Adding the Singer 4423 to my sewing room was a game changer.
Having owned several machines, including the Brother CS6000i, I was curious how this heavy-duty sewing machine would handle thick materials.
After a few close calls with demanding fabrics, I decided it was worth trying.
In this review, I’ll share my experiences, covering its key features, practical tips for using it, and finally present the pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.
My Initial Caption about Singer 4423 Sewing Machine
When I first got my Singer 4423, I was excited to try it out despite being a beginner video maker.
The first thing that struck me was its substantial weight, a clear departure from my Brother CS6000i.
The sturdy steel plate in the sewing space, while impressive, did trigger my inner perfectionist with its tendency to show every smudge and fingerprint.
Surprisingly, even after all this time, the plate still reflects every mark, a durability feature I hadn’t anticipated.
I even posted an unboxing video, though I offer my apologies for its quality.
Why do you want heavy-duty sewing machines?
The Singer 4423, a heavy-duty sewing machine with a stronger motor, effortlessly sews through thick fabrics like denim, leather, and canvas.
It can handle multiple layers or bulky quilts with ease. Unlike a standard machine, it’s better equipped for demanding projects and handles thin fabrics well.
It’s faster speed, specialized stitches, and robust features make it your ultimate sewing solution, commonly used in crafting and tailoring projects.
Whether working on creative or functional designs, this machine works well, ensuring reliable results in every stitch.
With the Singer 4423, you can complete your sewing projects quickly and efficiently.
Heavy-Duty vs. Industrial Machine
The Singer 4423 excels as a heavy-duty model offering stronger performance, while industrial sewing machines dominate factories through mass-producing items like bags, auto interiors, and upholstery.
Although home sewing machines cost less, weigh less, and take up less space, they remain versatile and efficient, requiring less maintenance.
Unless you plan to sew commercially on a production line for 8+ hours a day, you won’t need an industrial machine.
The Singer 4423 is easier to learn and use, making it a fine choice for serious home projects.
My Box’s Appearance
When I received my Singer 4423, I was impressed by the well-packed essentials it came with. The sewing machine itself felt sturdy and ready for various tasks.
Included were a foot pedal, power cord, and presser feet, all essential for smooth operation.
The accessories case held useful tools like a quilting guide, needles, bobbins, spool caps, spool pin felt, and an auxiliary spool pin, ensuring versatility.
Additionally, a screwdriver, combo seam ripper, and lint brush provided handy maintenance support.
A gray dust cover added protection, while the quick-start guide, warranty information, and some miscellaneous papers simplified setup and offered long-term reliability.
Quick Feature Update
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions |
15.5 x 6.25 x 12 in |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs |
| Presser Feet | 4 |
| Stitches | 23 |
| Max Speed | 1100 |
| Max Stitch Length | 4mm |
| Max Stitch Width | 6mm |
| Bobbin Size | Class 15 |
Singer 4423 Stitches
The Singer 4423 offers 23 included stitches, making sewing projects versatile and creative.
With a simple dial, you can switch between basic stitches, stretch stitches, and decorative stitches.
The buttonhole stitch is effortless, while essential options like straight stitch, zigzag, and triple-stitch zigzag handle most tasks.
For creative finishes, explore the ric rack, blind hem, cross-stitch stitch, overcasting stitch, and scallop stitch.
Access additional blue stitches by selecting S1 on the stitch length dial, ensuring precision and style in every project.
4 Presser Feet Included
The Singer 4423 comes with four presser feet, each serving unique purposes.
The general-purpose foot is versatile for common stitches like zigzag and straight, perfect for everyday projects.
The buttonhole foot ensures precise buttonhole stitching in just one step, making tasks efficient and auto-sized for a professional finish.
For attaching buttons, the button sewing foot securely holds the button in place while the machine sews it on.
The zipper foot simplifies inserting zippers neatly. Swapping feet is seamless by pressing the lever on the presser foot holder, ensuring compatibility with low-shank sewing machines like the Singer or other generic brands.
Consider extra options like a satin stitch foot, blind hem foot, overcasting foot, walking foot, even feed foot, cording foot, or gathering foot to broaden your sewing capabilities.
Cool Features Worth Noting
Changing Needle Position and Adjusting Tension
The dial on top of the machine allows you to change the needle position easily, giving you the option to select left, right, or center.
This feature is incredibly useful when working with different fabrics. Just be sure not to adjust the needle position while the needle is down in your fabric—a mistake I’ve learned to avoid!
Another helpful feature is the tension dial, which allows you to fine-tune the tension based on your project.
Starting at value 4 is usually a good starting point when you’re in doubt, especially with specific fabrics.
It’s a simple yet highly applicable addition that helps ensure smooth stitching every time.
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Changing the Length and Width of Stitches
With the Singer 4423, adjusting length and width of stitches is simple and effective, thanks to the convenient dials on the machine.
You can modify stitches up to 4mm in length and 6mm in width, helping you customize your sewing experience.
For thicker, heavier fabrics, a longer stitch length is ideal, while lighter fabrics benefit from a shorter setting.
When you’re unsure, a 2-3 length for straight stitches works well for seams, and a basting stitch should be set to 4.
Zigzags can be adjusted to 3 initially, allowing further changes as required to get the best results on your fabric.
It’s important to be aware of each stitch’s average length and width to achieve optimal outcomes, so always start with knowing the fabric you’re working with to ensure the perfect finish.
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Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure and Extra-High Presser Foot Lifter
The adjustable presser foot pressure on the Singer 4423 makes sewing delicate fabrics like chiffon and silk a breeze.
Simply use a coin or small object to turn the screw on top of the machine and adjust the pressure.
For thicker fabrics, tighten the screw by turning it clockwise, while loosening it counterclockwise accommodates thinner materials.
The presser foot lifter lever on the back allows you to lift the foot to an extra-high position, making it easier to squeeze multiple layers of fabric underneath the foot.
When you’re done, just release the lever to return the foot to its normal intermediate height.
This hands-on adjustment gives you complete control over your sewing projects, ensuring a seamless experience.
Free arm
The flat-bed attachment is easily removable, transforming the machine into a small free arm that helps you sew items like jeans or small circular pieces.
It makes tasks like hemming sleeve cuffs and other small pieces much easier. This feature truly enhances the flexibility of the Singer 4423, providing more control when working on specific projects.
Simply remove the attachment and you’re ready to work on those more intricate details.
The LED Light
The LED light on the Singer 4423 is incredibly bright, so much so that it even ruined a few of the pictures I took for this Singer 4423 review.
While the brightness may seem excessive for photos, it’s more than adequate for illuminating your sewing workspace, even in a dimly lit room.
If the light isn’t enough for your setup, you can always purchase an auxiliary sewing lamp to enhance visibility.
Stainless Steel Bedplate
The stainless steel base of the sewing machine provides a smooth surface that allows fabrics to glide effortlessly during stitching.
While it doesn’t make a noticeable difference in fabric movement compared to other sewing machines, I’ve found it helps maintain a steady flow.
However, fingerprints can be a nuisance, which sometimes makes the smooth workspace feel a bit too “crazy.”
Twin Needle Sewing
The twin needle feature on the Singer 4423 is versatile and makes twin-needle sewing easy with the extra spool pin included.
You can set up your machine by placing the primary thread on the horizontal thread spool and the second thread on the vertical thread spool.
Both threads fit into a hole at the top of the machine, making it convenient. Though my machine didn’t come with a spool cap, it was still functional.
Twin needle sewing creates parallel lines of stitches, which is essential for garment construction.
This feature ensures that the stitches are uniform and professional, making it an important tool for anyone serious about sewing.
Twin needle sewing also allows for decorative stitches that are suitable for various applications.
The whole setup is easy to see in the picture provided, although my awkward-sized spool cap is visible.
Setting Up the Singer 4423 Sewing Machine
You may find number of YouTube videos to show how to set up the Singer 4423 heavy-duty sewing machine.
My husband recorded the process, though you might notice a bit of zooming in the video.
It gives a good idea of how to properly thread the machine and what it sounds like when it starts sewing. The sewing machine runs smoothly and performs reliably.
i. Threading the Upper Thread
Setting up the sewing machine properly begins with following the numbered instructions clearly printed on the machine body.
These serve as a helpful guide during the threading process, ensuring the upper thread is positioned correctly.
Always keep the presser foot raised while threading to prevent tension problems that could affect stitch quality.
ii. Automatic Needle Threader
The Singer 4423 features a heavy duty sewing machine design with an automatic needle threader, making self-threading effortless.
With a simple press of the lever and precise thread wrapping, a small hook effortlessly guides the thread through the eye of the needle.
However, this delicate part requires careful handling as it can break easily if misused. Ensure the needle up position and correct center needle position to keep it aligned, avoiding potential frustration.
Having used various Brother sewing machines, I find the Singer threader superior in durability and ease of use, though treating it like a delicate flower ensures long-lasting performance.
iii. Winding and Inserting the Bobbin
When working with the Singer 1304 or any sewing machine, using a top-drop bobbin simplifies the process compared to a front-load bobbin.
No need to deal with a separate bobbin case or struggle to reinsert it correctly. Simply drop the bobbin following the orientation printed on the sewing machine workspace, pull it around the slit and notch, and you’re ready to go.
The clear case makes it easy to monitor your bobbin thread so you can replace it before starting a big project or finishing a line of stitches without interruptions.
This eliminates the pain in the rear of running out of thread mid-seam—a common frustration many sewists remember too well.
iv. Having to Raise the Lower Thread
Before you start sewing with the Singer 4423, you need to raise the lower thread, unlike the Brother sewing machine that features a quick-set bobbin.
Having used the Singer Start 1304, I’m familiar with the extra step needed, though it’s only a few seconds to complete.
If you’re used to the quicker setup on other machines, it may feel like an extra step, but it’s easy to manage.
How to Make Buttonholes in One-Step?
Creating buttonholes with the one-step automatic buttonhole on the Singer 4423 is surprisingly simple.
The machine works seamlessly with the white plastic buttonhole foot, which is where you place your button. However, the plastic foot is a bit cheaply made, but it still gets the job done.
To start, you must pull down the buttonhole lever, then push back to engage the buttonhole process. Once you’ve done that, set the stitch length between 0 and 1, adjust the width to 6, and select the buttonhole image to get things working well.
The small dial on the side of the machine allows you to adjust the stitch density for the sides of the buttonhole, but I haven’t had to use this feature yet.
Once you’ve read the instructions a few times, the process becomes easy to repeat, and your buttonholes turn out just fine.
You Can Quilt With the 4423, Yay!
The Singer 4423 may not come with a walking foot or feed foot, which are available in other models like the Singer 4452, but quilting is still possible.
With the quilt guide included, it becomes easier to guide fabric. For more advanced quilting, purchasing a 1/4″ piecing foot and spring-action quilting foot separately will help.
You can also use the feed dogs with a simple button flip for free-motion quilting.
While I personally miss the extendable wide table of the Brother CS6000i, the oversized table extension on the Singer 4423 is still a great option to hold large projects like costumes.
Although some may find it a bit sad that it doesn’t come included, it’s not a dealbreaker. You can still manage layers of fabric simultaneously.
Hemming Jeans and Sewing Denim
Hemming jeans and sewing denim has never been easier with the Singer 4423.
The motor is 60% stronger than a regular sewing machine motor, which is perfect for handling bulky fabrics and heavyweight materials.
When working with denim, I found that the key to success is selecting the right needles and threads.
I recommend using at least a 90/14 needle with a sharp point for denim to ensure the best results.
The Singer 4423 manual provides a helpful page listing needle size and the corresponding fabric, making it easy to know which tools to use for your project.
While I could easily sew through multiple layers of denim, I didn’t feel the need to press beyond what was necessary.
It’s all about knowing the correct materials and planning ahead.
Sewing Leather with the Singer 4423
The Singer 4423 handles sewing tooling leather effortlessly. I sewed multiple pieces of leather together without any issues.
The machine moves through fabric and materials with ease, showing its strength. It made crafting leather projects a breeze, ensuring smooth results.
Even thick layers were no problem, as the sewing machine kept stitching with confidence.
The Singer 4423 is ideal for anyone looking to work with leather or any tough materials, providing consistent results every time.
Getting Used to the Foot Pedal
Getting used to the foot pedal on the Singer 4423 may take some adjustment for those accustomed to computerized sewing machines.
I encountered difficulty with controlling the speed, especially going slow, but eventually got the hang of it.
The foot pedal is relatively heavy and kept moving around the floor due to the cord, which caused a bit of frustration.
To solve this problem, I created my own non-slip sewing foot pedal mat, giving me better control.
If you’re a fan of computerized machines, the Brother ST150HDH might appeal, offering features like a quickset bobbin and foot free operation, although it lacks the tactile experience of sewing with a pedal.
How fast is 1100 stitches per minute really?
The sewing machine offers an impressive speed of 1100 stitches per minute, which can be both enthralling and dangerous.
At this pace, it’s crucial to ensure you’re not sewing over pins or getting your hands too close to the presser foot and needle clamp screw.
While the metal frame and heavier weight prevent the machine from bouncing, the moving speed can still catch you off guard, especially when it’s working at its max capacity.
This capability makes the machine incredibly efficient, but it also requires caution, as the rapid up and down motion can be overwhelming if not handled properly.
Singer Warranty
The Singer 4423 sewing machine comes with a warranty that covers several important aspects.
If you experience any issues, you are covered by their typical 90/2/25 warranty. The 90-day warranty covers everything at Singer’s expense, which is a great start.
However, for the next two years, many parts are covered but at your own expense. The sewing machine head is covered for an impressive 25 years, offering long-term protection compared to other manufacturers.
While it may not sound perfect, it’s a comparable warranty to many sewing machines on the market today.
Pros
- The lightning fast performance of the Singer 4423 stands out, with the top-load bobbin offering an easier experience compared to the front-load bobbin found in other Singer sewing machines.
- Adjusting the presser foot pressure allows users to change settings seamlessly, making it a breeze to sew both thin fabric and thick fabric.
- It truly rocks when it comes to managing diverse sewing tasks efficiently.
Cons
- While the sensitive foot pedal might be tricky for beginners or computerized users, it takes some practice to get used to.
- The cheap buttonhole foot doesn’t quite match the rest of the machine’s build quality.
- Additionally, the needle threader only works when the needle is perfectly up, making threading a bit difficult.
- Personally, I get frustrated with the fingerprints and smudges I constantly leave on the steel plate; it’s a small annoyance that drives me crazy.
- Despite these issues, the overall performance and quality are solid for most users.
- The design is functional, but the frustration with the pedal and threading can sometimes make the experience less beginner-friendly.
- It’s still a great sewing machine for those with some experience.
Overall, I’ve been impressed with the overall sewing quality and features of this machine, which has been a reliable bearer for my thick sewing projects while my delicate embroidery machine focuses on lighter tasks.