Hello- New to Board
 

Hi, I am in the Pacific Northwest area. I've been quilting for 15 years or so and sewing for most of my life. I recently been bitten by the Vintage Machine bug and love learning about all the different makes and models. I would appreciate anyone's input on selecting a vintage 50's-60's metal Japanese make/model that would work for piecing and yet work for the occasional heavy duty sewing needs. I notice that some makes/models have the left needle position. How does that work for piecing? Thank you!

Welcome from Southern California!

Welcome! I'm new here too. I love vintage machines, but don't know anything about vintage Japanese machines. I'm sure someone here will be able to help you though.

Welcome Kirklandquilter and Mimi Sews! If you want a vintage machine that is able to sew heavy-duty, I suggest a gear driven Singer (not belt driven), such as the 201 or the 301. They have potted motors and worm driven gears which are much stronger than belt-driven machines. These are both straight stitch machines, and the 301 is a 'slant needle' machine, with the needle slanting towards you for better visibility. I also have a Singer 403 which has a potted motor (internal) and is gear driven and very strong. It's also a slant needle. The 400 series uses cams and can zig zag and do decorative stitching. These are great machines!

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Welcome from Southern California. You might want to watch the posts in the "For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts". Have fun.

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*** Hi! Y'all from the upstate of South Carolina.
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Welcome from NV (way down south by the AZ border) Used to live in Bellingham and miss the green but not the dampness. My arthritis definitely prefers the desert heat. Hope you find the perfect machine for you needs and hope you get a good deal on it.

Welcome from SC Texas. I lived over there during the middle sixty's but don't remember the name of the machines but they were blue, green and gold and were knockoffs of Singer models.

Hello and welcome from N Texas

Thanks for the welcomes! I think I would like a pretty machine, i.e., blue, pink, or turquoise, or another nice color. I have now a Pfaff 1475 CD as original owner and a Featherweight. Just would like something "pretty" to sew with. I will look around for the suggested Singers for heavy duty sewing and see if I can find one. Maybe just get it painted! Well, maybe when I win the lottery. Lol!

Any other suggestions welcome! Haven't seen too many pink machines around. Just a Brother which was in poor condition. Kinda like the Blue Morse Photomatic's models. But not too sure if they sew well and can be used for FMQ.

I was browsing the Vintage Japenese postings and seeing what others have. I sure wished I would of been paying more attention to sewing machines in the late 60's and 70's! I would of had a nice pretty one already! Oh well, hindsight......... 😀

:) welcome from se TX -- I have a 1978 Kenmore with a high shank and the left needle position and using the narrow straight stitch foot (which gives a 1/4 inch seam guide), I piece on this machine!!

I am also new to the board. I have sewn pretty much all my life ( since age 8) and have gotten into quilting since retirement. I joined a very relaxed sewing club where we get together and work on whatever we want, whenever we want. It has become my favorite social activity.

I saw some pretty color machine on QVC once. Maybe you could check out their website.

Welcome from Oklahoma. Glad to have you here.

Welcome from western. Ky.

Don't know anything about vintage machines. But welcome from Ohio.