old Singer machine
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
Originally Posted by cabbagepatchkid
Originally Posted by grann of 6
Here is a pic of my Singer I am getting a new motor for. I learned to sew on it. Several years ago I cleaned it all up and restored the cabinet back to its original look. It had cigarette burns all over it.
#32
The ONLY machine I sew with is a 1941 cast iron Singer. I own 4 other machines, bought with the hopes that I could do more than straight stitch with them but since I just don't have that mechanical "fix it gene"---or the patience to experiment til I get it right----I use the old machine since it is 100% reliable as long as I remember which way to load the bobbin...note to self: the thread comes over the bobbin TOWARDS me! Have made lots and lots of quilts with it and its only problem is that a couple of years ago, it got balky on making bobbins since the little notch thingie that holds the bobbin on wore down too far.... so I bought a bobbin making machine. Also replaces motor and foot pedal a few years back. Plan on using this one til I die----which I'm sure will be before this one gives out!
#33
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 71
I LOVE my Featherweights!!! I also have a nice, expensive Bernina. When I travel or go to classes, I take my Featherweight--such a beautiful straight stitch. She is more controllable---if you want some good reading materil about old Singers, visit April's 1930s website. Enjoy your machine!
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,369
Originally Posted by Suzan Larrimore
It might sound silly but I like the vintage machines because of the sense of continuity I feel when I use them. Like I'm part of a long line of (mostly)woman using them. My mother and grand mothers have all passed and I feel closer to them when I use these old beauties. Like a part of the whole. It feels like a tribute to the women that have gone before. It sounds kind of sappy when I read it, but there you have it.
#35
Originally Posted by KatFish
I LOVE my old vintage Singers. I hate the newer ones they make today with all plastic gears. I have a Feather weight, Singer 99, 223, 301, 401, 500, and 774 and I love them all. I also have a "Pink" atlas sewing machine and a green Montgomery Ward sewing machine that I got at an auction for a song. They sew the straightest seams, and are still very easy to find parts for. I can do most of the maintence myself, so I don't have to take tem in for repairs so much. Pull out that old machine and use it. You'll love it.
#36
I have a featherweight (actually more than 1), but 1 I use most. I have a love affair with it. It is just the best little machine. Sews like a dream in a perfect straight line EVERYTIME. I have an expensive Bernina that I love too, but nothing beats the featherweight! I also have several treadles (on display - some), and another featherweight...also gave daughter a featherweight for Christmas a couple of years ago...she cried! :) I pretty much just LOVE all things quilty related, including older sewing machines....
#38
It has been wonderful reading about all of your old sewing machines. I am so glad that the old machines are used, loved and appreciated here! I love old sewing machines and have several myself.
In fact the newest machine I have is now 41 years old. I love it and I use it all the time!
I do have a story to share about my machine though. Two years ago I was in a nice quilt shop in Ohio, and I paused my fabric browsing to watch an employee demonstrate to someone else a beautiful new machine with all of the bells and whistles on it. As she finished talking to the one person she asked me if I was interested in trying out the machine. I told her – no thanks. I was happy with my machine that I have. She asked me what kind of machine I used and I (rather proudly) told her that I still use the Singer that my parents bought me for high school graduation 38 years ago. She got a SHOCKED look on her face and yelled (yes – YELLED!) across the store at another employee – “She is still using a sewing machine she got in high school!!!!! She then turned to me and in a condescending tone said – “You simply MUST get a NEW machine!!! I just can’t imagine that you are still using a machine THAT old!”
I suppose she was trying to embarrass me into getting a new sewing machine, but I thought at the time that, even if I was in the market for buying a new sewing machine, that woman would have been the LAST person I would have bought one from. She was rude, rude, rude!!!!!
In fact the newest machine I have is now 41 years old. I love it and I use it all the time!
I do have a story to share about my machine though. Two years ago I was in a nice quilt shop in Ohio, and I paused my fabric browsing to watch an employee demonstrate to someone else a beautiful new machine with all of the bells and whistles on it. As she finished talking to the one person she asked me if I was interested in trying out the machine. I told her – no thanks. I was happy with my machine that I have. She asked me what kind of machine I used and I (rather proudly) told her that I still use the Singer that my parents bought me for high school graduation 38 years ago. She got a SHOCKED look on her face and yelled (yes – YELLED!) across the store at another employee – “She is still using a sewing machine she got in high school!!!!! She then turned to me and in a condescending tone said – “You simply MUST get a NEW machine!!! I just can’t imagine that you are still using a machine THAT old!”
I suppose she was trying to embarrass me into getting a new sewing machine, but I thought at the time that, even if I was in the market for buying a new sewing machine, that woman would have been the LAST person I would have bought one from. She was rude, rude, rude!!!!!
#39
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SD
Posts: 57
Hey quilterguy27.... I'd love to have a link to Billy's tutorial service info for Singer Featherweights...It'd sure save me some money taking or shipping it to SE Missouri to have it serviced. Would you be willing to share the info for others again?
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