Euro-Pro Shark Sewing Machine @ Target
Has anyone used the Euro-Pro Shark Intelli-Sew sewing machine? I’m looking at a Target department store flyer and this week they have it marked down from $299 to $199 as a closeout price. It says that it is a computerized machine with over 400 stitch functions and an auto threader. I think that the fine print under the ad might list a model number: No.9110.
Does anyone have any feedback on this machine? I really, really don’t need a machine, but if anyone here says it’s a good machine and a good deal, I might ‘redirect’ some of our grocery money towards it since we have a full freezer to be getting on with.
Thanks everyone!
🙂 Mary
EDITED TO ADD:
I dug around here on the forum and found only one mention of the Euro-Pro Shark, but it was the similarly named vacuum that was discussed. So then I wandered bravely out into the Internet and read 10 reviews at Patternreview.com and found the complete machine manual at the Euro-Pro Shark website (www.sharkcompany.com). Yikes! I still don’t really know what to do.
So I have a slightly wider question – for those of you here who use the embroidery stitches on your sewing machines, can you tell me what kinds of items you embroider? My current machine (a heavy White from the late 80s named Fred) has everything the Euro-Pro has except for the embroidery stitches, so I’d have to have a good reason to buy the second machine because Fred’s not going anywhere.
Oh, and the model number of the Euro-Pro machine is indeed 9110 but unlike the description in the Target flyer that says the machine has “over 400 stitch functions”, the manual only lists about 250. Hmmmm.
Any ideas or suggestions? Should I just go hug Fred and get sewing Christmas stockings? Thanks, everyone! 🙂 M
Edited 12/5/2007 10:51 pm by Ckbklady
Replies
I have a Euro Pro X (model 9130, I think), which has 220 stitches (bought it last year for $300 Cdn. at Costco), so yours is a good price & is probably similar to mine. I use the embroidery stitches a lot for trimming clothing, on crazy quilts, etc. The best part of the embroidery stitches is that you can mirror them. My machine also has a buttonholder attachment in which you insert your button, so it makes the correct size automatically, as well as the auto buttonholer (with a couple of styles, rounded & squared, of buttonhole), has several stretch stitches, zig-zag, etc., plain alphabet & plain numbers. I haven't used the alphabet or numbers yet, as I haven't found a need. The machine came with numerous feet (which I am still checking the manual on how to use - seems to be a foot for anything you want to do). So far, I am happy with it. The buttonholer took a bit of practice, as it begins at the right side of the buttonhole, rather than the bottom, but now that I know that, it works well. My old machine is a Kenmore with 20 or so decorative stitches, but I wanted a computerized one that didn't have to have a computer attached. I did have to phone the distributor to find out where to oil it, as the manual didn't show where, but said it had to be oiled only once a year in one spot only (the post where the needle moves up & down). Otherwise, no problems. Hope this helps you with your decision. Oh, btw, this machine seems to have ALL the things that the more expensive name brands have that are priced around $500-600 US).
Gloria
Hi Gloria,
Wow - thanks, that's so helpful. I wonder why they didn't put the oiling spot in the manual - that seems very puzzling. Thanks for the tip!
I must say I was wowed by the number of features for the price. But after reading the reviews on PatternReview and even on the Target website itself (who knew they had reviews - very helpful) and sifting through them to separate those made by beginner sewers and those made by experienced/advanced sewers, I noticed a pattern. Many of the newbies had mechanical problems right off the bat, and while there were indeed some experienced folk who also had mechanical problems, the newbies' ones seemed to stem from misthreading the machine or misunderstanding the settings. I'm both experienced and a big fan of reading manuals cover to cover before starting anything, so I didn't expect to be daunted by that.
What did daunt me, in the end, was the number of general mechanical failures reported overall and the dearth of stores near me that could service Euro-Pro machines and the many criticisms in the reviews of the quality of tech help and customer service at Euro-Pro/Shark.
Oh, and my dear Hubby vetoed me - he hadn't told me that he'd already put the money in our retirement savings account when I told him about the freezer! I applaud him now that I've come to my senses - it'll be worth more to us in our gray(er) years than it would be to me now in the form of a second machine that I don't really need.
I think that I'll stick to the idea of saving up for a computerized machine (someday) that comes from a dealer who offers classes and service and such. Picking a box off the shelf at Target sounds like too much of a gamble if the sewing machine company has no local service. The next price point seems to be the $500-600 you mention. I'll polish up the piggy bank and see what I can do.
Thanks!
:) Mary
Good - you did your homework! I didn't, but, so far, I haven't had any problems (touch wood - or fabric :) I'm happy with mine. As for servicing, my repair guy seems to be able to fix anything, so I'm not worried. Happy sewing :)
Gloria
Thanks! I'm so glad that you have a service guy, and that your machine hasn't needed him yet!
I have a little time tomorrow morning to go wander blissfully around a local JoAnn Fabrics Superstore so I shall go ogle their machines (without buying!) and pick up a couple of needed notions. That's as close as I need to get to buying a machine right now.
:) Mary
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