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Quote:

Originally Posted by omak

There was a time in the nation when people understood the value in something that was simple, straightforward, durable, designed and built to outlive the person who created it.
There was a time in our nation when our citizens believed in thrift, self-reliance, personal accountability for their use of limited resources, diligence, and integrity.
None of those concepts are built into the products (or most of the products) we purchase today.
Today, when you buy a new gadget, there has been a study done to see how many times a dial can be turned before it wears out ... and, it is designed to fail after a certain amount of time ... and our citizens have purchased "throw away" items for generations, now, in the belief that we have moved beyond the need to be "old-fashioned", traditional, so backward as to think that it is possible to own something that is more capable than me in enduring the silliness of owner error ...
that, my dear, is why old black singer sewing machines are sought. Because the seeker has figured out - - durability and simplicity of repair will take a quilter further in this world than all the digital whatchamaycallits the "designers" will ever come up with.
And, maybe it is because the older we get ;-) the more we realize - - basic are NOT a bad word! <wave>

Wow, Omak, I couldn't have said this better if I tried... I too feel a certain connection to a better time in America when I use these lovely old pieces of fine workmanship. It was a time when people had values we so desperately need to get back to, today. That's a part of why I love the old machines. I could care less if they can't thread themselves! That's what I'm for...

I don't have a singer feather weight but have an old singer industrial sewing machine. It is plain jane but I just love how the stitches look. It sews thru heavy denim like butter.

Just look INSIDE or UNDER any of the old machines - they are machined opposed to stamped metal or plastic. Omark you said it well. So much has been lost in this country.

The Singer 404 is a very forgotten machine. It weighs about the same as a 301. It sews about the same. The quality of the machine is the same. They are about the same size. It is MUCH cheaper to buy a Singer 404. I gave one to my grand daughter and one to my great niece to learn on. Watch your local Craig's List - they do come up.

I realize this is an old thread, but can I add my .02?

These last few weeks I've been cleaning and restoring 3+ machines. Got the first two running just this week. I was amazed at how something built in 1918 & 1922 can be purring like a kitten all these years later.

They were built to last and I'm totally sold on them. Singer built quality back then. The stitches are perfect, the machines are user friendly, no fuss no muss.