kwendt

Hi Elsie.... welcome to "66" owners land! (I have one too... as do a lot of people on this board!) We love them.

The 'back clamp' or 'side clamp' phrases refer to the way the presser feet are attached to the presser bar/machine. Sewing machines in general (particularly those designed for home sewing) change out presser feet so that the seamstress can sew different types of things. There are different presser feet to do straight stitching, zippers, buttons, edging, hemming, 1/4" seams, overcasting, etc. etc.

Singer 66 machines have low shank presser feet that are changed out by simply unscrewing the screw on the side or the back and letting the foot drop off the machine. You put the desired foot on by fitting it up to the shaft and re tightening that screw.

The very first models of the Singer 66 used 'back clamping'... meaning that the feet clamped in from the back. The other 66 models, and most all of Singer's other machines used side clamping feet. The back clamping feet are harder to find.

Which style feet do you have on your 66? You can tell by looking to see if your attachment screw is facing to the left or to the back. If you're not sure, take a picture and post it here. The 'experts' can tell you!

kwendt

A 242... I've never seen. Nor the Borletti! Wow... great finds. Post pics!

Ah... okay, here's a threading diagram for it anyways...
http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diag...ng_diagram.htm

kwendt

Wow, very pretty.... VM, That's a different type than the VS machines. Is that a transverse shuttle? I know little about the older shuttle mechanisms. If it is indeed the transverse, what are the pros and cons of this particular system?

(and oh... BTW.... thank you for the compliment on my current avatar pic of 40's dress pattern. lol) Yes, I love them too.

melinda1962

I keep reading about the 66s and started laughing, as I realized I have a newer 66. I bought it at a garage sale from the original owner, who had sewn a good bit on it. The decals are worn, but she had three daughters. I asked her several times if she was sure her daughters didn't want it, and she was. It is AM073776, and made in 1955. The original purchase date was June 20, 1956, and I bought it because my birthday is June 20, and I figured that was a sign, like I needed one. It came in a Singer cabiinet, with all the attachments and manuals, buttonholer and manual as well. This was 3 years ago, before I knew about sewing machine addictions. I already had quite a few machines already, but didn't realize I had a "problem" until I joined this board. LOL

laura59

Sewbizgirl, I am really anxious to get it cleaned up and be able to use it.

One of the ladies in our car club volunteers at a thrift shop on Wednesdays. If the phone rings around noon on a Wednesday, Bob just cringes. Most of the time it is her calling to tell me of a machine she saw at the shop. Of course, we have to take a run over there right away. Most of the time, one or two, just might somehow follow me out to the van. lol.

Right now, I have 7 treadles. Don't have the room to open them right now. I also have some machines in cabinets and I have some portables. I'm trying to make some room in my sewing room. Of course, I have to share my sewing room with the washer & dryer, freezer, a large hutch, Bob's large workbench, a band saw and a lathe. Not much room for my stuff. Hope to get some of that stuff out of there, soon. I want to be able to display my machines. Maybe, this afternoon, I can see about moving some things around. Wish me luck.

ssgramma

My broken 201 handwheel problem is solved - the seller sent me his wife's beautiful chrome one! I'm going around singing Trace Adkin's song "Chrome" LOL

Now just waiting for the mounting hinges to arrive to put her in the cabinet. And for the other machine to arrive so I can do a little rearranging.

FarmStitcher

Problem, what problem....

:?: :?: :?: ;-) ;-) ;-) :roll:

Lovely machine. I love my 66. Hey, that should be on a T-shirt.

tomilu

I have listed on the Classified section for an original 301 manual and acc.
Tommie

annesthreads

I've just bought a Featherweight! I saw one on Ebay that looks as if it's in good condition, from a seller with a 100% rating, and it's a 1953, like me, so I decided that maybe that was a good omen! I've thought about getting one a few times, but never got around to it, or there were none available when I looked. I've recently been using my Mum's late 60s Husqvarna and loved its solidity and reliability, but she's not about to part with that, so as I could do with a lightweight machine, I decided to take the plunge.

FarmStitcher

Tommie you can get a manual copy here:
http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...e_manuals.html

You might check eBay for an original.

Also there is a 301 web site where you can get what accessories were available and how to use them. Here:

http://singer301.com/accessories/default.html.

You might try Sew-Classic for accessories or eBay.
Don't know if this will help, but I hope it will.