charsuewilson

I agree. It's when the gears went from metal to plastic, that the machines became less reliable. Mine I believe are bakelite. I just had gears replaced. I was told that parts for my Singer 758 were going to no longer be available. It's 40 years old.

catmcclure

The problem was that the men designing the sewing machine parts didn't realize exactly how much we women used the machines. They would never have put plastic parts in any of their toys.

qbtexas

I use my mom's old Kenmore (well, it's mine now). I'm going to guess it's 40 years old. It has the "cams" that you can put in to do a few decorative stitches, but I don't use those. I straight stitch and zigzag. It works great, esp with the occasional cleaning. I am happy with it. Now, it is heavy and not very portable, but that's ok.

quiltingcandy

I sewed like crazy using my mom's 1950 Singer, a 15-91. Then I got married in 1973 and moved to So. Cal. and had a 1973 Singer (don't know the style). It was worthless! The nylon gears were a royal pain and it spent more time in the shop than sewing. So between the costs of fabric and notions going up, I gave up sewing and turned to needlepoint, crochet and hand quilting. In 1990, my grandmother gave me a treadle that belonged to my Great Aunt Mae and I started sewing again. Shortly after that, my mother gave me her 15-91 and I have been sewing ever since.

klgls

My Sears Kenmore that I got in 1973 still runs perfectly - my younger sister, who doesn't sew very much, has it now. I have my New Home I purchased in 1990 - and my new Janome 6600. I still use my little New Home - it has a perfect stitch - actually better than the Janome - but I sure like the bells and whistles on the new Janome.

reginalovesfabric

I sew on a 1951 featherweight and wouldn't take it for anything

janjj

I have a 403 Slant-O-Matic Singer bought in 1960 love it. then bought a 401 Singer on an estate auction a couple of years ago for $10 cost $89 to service it. I just love them. about 3 years ago I bought a 3160 QDC Janome. I force myself to use it so I get used to it. but I prefer my singers! would love to find a fw sometime.

bearisgray

I think it's when the parts were changed from metal to something else that the machines started having issues.

Stitchit123

I have 1 newer Singer -I got her brand new -still in the box in 2006 as a back-up for when I traveled. Well I finally opened the box and used her for the first time 2 yrs ago.She does not weigh much at all. But I can sew through 6 layers of real denim. As a rule if I can pick it up with one hand I don't bother. The newer ones have to many plastic parts and when something goes wrong its cheaper to go buy a new one as to fixing it. I refer to them as Bic Lighters

nonymac

I bought a sewing machine around 1983 from Montgomery Wards. It has singer parts. I still use it. It's my "main" sewing machine. It's only been in the shop 1 time for repairs. About a year ago I found a White Rotary (1940s or 50s) in a parlor cabinet for $10.00 at an estate sale. About a month ago I bought a Kenmore (I think) at Goodwill. (didn't look to see what year it was) Then my sister bought a new machine and gave me her "old one". You think with 4 sewing machines I'd get lots of quilting done. Oh - looking forward to retirement.