Singer 3333 Fashion Mate Review

The Singer Fashion Mate 3333 is a popular entry-level sewing machine favored by aspiring tailors and dressmakers.

It’s a mechanical sewing machine, meaning it doesn’t require a computer to operate — but with a gentle learning curve and a raft of helpful learning materials, the 3333 is capable of producing professional-level garments in no time at all.

The 3333 machine is one of three ‘tech-friendly’ options released by SINGER in 2017. You might think of it as the baby sister of the Fashion Mate range – slightly cheaper and with slightly less stitches than the Fashion Mate 3337 or the Singer 3342 (which is considered the most advanced of the bunch). As the cheapest Fashion Mate, it is considered by many sewists as the perfect entry-model to dressmaking on a budget.

Its heavy-duty metal construction provides enough durability to withstand the tribulations of beginners and the passionate enthusiasm of seasoned sewers. Coupled with an automatic needle threader and a bunch of helpful accessories like zipper feet, darning plates, spool caps, and more, it’s a pretty nifty machine. 

The Singer 3333 is primarily targeted at fashion designers, dressmakers and anybody looking to make their own clothes – hence, the ‘Fashion Mate’ branding.

It boasts that acclaimed Singer standard that novice and professional sewers alike have come to expect at a wonderfully affordable price. While the machine lacks the bells and whistles that come with fancier computerised machines, there’s still a lot to like here.

Let’s take a closer look in our full Singer 3333 review…

Is the Singer 3333 Sewing Machine Right for You?

These days, there are so many sewing machines to choose from that it can be difficult to work out exactly which model is the latest, the best, or the most suitable for any given project.

With the Fashion Mate range, Singer has added to the problem by releasing three nearly identical machines that look the same, behave much the same… but have their own model numbers.

Confused?

Here are the key differences:

Singer 3333 vs 3337 vs 3342

The Singer Fashion Mate line consists of three machines:

• Singer 3333 Fashion Mate
• Singer 3337 Fashion Mate
• Singer 3342 Fashion Mate

As you can see in our comparison, they all look pretty similar:

You could be forgiven for assuming that the Singer 3333 is an older model that has been way surpassed by the higher numbered releases, but this wouldn’t tell the full story.

All three machines hit the market at the same time, but the 3333 is considered the ‘budget’ option because it has less stitches and a four-step buttonhole. It generally sells for around 20% less than the 3337, and perhaps 30% less than the 3342.

In terms of build quality, reliability and online support, the machines are basically on par.

By opting for the 3337 or 3342 over the 3333, you are paying more for some extra stitches (and some extra convenience).

Feature	Singer 3333	Singer 3337	Singer 3342
Stitches	23	29	34
Button-hole	4-step	1-step	1-step

Why The 3333 Is Good For Making Clothes

Most sewing machines (especially those at the lower end of the price spectrum) are not equipped with a wide array of stitch patterns, automatic needle threaders, and top-loading bobbins.

But impressively, Singer has managed to pack all of this punch in the somewhat-small (and oh-so-lightweight) Fashion Mate 3333. 

The company constructed this machine with three different types of sewers in mind:

• Creative crafters (in other words, hobbyists)
• Home decor enthusiasts
• Clothes makers and fashion students

Thanks to the easily adjustable stitch length and width, 23 ready-to-go stitches, and the convenient drop-in bobbin system, it’s perfect for all sewers — complete novices to well-established professionals.

On top of that, its budget-friendly price makes it a no-brainer for fashion students and anybody who doesn’t want to splash a load of cash on their hobby.

Just keep in mind that you probably won’t get along with the Singer 3333 if you’re expecting to tackle large projects or turn seam stressing into a career.

It also has some trouble with thicker fabrics. So, denim and leather lovers beware that this machine might not fit your tastes.

What We Like About The Machine

We generally steer away from mechanical sewing machines, but there’s a lot to like about the Singer 3333, especially for the wallet-friendly price. 

For starters, it sews like a dream. Even the most experienced sewers will vouch that it runs smoothly, regardless of the stitch type. Quite the achievement from this small but mighty (and not overly noisy) machine.

Secondly, the large dials make it easy to operate. You don’t need to faff around with hard-to-read displays or touchscreen control panels. Everything you need is available with a simple turn of your wrist. 

Thanks to the online owner’s classes and app, you can get started straight from the box, even with next to no sewing experience.

The latter provides answers to your frequently asked questions and teaches you brand-new sewing techniques. It’s essentially the sewing bible at your fingertips — and you get it for free when you purchase the Fashion Mate 3333.

Admittedly, we found a lot of the material to be targeted at absolute beginners and it probably won’t be relevant if you have some existing sewing experience.

But if you don’t? It’s a useful step on the ladder.

Oh, and you can’t forget about the myriad of accessories that allow you to get up and running immediately. You’ll find everything from a pack of needles to an edge guide and buttonhole foot inside.

Not too shabby for a machine that aims to keep most of your money firmly in your wallet.

What We Don’t Like

Naturally, this machine isn’t perfect. While there is a bunch to love, you have to expect some trade-offs when you consider that rival machines are fully computerized (and a lot more expensive).

Since the Singer 3333 isn’t as expensive as other models, it doesn’t come with all that new-fangled tech that many sewers adore, like 1-step buttonholes. 

If this is a dealbreaker, then consider opting for the Fashion Mate 3337 or 3342, both of which come with 1-step buttonholes to justify their cheap but not as-cheap price points.

Despite its tough metal frame, the 3333 can’t handle prolonged (i.e., commercial or excessive) usage, making it more suitable for hobbyists and occasional crafters. 

As we mentioned earlier, it tends to struggle through thicker materials. But depending on the specific fabric, you might be able to wrangle it by switching out the needle.

We wouldn’t recommend pushing the limits like this, but it’s possible.

Finally, the foot pedal isn’t the most durable. Granted, it’s a nit-picky point, but some heavy-footed sewers may not appreciate the flimsiness.

Pros & Cons of the 3333 Fashion Mate

For your convenience, here’s our run down of the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Easy to adjust the stitch length	Sometimes finds thick materials tough to get through
Built-in needle threader	Foot pedal isn’t as durable as others due to the thin plastic construction
Heavy-duty metal frame	Automatic needle threader can be confusing to operate at times
Sews smoothly while not being too loud	Not good for prolonged (such as commercial) use
LED lights provide exceptional illumination	Does not have the latest technological upgrades
Great value for money	4-step buttonhole only (higher-end models have 1-step buttonhole capabilities)
Extra simple operation
Fantastic for beginners and occasional crafters
Comes with a bunch of helpful accessories
Aesthetically different from other sewing machines

What’s Included In The Box?

Even the cheapest sewing machines come packed to the box seal with accessories, caps, needles and covers.

This is what you’ll find in the box:

• The SINGER Fashion Mate 3333 free-arm portable sewing machine
• Fabric dust cover
• Foot pedal and power cord
• All-purpose foot
• Zipper foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Button sewing foot
• Darning plate
• Bobbins
• Pack of needles
• Thread spool cap
• Auxiliary spool pin
• Seam ripper/lint brush
• Edge guide
• User manual, SINGER Sewing Assistant app, and free online classes

As expected, Singer offers everything you need to create gorgeous sewing projects straight from the box (besides the fabric, of course).

The Fashion Mate 3333 doesn’t miss a trick. Hobbyists and fashion students should be set up nicely with the accessories provided in the box.

Technical Specifications

Model name/number	Fashion Mate 3333
Warranty	25-year limited warranty
Weight (lbs)	12.57 pounds
Size	16.38 inches x 7.44 inches x 13 inches
Variable electronic speed control	Yes
Bobbin access	Top loading bobbin
Bobbin cover	Transparent bobbin cover
Hard carry or storage case	No
Auto tension	No
Integrated needle threader	Yes
Thread end cutting	Manual
Stitch selection number	23
Buttonhole formation	4-step sequence
Buttonhole variety	1
Max. speed limit adjustment	No
Needle up/down function	No
Integrated dual feed	No
Integrated fabric feed lowering	No
Needle position	Left, right, and center
Hook movement	Smooth rotary action
Voltage	220 to 240 volts
Tutorial CD/DVD	No

Stand Out Features of Singer 3333

The stitch variety, built-in threader, and the accessory selection are, by far, the biggest plus points, especially considering the bank-account-loving price. You certainly get a lot of bang for your buck.

That said, the 25-year warranty isn’t to be sniffed at. Although, we recommend checking the fine print before getting too carried away. Unfortunately, you can’t get everything repaired for the next quarter of a century — that would be far too good to be true.

Stand out features include:

• Built-in needle threader for super-fast setup speeds
• Adjustable stitch length
• STAYBRIGHT LED light for optimal visibility
• 23 built-in stitches
• 4-step buttonhole
• Accessories included
• Online owner’s class and SINGER Sewing Assistant app
• 25-year limited warranty

Singer 3333 Review: Our Verdict

If you’re in the market for a sewing machine but don’t fancy breaking the bank to satisfy your craving, the Singer Fashion Mate 3333 could be your perfect match. 

We give the machine a solid 3.9/5.

You’ll be able to create all kinds of sewing projects. From cushion covers to quilts to dresses to bags to wall hangings, you name it; you can sew it with this quality machine.

While there’s no shortage of sewing machines to pick from, there’s a reason the Singer brand is so well-known — almost all their machines ooze excellence. That extends to the Fashion Mate range, which is a good choice for anybody looking to get in to fashion and dressmaking on a budget.

The 3333 doesn’t pack the 1-step buttonhole or extra stitches that are available with the 3337 or 3342, but it comes at an even lower price point — which is hard to sniff at.

Whether you’re a professional sewer or relatively new to the world, there’s a lot to like about the Fashion Mate 3333. 

You can find the machine sold in various stores online, including:

• JoAnn (from $90)
• K-Mart (from $118)
• Sears (from $118)

And of course, it’s also available on Amazon:

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That’s it for our Singer 3333 review. Tempted to give it a go?

Not sure if this is the model for you? Browse our latest machine reviews.