Usha Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 Comparison Review 2023

Usha Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 - Comparison Review

Usha Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 are two of the top-rated sewing machines in India. The Singer was my first sewing machine as a teenager.

Later, I bought a Usha sewing machine which still helps me make beautiful dresses, embroidery designs, DIY sewing tutorials and I share them on YouTube channels.

Besides these two sewing machines, I worked on heavy-duty, industrial use, boutique use and umbrella sewing machines also.

My 30+ years of sewing experience taught me different functions, features, durability, usage, the practicality of various types of sewing machines.

Before I explain the basic and significant comparison between Usha Dream Stitch and Singer 8280, you need to know that both of these are basic level sewing machines. 

Basic is not a dirty word here. A basic sewing machine would perform the stitching functions, which are essential to sewing anything. 

Generally a basic sewing machine could be your manual sewing machine or a treadle sewing machine. In recent times, many countries have stopped producing and selling manual sewing machines. 

In this comparison review of Usha Janome Dream Stitch and Singer 8280, we refer to a BASIC automatic sewing machine that can do straight stitch as well as zig zag and some designing stitches.

Here, basic sewing machine means that you can –

• Do Straight stitch sewing. In these two automatic sewing machines you can do zig zag stitch too.
• sew your new clothes,
• repair old worn-out garments,
• you get basic stitching features  
• do crafts sewing
• make simple DIY sewing projects
• sew lightweight to medium weight fabrics like cotton, chiffon, georgette, linen, rayon, soft denim, fennel, silk etc.
• you can do lightweight quilting
• you can sew a few layers of thin fabrics and two or three layers of thick fabrics
• teach your kids to learn sewing
• Do mending and alterations
• Make dolls and doll clothes
• Make simple bags and home décor
• Make baby clothes and accessories.

These are some of the things you can do with a basic level beginner sewing machine.

Even a manual sewing machine would perform all these things for you, but those machines are manually operated. That means you need to put your hands or feet energy (kinetic energy) to sew with a manual sewing machine.

Whereas, a Usha Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 are automatic sewing machines. Apart from straight stitch, you can do zig-zag stitching and some other design patterns.

You need electricity to run any of these two stitching machines.

To understand the comparison between these two machines, you need to know each of these machines individually.

Usha Janome Dream Stitch

There is no doubt that Usha Janome Dream Stitch is one of the best-selling sewing machines in India right now.

One of the reasons for its popularity is its user-friendly features, lowest price and attractive design. At a pocket-friendly price, you get stitching as well as designing features in a single machine.

The Usha Dream Stitch automatic sewing machine costs only a couple of thousands more than a manual sewing machine. That makes it an affordable sewing machine.

For a beginner sewing learner, it has more than required stitch and design patterns.  With a combination of given stitch patterns and foot options, you can easily make a good number of your design styles.

Dream Stitch is a compact machine, which is portable and suitable for home use sewing needs.

This blue and white beautiful sewing machine is lightweight and designed by Japanese technology. It offers the best of Usha and Janome sewing company's experience and technical know-how.

The Usha company set up in 1935, and now it has become India's leading brand. Janome set up in 1921, which is a Japanese company that has unmatched market presence globally in sewing machine designs.

Basic Details

Dimensions : 14.5 x 8 x 11 cm

Weight: 5 kg 950 g

• Automatic zig-zag sewing machine with compact free arm
• Thread Tension Control: Manual; Stitch Pattern Selector: Dial Type
• Seven built-in stitches including 4-step button holing; Seven applications including lace fixing, quilting, smocking and rolled hemming
• Auto tripping bobbin system; drop feed for embroidery; manual needle threading; sewing light
• Sewing speed: 550SPM (Stitches Per Minute); Stitch length control; Triple strength stitch
• Warranty: 2 years manufacturers warranty
• Package contains: Sewing Machine, Instruction manual and warranty card
• Free demo service available only in selected cities
• Country of Origin: Indonesia

Features –

• Seven built-in Stitch patterns
• The sewing speed of 550 Stitch Per Minute (SPM)
• Four-step buttonhole sewing

Additional Features –

Usha Dream Stitch is an automatic, zig-zag stitching machine. It has a carrying handle and soft cover to protect it from dust.

It offers some advanced features like built-in motor, colour coded functional faceplate, pattern making dial, pattern selection and many other things.

Dream Stitch has a free arm to help you stitch sleeve bottom, pants, armhole finishing etc. This free arm is useful in circular stitching.

It has a built-in light, which gets ON and Off with the switch button.

Single-touch reverse stitch button.

One snap-on presser foot comes with Dream Stitch sewing machine.

Type of Stitch Patterns –

• straight stitch,
• hemstitch,
• tricot stitch / zig zag stitch

Type of stitching work that you can do with Dream Stitch –

• stitch clothes or upcycle old garments
• Lace fixing and beading
• buttonhole sewing
• sewing buttons
• quilting,
• picot stitch,
• cording,
• mending, and
• embroidery

Accessories you get with Usha dream stitch sewing machine

• Picot foot
• Buttonhole foot
• 2 Bobbins
• Set of sewing machine needles
• Seam ripper

What You'll Like about Usha Janome Dream Stitch Sewing Machine

• Budget-friendly sewing machine
• User friendly features. 
• Compact, lightweight design as compared to Singer 8280. It weighs less than 6  kg, while Singer 8280 weighs 7 kg.
• Most beautiful design
• Best selling beginner sewing machine because it is easy to start and operate
• Though, it seems that Dream Stitch offers less accessories than Singer 8280 but in reality it does not matter. Because Dream Stitch is simple to use and it does all functions that you can do with your Singer 8280.

What You may not Like about Dream Stitch

• It is not a computerized machine, so you don't get a LED display
• Dream Stitch is an up-gradation of a manual sewing machine. So, speed is slow as compared to Stitch Magic.
• You don't get in-built thread cutter in Dream Stitch but it is available in Singer 8280.
• Dream Stitch offers 550 stitch per minute speed (SPM) while Singer 8280 offers 800 SPM; which is pretty good.
• Singer 8280 offers much more accessories than Dream Stitch.

Singer 8280 Sewing machine

Singer 8280 sewing machine is one of the solid-body sewing machine for beginners.

It has a classic white design, which is compact and easy to carry anywhere.

The Singer is the pioneer in sewing machines, but over the years Usha Janome has given it tough competition in Indian sewing machine market.

This stitching machine is easy to set up and start. It offers basic and advanced stitching features.

Though Singer machines have a strong metal body to keep the machine stable, I am using Usha Janome, that's why I can say with confidence that Usha Janome also has an aluminum cast body, which is durable.

Usha Janome Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 lasts for 10 to 30 years on an average, depending on how well cared it is.

Singer 8280 also features seven built-in stitch functions. Just like Dream Stitch, it is an automatic zig zag sewing machine with four-step buttonhole.

Singer 8280 has an in-built motor like Dream Stitch.

Usha Dream Stitch has a solid interior metal body but Singer 8280 wins some points when it comes to heavy-duty interior metalwork.

The Singer 8280 features free arm movement to sew collars, sleeves, hem, and cuffs conveniently

Basic details

Dimensions  34 x 16 x 28 Centimeters LxWxH

Weight 7 Kilograms

Power source type Electric 70 watts (Usha Dream Stitch has same power capacity)

Basic features-

Changing presser feet in seconds

In-built thread cutter in presser bar

Accessory storage in extension table;

Type: Electric; 

Thread Tension Adjustment: Yes

Oscillating Shuttle Mechanism (Half Shuttle)

Warranty: 2 years on product

Additional Features

• Sewing Speed 800 Stitch Per Minute (SPM)
• 7 Built-In Stitch Patterns
• 24 Stitch Functions
• Free Arm For Circular Stitching
• Built-in Light Attachment
• Max Stitch Width: 5mm
• 4 Step Button Hole foot
• In-built Thread cutter in presser bar
• Heavy Duty Metal Frame holds all the mechanisms in perfect alignment for perfect sewing and durability.
• Variable Needle Positions
• Needle position can be changed for individual projects, such as inserting zippers or cording and topstitching.
• Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
• Keep seams strong and prevent bunching on any type of fabric--personalize stitch length and width with just a turn of a dial.
• Free Arm
• Provides professional results by offering easy access to cuffs, collars, pant hems and other difficult-to-reach areas.

Types of Stitch Patterns –

• straight stitch,
• hemstitch,
• tricot stitch / zig zag stitch

Types of stitching work that you can do with Singer 8280 –

• stitch clothes or upcycle old garments
• Lace fixing and beading
• buttonhole sewing
• sewing buttons
• quilting,
• picot stitch,
• cording,
• zipper fixing
• mending, and
• embroidery

Accessories included –

• All-Purpose/General Presser Foot,
• Zipper Foot,
• Buttonhole Foot,
• Button Sewing Foot,
• Seam Ripper/Lint Brush,
• Edge/Quilting Guide,
• Needles,
• Bobbins,
• Spool Holder,
• Screwdriver,
• Darning Plate,
• Spool Pin,
• Spool Pin Felt,
• Power Cord/Foot Control,
• Instruction Manual,
• Soft-Sided Dust Cover

What You'll Like about Singer 8280

• Extra high presser foot lift to sew many layers of fabrics for quilting
• Easy one-step buttonhole making
• Heavy-duty metal body from inside. Dream Stitch weights less than 6 kg, but Singer 8280 is 7 kg in weight.
• You get a thread cutter in Singer 8280, which is an extra bonus point.
• Classic white design
• Dream Stitch SPM is 550, but Singer 8280 SPM is 800, which means faster sewing.

What you may not Like

• No LCD screen display
• Design is simple white
• The Singer is not promoted well so you may feel that Singer 8280 is lesser in quality than Dream Stitch.

Comparison Review : Usha Janome Dream Stitch and Singer 8280

Similarities in Dream Stitch and Singer 8280 -

1. Both machines have seven stitch functions.
2. You get free arm stitch in both machines.
3. Both machines offer four-step buttonhole stitch.
4. Both are automatic, zig-zag machines which run on electricity.
5. Dream Stitch, as well as Singer 8280, is available in offline and online stores.

Differences in Dream Stitch and Singer 8280

The Singer is 7 kg in weight, but Dream Stitch is 5.95 kg.

Singer offers 800 SPM, and Dream Stitch is 550 SPM.

Singer offers in-built thread cutter, but Dream Stitch does not have this feature.

The Singer has needle adjustment options, but you don't get such options in Dream Stitch.

You get zipper foot with Singer 8280, but you don't get it with Dream Stitch. Though, you can still fix zipper with Dream Stitch.

You get a Darning Plate with Singer 8280 to cover the feed dog. You don't need a Darning Plate on Usha Janome sewing machines because you can drop feed with the slide of a button.

How to start sewing machine - Usha Janome Dream Stitch

(Singer 8280 Sewing Machine will also be set up following the below steps) 

Connect to the Power Supply -

To start sewing on your Dream Stitch, connect the electric foot pedal to the power supply.

This electric foot pedal comes along with your sewing machine. It is part of the product.

Make sure that the power switch is OFF, while you put the machine plug into machine socket.

Put the power supply plug into the power outlet.

To start your sewing machine, switch on the power switch and black colour ON button given at the back of the machine.

Manage Sewing Speed with Foot Control

You can control sewing speed with foot control. Sewing machine will run fast if you press foot control harder.

This sewing machine foot control is like a car's speed accelerator. If you press it softly, sewing speed would be slow.

Free Arm Extension Table

Sewing machine accessory box is removed to use the free arm while stitching sleeve/pants hem or circular stitching.

Presser foot lifter

You can lift presser foot lifter to up or down the presser foot. In normal conditions, presser foot can be lifted by half a centimeter.

Presser foot can be removed or fixed easily. Move the handwheel towards you so that needle is lifted to its maximum height. Lift the presser foot.

Press the lever given at the back of the foot holder and pressure foot will come out.

To fix the presser foot, keep it under the pin foot in such a way, that pin foot holder is exactly over the foot groove.

Move the foot holder down so that foot is locked in its place.

Conclusion - To Wrap it Up

After going through the above comparison review of Singer 8280 and Usha Janome Dream Stitch Sewing Machine, you may wonder that Singer 8280 is offering more features and functionality. 

Singer is stronger, heavy duty, and enjoys a good reputation. 

Then, why Usha Janome Dream Stitch is gaining more popularity and it is among the best sellers! 

I think I can explain you the reason of Usha Janome popularity while sharing my own experience.

I decided to buy an automatic sewing machine in 2011 because I had left my job and I wanted to pursue my passion.

That time, online shopping was not much trusted and there were lesser availability of products there.

To my amazement I couldn't find any Singer showroom or dealer nearby. Whereas, it was easier to find an Usha Janome dealer and showroom. 

Hence, I bought a Usha Janome Stitch Magic sewing machine. After buying that machine, I was afraid because for me it was slightly new. I feared if I started it on my own, it may get broken, or I may get electric shock. 

To add to my amazement, demo people didn't appear for many days. Hence, I opened, started and explored my Usha Janome much more than the demo person explained later.

Thus, I understand even if Singer 8280 gives you a much better stitch per minute (SPM) speed, with a heavy duty machine and more accessories; it is promoting itself less. It has far less dealers, showrooms and service centers than Usha Janome. 

Both the sewing machines - Dream Stitch as well as Singer 8280 are in a similar budget range and there is not much price difference.  

But the quality that makes Dream Stitch more popular is its attractive colorful design, beginner friendly features and simple user friendly functions. 

I hope the above comparison review helps you make a better decision while buying a sewing machine.