Product Description

A fully featured, electronic sewing machine with all the features you would expect PLUS an embroidery unit that is powered by your PC to allow you to use your imagination to create just about anything.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95041 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Singer Sewing Co.
• Model: Futura CE-100
• Released on: 2004-04-23
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 17.50" h x 22.50" w x 23.75" l,

Features

• Electronic sewing machine with computer-powered embroidery unit
• Requires a personal computer with Pentium II processor
• Accepts embroidery designs from internet, CD, or floppy disk
• 80 stitch functions; built-in needle threader; 2 styles of 1-step buttonholes
• 25-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Review
When Isaac Singer invented his first sewing machine in 1850, little did he foresee the range of home machines available today. An embroiderer’s dream, the electronic Singer Futura employs the user’s personal computer to transmit dozens of embroidery designs from the internet, a CD, or a floppy disk onto a range of fabrics. A step-by-step tutorial gets the user started, and additional online customer support is also available.

Personal computer requirements for the Futura are as follows: Windows operating system 98, NT, 2000, ME, or XP; 64 MB RAM; CD-ROM drive; at least 500 MB (more is recommended) of available hard disk space; color standard VGA adapter; and a Microsoft compatible mouse. The machine features 80 stitch functions, a built-in needle threader, two styles of one-step buttonholes, programmable up/down needle for precision pivoting at corners and curves, drop-feed for freehand stippling and button sewing, and extra piercing power for heavyweight fabrics. The keypad on the front of the machine allows easy one-touch pattern selection and mirror-imaging of designs. Included with the Futura are two embroidery hoops: large (4-1/2 by 6-3/4 inches) and small (3-1/8 by 4-3/4 inches); and a bonus embroidery package featuring 60 built-in designs, including 2 fonts, plus another 60 bonus designs. Singer covers the sewing machine with a limited 25-year warranty. --Ann Bieri

From the Manufacturer

Singer is taking an innovative leap in sewing technology with the Futura sewing and embroidery machine. It is the first sewing and embroidery machine that uses a personal computer to power the embroidery features. Futura offers the best features of electronic sewing machines and embroidery machines at a fraction of the cost. Traditionally, higher priced sewing and embroidery machines have the embroidery software built in. The Futura’s embroidery features are powered by software installed on a personal computer (PC), which greatly reduces the cost.

Compared to other sewing and embroidery machines with similar features, the Future is a tremendous value, offering great features for significantly less money. It’s extremely user-friendly and the design options are limitless. It can all be done with the simple click of a mouse. The electronic sewing machine features 80 stitch functions. Other features include one-touch pattern selection and a built in needle threader. It also has two styles of one-step buttonholes to create the perfect buttonhole each time.

Getting Started is Easier than Ever

Futura can work alone as an electronic sewing machine but easily transforms into an embroidery machine via a USB cable connection to a PC. The software included is Windows compatible for versions 98 and up. The package includes a tutorial and singer also provides a consumer support website. This includes everything you will need to take you through your embroidery project. Even if you have never embroidered, no problem. The built-in "How-To" tutorial is like having an instructor right there with you.

Click on what you need in the How To and step-by-step information appears.	The tutorial includes illustrations, clear color photos, and written instructions.

The software includes 60 built-in designs plus another 60 bonus designs on a CD. There are two styles of included fonts to cover your lettering needs. Another unique feature of the Futura is the ability to use embroidery designs available on hundreds of internet sites or from embroidery design collections on CD or floppy disk. The Futura can use all popular home and commercial embroidery formats. You can download designs off the Internet, or you can use designs off a CD or floppy disk collection. Also, the Singer Sewing Company offers free monthly designs on their website, www.singerco.com. Once you select a design, you can easily display the number of colors in the design and the sequence in which they will stitch out. You can also change a color if you want.

The Futura is compatible with all embroidery formats.	The Futura displays the number of colors and the stitching sequence.

Before stitching out the design, you may want to view what it looks like with actual stitches. This is made possible with a "click" of your mouse on view and then on realistic view. Because the computer operates the embroidery unit of the machine, all that is required to send a design to the machine is a "click" on file and then a simple "click" on "Transmit to Futura machine." It’s that easy. In addition, the Futura software includes a listing of all the most popular embroidery thread companies. Simply "click" on the manufacturer of your choice. To change your color, "click" on "List Color". The Futura includes each manufacturers color chart; making it easy for you to choose the precise color you want. You can then visit your favorite sewing supply store and ask for the thread by color number.

The Futura lists the most popular thread companies.	Included manufacturer color charts make it easy to pick the colors.

Embroidery Hardware

The embroidery hardware includes a large (4-1/2 by 6-3/4 inch) and small (3-1/8 by 4-3/4 inch) hoop, which is ideal for design placement and hard-to-reach areas of garments. Other included accessories are a darning and embroidery foot, 3 bobbins, embroidery thread , spool covers, small trimming scissors, embroidery connector cap, handy vinyl accessory storage bag. Futura can handle all of the practical and creative needs of the sewer or crafter at any skill level. It is an example of singer’s dedication to bringing innovative products to consumers at an affordable price.

Representing the latest in innovative embroidery technology, the new Futura joins a family of sewing machines, accessories and notions that have made Singer one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of consumer sewing machines and a name that stands for quality. The Futura--innovation, value, and creativity in one package.

Electronic Sewing Machine Features

• 22 built-in stitches, 80 stitch functions for clothing construction, decorative, quilting, heirloom and home décor sewing
• Built-in needle threader threads the needle in one easy step
• Programmable needle up/needle down for precision pivoting at corners and curves
• Optimum power control provides extra piercing power when sewing heavyweight fabrics
• One-touch pattern selection. Select a stitch with one touch of your finger. You can mirror a variety of stitches, too.
• Two styles of one-step buttonholes
• Top drop-in bobbin with see-through cover let’s you monitor thread supply at a glance and replace empty bobbin
• Drop feed for free hand embroidery, monogramming, and stippling

Embroidery Features

• Windows 98 and up compatible
• Bonus embroidery package includes 60 built-in designs plus 60 "bonus" designs
• Large (4-1/2 by 6-3/4 inch) and small (3-1/8 by 4-3/4 inch) hoops
• Step-by-step tutorial to help you get started
• Consumer support web site--help is always available online
• Embroider your choice of designs. Most popular formats accepted.
• Download designs from the Internet or work from a collection on CD or floppy disk
• Transmit designs directly to the machine

Customer Reviews

Neat idea
What makes this product so attractive is that by connecting it to a computer you can get an endless amount of embroidery designs. It is also a full feature sewing machine.
I bought this item for my wife's birthday. It does everything that is advertised. The sewing functions are straight forward, and everything worked as it should.
The embroidery isn't as staight forward. The instructions are very poor, and limited. Although I have to admit, that I figured most of it out fairly quickly. The embroidery is slow, and of course you have to change thread for every color change in your pattern. The designs came out looking good. I also downloaded some free designs from other sites, and they worked just as well.
My problem with this machine is two fold. The one we bought broke after only a few hours of use. It was a minor problem. The bobbin holder had a crack where the tension screw goes in. At first everything was fine, but within a few hours the thread started catching in the crack until it was unusable. I'm sure that this won't be a problem for most customers.
The second problem is much more severe in my opinion. No one has parts for the machine, and it's near impossible to even get a parts list. One item that doesn't come with the machine that my wife wanted was a zipper foot. The part number for that item was listed in the book, but when I went to find it, absolutely no one had it. I even wrote Singer's part's department, and they wrote back telling me to call.
It's a neat machine. As long as you get one that works, and aren't concerned about parts availability, I don't think you can find a better ebroidery machine for less money.

Not a good choice
I DID own the Singer CE100 (until I returned it!) and speak from personal experience. I purchased this as an embroidery machine rather than a sewing machine and was sadly disappointed. There seems to be a communication problem between the software and the machine. My husband, who makes his living working with software and hardware, spent 15 hours trying to get it to communicate properly and consistently; finally he gave up in frustration.
Error messages don't always display and, when the machine would simply refuse to run, we were left having to guess at what the problem could be. On the other hand, sometimes the machine would just stop and an accurate error message--"thread broken"- would be displayed in spite of the fact that the machine was threaded properly and the thread was intact. This machine, at least in its embroidery capacity, is most certainly NOT user friendly and getting online help is a joke! To make matters worse, the manual instructions are unclear and inadequate. After three wasted days of hassle, we finally returned the machine for a refund.

A MUCH better choice, in my opinion, is the Brother 6500. It's a litle more expensive, but well worth it. The software is easy to use and the machine is a delight. It took us less than an hour to uncrate it, set it up, and get it working correctly. This is a much better value.

Takes a little effort, but you can't beat the price
I have owned my Futura for a little over a year. I was interested in an embroidery machine with a larger field-- I own a brother PE-400D, which I love, but the embroidery field is small.
I am the type who likes to monogram towels, burp cloths, etc-- just for fun and as gifts.
I loved the idea of the Futura being powered by the computer rather than those expensive embroidery cards. I had bought several of them for my Brother, and they seemed way over-priced for what you get.
I also purchased the Hyperfont software so I can now use ANY true-type font on this machine. That is so fun! I can also download ANY embroidery design onto my machine. The Futura reads ALL formats. They have a ton of free designs out on their site, too.
As far as the machine operation itself-- I would agree that it can be a little tempermental at times. The tension has never seemed to register correctly and you have to experiment with it at times to find the right balance. The proper stablizers and thread are critical.
If you are computer savvy at all, I would say you can figure out just about anything on this machine yourself-- without the help of customer support. The DVD/CDs they include are really helpful.
For the price you just can't beat this machine-- I researched and researched before I bought. You will pay at least $1000 for the next step up for a machine with comparable sewing field and you won't be able to use your computer. Brother does have a step up machine for about $700 but you will still be tied to those cards.
This machine is DEFINITELY NOT for everyone. It takes patience and can make you mad at times. You need a good deal of common sense to be able to operate it. The high-end machines definitely work without the hassle, but you are also paying the price for them.
If you are like me, and just want to have the ability to embroider here and there for family and friends, then this might be a good buy for you.