aesmith70

Hello, I’m Amy and I’m new here. I’m a new sewer and haven’t sewed but maybe two things in my life and that was in about 1985 😀. Just inherited my late grandma’s mid-50s Domestic Imperial model 941 zig zag machine made in West Germany, cleaned it up, oiled it, and tried it out! I found out all the presser feet except for one was mistakenly thrown out when she passed away years ago . I’m looking for sources for parts, patterns, inspiration, etc! Thanks for having me.

OurWorkbench

Welcome, Amy. We have a section for vintage machines at https://www.quiltingboard.com/vbulle...thusiasts-f22/

I'm not familiar with your particular machine. It will probably take either a low or high shank presser feet. You can determine which by lowering the presser bar and measuring from the bed to the thumb screw as seen below.

We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.

I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg

Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of quilt block ID?

Another way to post pictures can be found at 2021/2022, 2.5” Birthday Swap
And how to use an ipad to post pictures can be found at Uploading photos

Or simply - Make sure pictures are smaller than 2MB
Click on red "Reply" button
Click on the paper clip icon
Click browse - choose picture/s. (only 5 allowed per post)
Once they show up as being loaded, Scroll over to the right side and click on "Upload"
After the pictures show up as being attached, you can close that window and go back to the screen to finish posting your post.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

sewbizgirl

Welcome Amy! Hope you can get your grandma's machine up and running again. You'll have lots of fun here.

lalaland

Welcome! Here's a website that talks about manuals for the Imperial machines. These old machines have metal parts and last forever, and often parts are still available because they are universal. https://dontai.com/wp/2018/03/25/imp...omment-page-1/. This You Tube video is a demo on an Imperial machine. It can get you started sewing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDpw2xWe_x4. If you need a part, you can ask your local dealer about parts available. Have fun!

WMUTeach

Welcome to the Quilting Board. As you can already see this is a good place to find clues and answers to your questions. So many knowledgeable folks here with amazing skills. Let us know about your progress with your machine and your sewing and quilting journey.

OurWorkbench

After sleeping on this, I realized that I believe you have a machine similar to the one at Domestic imperial automatic/white automatic 651 Pay particular attention to post #12. There are many similar machines, such as the Gritzner GZ, Gritzner HZ and Gritzner VZ as seen at https://www.naehmaschinenverzeichnis...inen/gritzner/ There are also the Kenmore 117.740, 117.840, 117.841, Pfaff 139, Pfaff 239 and White "Zig Zag" also known as White 651. I have notes about my Pfaff 139 that it also includes Domestic Imperial Automatic 941.

Some search terms about similar machines, if you use the quotes.
"Connection between Pfaff and Gritzner-Kayser"
" Gritzner-Kayser Domestic Imperial Automatic"
There is a youtube on how to thread a Kenmore/Gritzner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3kbAznPFQg
Some of them have cams to make fancy zig-zag stitches and some do not (like my Pfaff 139).

These machines take high shank presser feet.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)