81.9 The Singer Tradition 2277 is a very straightforward, mechanical sewing machine that sports 23 stitches. Its lack of bells and whistles is seen by most owners not as a drawback but rather as an asset, as they highlight the sewing machine`s simple setup and ease of use. This is a great fit for the beginner or for those doing occasional garment repair and simple projects. It also comes with a number of accessories. Most owners are pleased with their purchase and the price point is good, however there are reports that the bobbin system can be frustrating and can cause thread jamming.
Consumer Ratings
We found over 900 consumer ratings for this sewing machine (the bulk of them from Amazon) and when these were averaged they generated an overall score of 81.9 out of 100 (about 4.1 stars out of 5). This is a reasonable score but not spectacular. You can compare it to the scores of other machines we have reviewed in our list of sewing machine ratings (which we have been collecting since 2010).
Source | Consumer Rating | #Ratings |
Amazon | 4.1 stars out of 5 | 815 |
Joann | 4.0 stars out of 5 | 87 |
Wayfair | 4.8 stars out of 5 | 5 |
Macy's | 5 stars out of 5 | 1 |
Walmart | 5 stars out of 5 | 5 |
Some of the higher scoring Singer sewing machines include:
Model | Avg Consumer Rating |
Singer Stylist 7258 sewing machine | 93.1 |
Singer Heavy Duty 4452 sewing machine | 88.6 |
Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist sewing machine | 88.4 |
Singer 1304 Start sewing machine | 86.4 |
Singer Fashion Mate 3333 sewing machine | 85.3 |
What Are Owners Saying?
A thorough review of Singer 2277 owner comments has yielded the following pros and cons.
PROS
- Simple, easy to use machine
- Great fit for a beginner
- Good for simple garment repairs & small projects
- Most people feel it is easy to thread
- Can handle multiple layers of fabric (to a point)
- Fairly sturdy
- Metal bobbin casing and mechanism
- Includes stretch stitches
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Issues with thread tension
- Bobbin system can cause spooling/jamming
- Some say it can shake/move while sewing
- Not designed for advanced sewing
- Reverse lever sometimes gets sticky
- Some people struggle with the automatic threader
Probably the most common comment about this sewing machine is how easy it is to setup and to get sewing. The 2277 is a basic, mechanical machine and many buy it for this reason. It is easy to thread (for most people) and it only has a few controls. While limited controls may be a turn off for some folks, it is actually popular with many people who want a simple sewing machine for tackling garment repairs or other straightforward projects. Some owners also allude to the fact that less features means there is less to go wrong. In addition, a simple sewing machine is often an intelligent choice for new sewists and the Tradition 2277 is indeed a good fit for the beginner.
The machine is fairly strong and is capable of sewing through some thicker materials and multiple layers of thinner materials. But there is a limit to its ability in this area and you may find it difficult to do something like hemming jeans for example.
Many people find the needle threader easy to use but, like with many sewing machines, there are some folks who struggle with it. There are also quite a few comments about the 2277 being sturdy which is likely, at least in part, due to its metal frame.
In addition, people are pleased with the pricing of the 2277. Some go so far as to say it is “amazingly well priced”. We’ve seen this unit online for between $105 and $130 depending on where you shop.
Probably the most common problem with the 2277 is the issue of thread jamming. Some owners report that the thread spools around the bobbin and that it is very hard to get the tension right. These things result in the thread jamming or tangling.
This is also a very simple sewing machine so it is not a good fit for someone looking to do large or advanced projects. It also has a limited number of features and stitches.
Despite being fairly sturdy, it is not that heavy and when sewing, especially at high speeds, the machine can shake a little and even inch its way around the table/counter.
You can read more Singer 2277 owner reviews at Amazon.
Comparison to Singer Tradition 2259
We’ve reviewed the Singer Tradition 2259 in the past and the 2277 is a very similar machine, but there are a few differences:
2259: 19 built-in stitches
2277: 23 built-in stitches
2259: Automatic 4-step buttonhole
2277: Automatic 1-step buttonhole
2259: No adjustable stitch width
2277: Adjustable stitch width
2259: No automatic needle threader
2277: Automatic needle threader
Key 2277 Specifications
- 23 built-in stitch patterns (6 basic, 11 decorative, 5 stretch (with center zigzag taper), 1 buttonhole)
- Stitch selection dial
- Fully automatic 1-step buttonhole.
- Automatic needle threader
- Adjustable stitch length & width
- Max stitch width = 5mm
- Max stitch length = 4mm
- Automatic tension
- Snap-on presser feet
- Extra high presser foot lifter
- Automatic presser foot pressure
- Reverse lever
- Free arm
- Twin needle capable
- Multiple needle positions
- On-board accessory storage
- Automatic bobbin winding
Voltage & Other Info
The bobbin class for this machine is 15 and the needles are 2020 & 2045. This is also a 110 volt sewing machine so it is designed for use in the USA and Canada (it could be used in a 220 volt environment but one would need a proper transformer).
Weight, Warranty & Accessories
At 13.6 lbs this is hardly what we would call a heavy machine but it doesn’t make the cut for our list of lightweight portable sewing machines either which are almost all under 12 lbs.
The Tradition 2277 carries a 25 year warranty which, according to the warranty document on Amazon (Singer 2277 Warranty), actually means:
- Sewing machine head: 25 years
- Motors, light assembly, stitches, wiring, speed control and electronic components: 5-years
- Belts, rings, bulbs, attachments and adjustments: 1-year
Don’t be fooled into thinking all aspects of the sewing machine will be covered for a full 25 years.
Accessories can be stored in a pull out tray built into the 2277 and include: a zipper foot, a button sewing foot, an all-purpose foot, and a buttonhole foot. In addition, you get needles, bobbins, a lint-brush/seam-ripper, a screwdriver, thread spool cap holders, a darning plate, an edge/quilting guide, and an oil bottle. A 6 foot power cord, foot control, instruction manual and quick start guide are also provided.
Sewing Machine Manual
The manual for this machine is quite detailed and it is written in English, Spanish and French. Although we find the format a little annoying – each page is repeated in the 3 different languages, as opposed to having and section for each language. As a result you have to do a lot of scrolling and searching to find what you want. You can view the manual here: Singer Tradition 2277 Manual
Instructional Videos
There are also some very useful online Tradition 2277 instruction videos (there are 6) that cover things like stitches, stitch selection, stitch length and width, buttonhole, needle threader, and accessories. You can find them on YouTube: Singer 2277 Videos