I received my machine last week. I was getting ready to send it back (constant threads errors etc) I fired off an angry e-mail and then I read Lucinda's review. I must she reminded me of myself 20 years ago. I reread the manual, did exactly what it said including putting the little net on the thread reel. I now love this machine! A message for anyone else that is having problems. Do what the manual says and the machine will do what it says in the advert. Big thanks to Lucinda x and singer. I am saving up for the extra software.

Good machine, the best sewing, and fine embrodery... it's a discount machine, but you get the full value for your money...
The software is esey to use but I would have liked some more manual digitizing.

Good service from this company too...

I was worried reading so many mixed reviews of this product. They were either 5 star or less than 1, with lots of complaining about how complicated the software, manual and machine itself were. People often said that the machine stopped a lot during embroidery and would show the 'broken thread' message, however if you just thread the machine properly you won't get any of this!
I am absolutely astounded at how these people have complained. I am 19 years old and have had a few goes on my Mum's very very old Singer before it packed in recently (it originally belonged to her Grandmother! That's how reliable and hardwaring these machines are )
So with very very little experience, I read the manual cover to cover before i even turned on the machine. I learned in about 3 minutes how to wind the bobbin thread, insert the actual bobbin and thread the machine. And after that I was off! Great choice of standard and decorative stitches.
I then watched the tutorial on how to set up the machine for embroidery and since then I've been embroidering everything and anything! It's quiet enough that I was embroidering away at 2:30am last night with my Mum sleeping in the next room and she couldn't hear a thing.
I've only had the machine for just over 24 hours and I am in love, 495 well spent in my opinion - I am keeping this baby for life.
Just waiting on my autopunch software - a must have if you're eager to put your own art and designs onto things.
Buy this machine, you will not regret it.

Excellent machine, easy to use with 1st class instructions. My thanks also to the sales team for their quick reply to email and the fast efficient service.