Singer Curvy 8770 Review

While in West Palm Beach on business, I decided to make a stop on the way home to say hello to my friends at Gold Coast Sew and Vac.

While there, I spotted a computerized Singer sewing machine that I had not yet had an opportunity to review – the Singer Curvy 8770.

At A Glance

Singer Curvy 8770

Automatic needle threader

The Singer Curvy 8770 is a sleek ‘curvy’ machine that has a small monochromatic LCD screen situated above a series of touch pads and buttons that are used to select stitches as well as adjust stitch length and width, store stitch patterns in the memory, engage the mirror imaging feature, and a small dial at the bottom of the column which is used to dim and brighten the backlit LCD screen.

There is also a tension dial on top of the machine head on the left side, a see through bobbin cover, a needle plate with limited seam guides etched on it, a removable workspace that doubles as an accessory case and a drop feed control switch on the back of the free arm.

On the left side of the machine head is a lever that when depressed, engages the automatic needle threader. The reverse stitch button is located above the needle.

I noticed at that time that the Singer Curvy 8770 has no start/stop button… a feature that is rather common on most computerized sewing machines. It does, however, have an automatic needle threader and a side thread cutter.

Features

• 225 Built-In Stitches
  • 6 Utility stitches
  • 5 Stretch stitches
  • 207 Decorative stitches
  • 7 Buttonholes
    • Six 1-step Buttonholes
    • 1 Endless Buttonhole
  • One block alphanumeric font
• 3 StayBright™ LED Lights
• Memory capability
• Drop feed
• Backlit monochromatic LCD Screen with adjustable light levels
• Needle up/down
• Electronic twin needle control
• Left to right mirror imaging
• Continuous pattern sewing
• Automatic tension adjustment
• Automatic presser foot pressure control
• Extra-high presser foot lifter
• Free arm
• Adjustable stitch length & width
• Center zigzag taper
• Automatic tacking stitch for decorative stitches
• Reverse stitch
• Automatic bobbin winding clutch
• Side thread cutter
• On board accessory storage
• Thirteen needle positions

Menu buttons on the front

Working on the Singer Curvy 8770

Winding the bobbin and threading the Singer Curvy 8770 are very simple tasks… so simple, in fact, that a child in elementary school could master the task alone after a few successful attempts under adult supervision.

The stitch selection process is accomplished through a series of easy to remember steps. First, it is necessary to use the menu buttons on the front of the column to identify the menu section where the desired stitch is located.

The button to locate and identify decorative and utility stitches is located on the left hand side of the button panel, above the mirror image icon.

The button used to select and program the alphanumeric font is located on the opposite side of the panel. Directional buttons are used to select stitch designs, adjust stitch length and width and customize stitch pattern selections.

When the desired stitch setting is achieved, press the center circle button and then the foot pedal to sew.

The stitches produced by the Singer Curvy 8770 are well executed, sturdy and evenly formed. The machine is quiet and has a solid feel.

There was no vibration and the ergonomic curvy design made me feel quite comfortable while sampling stitches for this review.

Well executed, sturdy and evenly formed stitches

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Standard accessories:

• Snap-On Presser Feet
  • All-purpose foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Buttonhole foot with underplate
  • Blind hem foot
  • Satin stitch foot
• Extra Needles,
• Extra bobbins (Class 15J)
• 3 Spool caps (1 large/1 medium/1 small)
• Auxiliary Spool Pin
• Spool Pin Felt
• Screwdriver
• Seam Ripper/Lint Brush
• Dust Cover
• Quick Start Guide
• Instructional DVD
• Owner’s Manual

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

The Singer Curvy 8770 is very much like its predecessor, the Singer Curvy 8763, but has features not found on the earlier model.

Features that are available on the 8770 but not on the 8763 include an additional 195 stitches; five more buttonholes, including the continuous buttonhole; and the inclusion of presser feet that are not part of the standard accessory list with the purchase of the 8763.

Cosmetically, the 8763 might be a little more attractive with its lavender colored accents, as opposed to the grey accents on the 8770.

To my pleasant surprise, working the Singer Curvy 8770 was an unexpected pleasure. Unlike many late model Singers, this particular machine is quiet, and has a solid feel with practically no vibration at all.

The basic on board thread guides are not only easy to follow, they are simple enough for a child to follow with only a little bit of assistance from an adult. Winding the bobbin is equally uncomplicated.

The see through bobbin cover and on board seam guides on the needle plate are very well designed. I have no hesitation in recommending the Singer Curvy 8770 for use by beginners from the age of nine or ten and up.

See through bobbin

It is also a good choice for the advanced home sewer who wants a basic computerized sewing machine with all of the essential features, but none of the extra bells and whistles that are included on many upscale, more costly computerized home sewing machines.

I do not like the fact that the drop feed control lever is located behind the free arm, making it necessary to remove the worktable/accessories case in order to gain access to it.

Through conversations with other people who sew, I am learning that people who have been sewing for as long as I have are the majority of people who are not satisfied with this feature.

People who have not become accustomed to the drop feed being easily accessible on front of sewing machines do not seem to have an issue with reaching behind the machine to drop the feed dogs. I guess that’s another advantage of having learned to sew ‘back in the day’.

For several years, I have been somewhat disappointed with many of the sewing machines bearing the Singer name. The 8770, however, is an exception – at least when brand spanking new.

I cannot vouch for the performance or durability of this machine beyond the first few months of use if that long. But I must say that I am impressed by its performance when it is first put into use.

Only time will tell if a brand new Singer Curvy 8770 will continue to perform at this excellent level after a period of time in an actual home sewing room. My recommendation is that anyone interested in purchasing this machine do so with a bit of caution.

In my opinion, it is essential that anyone who purchases a Singer in this era be fully aware that in the years since the company was sold by its original owners, the Singer sewing brand has gone through several transformations.

The quality and reputation of the brand has declined and no longer holds the high rating and esteem that it once held.

Lately, however, I have come across a few Singer sewing machines that indicate that the current owners … SVP [Singer/Viking/Pfaff] … have been making a few attempts to improve the quality and workmanship of certain Singer models. The Curvy 8770 is definitely one of those models.

If you decide to add a Singer Curvy 8770 to your own sewing room, please make sure you take the time to visit an authorized independent Singer sewing machine dealer.

It is only when you purchase a sewing machine from an authorized independent dealer that you get that level of personal one-on-one service and attention – even with an economically priced machine – that you simply can’t get from a large corporation, a big box store or the internet.

It’s the relationships that you build with store owners and associates that make all the difference in the world. Those of us who spend a lot of time in the sewing room become attached to our machines.

They are like our children, and we want people who care as much about them as we do – who understand how important they are to us – to be nearby to talk to, troubleshoot and share ideas with.

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