81.3 The Singer 1512 Promise II sewing machine is a very basic machine with a limited number of features. It is also very easy to use. This lack of complexity, coupled with the ease of use, makes the 1512 a good fit for the beginner. The machine does come with some good features, including 13 stitches (basic, decorative, buttonhole), a free arm, a built-in thread cutter, a reverse lever, and adjustable stitch width. Build quality is average but then this in not a particularly costly machine. Some owners describe it as a decent machine on a budget.
Consumer Ratings
We found 62 ratings for the 1512 at a number of quality online retail outlets – see table below. When we applied a weighted average to these figures we got a sewing machine score of 81.3 out of 100. This is fairly average – not great, but not too bad. You can compare this to the score of other sewing machines in our sewing machine ratings table if you like.
We found 62 ratings for the 1512 at a number of quality online retail outlets – see table below. When we applied a weighted average to these figures we got a sewing machine score of 81.3 out of 100. This is fairly average – not great, but not too bad. You can compare this to the score of other sewing machines in our sewing machine ratings table if you like.
| Source | Consumer Rating | # Ratings |
| Amazon | 4 stars out of 5 | 27 |
| Home Depot | 4.2 stars out of 5 | 30 |
| Walmart | 3 stars out of 5 | 2 |
| SewingMachinesPlus | 4 stars out of 5 | 3 |
Best and Worst of Singer
If you are a Singer fan you may be interesting in the Singer sewing machines on our website that have scores much higher than the 1512 Promise II. The top rated Singer sewing machines on our site include:
What Are Owners Saying About their 1512?
A thorough review of owner comments has provided the following Singer 1512 Promise II pros and cons:
BEST
| Model | Score (Avg Consumer Rating) |
| Singer Stylist 7258 | 93.1 |
| Singer One Plus | 93.0 |
| Singer Fashion Mate 7256 | 91.2 |
| Singer ONE | 88.7 |
| Singer Heavy Duty 4452 | 88.6 |
You may want to consider avoiding some of the lower rated Singer sewing machines on our site. These include:
WORST
| Model | Avg Consumer Rating |
| Singer QuickFix | 52.4 |
| Singer 2932 | 58.6 |
| Singer 6199 Brilliance | 63.0 |
| Singer 3116 Simple | 70.1 |
| Singer 5400 Sew Mate | 72.4 |
| Singer CG-590 | 74.2 |
What Are Owners Saying About their 1512?
A thorough review of owner comments has provided the following Singer 1512 Promise II pros and cons:
PROS
- Easy to setup and use
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight and portable
- Built-in carry handle
- Not too noisy
- Easy to thread
- Plenty of online info and instructions
- Easy to setup and use
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight and portable
- Built-in carry handle
- Not too noisy
- Easy to thread
- Plenty of online info and instructions
CONS
- Struggles with thick fabrics
- Cannot adjust feed dogs
- Some folks experience frequent thread jamming/bunching
- Bobbin is finicky and gets jammed at times
- Instruction manual only average
- Struggles with thick fabrics
- Cannot adjust feed dogs
- Some folks experience frequent thread jamming/bunching
- Bobbin is finicky and gets jammed at times
- Instruction manual only average
One of the most common remarks from 1512 owners is that it is very easy to setup and to get started sewing. In addition, almost everyone agrees that the unit is straightforward and simple to use. As a result folks often state that the 1512 is a good fit for the beginning sewist.
People like the lightweight design and that the machine has a built-in carry handle. The portability makes it a good choice for taking to classes or sewing groups.
Owners describe this unit as a decent sewing machine on a budget and others describe it as an average machine at an average price. These aren’t particularly inspirational comments and we also see that folks do have issues with the thread tangling and bunching up. Also, people find the bobbin finicky and frustrating to work with (its sometimes jams as well).
Some owners have highlighted that the unit has difficulty sewing through multiple layers of fabric or dealing with thick fabrics. In addition, you cannot adjust the feed dogs.
View more Singer 1512 owner comments on Amazon.
There is plenty of online information and videos describing the 1512’s features and showing how to use the machine. If you want to see some 1512 videos from Singer you can find them here.
Key Specifications
- 13 stitches (11 basic, 1 decorative, 1 buttonhole)
- Automatic 4-step buttonhole
- Stitch selector dial
- Snap-on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lift (for thick fabrics)
- Automatic presser foot pressure
- Front loading bobbin (class 15 bobbin)
- Automatic bobbin winder
- Free arm
- Built-in thread cutter
- Twin needle capable
- 2 needle positions
- Preset stitch width and length (but still adjustable)
- Adjustable stitch length
- Adjustable stitch width (up to 5mm)
- Reverse lever
- Adjustable tension
- Sewing speed = 750 stiches per minute
- 13 stitches (11 basic, 1 decorative, 1 buttonhole)
- Automatic 4-step buttonhole
- Stitch selector dial
- Snap-on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lift (for thick fabrics)
- Automatic presser foot pressure
- Front loading bobbin (class 15 bobbin)
- Automatic bobbin winder
- Free arm
- Built-in thread cutter
- Twin needle capable
- 2 needle positions
- Preset stitch width and length (but still adjustable)
- Adjustable stitch length
- Adjustable stitch width (up to 5mm)
- Reverse lever
- Adjustable tension
- Sewing speed = 750 stiches per minute
Threading the 1512
This unit does not have an automatic needle threader and some folks wish it did. But threading the machine, even without an automatic needle threader, is still fairly easy. In addition, there are threading diagrams/instructions printed directly on the machine to help.
This unit does not have an automatic needle threader and some folks wish it did. But threading the machine, even without an automatic needle threader, is still fairly easy. In addition, there are threading diagrams/instructions printed directly on the machine to help.
Stitch Chart
Following is a graphic showing the stitches provided with the 1512. These are also printed on the stitch dial on the machine. The dial makes it very easy to select a stitch.
Following is a graphic showing the stitches provided with the 1512. These are also printed on the stitch dial on the machine. The dial makes it very easy to select a stitch.
Helpful Instructional Video
The video below is produced by Singer and called the “Singer 1512 Promise II Owner’s Class”. This is a 24 minute video that discusses and shows you everything you might want to know about the machine. If you are interested in this unit this is a good video to check out.
Other Important Information
The 1512 weighs 10.8 lbs which is quite light for a sewing machine. Our list of the best portable sewing machines has a cutoff weight of 12 lbs. Despite the weight this unit still has a metal interior frame which helps increase rigidity (which, in turn, helps to produce skip-free sewing).
The 1512 weighs 10.8 lbs which is quite light for a sewing machine. Our list of the best portable sewing machines has a cutoff weight of 12 lbs. Despite the weight this unit still has a metal interior frame which helps increase rigidity (which, in turn, helps to produce skip-free sewing).
You may notice that the 1512 is not in our list of the best portable sewing machines. The “best” portable machines includes the top 10 scoring sewing machines on our site WITH a weight under 12 lbs. With respect to weight the 1512 does qualify, however it has a lower score than any of the other machine in the list.
We've also seen some concerns about voltage. It seems some folks are buying this sewing machine and they live in a country that uses 220 Volts. The 1512 is a 110 Volt machine. It’s built for use in the USA and Canada (or, I suppose, any other country that runs on 220V). It will not work (without a transformer) in a 220V environment.
Accessories
Like most sewing machines today, a number of accessories are provided with your 1512 Promise II. Included are four presser feet:
Like most sewing machines today, a number of accessories are provided with your 1512 Promise II. Included are four presser feet:
- All purpose
- Zipper
- Button sewing
- Buttonhole
- Zipper
- Button sewing
- Buttonhole
Also, you will find a seam ripper, an edge/quilting guide, a darning plate, a pack of needles, a class 15 bobbin, spool pin felt, and a screwdriver. An accessory storage drawer is built into the sewing machine (the drawer can be removed for free arm sewing). In addition, there is a foot controller, a power cord, a quick start guide, and an instruction manual.
Warranty
This is a "Singer 25/2/90" sewing machine which means:
This is a "Singer 25/2/90" sewing machine which means:
- Limited 25-year warranty on the sewing machine head.
- Limited 2- year warranty on electric parts such as motors, lighting assembly, wiring, speed control, switches, and electronic components.
- Limited 90-day warranty on attachments, belts, bulbs, rings, and adjustments.
- Limited 2- year warranty on electric parts such as motors, lighting assembly, wiring, speed control, switches, and electronic components.
- Limited 90-day warranty on attachments, belts, bulbs, rings, and adjustments.
We have also seen some Singer 25/5/1 machines (25-years, 5-years, and 1-year) but the 1512 is not one of them.
Sewing Machine Manual
The manual covers such items as Machine Basics, Threading the 1512, Sewing (straight stitch, buttonholes, free motion, choosing patterns, etc), Maintenance, and Troubleshooting. It is provided in English, Spanish and French. It is not particularly detailed but the basics are there. You can see a copy of the manual here: Singer 1512 Promise II Manual
The manual covers such items as Machine Basics, Threading the 1512, Sewing (straight stitch, buttonholes, free motion, choosing patterns, etc), Maintenance, and Troubleshooting. It is provided in English, Spanish and French. It is not particularly detailed but the basics are there. You can see a copy of the manual here: Singer 1512 Promise II Manual
Hello! My name is Alison and I started Sewing Machine Ratings over 10 years ago. Since then I’ve reviewed scores of sewing machines. Sewing has been a hobby for me since I was a young and I love to make my own clothing.