If you’re looking for an inexpensive sewing machine that’s reliable, easy to use and can power over thick seams, canvas or leather, the SINGER Heavy Duty 4452 may just be the model you’re looking for.

This manual machine doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it has many features found in more costly sewing machines. Its simplicity is one of the machine’s best qualities, as well as the durable construction and powerful motor.

Key Features of the Singer 4452

  • 32 stitches, including an automatic 1-step buttonhole, 7 stretch, 6 basic and 18 decorative stitches.
  • Automatic needle threader
  • Maximum sewing speed of 1100 spm
  • 60 percent stronger motor than comparable machines
  • Top-loading drop-in bobbin
  • Heavy-duty metal interior framework
  • Adjustable presser foot pressure
  • Extra-high Presser foot lifter
  • Reverse stitch lever
  • Drop-feed capability
  • Removable free arm

Pros and Cons of the Singer 4452

Pros

While this machine is not as heavy-duty as a commercial machine, with proper use and care, it does have the ability to sew multiple layers of heavy fabric. It can be used for sewing leather, denim or canvas, as well as delicate light-weight fabrics.

The simple features make the Singer 4452 a perfect entry-level machine. It doesn’t have a high learning curve, nor does it have myriad features to confuse a beginning sewer.

Adjustments are easy, thanks to well-marked dials for tension, stitch length and width.

The assortment of stitches is ample enough to satisfy both a beginning and a more advanced user.

The one-step buttonhole attachment makes it easy to create any size buttonhole quickly.

The machine is small and fairly lightweight, so it’s portable and easy to store.

However, it’s heavy enough to stay in place when running at high speed. Many lighter-weight machines tend to ‘walk’ and not stay anchored in place.

The SINGER Heavy Duty 4452 Sewing Machine is driven by a motor that’s 60 percent more powerful than similar machines in its category.

Cons

The automatic needle threading mechanism is very delicate and could easily go out of alignment.

Although the interior framework is made of metal, the levers and knobs, as well as connecting parts, are plastic. These components can crack or break and sometimes go out of alignment.

The machine is portable, but with the metal framework, it is heavier than many similar small machines.

It has limited stitches, so decorative sewing is minimal.

Because it can sew at up to 1100 spm, this machine may be too fast for children or new sewers to use safely.

Unboxing and Setup of the 4452

User Feedback

A great majority of owners who published their opinions of the SINGER Heavy Duty 4452 Sewing Machine gave it glowing reviews.

Many praised its ability to handle heavy fabrics as well as delicate sewing jobs. Often mentioned is the ability to sew hems on jeans, stitching easily through seams and multiple layers of denim. A number of sewers were pleased with the ability to sew leather and canvas without problems. The speed was impressive to many and, the machine’s reasonable price for the number of features was often cited.

The automatic threading feature is appreciated by many, and the ease of adjusting tension, width and length of stitch, as well as the simplicity of threading, is often mentioned.

However, a small number of sewers complained that the machine is not heavy-duty and did not work well with multiple layers of heavy fabric. There are also some complaints that the machine is prone to jamming. Skipped stitches also seem to be a common issue, which may be because the timing is off.

Another problem cited is the reverse lever either broke or quit functioning, while a few users state self-threading feature does not work.

Summary

For the average sewer, this machine does pretty much everything you need. Straight and stretch stitching is what this machine is meant to do, while decorative stitching is pretty limited.

One-step buttonholes are a bonus, as is the ability to lower the feed dogs for free motion quilting and darning. The Singer 4452 is also capable of sewing layers of heavy fabrics and can sew tough leather.

It’s speedy and pretty sturdy, although there can be problems with alignment or jamming.

The Singer 4452 has enough bells and whistle without the complications of computerization that makes it a good choice to add to your sewing studio.

Although Singer does not have the reputation it once had for durability, this machine seems to be one that may help regain some of its status.