is really making me question this decision as weather I will ever get another Singer product.

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Singer Futura CE-250/CE-350

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Feb 22, 2010
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Better Service
by: Anonymous

Service is necessary for all machines and at a reasonable cost. When I took my Husqvarna in it cost almost the original machine cost to replace the computer card....all consumers need to demand better machines and better service. I am looking to buy a Bernina that is not computerized as a result of my experiences. In addition, being told that computerized cards may only last 5 years certainly would change one's choice to begin with!
Linda

Feb 23, 2010
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A little bird told me not to get Bernina!
by: Tammy

I took my Singer to get repaired at a shop that sold Singers and Bernina also. They have dropped selling these machines due to no service to repair them. and they are having trouble getting parts for them.My singer has the problem of being out of time which happened when they shipped the machines over seas and nobody checkes the machines over here before the customer buys them,to see if they even run right before you get them.When you buy from a person that deals in the brand you want or choose to buy it should be inspected and runned to see that it is in time and all parts are in good shape! My machine had a problem with the bobbin case it had chucks knocked out of it from being out of time apparently this is very common in these machines. The bobbin plastic case which holds the bobbin is about the size of a Fifty cent piece but cost $50.00 to get replaced!and not counting what it will cost to tear the whole machine apart to time it. These machines should be inspected and put through the pases before you buy to see if the machine works like it is suppose to.By the way all sewing machine are no longer made here in the usa it all comes from over seas! Brands that my great grandmother used and trusted are long gone. It is hard to trust whats comming to us now!

Mar 13, 2010
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Beware of Dealers
by: Tammy Negley

I have run into dealers that well want to sell you there machines and will tell you not to buy others because they are no longer going to be running the business there getting out of it so to speak. I found it better to research it your self. try out machines before you invest find out what there made of! Look at the guts of the machines! If you are lucky to find someone to show you. Make sure that the person working on the machine knows what there doing when fixing it and is willing to explain it to you.

Mar 23, 2010
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Greatest Repair Man!
by: Tammy Negley

I recently bought a Bernina,from Martin's Bernina Sewing Center! This man repairs all makes and models of Sewing Machines and Embroidery Machines! I've had enough bad experience with some other shops,but he is very good at his trade.If you don't live here in Pennsylvania you can even ship it to him to have it fixed.He is reliable and a good honest person to deal with and that is rare anymore! He's at 11 Fairview Road Newville Pa. 17241

Mar 31, 2010
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Singer Futura 350
by: Lena Nolan

My husband bought a new Singer Futura 350 for my birthday. Came with a 25 year warranty. Awesome.

Loved it...at first. Within 7 months of less than average use, it developed timing problems. I contacted Singer, was given an authorized dealer in my area to take it to for routine cleaning and adjustment. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.

Then within a week, it started making a horrible noise. I immediately turned it off, returned it to the dealer and after examining it, was told that THREE gears were cracked and it would cost $400 to repair.

Apparently SINGER is made with PLASTIC GEARS and components. When I contacted Singer, I was told their warranty ONLY covers electronic issues. NOT MECHANICAL...

I'm pissed off. $1,100 dollar machine and it turns out the be a piece of crap. If they can't, Or Won't, stand behind their warranty...

I will NEVER buy another Singer Machine. Neither should you. BEWARE of faulty warranty promises.

May 02, 2010
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Singer CE-250
by: Mary Lee

My husband gave me this "wonderful" machine a year ago, especially to do embroidery. I have done a lot of hand embroidery. I have had time this winter and spring to start working with my Singer CE-250.

However, I agree, the manuals are almost worthless on how to actually go, step by step, with a project. I would very much like to take a class.

The local store has one person who knows how to use the machine. She and I have the same days off. Meaning she is not available to teach me when I am available. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota and have not found any way to learn the "nitty" "gritty" information I need.

Like, do you move the fabric when changing thread and the bobbin? How do you get things properly fitted so it starts the second and future threads in the right place? etc. Are there better written instructions for this brand. Are there any online instructions, classes or power points.

I agree, without complete step by step instructions with nothing assumed about the learner's knowledge of terms, the Singer CE-250 sewing machine will be almost useless for embroidery. Is there any customer support out there? HELP PLEASE.

Jun 22, 2010
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Singer Futura 250 manual
by: Millie

I agree with Mary Lee. I have had my Futura since Oct 2009. I purchased the auto punch program, and get so frustrated when trying to use it. I can't ever remember ever purchasing anything with such a worthless manual. A step by step video would be nice since it is impossible to find any classes offered for Futura machines.SHICA

Aug 23, 2010
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singer manuals
by: Anonymous

Hi.there are 3 in depth pdf manuals included on your installation cd.it tells you exactly how to use the software,i agree that it isnt a very good software...i prefer embird myself...much more value for money and cheaper than singer sortware.also you can click on help when you are in the futura software and connect to the futura support site,they now have video tutorials.Ive had my singer ce 350 for little over a year now,luckily i havnt had any problems with mine.Jacques

Sep 18, 2010
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singer 250 tutorial
by: Anonymous

i agree with everyone on this machine .I even spent another $50.00 on a cd tutorial thinking it would be helpful but now i am more confused(if that is possible) .i am so disappointed because i really wanted this machine & have so many things i want to do, but it is just taking up space ,i need a class & nothing is available

Oct 25, 2010
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SAD BUYER
by: Anonymous

WELL, I BOUGHT THIS NEW 350 WITH ALL THE SOFTWARE AND WHEN JUST SEWING, THE E1 ERROR COMES ON AND STOPS THE SEWING PROCESS, YOU HAVE TO FLOSS THE AREA WHERE THREAD GOES THROUGH ON TOP, THEN CHECK BOBBIN OVER AND OVER, I AM NOT THRILLED WITH THIS PRODUCT AND SORRY NOW I SOLD MY VIKING +1, IT WAS WONDERFUL, JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE A NEW MACHINE NOT!!!!!
OH WELL, I WILL HAVE TO TRY TO LEARN TO FIX IT AS I GO AS RETIRED AND CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER MACHINE BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A SINGER AGAIN

Nov 02, 2010
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Training
by: Anonymous

Join the Yahoo group Futura Embroidery. Tina from Top of Texas is holding Web classes for $10.00. I am with you, noone to show me. These classes are great. She is having another class this Saturday, the 6thof November.

Dec 17, 2010
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Futura Support
by: Anonymous

This web site may prove helpful to Futura owners and I printed out every page.
http://www.futura-support.com/faq/machine.htm#30

I had problems in the beginning too. The "E1" beeping was solved when I learned that pulling slightly on the upper and bobbin threads as you take the first three or four stitches caused the beeping to stop. Another solution was to take the first three or four stitches using the hand wheel. It has solved the problem for me.

I too had timing problems but I did a little research and found a site that showed me how to reset the timing myself. I've been able to do that and it has worked fine since.

This machine is very temperamental but I've learned to love working with it. The really good thing about it is that you are able to use multiple formats for embroidering designs.

Another thing I learned (if you are embroidering) that it isn't good to have any electronic gadgets around the machine..cell phones...remotes..things like that. They could interfere with the performance of the machine. I've heard others say they have had similar issues. I keep the cell phone in the other room in case it rings.

Hope some of this helps.

Dec 26, 2010
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E6
by: Anonymous

E6 error is as soon as I press the start button. I have followed all the steps and I'm very frustrated with this machine. Only used it a handful of times since last Christmas when I bought it. If it hadn't cost so much I would have thrown it out!
Anyone know of repair places in South Jersey?

Dec 26, 2010
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Singer Futura CE-350
by: KathyE

Purchased Dec 2010 - not a good investment.

Jan 04, 2011
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Don t give up!
by: tama

You may need to oil the machine, if noise is coming from base, you may need a new bobbin carriage. hope things work out. it usually is something simple. Call a repair center and discuss it @ a repair person, and they can trouble shoot for you quickly. In the pass I ve used All Brands for purchases and repairs. Very satified. Remeberit is a machine and things need agjustments and teks. Good luck!

Jan 08, 2011
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Singer Futura CE250 is junk
by: Anonymous

I must say I agree with everyone elses comments in regards to this machine. I previously used a Janome Memory Craft 9000 and loved it until my Magic Box would no longer work on my computer. I can't find anyone to work on the Singer and it just won't sew period. When I bought it, they failed to tell me it would only work with a certain bobbin and a certain kind of thread. Spent and aditional $107.00 on thread to get the stupid thing to work. It did for a very short while, but now, I can't even turn the wheel. I hate this machine with a passion.

Jan 10, 2011
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Singer Service SUCKS
by: Michael Wodarz

My Mother bought 3 Singer Embroirdery machines in the last 2 years. ALL and I do mean "ALL" of them have either should have been replaced at "NO" caust or repaired for her. The first 2 were CE-150 and they only lasted 3 months each, with only a simple note that Singer could not repair them. Then when she purchased the CE-250, she was hoping things would be better. "WRONG", that one only lasted 4 months, and is now been some place in Singer's service center. With the same results, "NO HELP" from them as to if or when she will ever get it back.

mwodarz@msn.com

Feb 14, 2011
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I thought it was me.
by: Bcurles

My husband bought the CE250 for me for Christmas and the only thing I have been able to embroider on it are the designs that came on the machine. No instructions on how to download patterns from the internet (or my computer) to MY EDITOR. I consider myself a VERY patient person but I am very frustrated with the machine. I would love to send it back!!! Never in my wildest dreams thought it would be this difficult to operate.

May 17, 2011
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love this machine!
by: sewing sue

wow - what a bunch of bad reviews - I have had my CE-250 for almost three years and absolutely love it.I use it only for embroidering and run it about 20 - 30 hrs./wk. The only problem I had was I forgot to put the bobbin cover on once and it really tangled up then started to make the horrible noise several mentioned. I took the plate off and saw that the rounded piece of metal that holds the bobbin holder down was bent upward - took several small adjustments to get it right again and am back sewing. Love that it can sew any format and can adjust any design size to what I want. I suggest you play around with your machine to find it's potential!!

May 19, 2011
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Pros and Cons of Futura
by: Amy Z

Temperamental is such a mild word for my Futura... I had it for over two years, before actually getting the software to install properly and work on my computer and my Futura, at the same time... My daughter made me persist, until I got the kinks out and it actually worked. I am retired IT specialist and grew up with a mother who taught all of us to sew at an early age. I am comfortable trouble-shooting machinery, and good thing, since I have to trouble shoot my Futura nearly every time I use it. If I update my software on my old laptop, running Windows XP on 32bit processor, my futura software quits working and I have to re-install and re-update. I use an Elna to sew my projects and the Futura ONLY for embroidery.
The tacky plastic bobbins break and annoy me. Elna bobbins are metal. I use the same needle for so long on the Elna, that I have to change it because I hear the dullness striking the fabric. I have used over a dozen needles, or more, in the Futura. They break, bend and otherwise cease to function. Annoying!
Whining aside, love the look of the embroidery and the fun of creating personalized gifts for babies and children.
Autopunch is great, there are a few hints, have to have a good picture to start with and keeping it simple helps with end results.

Sep 05, 2011
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Piece of crap
by: Anonymous

This machine is so bad that it is not worth my time to tell you anything expect do not buy one.

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