bearisgray

I've noticed that many old machines are being adopted -

I don't know the difference between "antique" and "vintage"

Where are the ones that were made in the 1960s, and later, classified?

Are any other brands besides Singer "good" to acquire?

Is there a time period where the machines seemed "better" than other time frames?

I had heard that Singers went into a decline - maybe 1970s? Is that true?

Looking forward to answers. Thank you.

miriam

Look for about any machine that is ALL METAL - inside and out. You want to make sure it makes a stitch. I think there are pointers on here other places what to look for. Are you looking to collect or just a good very basic machine? The Singer Featherweight is very collectable and so is the Singer 301. If you want something inexpensive look at Singer 15 clones - they are made in Japan and work very well thank you very much. I think if you go up to the top of the page and search you might find pictures and a ton of info. There is blank box that says advanced search. Singer 66 is a very simple and good machine. White machines. Elna, Viking, Bernina, the upper end Kenmore, some of the Necchi machines are fantastic, Pfaff , New Home, Free, Domestic, Davis, and the list goes on. The old machines were made pretty simple and will last a very long time if they aren't all rusted out - that said, there are members who take those old rusted up machines and fix them up to run. There are many old companies that made fantastic treadles. Peek on the vintage photos. You'll see tons of machines. My all time favorite is a Singer 403 which is similar to a Singer 401, 500 or 503. You can search the same above and find all kinds of posts. Yes the machines went into decline as soon as they went plastic. I would say our vintage shop talks about any of the old metal machines. As far as time frames - there were still some metal machines made in the 1970s.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t130994.html All kinds of old machines.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t164361.html - all around good machines and cheap too.

Here is another link http://www.quiltingboard.com/blogs/v...nks-b7514.html

Actually something you never heard of might be a really good machine - do some home work on here - there are tons of things to read.

Charlee

Most of my machines are good ones...and I have a mix of different brands/styles, and they are ALL my favorite! LOL
Antiques are 100 years old. (Not *my* rule, but a general rule among "antique gurus") Technically, the word "vintage" should be accompanied by a year, i.e., my Singer 201-2 is "vintage 1951", or "vintage 1950's"

Are you thinking of looking for a machine bearisgray?

Lostn51

If you looking for a vintage or antique machine I am fixing to unload several in the next week including 301's, 99's, 66's and a few 1800's models that are not Singers.

Billy

bearisgray

I've purchased it from another board member's mother - and we need to pick it up -

I'm pretty anxious to get it, because some of the people have really raved about it.

sharon b

I have a 401A - haven't used it much ( shame on me ) but they are suppose to be work horses

Lostn51

Sharon when do you have time to play with your machines? You are always on here, with your family and work, I dont see how you do it. How is Mom and Dad doing?

Billy

vintagemotif

Antique vs vintage depends on who you are asking. My teenage son thinks all my machines are antiques, but then he thinks anyone over 30 years old is an antique. If it's close to 100 years old, I call it close enough to antique, otherwise the machine is vintage.

As to other machines than a Singer being good to use just depends on the condition of the machine and if it has all the parts needed to make a pretty stitch. I own numerous non Singer machines at are awesome to use. Some folks love the "White" sewing machines, others love "Davis", while I have enjoyed many different brands. My suggestion is to google and read up on vintage machines. Take a look at blogs too! Some folks have interesting collections, and some use their machines too. Join us at the Vintage Machine Shop; we love to chatter away about different vintage and antique machines. Here is the link to my blog: http://color-my-world-with-warmth.blogspot.com/. I use my machines that are posted to make quilts. Look for great deals on CLs for the machines. Sometimes someone is giving away a machine for free. Your machine is out there waiting for you!

annthreecats

I hope you enjoy your Singer 401. I have one that was given to me by a friend and all I had to do was replaced the plug in wire and the wire for the foot pedal and have it serviced. It runs great. It's so much fun to use.

Charlee

You're going to LOVE that 401! When do you go to get it? If you have any questions once you do, Miriam knows TONS about them!