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Singer Simple 3232 Review

Finishing at the back of the pack, the 3232 by Singer is far from our favorite machine
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Singer Simple 3232 Review (The Singer Simple 3232 sewing machine.)
The Singer Simple 3232 sewing machine.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   Singer
David Wise
By David Wise ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  March 20, 2019
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
45
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Sewing - 40% 5.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 5.0
  • Ease Of Set-Up - 20% 3.0
  • Buttonholes - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

All in all, we weren't terribly impressed with the performance of the Singer Simple 3232. We didn't find this simple sewing machine to be particularly easy to use and actually found it to be a bit difficult to set up. The stitch quality is far from amazing, and the buttonholes are definitely below average. It isn't terribly expensive, but you can get a far better sewing machine for the same price.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Moderately easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Difficult to set up
Subpar buttonholes

Our Analysis and Test Results

This sewing machine finished right at the back of the pack, tying with the Brother ST371HD. Both of these are about the same difficulty to use, but the Simple 3232 is quite a bit harder to set up. However, Simple 3232 makes better quality stitches and costs quite a bit less.

singer simple 3232 - the simple 3232 was average at sewing.
The Simple 3232 was average at sewing.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Sewing


The Simple did quite well with the straight stitch on most of the fabrics, but it struggled a lot with the silk and the polyester chiffon, bunching up the fabric substantially. It actually did even better with the zigzag stitch, doing well with the silk and the chiffon, in addition to all the other materials.

singer simple 3232 - we had trouble with bunching on the lighter fabrics.
We had trouble with bunching on the lighter fabrics.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This machine struggled a bit with the scallop stitch, bunching up a handful of our test fabrics no matter what we did to adjust the tension. It finished with an average showing when it came to attaching a zipper. Aside from our four main evaluation stitches, we noticed that the diamond stitch is absolutely awful across the board, but this machine could sew through six layers of denim without too much of an issue.

singer simple 3232 - the simple 3232 didn't have any features that set it apart making it...
The Simple 3232 didn't have any features that set it apart making it easier to use.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Use


The Singer's labels and instructions are fairly easy to understand if you have used a sewing machine before, but you may have to spend a little time looking through the manual to figure out what some of the symbols mean if you are a complete novice.

singer simple 3232 - the tension adjustment wheels.
The tension adjustment wheels.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This machine has the standard side thread cutter and has a dial you turn to select the different stitches, similar to most of the other mechanical models we've used.

singer simple 3232 - the stitch selection wheel on the simple 3232.
The stitch selection wheel on the Simple 3232.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

However, it can be a little difficult to get the stitch length and width dialed in, as it doesn't automatically show you the defaults. This machine doesn't have push-button sewing and the needle won't automatically stop in the up or down position — it just freezes as soon as you let off the pedal.

singer simple 3232 - an "automatic" needle threader is another really nice feature to...
An “automatic” needle threader is another really nice feature to have, though be aware there are different kinds.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Set Up


Unfortunately, the Simple 3232 isn't all that simple to set up. This machine is average in terms of threading, but the needle threader gave us some difficulty and it more challenging to use than some of the other models. It's also very easy to thread the bobbin for winding, but it tends to come out very bottom-heavy.

singer simple 3232 - the bobbin compartment on the simple 3232.
The bobbin compartment on the Simple 3232.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

However, it was installing the bobbin that really dropped this machine's ease of use score. We found the directions hard to follow, and a tool is required to get the bobbing out of the chamber. It also can be a bit difficult to thread the shuttle.

singer simple 3232 - buttonholes are very important to a nicely finished piece.
Buttonholes are very important to a nicely finished piece.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Buttonholes


For our last test, we scored the quality of buttonholes created by the Singer 3232. This machine did a little better but still scored below average overall, earning a 4 out of 10 for its efforts.

Value


This machine isn't a great value, as there are comparably priced models that scored significantly better.

Conclusion


We aren't huge fans of the 3232 and vastly preferred other machines.

—David Wise and Austin Palmer

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