I have to admit, I thought you were all crazy to hunt down and use the old machines when there are so many newer machines that do everything from thread to cut the threads on sewn pieces. Then it happened. My Brother, MeMe, is beginning to show her age as one of the first generation "new plastic" machines and was really struggling to make a straight line over seams. She has been serviced and still is good for several things, except where a 1/4" seam is not mandatory. My BFF had bought his daughters a machine at an auction and they didn't want to sew at all so he gave it to me.

Maggie is a 1968 New Home workhorse who knows the value of a perfectly straight seam regardless of how many seams are to be sewn through. Not to mention the time I spent was cut by more than half when I was not fighting with the other one.

I still am wanting the Brother I have been saving for because it has so many new stitches to help with some of my other projects, but for basic seams I finally figured out why there are so many of you going back to the basics of a machine.

Good comparison. I'll have to think more seriously about getting an older to have on hand! Might be a good investment.

I have only had older machines. I am scratching my head when people talk about having the machine serviced once a year, or, it quit working, or there was a lightning storm and it killed my machine.

I love my basic, user friendly, non-plastic, non-computerized machines!! old fogey that I am..

I have old and new they both have their place.

ditto here

I have an (old) Singer Golden Touch 'n Sew that right now is serving as a TV stand. When I move to North Carolina (in the next couple months) she will step up and be used for the purpose for which she was created .... SEWING. She is a beauty in a maple cabinet with all the drop-in cams. I wouldn't trade her for the world. She came to live with me in 1970, brand new.

I have a newer, smaller Kenmore that I am using for everything right now, but I bought her for portability back and forth to classes.

I have a 2009 Brother that is really a nice machine (mid-range cost), and it does 80 different decorative and monogram stitches. It's fine...it does a good job, but not a perfectly straight seam. Plus occasionally it gets a knot in it's electronics, and it throws a little hissy fit.

Enter my lovely vintage machines...they are just so wonderful to sew with. No complaints, no "electronic issues", no hissy fits.

As of last week,I'm with you.My hubbie brought home an old kenmore,solid metel and boy does it sew. :-D I'll nver buy a new one again unless of course it's a treadle. :thumbup:

i'm gonna take in my moms old kenmore for a good cleaning and checkup, then start using it again. learned to sew on that machine over 30 years ago. i remember her getting it for christmas when i was about 5. so its close to 40 years old. and is it heavy!!!! its not gonna scoot all over the table.

I have new and I have old. I will never buy a new one again.
I just adore my old machines! The new ones are decent to but just not quite the same!