How old does a sewing machine have to be to be called vintage?

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02-27-2015, 05:33 AM

#11

J Miller

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Join Date: Feb 2012

Posts: 8,091

Quote:

Originally Posted by manicmike

That's what I was taught: At least 100 years old to be an antique.
Cars are classed as 'vintage' if they're at least 25 years old, and Etsy allows you to list anything as vintage if it's 25 years old (not that Etsy's an ideal reference) but like Joe, I'd find it hard to think of a 1990 plastic sewing machine as vintage (well, without laughing a bit).

LOL, I have a 1990 Singer plastic wonder. I would not classify it as vintage, more like sub modern junque.

Joe

02-27-2015, 06:23 AM

#12

Sewnoma

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Location: Sonoma County, CA

Posts: 4,299

I think my very first sewing machine is from 1994 - that's the year I moved out of my parent's house. I tend to agree with most of you here, in my mind a "vintage" machine is not computerized and is at least MOSTLY metal. My 1994 machine is a Kenmore (made by Janome) and it's right on the cusp of that description. Most of its guts are metal and it's all mechanical, but it's got a white plastic body that screams "cheap modern machine". I've abused the hell out of that poor thing (mostly through ignorance), and it still sews great so IMO it's actually a pretty solid little machine but I'm not sure I'd call it vintage.

Mostly I think I'm having a hard time thinking that something I bought new as an "adult" is now old enough to be "vintage". I turn 40 in a few weeks and I'm in a little bit of denial, LOL.

02-27-2015, 08:16 AM

#13

Rodney

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Join Date: Oct 2013

Location: Centralia, WA, USA

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Don't worry Sewnoma it gets worse as you get older.

Rodney

02-27-2015, 08:33 AM

#14

ManiacQuilter2

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Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Southern California

Posts: 19,127

Never thought myself as being vintage!! Guess there are quite a few of us that are VINTAGE that are members of this board!!

02-27-2015, 10:24 AM

#15

J Miller

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Join Date: Feb 2012

Posts: 8,091

Try being 62 years old and still thinking that things you bought new in 1970 is modern. Sigh ...........

Joe

02-28-2015, 08:31 AM

#16

swizzy

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Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Beaverton OR

Posts: 80

old sewing machine

[ What does one do with an old sewing machine, in a cabinet, 1952 Domestic? My Kids are not interested in sewing.
At one time I talked to a dealer and he said there was no value, people want modern machines, but he would service it and donate to a women's shelter.
Would you say that it is worthless?

02-28-2015, 08:48 AM

#17

tessagin

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Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.

Posts: 16,105

I'm still keeping my eye out for older machines like my 401 (metal). I have learned more about my machines since becoming a member of this board. Joined in 2013. Thanks to all the members for adding more info to my brain than I thought could be.

02-28-2015, 05:10 PM

#18

Monroe

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Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: New York

Posts: 1,572

I cringe when machines made in the '80's are touted as rare one of a kind Antiques. I may be a bit older than classically vintage (mid 1950's), but I'm surely not antique-Yet!

03-01-2015, 06:15 AM

#19

mom-6

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Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Texas

Posts: 6,395

I find it most amusing that those young whippersnappers advertising the rare antiques apparently think those of us who are retirement age or older must have played with dinosaurs as children!

03-03-2015, 02:56 PM

#20

ArchaicArcane

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2012

Location: Not Here

Posts: 3,817

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cari-in-Oly

Great answer Rodney. I'll only question one thing. Computerized machines use stepper motors.

Cari

Agreed! Stepper motors also known as pulse motors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macybaby

I think I like #9 for vintage the best - and that would knock out the plastic ones because they don't represent high quality. It has to have stood the test of time - I have every reason to believe my vintage machines will be around and working when they get old enough to be considered Antiques - the rest are just old junk

representing the high quality of a past time:vintage cars; vintage movies.

I wonder if in 40 years if some of the current very high end machines will still be considered vintage, simply because they are the high quality of today's machines. By that time, 3D printing or whatever replaces it will be mainstream and even plastic parts will be "easily" replicated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Miller

LOL, I have a 1990 Singer plastic wonder. I would not classify it as vintage, more like sub modern junque.

Joe

Singer was worse than many by the 1990s.

The Pfaffs of the same time frame are still sought after, despite their plastic bits and the one I have here has taken a real kicking and it still works. I also had a Singer Athena 2000(?) on my bench at the same time as I got this Pfaff and they're miles apart quality wise despite the plastic similarities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sewnoma

My 1994 machine is a Kenmore (made by Janome) and it's right on the cusp of that description. Most of its guts are metal and it's all mechanical, but it's got a white plastic body that screams "cheap modern machine". I've abused the hell out of that poor thing (mostly through ignorance), and it still sews great so IMO it's actually a pretty solid little machine but I'm not sure I'd call it vintage.

I've serviced probably a dozen of the Janome made Kenmore machines and the Janome labeled machines and I have to say that they're definitely some of the best of the bunch these days. They're well made considering today's standards. The one Kenmore had a few pins bent into "V" shapes by the hook and the timing was fine and the needlebar was straight and at the right height. I was expecting to have to write the machine off when I saw that but was pleasantly surprised.