Quilt Reviews

It's been years since I've done my own mending and sewing, but recently decided to look for my own machine. I was very pleased to find the White 1730, but also happy to discover how good it is. Though perhaps not as quiet as a $500+ machine, it is very smooth and easy to live with. The drop-in bobbin, which is unusual at this price range, is very nice, and I haven't had a single jam. Also a great feature is its ability handle denim--I had about 6 pairs of jeans to shorten on my first day of mending, and I gave it some assistance with the handwheel on two pairs of my husband's jeans and was careful to get the sideseams to feed carefully--but there were no jams and the needle did not break. I was very pleased!! The small size and light weight of the machine make it ideal to tuck up on a bookshelf or closet shelf for storage without messing with the cover on-off process: the cover is a two-to-three step process to get on or off and is perhaps this machine's only design quirk. However, the cover doubles as an extended work surface which can be very handy for quilting and other tasks, so it does have its usefulness. Because the machine is small, there is limited space to work with in the needle area--the machine is fairly easy to thread until one leads the thread down to the needle--the last thread guide (the one right at the needle) is a bit of a challenge to get the thread through--it is easier as I have become used to it. The machine has an automatic needle threader which is a welcome addition for me--I am middle-aged and my eyes are grateful for that assistance! The 1730 has stretch stiches, including overlock stitches, and a free arm.

With the light weight of the machine, the power of the motor and the many conveniences and stitch options, it is a great little machine. Be aware that for a few dollars more ($30-50) you can get the White W750 which is the same motor and everything, but with added stitches and the really great auto needle feature--the needle always stops in the "up" position. If you have a stiff shoulder due to arthritis or other medical condition, that "auto-up" feature saves you a lot of repetitious work with the hand wheel.

All in all, White really has done a great job with this little machine and I am glad to have it. It solves a lot of problems for me and for a very economical price.

This machine is horribly designed. In a prior review the customer stated that the machine runs but the needle stays put. The reason for this is a tiny little screw inside the plastic of the handwheel. The screw is responsible for engaging the clutch, but is encased in plastic. The torque cracks the plastic and eventually causes it to stop working. Bad design, I don't suggest purchasing.

I was excited when I received the machine, but it just does'nt work!!! The motor runs, but the needle does'nt move up and down. I'm very disappointed that I have to return it.

Very impressed with 3-day delivery. Portability of machine (13 lbs) and simplicity of design functions are exactly what I wanted for a backup machine. Paper piecing is easy and accurate. I did have a problem trying to place the bobbins on the wind-up spool. Really had to force them into place. My husband thought the noise when I stitched a little distracting so I solved this by placing it on a typewriter mat.