quilt938

still going through the machines I got from my mom's collection and seems like I came across at least 2 of these (there's a green one but think that model starts with a 2 - hard to read) Anyways I haven't gone through all the accessories a friend and I boxed up in several boxes but so far I haven't come across any attachments or cams. I guess the low shank attachments from the other Singers will work but what about the cams? I'm wondering how hard they are to find and how expensive. I saw a listing on ebay for 90 bucks - 30 of them. From what little I've seen it didn't come with that many - would the others work in it? is this price common? I'm still hoping I come across some that will work since I really don't want to sink a bunch of money into accessories until I know I like and will use the machine(right now I'm too in love with the 15-89 and there are others in the collection I see mentioned a lot more(301, fw, 403,401,500a) but I did sew on one of the machines and it did a nice straight stitch though I guess all the old ones make a nice straight stitch...

anyways any thoughts on this machine? cams? I have no idea what patterns the cams even make - I have an expensive babylock and hardly use the decorative stitches and the 403 and 500 models have some cams with them I could use in those

Rodney

Unless a couple of those cams are rare $90 seems high to me but then I've only bought cams for my Touch & Sews. Most of those ones are cheap and plentiful.
Rodney

manicmike

Those cams are far too expensive. These are the most common Singer cams in the world. I have three sets, just because they're that common. I'd be looking at around $10 for a set.
Also, 328s aren't collectable. They're quite noisy to most people, and there are plenty of other machines capable of embroidery that are much quieter (319 comes to mind).

The patterns they make are easy to find. You can download a pdf of the 319 manual and look at page 8, but they're also printed in the discs themselves.

I've only ever used #4 (blind stitch). The rest are for power users or to demonstrate its features for a buyer.

quilt938

thanks! isn't the 319 the one that takes the hard to find needle? I put that 90 buck cams on my watch list just for the heck of it but not wanting to sink 100 bucks into a machine. I didn't realize they were some common so that answers that question!

Rodney

Do the 328s take the same cams as the Touch & Sews or do they use the flat cams? I don't own one but I was thinking they use the flat ones.
Rodney

J Miller

The 328 takes the flat cams. Very common I guess, but I don't see them anywhere near as often as I do the top hat cams. The 328 is a bit noisy, but it's also all metal. No plastic inside. I've got at least one of every flat cam and they are nice to make designs for. The original accessories kit came with 8 cams I believe. Shopgoodwill.com has the cams off and on.

I agree that $90.00 is too much for a complete set. But outrageous prices are common there. $10.00 is also a bit ridiculous on the low end for a complete set. They are not that common.

Oil that 328 up and give it a chance, you might like it.

Joe

quilt938

The $90 was for 30 cams I think not just the 8 but some are missing out of the 36 or so. Listed other singers besides the 328k. I did sew on one of the 328s and liked it. Not as much as the 15-89 but I did some string quilt blocks with it and it was ok. Think I'm biased towards the other machine just a teeny bit right now lol!

manicmike

Not hard to find at all. My local shop stocks them and not just for me.

If your doesn't and you have a machine you can order them over the Internet.

Jeanette Frantz

I have a 328K -- have had it since it was new in 1963! I have used the machine A LOT! I've made drapes and curtains for 3 or 4 houses, maternity clothes for myself, baby clothes for my son and as gifts for other family members having babies. I have had VERY LITTLE TROUBLE with the machine. I thought I had a problem just a couple of weeks ago, but some q-tips and sewing machine oil in an area which is pretty well sealed, but somehow collects the lint, dirt, old oil, etc., leaves the machine operating beautifully again! As I said, I have USED THIS MACHINE A LOT! I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money--my husband (now deceased) purchased it for Christmas the first year we were married! I'm sure there are better machines than mine, but I'm attached to this machine!

By the way, I think that $90 for 30 cams is pretty doggone high! Think I'd keep looking!

Jeanette

quilt938

thanks Jeannette- it's a nice size machine and I'll probably play around with it some more. I mostly straight stitch since I quilt - maybe I'll work on a rag quilt with it! still haven't come across any cams or attachments but guess low shank for attachments for it. such a nice story of how you got your machine!

thanks Mike- I won't be so worried about the odd sized needle if they're not that hard to find online. I never knew there were different sized needles til here! then at an antique/fw specialty antique shop they mentioned some of their handcranks having needles almost impossible to find.