All things Sewing Machines!

Lady Day · Aug 22, 2009

Dont get a machine you cant try out first. Really try out, like sit down and sew all the different stitches to make sure the machine does not smoke because it so old (has happened to me).

Most people say avoid Singer machines from the 90s to now, but you can find a quality one if you look, but you might not want to. So go to a sewing place and try out a model you like.

Thats the crap shoot with machines from thrift stores. Some can be great, but others...

Thats about all the advice I can give.

LD

Elaina · Aug 22, 2009

What I like, need and want isn't the same for you, and I'd expect LD, Casey, Lauren and everyone else will have different things they want too.

My machine goes forwards and backwards in a straight stitch and I have a doo hickey to make it go backwards with different lengths. It was all I required (and yes you can sew stretch fabrics with it). Granted, there are attachments to make it do other things (button hole attachments, zigzagger, blind hemmer, etc.) my machine can use to do more.

Go to a sewing shop and run a sewing machine. Borrow a friend's. Test them all out and get an idea of what you need/want in a machine. Find your price you want to pay for it, and limit it to that point. Compile a list of these things, test them and then shop. Nothing is worse then a machine that does things you like, but you can't stand.

SayCici · Aug 22, 2009

A machine I inherited from my great grandma:

Elaina · Aug 22, 2009

I got one from my grandma that I claim, and it's a 50s green bullet style Universal. While it works, I won't use it because I can't stand it. It sews well and everything, but a sewing machine is one of those not one size fits all.

SpatzKat · Aug 22, 2009

Kaela said:
Hello, Ladies!
I was wondering if there are any other girls out there who insist on sewing with older sewing machines? I enjoy sewing with an old machine, it makes my finished "vintage" pieces feel all that more authentic.
I have a tragically abused 1921 Singer Sewing machine. I absolutely adore it, but as things go, it's been beaten up many times. I took it on a plane, and after angry security and some mishandling (so bad that they cracked good, ol' American steel!) I find myself in the need of some replacement parts. My internet searching has been fruitless. Does anybody keep up their vintage machines?
I wanna hear the gossip about anybody who sews with them!
One of my others is a 1967 robin's egg blue Singer. And that one is nice to sew on since it has zig-zag stitching and reverse! lol, my '21 has no reverse!
Anybody sew with a tredle type?

Ok, if you don't mind one of the "fellas" weighing in on this.....
I have an abused Singer 95-10 (industrial type) that has been converted to use a motor. I use it weekly and tune it weekly. Even for the abuse and wear, it's still solid mechanically. For most Singers of that vintage, there's not a lot of working parts and they are fairly easy to maintain once you get the hang of it. If you'd like some help finding parts or need info, I might be able to assist. If you wish, drop me a message and let me know what model and what you're in need of. I might have some sources for you.

Happy stitching!

cailinbeag · Aug 24, 2009

My Baby

This is such a cool thread.

I learned to sew on a 1940's Elna. I believe my mother still has it and another just like it that she had planned on using for parts but never got around to. Now I use a newer, but basic, Kenmore. It does what I need it to and it's light, so I can shuffle it around for extra table room or if I need to haul out my serger. But this is my baby:

It was given to me about 5 years ago by my parents' elderly neighbor. I was actually out of town when she gave it to my mom to give to me, and then she passed away. So I never got a chance to find out anything about the machine, or, more importantly, to thank her (Thank you, Eileen

). I'm guessing it's late '50s. I can't find much about the brand "Domestic", other than it having an affiliation with White at some point. The machine itself is pristine, and has all of the accessories except for the manual. It runs like a dream. And it's metallic TURQUOISE!!!! Sqeeeee! I'd use it as my main machine, but it also weighs more than my truck.

If anyone knows anything about this type of machine, Pleasepleaseplease let me know. One of these days I'm going to need to search for parts and when I do, it would help if I knew what to ask for.

Foofoogal · Sep 5, 2009

Singer Featherweight/Eek../need help

Found a sewing machine today at a sale and didn't know what I had. Honey was not impressed that I bought a machine.
Then I found out I have a:
1964 Singer Featherweight in original green case.
All I can find on it though is made in Great Britain, 221k, and a no. 13608.
I don't think this is the model no. though. Does anyone else of you seamstresses?
I bought it cause I thought it was cute. Plus my new machine I bought at wallyworld is a piece of junk. Thought I could use it for sewing simple seams at least.
Where would the model no. be? thanks anyone.

http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

deadpandiva · Sep 5, 2009

I am getting a brand new maching very soon. I had my eye on an Singer machine but my mom doesn't really like Singer at all. She also says the machines with top loading bobbin case are bad. I want a one step button holer. Thge singer I was looking at had alot of great automatic features. I guess I don't need those as I am pretty good with my manual machine and I read directions just fine. I guess I'll just take Lady Day's advice and try out a few.

cailinbeag · Sep 5, 2009

Foofoogal said:
Found a sewing machine today at a sale and didn't know what I had. Honey was not impressed that I bought a machine.
Then I found out I have a:
1964 Singer Featherweight in original green case.
All I can find on it though is made in Great Britain, 221k, and a no. 13608.
I don't think this is the model no. though. Does anyone else of you seamstresses?
I bought it cause I thought it was cute. Plus my new machine I bought at wallyworld is a piece of junk. Thought I could use it for sewing simple seams at least.
Where would the model no. be? thanks anyone.

http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

The model number is actually 221. I'm not sure about the 13608...did it have two letters preceeding it? If so, it should be a production number (if it's a '64, the letters should be EV or EX).

Hope that helps!

Foofoogal · Sep 5, 2009

Thank you. I finally found the no. on the bottom. It is EV957505. It is white and the paint is excellent but the belt is dryrotted. I do believe it runs though but didn't want to burn up the motor with bad belt.
The case bottom will need to be taped as it has come unglued but so sweet machine. Thank you.
foofoogal

http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

Ok, I am still not understanding all this.
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/siteone pages/history.html
this link states this about mine:

Production of the 221 started in the UK at what was then Singer's largest factory in 1949. Six years later production started on the ultimate Featherweight, the 222 Freearm, and then the white/green model which was made in very limited numbers until 1964.

mine is white but I don't see my model no. on this site or anywhere. My machine was made in the UK so maybe this is the difference.

I learn something new every day in this business and today it is about this little sewing machine. Fan page and blogs.
http://www.featherweightfanatics.com/FWPhotos.html
The top 2 pics show my machine and I also have the cords permanently attached which this person says they have only seen one other like it. I swanee..

http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

Geesie · Sep 25, 2009

New machine!

I started taking lessons at the community college/continuing education center and got myself a "new" machine.

1954 Singer Model 99k. My digital camera died, so I'll post the eBay seller photo.

I just couldn't bring myself to get a newer, boxy machine. My concession to modernity was getting a 50s model with a back-tack function. Also, I ordered a Singer buttonholer attachment.

No computers needed for me!
I plugged it in and it works, though I have a few questions:
- The foot pedal seems to have nothing between "off" and "high" no matter how gently I increase pressure. Is this adjustable?
- When I pulled the foot pedal out of its packaging, a bunch of small gray circles (looked like the things that come out of a hole punch) fell out of the pedal, from the gap between the upper and lower parts. Any idea what this was or why it was in there?
- The base of the case has cracked. I can't carry it by the handle because it will probably pull apart. If I can't figure out a good way to reinforce this, is there another option for a base for the machine?

Bettie Booh · Sep 29, 2009

I really need some help here, I recently got a new sewingmachine, problem is I dont have a manual, and I cant getit to eork. Its a Yamata FY700,

I cant make buttonholes even though the option is there.
I cant change the size of the stitches, its waaaaaay to small, 0,5mm?
I cant change the speed, dont know if I really have to but still, I want to.
The fabric gets all tangled up and the thread breaks or gets loose after I sew like 4 stitches.
I can only sew a straight line, all the other seems doesnt work at all.
And when I try to thread the reel (?), I dont get it to work, the thread gets tangled up and breaks.

Help, please? I really need to get going with my sewing for fall now. I dont understand the settings, so if you could, also, give me a quick tutorial of the machine?

Foofoogal · Sep 29, 2009

http://www.tias.com/stores/agc/

this site has many manuals and I can vouch for them.

http://sandysfancypants.blogspot.com

Inky · Sep 29, 2009

Bettie Booh said:
I really need some help here, I recently got a new sewingmachine, problem is I dont have a manual, and I cant getit to eork. Its a Yamata FY700,

I cant make buttonholes even though the option is there.
I cant change the size of the stitches, its waaaaaay to small, 0,5mm?
I cant change the speed, dont know if I really have to but still, I want to.
The fabric gets all tangled up and the thread breaks or gets loose after I sew like 4 stitches.
I can only sew a straight line, all the other seems doesnt work at all.
And when I try to thread the reel (?), I dont get it to work, the thread gets tangled up and breaks.

Help, please? I really need to get going with my sewing for fall now. I dont understand the settings, so if you could, also, give me a quick tutorial of the machine?

You will definitely need the manual, so if you can't find one on-line to purchase/download, you might try contacting the company directly

http://www.yamata.com/contact.htm

Bettie Booh · Sep 30, 2009

foofogal, thx for the link, but they only had manuals to vintage machine, mine isnt.

And Inky, yeah, I know, but I cant afford it, and I dont want to pay a lot of money for a sewingmachine that technically isn't mine.

I'll just wait for someone to give me a new one

LadyPowers · Oct 2, 2009

Cool sewing machine! I only use vintage sewing machines when I sew. I have two of those Singer Treadle Egyptian motif sewing machine with 6 drawers each from the 1910s era inherited from Jamespowers' Grandmother and Greataunt. I also have a August 25,1920 Singer Red Eye Model 66-6 restored bought last month. I have 2 Neechi BUs from the 1950s, and 1 Neechi BF from the 1950s. I also have a Atlas (color pink and black) sewing machine made in Japan. No plastic sewing machines in this household. Regards, Ladypowers

Lady Day · Oct 5, 2009

*sigh* My serger broke. Bit the dust mid stitch. :cry: It was the model my mother had, a model that I spent weeks looking for supplies for when I first got it.

It was old, and I *know* it will cost more than what I paid for it to fix. Not much of a loss, but an incredible, incredible inconvenience because I have no cash to get another. Right now Im using the ziz-zag on my sewing machine which *is* my mother's machine, but I dont want to put too much usage on it doing that because now Im worried that machine will brake, then Ill really cry.

AAAHHHH!
Just wanted to vent.

LD

El · Feb 12, 2010

White Rotaries

"Hi" Everyone: I wanted to send some replies when I got messages, but a Health problem is been prevent me to do so.
I do have a couple of White Rotaries 2 are in Martha Washington Cabinets, among my Herd of Sewing Machines also have a couple of Kenmores made by White.
Right now I'm on a 30 days Heart Monitor, had an Stress Test the 9th, when I get notice of what is going on I will post some pictures ( If I can figure how to do it ), perhaps some of you will tell me how, so I can take some pictures and post them a few at a time.
Perhaps there is a way to post them on an Album?; Please could you let me know?.
Hope all is well with Everyone.
thanks for Listening/Reading this.
By for now.
El.

fishmeok said:
I get a little obsessive about things, so when I decided to try and repair/ rebuild a couple of flight jackets I picked up 7 or 8 old machines in a month to see if they could handle leather. Craigslist and estate sales are the best places to find them- I bought three old White rotatries at one estate sale for $30. One from 1917, one from 1953, and one from the '60's.
Also picked up another 1928 White at the goodwill and a couple Singers here and there.
Some pics- anybody else have White Rotaries?
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p208/fishmeok/linux dump/Sewing Machines/

Miss 1929 · Feb 12, 2010

Hi El, hope it all goes well and you feel better soon!

Posting pictures is easy. They have to be hosted domewhere other than the Lounge (Photobucket and Flckr are two of the popular free sites to use). Then you copy the IMG link of the pic on that site, come back here, start your reply, hit the little button that looks like a mountain, and paste the code in the window that comes up.

Alternatively, you can post a link to your album on the external site, but the threads here are much more fun with pictures in them!

Good luck...

Annixter · Feb 28, 2010

Advice on Modern Sewing Machines

Hello Ladies (and possibly Gentlemen), I have a question regarding modern sewing machines that I thought would get more attention in the Powder Room. My inseam falls between two off-the-shelf lengths in Dockers slacks, and the back of the hem tends to drag on the ground when wearing dress shoes. I'm tired of paying a tailor to shorten my pants, and I am about to buy a new batch of slacks. I figure that the money I will spend in having 5 pairs of pants shortened will pay, or nearly pay, for a sewing machine and the appropriate tools. Now I just need to know what machine I can get by with.

I've found some good hemming instructional videos on Youtube, and I plan to do the actual hem sewing by hand. However, a zigzag pattern on a sewing machine appears to be the way to go to seal off the raw edge of the material after shortening. I'm not looking to use the machine much, and probably only to do things like this, as I can do basic mending by hand if I have to.

What do you all recommend in the way of cost-effective sewing machines for what I look to do? I'd like to spend under $100 on the machine, if possible. There is a variety of machines on Overstock.com, with a few Brothers and Janome machines, some refurbished, under or around $100. Maybe you could look at Overstock.com to give reference to a good machine? http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Sewing-Machines/19182/subcat.html?cid=128511&kid=47837750

Any other online source for sewing machines is welcome too. Your input is greatly appreciated!

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