I would agree that the Simplicity BH600 does not take a long time to learn to use, but a better manual would really help. The instructions for threading are good, but not for other operational details. There are 3 knobs which can be adjusted to accommodate different fabrics, stitch length, depth, and thread tension. The manual tells you that much. However, it doesn't tell you what those things mean nor what the numbers mean or when you should turn the knobs which way.
Take stitch length, for instance. On my old Singer machine stitch length meant the number of stitches per inch, and measured the distance the feed dogs moved the fabric per stitch. Higher numbers meant smaller stitches. On my Janome, stitch length refers to the number of millimeters the fabric moves per stitch the needle makes. Smaller numbers mean smaller stitches. I have no clue what the "stitch length" means on the BH600 or what is measured. The total information given is "Variable stitch length to customize the stitch for every fabric weight." Not a clue concerning what is measured (interval between stitches? length of the stitch from the edge of the fabric?) or when you should turn the dial one way or the other.
Nevertheless, its compact size is very important for those of us who only need a blindhemmer once every couple of weeks, it stores very neatly in the box it ships in, and it worked well right away on the lightweight cotton the machine was set up for. I'm just afraid that it will be a bear when I have to try to figure out those knobs by trial and error.
One year later: I would take away some stars at this point. The tension system is not at all robust in this machine. Even though I do not use the machine heavily, with months going by without using it, the tension mechanisms are totally shot. It started giving trouble just before the warranty was done and I contacted a certified shop to see about getting the machine worked on. I was told that the spring is a little weak, just take it out and stretch it a little. I did and that worked for a while, but it is pretty worthless now. I supplement the spring with a washer my husband found that is the right size, but the plastic knob that holds the tensioner parts together is also cracking.
I would also not buy another straight needle hemmer. The problem with the straight needle is that a bar lifts the fabric up just as the needle is about to pierce the fabric. This tends to pull light-weight fabrics out of alignment, making the hem a little crooked unless you really fight it. All in all, I would not buy this machine again nor recommend it. Pay a little more and get a machine that is more robust and will work better.
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