heart of Dixie

I just purchased the Meister (viking ) sewing machine. I was wondering if anyone out there know anything about them. I tried to fine information on the internet but there really isn't any. I do know that this is a Meister befor Viking bought them out. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Dixie

mighty

Sorry I have no info but sure do like the machine!!!!

JudyTheSewer

Ditto! Lucky you.

miriam

I don't know a thing about it but it would sure be fun to get my hot little hands on it. It is shaped like a lot of old German machines. Have you threaded it? It looks like you thread it about like any other machine. It looks like it has zig zag. Are there any cams/disks? What is the bobbin area like? I have a Phoenix with a really odd bobbin area. It has a plate the bobbin case goes into and an extra loop on there somewhere for the thread to go through - if you don't do it just so it won't sew.

heart of Dixie

The lady I purchased it from showed me how to thread it. Its pretty much like any other machine with just a little difference. Yes it does have a zig zag and stitch length. No cams Nice bobbin area with extra bobbins. I haven't tried it on heavy fabric but she says it sews heavy fabric easily

chris_quilts

Kind of looks like a Necchi BU - the very early ones. It also looks heavy but also like it will sew through almost anything.

fauxquilter

In case anyone is still interested, your machine is a later version of the Meister Klasse 101 sewing machine which was manufactured in Germany starting in 1948. There are several pictures of the Klasse 101 in the NeedleBar Picture Library Archive. The Meister Klasse 101s did not have the light built in behind the face plate, as yours does. The light was attached to the back. Meister also produced the same machine for an Australian department store. It was marketed under the name "Sewmaster" and was identical to the German machine with a few slight variations in decal placement.

These machines are dependable, heavy-duty domestic, all-metal workhorses with a high shank and 1 amp motors. They are comparable to the Japanese class 15 machines, with a forward-reverse mechanism and they sew both straight and zigzag stitches. The Klasse 101s often come with a tin accessory box that contains a zig-zag foot, a straight stitch presser foot and needle plate, a button attacher, a zipper foot, a quilting foot with guide, a rolled hem foot, a seam guide and what appears to be a felling foot. They take a #7 vintage Greist buttonhole attachment.

I own three of these machines, all circa 1952. I got the first one over 20 years ago and it is terrific. I am currently restoring the second one, and another (a white one) is on its way from eBay. Looks to be in rough shape but if it's anything like my others, is probably mechanically sound even if the paint needs to be restored.

These machines, although unusual, are not rare. I found two on eBay within the last three months. I have also seen a handful of listings on local Craigslists, Worthpoint and on the German eBay site within the last few years, so they surface from time to time. They are well worth the money if you stumble across one.

Hope this helps. The original post in this thread was very helpful to me when I went looking for info a couple of months ago and I hope someone can use what I found out.

fauxquilter

One more thing: It says Meister-Werke (name of factory? company?) underneath the "Made in Germany" decal. Viking took over Meister-Werke around 1980 and rebranded the Meister machines from that period. These machines aren't considered that good (if what I see in various quilting/sewing forums is any indication). However, there were several all-metal models like yours that came after the Klasse 101s that I would like to look at (if I can find them).

wolph33

wow that is an awesome looking machine.I have never seen that one before.does it work?

foufymaus

Thats a handsome machine.