Singer Stylist 7258 Review (2023 update)

Note from Editor: This Singer Stylist 7258 review was originally written in 2012 but has been reviewed and revised in 2023. We have added further details and even alternatives to this great machine

The Singer Stylist 7258 sewing machine brings lots of features within reach of the home sewer who had only dreamed of having things like 100 decorative and utility stitch options, including 6 different automatic one step buttonholes; a backlit LED screen; drop in bobbin; a programmable needle and a start/stop button.
I had heard a lot of good things about the Singer Stylist 7258, and finally got a chance to review it for myself. I must say this machine has a lot to offer. In addition, its construction and workmanship are somewhat reminiscent of the machines that made Singer a household name more than 160 years ago.

Singer Stylist 7258 Features

The first thing I noticed on the Singer Stylist 7258 was large panel displaying 100 stitch options and the LED screen. I wasn’t certain what to expect from there, but just having that feature told me that working on this Singer was going to be interesting.

The start/stop button, variable speed slider and needle up/down button only reinforced that conviction. I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on this one. When compared to other sewing machines in its price range, the features included on the Singer Stylist are a cut above.

The other features of note are:

• 100 utility and decorative stitches
• 6 automatic 1-step buttonholes
• Drop in class 15J bobbin
• Automatic needle threader
• Up/down programmable needle
• Heavy duty metal frame

Working on the Singer Stylist 7258

Winding the drop in bobbin and threading the Singer Stylist 7258 is very easy. The clearly labeled threading guide makes the threading process easy enough for a beginner to master in just a few minutes with little or no guidance. The visual guide adjacent to the drop in bobbin case is equally as easy to master.

My only real challenge with the entire process to this point is the possibility of losing the small clear plastic bobbin cover. Rather hand having a hinged bobbin cover or one that is in some way permanently attached to the sewing machine, the bobbin cover on the Singer Stylist 7258 is completely detachable.

There is a tiny black slide on the right side of the bobbin cover that disengages it so the bobbin can be inserted and removed as necessary. It is made of clear plastic and measures only approximately 1 ½” x 2”.

When busily working in the midst of a sewing project, something so small and transparent could possibly drop onto the floor or slip into some inconspicuous out of the way spot in your sewing area or simply get misplaced. Once the bobbin is properly inserted and the bobbin cover is replaced, the next step is to select the proper stitch. Selecting stitches on the Singer Stylist 7258 at first seems very simple.
A set of six directional arrows is situated just below the LED screen and above the stitch selection guide. The two up and down arrows on the left are used to dial up the stitch number. The circle of directional arrows on the right are used to adjust stitch length and width. The vertical and horizontal buttons adjust the length while the left and right buttons are used to adjust the stitch width. When a stitch number is selected, the length and width are automatically set, but can be changed to accommodate larger or smaller stitch requirements, depending upon the task at hand.

During this review, I sampled several different stitch options and toyed with the length and width adjustments as well. I found that selecting stitches was not as simple as it could have been. The number assigned to the basic straight stitch is 00. When the machine is first turned on, the stitch selection dial is automatically set at 00. The stitch selection buttons are designed in such a way that the button on the left controls the first 0, while the one on the right controls the second 0. Seems pretty basic, right? Here’s the problem I ran into. If you are sewing an article that requires you to switch from a basic straight stitch – 00 – to an overcast stitch – 11 – then want to go back to a straight stitch, it is necessary for you to depress each button while it goes through the entire numerical cycle to get back to 0.

With a total of 100 stitches to choose from, I think the selection process should be less cumbersome. In my opinion, changing these two buttons so that each could allow the user to dial both up and down rather than in just one direction would save lots of time and a considerable amount of button pushing.

The stitch quality is, in my opinion, adequate, but not what I would consider ‘superlative’. The utility stitches are, as far as I’m concerned, superior to the decorative stitch options. Decorative stitches, when used in accord with the automatic machine settings, are not as condensed as I would like to see. In order to achieve a more professional looking, condensed decorative stitch pattern, it is necessary to adjust the stitch length and width.

My recommendation is that anyone using the Singer Stylist 7258 for decorative stitch work first plays around with the length and width settings before attempting to use them on any sewing project. For this review, I used both the start/stop button and the foot pedal. With each, I noticed a slight delay before the machine actually engaged, but when it did, it ran quietly.
The heavy metal construction is very apparent with this one… no vibration whatsoever and smooth running. The variable speed slider is a great feature. The Stylist 7258 can go slowly for the beginner and pick up speed as the user’s skill lever improves. The fastest speed – about 850-1000 stitches per minute – is sure to please any home sewer with advanced skills. The needle up/down function is extremely useful when working on intricate projects and the stitch locking button enables the user to secure each and every seam with confidence.

All of the accessories, with the exception of course of the owner’s manual, quick start guide and tutorial DVD, are right at your fingertips, tucked away inside the removable work table, which easily slides off to reveal the functional free arm.

Alternative Quilting Machines

The Juki HZL F300 and the Janome Memory Craft 6650 are great alternative quilting machines to the Singer Stylist 7258, although a little more expensive.

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Singer Stylist 7258 Fabrics

Fabrics that work	Fabrics that don’t work
Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Knits Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Upholstery Leather/ Suede Canvas / Twill Plastic / Rubber Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers	Fur Reptile skin

Accessories

The list of standard accessories that come with the Singer Stylist 7258 is quite impressive when you consider that this is not what one might consider to be a high end sewing machine.
The accessories included with the Singer 7258 are:

• 10 snap on presser feet
  • Zipper foot
  • Satin stitch foot
  • Blind stitch foot
  • Buttonhole foot
  • Overcastting foot
  • Darning & embroidery foot
  • Gathering foot
  • Rolled hem foot
• Needles
• Bobbins
• Auxiliary spool pin
• Spool pin felt discs (2)
• 3 Spool caps (1 mini/1 small/1 large)
• Seam ripper/lint brush
• Screwdriver
• Darning plate
• Foot pedal
• Soft dust cover with an opening for the carrying handle
• Owner’s manual
• Quick start guide
• Instructional DVD

Maintenance tips for Singer Stylist 7258

Maintenance activities	After each use	Monthly	Once each year	As needed
Clean race hook and feed dogs	Yes	No	No	No
Wipe head with soft dry cloth	No	No	No	Yes
Wipe head with soft damp cloth	No	No	No	Yes
Lubricate	No	No	No	Yes
Service by sewing machine repair professional	No	No	Yes	No

Summary: Singer Stylist 7258

Overall, the Singer Stylist 7258 is a very good machine for home sewers at all skill levels. I hesitate to recommend it for use by people younger than about 12 years of age because of two things. First of all, there are too many stitch options for a young child to contend with; and the stitch selection process is so tedious, it could easily frustrate a youngster and discourage them from wanting to continue to pursue the art of sewing.
The major advantage for someone who has not been sewing for a long time is the easy to manipulate speed control. Many sewing machines in this class have a set number of speed options, slow, medium and fast.
The Singer Stylist 7258, however, has truly variable speed control. Rather than clicking from one speed level to another, the speed control lever on this machine gently slides from left to right, enabling the user to stop anywhere along the way, allowing for true speed control. Using the speed control slider is a great asset for any home sewer, regardless of skill level. Those of us who learned to sew quite a while ago learned to control how fast or slow the machine operated by increasing or reducing the amount of pressure we applied to the foot pedal.

Many newer sewing machines, however, including the Singer Stylist 7258, have start/stop buttons which in many cases are used in lieu of a foot pedal. When using the start/stop button, the only way to control how fast or slow a sewing machine stitches is the speed control function.
Every experienced home sewer knows that it is impossible to insert a sleeve or perform any intricate sewing task at one steady speed – especially a speed of 850-1000 stitches per minute.
All in all, the Singer Stylist 7258 gets a passing grade. The drawbacks presented by the stitch selection process and my personal dissatisfaction with the decorative stitch density or lack thereof are obstacles that can be overcome by anyone who is willing to make the necessary adjustments. With this in mind, I recommend the Singer Stylist for use by home sewers at all skill levels who are 12 years of age or older. The Singer Stylist 7258 seems to be a soundly built, sturdy sewing machine that could provide good and reliable service in any sewing room.

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If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.

For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |

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Happy Stitching.

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