Thread: Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Originally Posted by kwendt

Originally Posted by Pins n' Ndls

I also have a white FW , she is a 1964 too.

So nice...I bet you love that white FW. You know, FW's in general just never really turned me on. Not sure why. I must be a deviant or something! :-D What DOES have me lusting/catching my eye... are the 201ks! They are in a similar white/cream color. So neat!!!!

I didn't know this! I've only ever seen black 201s... Would love to see a picture of a white one, if you have it.

Originally Posted by Crossstitcher

Looks like your machine will clean up pretty good. Also looks as if someone used one of those pin cushion thingy's around the top. I would never have thought that so many people would have done that. I have one thats the same way. The cabinet is really beautiful and the drawer pulls are nice too! DH said you could ship it this way if you want. :D :-D :mrgreen:

If I remember correctly, mother and grndmother both used a piece of cloth aroung the machine for pins. I think it was because the pincushion wsn't always handy. I will inherit my grndmother's machine from my oldest sister someday. :)

Originally Posted by AshleyO

I just wanted to cross post this here, as it may relate to some of you :)
I am looking for an older Singer or similar all-metal machine. I am still fairly new to sewing and my very basic machine died on me. Hubby and I are tight on money so hoping to find a good used machine that will last and last. I heard the Singer models 301, 328, 401, 403, 500a, Slant-O-Matic, Rocketeer, etc are very good workhorse types. I am willing to pay for shipping and then some for the machine as well, but our budget is pretty limited. Please PM me :) Thank you for your time.
Ashley

Ashley,
I have two "older" machines and a newer, 3 year old Janome. If I had it to do over again I would have just gotten the older machines. I have a featherweight, small 12 lb. singer that I use for piecing and classes. I also have a Singer 66 in a cabinet that I use for piecing and sewing heavier fabrics (although the featherweight can easily handle heavier fabrics as well). I do wish that one of my older machines had zigzag stitch but I can use my Janome for that if I need it.

I would recommend that you read on this board on different makes/models. Some like treadles and handcranks, "people powered".

I wouldn't buy an inexpensive new machine. I have friends who are machine technicians who have seen several people buy "entry level" machines. They frequently are upset when they start piecing and using the machine on a regular basis and have problems when the machine can't keep up and breaks down.

This thread has lots of information on cleaning up and repairing machines and cabinets. If you and your husband are at all handy you can probably find a good machine, clean it up, oil it and be ready to sew.

Hope this helps and I hope you find the perfect machine for you.

Marie M.

Donna Mare, you have my machine! Just kidding. Your machine is exactly like the one I got a couple of months ago. Even the cabinet is the same. I had to replace the front center drawer on my Eastlake cabinet because the one that came with it was for the coffin top model, not the dropdown model. Your cabinet looks in great shape. Have fun with it!
Teresa

Originally Posted by Pins n' Ndls

I have a white FW just like that, but mine is a 1964.

Nancy

I also have a white FW , she is a 1964 too.

Geeze, all three white FW's were made in 1964!

Nancy

Originally Posted by Lostn51

http://www.kelsew.info/Domestic/dome...lsnolinks.html

The 3rd machine down is just like the one I have.

Billy

Wow, Billy I love that fiddle base! I want to find one of those someday!

Nancy

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl

Originally Posted by kwendt

Originally Posted by Pins n' Ndls

I also have a white FW , she is a 1964 too.

So nice...I bet you love that white FW. You know, FW's in general just never really turned me on. Not sure why. I must be a deviant or something! :-D What DOES have me lusting/catching my eye... are the 201ks! They are in a similar white/cream color. So neat!!!!

I didn't know this! I've only ever seen black 201s... Would love to see a picture of a white one, if you have it.

The one that she is referring to is the later models that were a creamy tan color and were the same body style as the 185J/K.

Billy

201K

Originally Posted by kwendt

So nice...I bet you love that white FW. You know, FW's in general just never really turned me on. Not sure why. I must be a deviant or something! :-D What DOES have me lusting/catching my eye... are the 201ks! They are in a similar white/cream color. So neat!!!!

I bet if you ever take some classes, you'd get hooked on the FW. What is so nice about the FWs is that you can go to class with a very small, tiny machine and still be using one of the vintage machines that we are all so fond of. I would love to own a 201 too, but they weigh a ton. I do a lot of classes for the comraderie, laughter, and mostly for a sewing day away from home and interruptions.

Nancy

Originally Posted by AshleyO

I just wanted to cross post this here, as it may relate to some of you :)
I am looking for an older Singer or similar all-metal machine. I am still fairly new to sewing and my very basic machine died on me. Hubby and I are tight on money so hoping to find a good used machine that will last and last. I heard the Singer models 301, 328, 401, 403, 500a, Slant-O-Matic, Rocketeer, etc are very good workhorse types. I am willing to pay for shipping and then some for the machine as well, but our budget is pretty limited. Please PM me :) Thank you for your time.
Ashley

Most any vintage Singer, the ones up to about the 600 series, pre 1970 are great machines. Stay away from the Touch and Sew that used plastic feed dogs and parts. The Rocketeer (500 series) are great machines. I love my 503a, but to make all the fancy stitches you have to use cams. My Rocketeer has a buttonhole attachment and a monogram attachment. I love the machine! Just be careful with any of the newer Singers.

You will be better off going to yard, barn, and thrift store sales to find a cheap machine. The shipping would cost more than most of those places charge. I got my 503a Rocketeer from a barn sale for $10! I got most of my vintage machines for under $50, even got a very nice treadle for $45. Just start hunting, as they say here, the machines will find you! Good luck!

Nancy

Originally Posted by quilterguy27

Hello everyone!!! I haven't been on in quite a while and I wanted to pop in and say hello to everyone. I will be moving soon so I'm not doing much (none) sewing right now. I've got to get this big house all packed up and ready to go. Oh what fun.

Hi Quilerguy27. I've always meant to tell you that your dog in your avatar cracks me up :mrgreen: Last year I fostered a huge black lab, named George, that crossed his legs like that. They look so comical when they do that.