As seen on Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog here is a review of my sewing machine:
What brand and model do you have?
Singer 5808C
How long have you had it?
17 years
How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I’m not sure. It was a gift from my husband.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Just about everything: t-shirt quilts, headbands, home dec projects, tote bags, aprons, formalwear for my daughter, wool coats, kids’ dresses, vests.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew 5-7 hours per week. My machine has sewn many miles!
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I like my machine. It’s a beefy machine, but I’m not passionate about it (and I don’t have a pet name for it.)
What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Straight stitching.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
I can’t seem to sew knits well. I know that could be more of a function of the needle, but I get many skipped stitches. Also, the buttonholes are never properly balanced.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
My first child was born 17 1/2 years ago and I decided to retire from my job. I had grown up loving to make things. I sewed whatever I could by hand. My husband surprised me with the machine and it was my companion during many baby naps through the years.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
This is a good machine. I would recommend it as a beginners machine.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
The ability to sew knits well is very important.
Do you have a dream machine?
I haven’t researched enough to have a dream machine.
I just found this same model machine in a thrift store. It works well, I think.
But I would like to obtain a manual. Any suggestions to locating one? Contct me by e-mail please
wautomellen@sbcglobal.net. Thank you.
I love this machine. My sister gave it to me used, she inherited it from a friend.
I have no idea how much use it got before I got it, nor do I know how old it is, but is has done it all from hemming thick fannel lined jeans to doing thin knit fabrics.
I bought a walking foot for it to handle thin stretchy fabrics. It works well. The trick is the walking foot, and also to use the correct needle and thread for the fabric.
This machine is a workhorse! I have the manual. email me at stripet@mchsi.com if you still need one.
My Singer 5808C is 20 years old. I lost my manual, but got another one from Singer which I ordered online. This machine certainly is a workhorse!
Are you using ball point needles for sewing knits?
I used to make lots of garments on it, but now I mostly do mending (ugh!) and piecing/quilting (yay!).
Clean and oil it regularly and it will sew more smoothly.
i have just found this same machine at a thrift store. I have been trying to sew on it but I am having trubbel with the bobbin threading it keeps looping on the underneth. If you have any idea what is wrong, I would be very thankful if you could pass it on to me. thank you
mary matthews, email mmatthews231@comcast.net
pps by the way I am not a biginer
I went ahead and scanned the manual for anyone who wants to download it in pdf format! Here you go!
http://home.mchsi.com/~stripet/Singer_Manual_5800_Series.pdf
http://home.mchsi.com/~stripet/Care_Free_Stitching_Supplement.pdf
Shawn Tripet
stripet@mchsi.com
My email address has changed (from stripet@mchsi.com to shawn@stripet.net) and the linksfor the manuals are no longer valid as that web site no longer exists. I still have pdf copies of the manual. If anyone wants a copy please email me at my new email address shawn@stripet.net
Thanks for the update!
I have this machine and want to buy more bobbins, but am having a very hard time finding ones like what came with it. If anyone knows where to get bobbins, please clue me in – I just received a batch of wrong ones from Amazon.com after seeing 5808 listed for them.
crudie@aboutmontana.net
Sewing Parts Online has bobbins for this machine.
Hello, I have this same model machine, 5808c, I love it.
Do you happen to know what year this machine was made?
Thank you
I do not know Marylou! I do know mine was purchased about 25 years ago, though.
I just got a singer 5808C at a thrift store. It did not come with a bobbin. I tried one f my bobbins from my other machines and none actually work. It does sew but it puckers really bad. I am thinking I have the wrong bobbin. Can anyone tell me what kind of bobbin this machine uses and also where to find a spool holder. Thank you in advance. Beverly
You can download a manual here: https://www.manualslib.com/products/Singer-5808c-701298.html
I took a quick look and it doesn’t specify the bobbin size. I have the original metal bobbin, which is different than some of the plastic ones I have. It’s not as tall as some on the current machines.
My father bought my mother this machine 26 years ago and she used it three times. I don’t know much about sewing because I was never really interested in it. However, I do lots of crafts and found that I needed to learn in order to fulfill all the creative thoughts swirling in my head. I studied and became self taught. I used it for two weeks and the connection link sheared. My lack of sewing skills in life were substituted with the gift of being able to repair almost anything mechanical (go figure?).
My question is where to find this connection link part (446357)? I looked on sears parts and it’s no longer available. I’m afraid to trust just any website, in fear the part will not fit. Please Help!
Is this the part you are looking for? https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/search.html?keywords=446357
I have purchased many replacement parts online. I am not sure what the connection link part is, but when I plugged in that number this part came up.
I have been trying to sew on it but I am having trouble with the bobbin threading it keeps looping on the underneth. If you have any idea what is wrong, I would be very thankful if you could tell me thank you
That is very frustrating. When I get loopy threads on the underside it is usually always because the top thread is not threaded correctly. I would take everything out, including the bobbin, and thread it again. If that still doesn’t work, it may be a timing issue which would require a repair shop.
I have this machine and am having trouble making a buttonhole. My matching did not come with a buttonhole foot so I ordered one on amazon. It fits the machine but I have no idea how to use it. Can anyone help? Thanks!
It can be challenging. Does it explain in the manual? It might be best to find a local shop to see if someone can help demonstrate.