The Singer Confidence 7469Q Quilter is not only value priced but comes with bonus accessories that make quilting easy for beginners and takes your purchase dollars even further.
This machine was running around $399 around the end of 2009 (and that was a sale price!) but the price has dropped significantly making it a great deal for a feature-rich quilting sewing machine.
Table of Contents
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Stitch Count / Presser Feet / Functionality / Accessories / Customer Reviews / Pros, Cons & Manual
REVIEW SUMMARY
MODEL: Singer Confidence 7469Q Sewing Machine
REVIEWED BY: Erin
RATING: 4.2 
LAST UPDATED: April 9, 2015
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If you’re a beginner looking for a machine with lots of functionality to cover mending, craft sewing, dressmaking AND beginning quilting then this machine offers tremendous value.
A “Can’t Miss” Set of Stitches
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It comes with 100 built-in stitch patterns including all the necessary utility stitches, a beautiful selection of decorative stitches and 7 different styles of 1-step buttonhole stitches. There’s even an “infinite” bartack buttonhole which means you can make the buttonhole as long as you need to accommodate oversized buttons. This is great for craft projects like carry all bags with flaps and large, decorative button closures.
Some product descriptions say the machine has 97 stitches – some say 98. I’m looking at the source (the manual, the Singer site, and the actual stitch reference guide that pulls out of the machine) and counting ALL the built-in stitches and the total is 100.
Stitch width and length are both adjustable up to 7mm depending on the selected stitch.
Selecting a stitch pattern is super simple. There are two up/down arrow keys on either side of the LED screen. The arrow keys on the left control the 1st digit in the pattern number and the arrow keys on the right control the 2nd digit. A pull-out reference guide for all patterns is conveniently located at the base of the machine.
There are also 12 one-step stitch selection buttons for the most used utility and decorative stitches. This makes it even easier than scrolling through the stitch pattern numbers for those frequently accessed stitches – push a button and sew.
(Refer to the list of stitch names at the bottom of this post)
Some Bonus Presser Feet Thrown In
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Included with the machine are 8 snap-on presser feet – the five that originally came with this model and 3 bonus presser feet. Presser foot height is adjustable to 3 settings: down, up and extra-up for thick fabrics and multiple layers.
- General Purpose
- Satin Special Purpose Foot
- Buttonhole Foot
- Zipper Foot
- Blind Hem Foot
BONUS FEET:
- Darning and Embroidery Foot – Used to do free motion embroidery, free motion quilting, and darning. Allows the needle more room to move.
- ¼ Inch Foot – For perfect, quarter-inch seams.
- Even Feed Foot – a Walking Foot for quilting that gives extra pressure by applying feed dogs to the top of the fabric to help move the material along smoothly regardless of the thick layers involved.
Some Great Automation Features and Controls
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The Singer Confidence sewing machines are great for beginners and experienced sewers alike. These are the types of machines that will grow with someone who is just starting out and can do much more than basic mending. The features include more than you’d find on the most basic machines but are not as expensive or as large as heavy duty sewing machines.
The line includes a lot of automation when needed AND the ability to fine-tune settings as your skills progress:
- Automatic Needle Threader
- Six Segment Feed Dog System
- Twin Needle sewing – Run two lines of identical stitches in the same color thread or in two different colored threads.
- Twin Needle Control Button – Press this when you have the twin needle attached and the machine prevents you from selecting stitches that are not twin-needle compatible.
- Thread Tension – Automatic and adjustable as needed.
- Programmable Up/Down Needle Position – Instruct the machine with the push of a button to leave your needle in the down or up position when done with a line of stitches. This lets you make perfectly tight corners as you can leave the needle inserted in the fabric as you rotate your work.
- 13 Needle Positions – Get as close to the seam, edge or zipper as you need to get in order to finish off a decorative or complicated seam.
- Automatic Bobbin Winder – Stops as soon as it senses the bobbin is fully loaded.
- Drop & Sew Bobbin System – Easy, top loading bobbin that takes care of pulling up the bobbin thread for you.
- Optimum Power Control – Senses when additional power is needed to push through thick layers of fabric so that stitching and speed maintain an even flow.
- Drop Feed Dog System – Lower the feed dogs to handle darning, free motion quilting and free motion embroidery. The button to lower the feed dogs is accessed at the back of the machine by removing the extension table.
- Self-Lubricating – No need to oil the machine…ever!
This machine is built around a heavy duty metal frame. The machine facing is plastic and some of the parts are also plastic so don’t expect the old, solid, weighty Singer of 20 years ago but still sufficiently solid for beginners.
This machine requires the use of class 15J bobbins so you can’t use just any bobbin. It can handle multiple fabric weights from sheer to multiple layers of denim. Just use the right thread and needle combination. A reference guide inside the manual provides fabric and needle requirements.
The machine has two LED lights over the workspace, a built in carry handle, can be mounted to a sewing cabinet or table, and includes some other nice features like a tapering zigzag that ends at a point in the center of the stitch width for a tidier, more professional stitch. Horizontal top thread delivery keeps thread moving easily to help prevent bunching. A reverse button is conveniently located just above and to the right of the needle and can also be used to do a locking stitch.
Another bonus that comes with the quilting package is an oversized extension table. This keeps larger projects in line with the sewing surface. The extension table holds the additional accessories and can be removed for free-arm sewing.
Personally, I think the Singer Confidence 7467 (written about here), 7469, 7469Q and the 7470 (reviewed here) have one of the most intuitive, easy to understand control panels. Model 7463 is the very entry level model in the Confidence line and has a different control panel and fewer stitches than the others.
The 7469Q and the 7469 are exactly the same sewing machine – same manual, same size, same features and functionality. The only difference is that the 7469Q comes with the quilting package which includes extra presser feet and the oversized extension table. Oddly, on Amazon, you can get the 7469Q for LESS than the 7469 right now! Same machine, more accessories – lower price.
Beginners can find some of today’s machine controls a bit intimidating but the Confidence line uses easy to understand stitch selection and buttons have simple images that help you know immediately what each button does.
Dimensions: L 17.2” x W 12.2” x D 8”
Weight: 16 pounds
Accessories Included
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Tucked inside you’ll find:
- 5 pack of needles
- Auxiliary Spool Pin for oversized thread spools
- 2 Spool Pin Felt Discs
- 3 Thread Spool Caps (small, medium, and large)
- Screwdriver for needle plate
- 4 Bobbins
- Lint Brush/Seam Ripper
- Dust Cover
- Quilting Bonus: Quilter’s Extension Table
Users Give it Good Marks
Quilters like the included accessories and extra work space. It’s easy to use and very functional with lots of stitches. The controls are easy to reach and well organized. There were a number of users who found the bobbin and thread tension to be a bit challenging at times and a few who had problems getting the machine to work. Those who switched from one of the more expensive brands like a Bernina or an Elna were not as pleased with the stitch quality in comparison but this option is far less expensive than those other brands.
You can read more here: Customer Feedback
Joann Fabric and Craft Stores shows 33 reviews with an average rating of 4 stars but their price is currently $30 more than Amazon. Following are summaries of review comments:
Easy to use. Fun, especially for beginners. Quilting package is a great deal as the bonus feet would cost at least $10 a piece to buy separately. Used a great deal for quilting. Especially liked the fact that the machine automatically locks the beginning of your stitches in place.
Some customers mentioned issues with the motor or bobbin winder – no more than I’d seen as a percentage of comments on similar machines.
Average Rating: 4.2
Pros, Cons & Manual
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Pros: Bonus quilting accessories. Programmable up/down needle. Currently costs less than the exact same machine without the bonus accessories. Weight is portable but sturdy enough to stand up to fabrics. Easy bobbin system. Drop feed dog functionality. Horizontal thread delivery. Loads of built in decorative stitches. Automatic and adjustable settings. Grows with the beginner sewer.
Cons: Presser foot pressure is not adjustable. (However, it is automatically adjusted to accommodate different fabric thicknesses.) Restricted to using class 15J bobbins. The manual is exactly the same as for the 7469 so does not cover how to use the bonus quilting accessories. Twin needle capable but twin needle must be purchased separately.
Manual available online here: Manual
Manufacturer’s Warranty: As of this date,the warranty in the US is 25 year limited on the machine head, limited 5 year warranty on motors, light, assembly, wiring, switches, speed control and electronic components, and a limited 1 year warranty on adjustments, belts, rings, bulbs, and attachments. As is standard with most warranties, the warranty may be void if certain requirements are not followed.
I’ve found these two retailers have the lowest prices:
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Features Summary Review:
Singer Confidence 7469Q Sewing Machine Stitch Names
I have not used my machine yet and I have lost the manual of instructions. How do i get another copy?
Elaine – if you’re looking for the manual for this particular machine, the Singer Confidence 7469Q you can find it here: http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html?man_model_no=7469Q
You can download it for free as a PDF file. Let me know if you were looking for the manual for a different sewing machine and I’ll try to find the link for you! Good luck!
Erin
I have the Singer Confidence 7469Q Quilter Sewing Machine! I am a beginner and it has made things VERY simple! I am really getting into this quilting thing and have a little problem. I purchased a 4.5″ spool and am now finding I can not accommodate it. I was told by Singer: “What you will need to use is an auxilliary spool stand. This would sit on your desk and you would thread your machine as usual. Unfortunately, Singer doesn’t offer one of these. You may have to google search for this.” I have Googled and have not had much luck! Anyone have any clues?
Maryann – Glad you’re enjoying your machine! Quilting is next on my list of things to tackle. 🙂
Singer may be referring to a “thread stand”. Although some thread stands are simply meant for storing your various spools, others are designed to hold spools that won’t fit on your standard machine pin and raise/adjust so that they sit near your sewing machine and feed thread just as if it was attached to your machine. I found this one at Amazon: Singer Thread Stand but it looks like it sits on your machine rather than next to it.
Another option, although more spendy, is this one by AllBrands.com Embroidery Machines is their Single Thread Stand
I’ll keep looking but you might check these out. AllBrands has a great customer service line and calling them might get you additional information.
Erin
Thank you so very much for the information! I’ve been really bummed out about this one. You have made my day, my week!
I’m so glad. 🙂 Hope one of these works out for you!
I’ve recently purchased a 7469Q quilter with the extra accessories, a walking foot was included…with no instructions on how to attach it. I’ve tried everything but it looks like the back of the foot release is in its way. Can this be removed? but then it looks like there would be no place to hook the left part onto the machine. I’m confused. Thanks in advance for any info you can give me. Susan
Susan – Here’s a video on how to attach the walking foot (“even feed” foot): Singer Even Feed Foot Video Instructions. This video should help with your particular machine. If not, see this list of instructional videos and pdf documents on the Singer site: Singer Presser Feet Instructions. There are a couple of different documents related to the walking foot (which they call an “even feed” foot). Hope this does the trick!
Erin
How well does the Singer 7469Q handle a queen size quilt? I love to hand quilt but also want to learn machine quilting and this machine sounds like a good one to start with. It looks a little small to handle a large quilt and would like to hear from someone who’s used it. Thanks!
I got this sewing machine for Christmas and played around with it for couple of weeks, then first thing i actually done was a hugh king size quilt, it was aggravating keeping it all straight but that depends on table you put it on. I love my machine.
Sheila,
That was quite a project to tackle with your new machine but sounds like it worked out well! You’re absolutely right that having a good amount of surrounding support for your fabric while working on a quilt can make the project go much easier.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sincerely,
Erin
Has anyone quilted anything larger than a baby quilt on this machine? If so, what’s your opinion?
Thanks!
I recentlty purchased the Confidence Quilter 7469Q which came with an embroidery/free motion presser foot. I installed the foot but the needle hits the plastic of the foot. I have attached the foot several times and always the needle hits. In fact after installing a new needle it punched a hole right through the plastic portion of the foot. The foot appears to have an opening that is positioned too far forward. Now the foot is damaged where the plastic has been punched and has a sharp edge that will catch and snag both fabric and thread. Please help. I was really loving this machine.
Alison – I really wish I could help but the problem you’re having sounds a bit more complex than I’ve come across before. At best, I would say double check the instructions in the manual and make sure everything is set up properly, make sure the feed dogs have been lowered, etc – not overly helpful as I’m sure those are things you’ve already done. Also, IF you try it again (and I’m not sure I would), use the hand crank and not the foot pedal to slowly move the needle so that you can stop it if it looks like it will hit the presser foot. I’d also contact the store from which you purchased the machine and ask for their help or take it back. Something’s just not right. Sorry!
Sincerely,
Erin
I own the Confidence Quilter 7469Q for about a month now and I have sewn many craft item’s and a couple of quilts. So today I decided to clean it according to the instructions in the manual. The inside definitely needed cleaning due to the batting fuzz. After cleaning and putting it back together now the Feed Dogs will NOT raise. I have follow the direction’s from the Singer site to no avail ughh!! I am so bummed! The machine sews great and I am ready to do the finishing touches on a quilt and I can’t use the machine!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanking You,
Janiece
Janiece – Well, you know, no good deed goes unpunished, right? So sorry!
I’m not sure I’ve got more for you than the Singer site – repairs aren’t really my thing – but I did scour the web for info. Here’s are a few things you can try. Might be stuff you’ve already seen:
1. With the presser foot in the up position, push the feed dog lever to raise the feed dogs and turn the hand wheel towards you. This is supposed to bring the feed dogs back up. Make a couple of turns if it doesn’t catch right away. (If you did this already, did you do it with the machine on or off?)
2. Go back through the steps to clean the machine again and see if that alone fixes the problem. There might be something that slipped in to block the lever from activating the feed dogs.
Hope one of these helps. If not, maybe another reader will have an idea.
Good luck!
Erin
I am having this same issue. So fustrated!! Where you able to get your machine fixed?
Misty
Thanks so much Erin!! I have tired that trick and it didn’t work but that’s such a great idea about going back through the cleaning processing and checking it out, maybe something did block the lever.
Yesterday I decided to mess with the feed dogs ( just to see how this worked). Had the same prob as you did. Didn’t realize the switch had to be pushed down then slid to the upright position. The hand wheel then needed to be turned towards you then.. I think this sounds like Janiece’ replay. Did you have to take it in?
I used my darning foot successfully once. Now I’m trying to use it again and the zigzag pin keeps coming out. I can’t find a picture of where the pin should be – on top of the lever or bottom. Where can I find a picture of how it should be placed?
Carol – I’m not sure I know exactly what you mean by zigzag pin, sorry, but I can try to help. If you just need a picture of how it looks so you can put it back in place, try searching in Google for the darning foot and switch to images. If you have a part number, it might help you get to the right image more quickly. The other thing you can try is YouTube. Start by just searching for videos about “darning foot”. If the results are too generic and don’t work for what you need, you can try narrowing the search to “singer sewing darning foot”.
Let me know if that doesn’t help and I’ll keep digging.
Sincerely,
Erin
I’m looking to buy this machine and was wondering if the machine work well on jeans to hem euro style? As this will be my first and only machine, I want it for basic hemming and quilting.
Thank you
Sylvie – Boy, am I out of touch. I had to look up “euro style” hems. 😉 I’m educated now. They look so sleek! And, YES, this machine can sew through a couple of layers of denim so you can do those cool, euro-style hems. Just make sure to use the right thread and needle combination (the manual outlines what that is for denim).
Sincerely,
Erin
I started using my Confidence 7469 for making curtains. It worked fine until i needed re-thread the bobbin. Now I can’t get it to STRAIGHT stitch. When I turn my machine on, it does not default to straight stitch. How can I get my machine to just straight stitch? Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.
Sue – I’m not sure I can help you with this one but I’ll throw out a few ideas. First, make sure the buttonhole lever is up. Maybe it got bumped while you were working on the bobbin? Second, make sure your stitch width setting is in the right place for a straight stitch. Because the straight stitch doesn’t have a width, exactly, the stitch width dial moves the needle left or right for the straight stitch. Maybe it’s just out of position.
Other than that, I’m hoping someone else might have some suggestions for you, too!
Good luck!
Erin
I recently purchased a Singer 7469Q and the walking foot. However, there are no instructions on how to attach it. I looked through the PDF files that were mentioned above and the one for the walking foot on that does not have a self threading needle. thereefore that is no help. The link to the video listed above does not work so that is also a dead end. Any help you could give me would be great. Thanks so much.
Promlem #2. I gave up on trying to figure out how to put on the walking foot and went back to sewing blocks together. I was just into it about 8 inches when the fabric jammed—it seems like it is down in the machine, but it might be just that the thread is hammed. Suggestions? Thanks.
Problem #2 is solved. It was jammed thread. Thanks.
I just got this machine and it will straight stitch just fine, but won’t do other stitches. For example, number 3 the zig zag, the needle does what it is supposed to, but it only catches the bobbin thread on the right side. Once in a while it will catch on the left but mostly it misses. I have no clue what is wrong or how to fix it! Any advice? It is properly threaded.
I am having the same problem as you, Sandra. HELP!
Hi Sandra,
I would suggest returning the machine which advertises ‘skip free sewing’ and purchasing another machine around that price range which is probably about $250 with the exception that you got it on sale or used ect. Anyway, I do not suggest a singer machine unless it’s $400+. Brothers Xr 9500 $199, Brother HS 3000 $299, Brother Sq9500, and the brother Cp 7500 which are close to your machine. Also a Janome DC1050 is a very nice machine without all the ‘Bells and Whistles’ with only 50 stiches compared to the brothers with 70-100 stiches and lots of extras. If I have more time I will give more machines.
I have 2 got a replacement as a gift both machines jump timing regularly and skip stitches, work fine for straight for limited time,
then thats it all you spend more time ripping out and repairs then sewing.
Shari – that doesn’t sound like fun. Thanks for sharing your experience with this sewing machine. It will help others making a decision about what model to buy. Much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Erin
I am going to buy this machine. Everything I have read and heard gave been very encouraging. For the most part the negative comments seem to be caused due to user errr. Looking forward to having a machine that grows with me as I am learning. I am buying this through Joann’s where they give free classes on your machine and free service for a year, if there are any problems with the machine. Perhaps where others bought there’s this was not offered and therefore did not have proper knowledge regarding the machine. Hope this helps others interested in buying this machine.
I have just purchased my Singer Confidence Quilter 7469Q as I am learning how to quilt. I can see by the other comments that most are happy with their machine, however, I agree with Andrea when she says that there is no help attaching the walking foot, which I did work out for myself eventually. Also there is no mention of quilting at all in the instruction manual, can someone tell me which stitches are used for quilting? There are 98 stitches available but I can’t work out which ones are used for quilting, I am obviously a learner. I just wish there was some help in the manual with the quilting options as it is named (Confidence Quilter).
Apart from that I seem to be getting confident with my new machine but I still can’t seem to work the needle threader!
Cheers Deborah.
I’ve had my machine for only a few months. I went to use it today after a month or so of not using it, and it simply won’t sew. Mechanically it seems fine – it will sew fine when I turn the wheel. It is definitely not the button hold lever or the bobbin winder, as suggested in the Manual. I’ve re-adjusted all of the settings. When I press the pedal to sew, it will whir for a few moments as if I pressed the pedal hard – and for longer than I hold the pedal down – and then stop while beeping a number of times. Any suggestions?
I have this same problem! Mine started after I accidently hit a pin. Now it won’t sew. I can’t find anything on the internet to help. Did you solve your issue? I love this machine. I’ve made plenty of quilts with it.
I have a new Singer 7469 and in the middle of using the Blanket Stitch the machine stopped working and beeps. Do you know why this will happen? I can not find a trouble shoot page in the manual.