I notice a lot of you have old Singer (or otherwise) machines, and post pictures of them, ask questions about repairing them, etc.
I have one; my question is, do you just have these for display, or do you use them, or...? If you use them, what is the advantage of the old machine? I've never used mine (given to me by an aunt), and actually don't even have it on display.

A lot of us use them in either general sewing like I do and a few quilt with them.

I like the treadles as I use it for physical therapy also I find that I sew a lot better as I have more control over the speed.
To me there is nothing better then the simple clack of a treadle sewing

I also got an older machine its form the late 70's-80's that has all metal parts for my everyday electric sewing that way I dont have to worry about computerized parts and plastic parts wearing out and my husband can fix it.

What did your Aunt give you?

Oh Darlin, Use it!!!
I have a old Featherweight and it was designed to use. Singer's older machines were made back when they were used for making clothes so they got alot of use. I'd say to have it tuned up once in a while and keep it oiled and greased the way the manual says and sew like crazy!!
I have a treadle machine that I am slowly working on restoring and I want to learn to use it as well.
Its not only a beautiful piece of decore but you can use it too.
Have fun with it and enjoy!
Faith

I have just recently been bitten by the vintage machine bug. After reading the boards for a couple of weeks. I went and dug in my closet and pulled out my Grandmother's Singer 301. It was made in 1951 and sews like a dream. Using the Tutorials on the boards here, I gave her a good cleaning and she is running like new. I sew on the 301 and my new Bernina. Actually I have one upstairs and one downstairs. Hopefully once all the kids have left the nest I can combine the two rooms. Until then, I will keep one on each level. :-)

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.

I love my old Singers too. I do all my piecing on a featherweight, usually bind on my 301. The rest (too many) I just don't have room to display, but they're there when I want to put one up to sew on. Small house, many machines, I sew in the livingroom and quilt on a Tin LIzzie in my kitchen. If I had room I'd have them all set up and ready to sew!

I have several old sewing machines, mostly Singers. I have used them, but now don't have the room to have them set up. Am currently trying to get a new or used motor for the one I learned to sew on; it was my mother's. They are good for sewing on leather and other heavy duty fabrics, as they don't bog down. The new computerized ones overload the motor and shut down on you. I do have a White treadle that I have used but currently don't. One of these days when I have time to fiddle I will get it out.

I had a Singer machine my DH bought me in 1964, I used it until the 80's when I bought a new one. The old one was terrible about sewing over heavy seams like bluejeans. It ran good but wasn't for heavy duty sewing. I gave it to my sister but I don't know if she still has it.

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.

Not sappy at all. I feel the same way. That is why I am trying to get my mother's old machine up and running. When they are cleaned and lubed they are wonderful, sometimes a little noisy, but that's what we remember so fondly.