Singer Quantum Stylist 9985 Review: Perfection Meets Practicality

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Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist touch

Have you been condsidering purchasing a Singer Quantum Stylist? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put this model through some projects and think it is a great little machine.

While we prefer the computerized models for most projects, a lot of people have difficulty getting accustomed to them. However, the Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist is one computerized sewing machine that is simple to use right out of the box.

We’ve had the pleasure of using this model for quite a few projects of ours, and each time it is more impressive than the last. Sure, there are some things we wish it did better (more on that later), but the 9985 is near perfect.

What does this sewing machine offer?

Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist Features and Specs

  • 13 button hole styles
  • 6 alphabets
  • 960 stitches
  • Color touch screen
  • Sewing assistance guides
  • Automatic thread cutter
  • Easy-to-load bobbin system
  • Speed control
  • Start/stop button
  • Mirror image and elongation button
  • Drop feed
  • Presser foot sensor

And these are just a few of the great features the 9985 has. Even from this quick glance, you can tell that this is a serious sewing machine. It has a ton of great features that will assist you with the most difficult sewing patterns along the way. It is also capable of sewing through thick fabrics. We were very impressed with how much this machine could handle, very much like the other models found on the heavy duty sewing machine reviews page on our site.

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My Singer 9985 Review

When reviewing the 9985, we try and take an outsider’s approach because many users aren’t using their machine as often as we are. So, we’ll be a little intricate with our review so that you know the good and bad when you’re done reading.

960 Stitches – More Than You’ll Ever Need

There are so many different stitches available and we’re lucky to have used 30 of them before. Sure, all of the stitches have their purpose, but the vast majority of these stitches are used for very particular projects.
Stitches are broken down into the following:

  • 10 essential or core stitches for construction and mending
  • 21 stretch stitches that move with your fabric
  • 919 decorative stitches

And we’re not sure we’ve actually seen all of the decorative stitches just yet.

There are also 6 styles of alphabets that you can choose from, too. This includes five standard styles along with a Cyrillic style. You can add a name or phrase to your projects with ease. If you’re worried you’ll forget which option you chose, don’t worry: a memory function is available that will remember your last alphabet choice.

Buttonholes Made Easy

Making buttonholes from scratch is not fun. And you never have to make them by scratch again. There are 13 buttonholes that can be made with the exclusive underplate. All of these buttonholes are automatically made in a one-step process.

Singer computerized sewing machine lcd
Full Control LCD Display

An extra-large display (in color) provides you with all of the refinement options you’ll ever need. You’ll be able to choose everything:

  • Stitch
  • Stitch length
  • Stitch width
  • Thread tension

And the sewer will recommend a presser foot for you – how amazing is that?

Mirror Imaging and Elongation

You can edit all of the stitches provided and start to make your own stitches. Every stitch can be made two to five times longer in length, and with the editing capabilities, you can achieve the exact look for your stitch pattern.

When done, you can mirror the pattern for a precision stitch.

Setup is Super Easy

The Singer 9985 works for you – really. We’ve never had the pleasure of using a sewing machine that was this easy to operate. And the great part? There is a built in assistance program. This program provides audio and visual messaging to help with:

  • Bobbin winding
  • Bobbin settings
  • Changing presser feet
  • Threading the machine

Threading is easy and takes just six seconds to do. You’ll find that the threading instructions are printed on the machine itself and couldn’t be any easier to follow.

Thread bunching is often caused by the machine going when the presser foot is raised, but a new presser foot sensor has been included that will stop premature sewing. And did I mention that there are 13 presser feet included with this sewing machine?

There is so much more, too:

  • Free arm – perfect for collars, hems and cuffs
  • Stitch memory – start off where you left off stitching
  • Electronic autopilot – remove the foot control and use the start and stop buttons to control the machine
  • Speed control – push the lever to fast or slow
  • Automatic bobbin winding – quickly wind a bobbin with no fuss
  • Automatic tension – tension automatically controlled by the machine based on the fabric used
  • 25 needle positions – perfect for zippers, cording and topstitching
  • Snap-on presser feet – quickly swap presser feet without needing a screwdriver
  • Storage – there is ample on-board storage that is available on the removable sewing table

There are so many intricate detail controls available that you’ll be able to control every last aspect to meet your project’s needs. It’s not often that you’ll find this level of precision control in a computerized sewing machine.

And setup is so easy, you’ll jump for joy when compared to a normal sewing machine like the beginner sewing machines found here.

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Pros

  • You’ll never have to make a buttonhole manually
  • There are more stitches than you’ll ever need
  • A plethora of accessories are included to make sewing a breeze
  • The LCD display allows you complete control over your sewing machine

Cons

  • The cover that comes with this model is flimsy
  • A quilting tray was not included

An extension table is included (big bonus) but it doesn’t do the job like a quilting tray does. While not a major issue, it is something of a concern if you plan on quilting often. And I have to mention the included cover because it was rather lackluster. I expected to receive a high-quality cover for the price, but this wasn’t the case.

While the cover isn’t much of a concern, I do recommend buying a high-quality one to keep your machine protected at all times.

The Singer 9985 Quantum is really the wave of the future in the sewing industry. Not only can you set this model up in minutes, the quality stitching and ease of use make sewing even difficult projects a breeze.

Click here to view pricing and availability of the Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist.

4 thoughts on “Singer Quantum Stylist 9985 Review: Perfection Meets Practicality”

  1. Good Afternoon,
    I really appreciate your review of the Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist. I have used the machine briefly, helping a lady in a quilting class with a new machine. I did like it but anticipated purchasing a heavier duty version when my youngest finishes college. I am replacing a 25 year-old Janome that has seen better days. My eldest daughter will adopt the old machine.

    I found the machine on Amazon with a lighning deal paying just less than $350 with a percentage going to my designated charity (local Habitat for Humanity). I did find a very nice case on rollers on Amazon as well for $60; it will be nice to go to quilting sew-days and such. I did splurge with a very nice extension table that is 21″x21,” has quilting grid marks, and a storage tray for about $150. I budgeted myself for $600 to $650 so I am one happy girl.

    I do not think I will ever use all those fancy stitches. Stitch #8 on the machine will allow me to do a faux handstitch that is to resemble handquilting (use quilting thread on the bottom and invisible thread on top). The big sell on the machine when compared to the Singer 9960 which has the extension table was taht the 9985 has a larger screen since I am becomming more visually challenged as I get older.

    I do some garment construction but had a dressmaking business ages ago specializing in bridal and Quinceaneras. I now do mostly quilting. I also have a Singer Rocketeer which I love but want to keep available for leather and denim. I sew for a lot of motorcycle clubs in my area. In the summer I sew outside in the evenings on my great aunt’s treadle.

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  2. Hi, how can I see the 919 decorative stitches before buying the machine?
    I checked the users manual and I saw only a few…

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  3. I absolutely love the Quantum Stylist. I consider myself a beginner quilter, and I had been searching for a machine that had a variety of stitch designs, is easy to use, and can be a work-horse with thick fabrics. With this machine, I finally finished my crazy/patchwork squares and added “embroidery” on each square using the thicker stitch designs. On this quilt I was working with velvet, cordorouy, velveteen, and other fabrics with a texture and this machine worked through them like butter. I especially appreciated the ease of threading since I had to change colors at least 8 times for each square. My other favorite part of the machine is being able to customize the stitch length/width/mirroring that allowed me to add new design patterns and reduced the need for me to rotate my squares so often. I wish I could add a picture of what I made with this machine to illustrate what it was able to do. I recommend this HIGHLY.

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  4. I was wondering if this machine has embroidery option. I am looking for a sewing machine/embroidery machine. Thanks so much.

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