Is anyone familiar with "White" sewing machines? I ran across one this evening at goodwill but am not familiar with that brand name. Do you know who the manufacturer might be? It was rather generic looking - kind of cheap, in fact, I don't know if even had zigzag. It was priced at $29 and since I don't have a backup I'm looking for something to have on hand in case of a catastrophe.

Many years ago my grandmother had a White. They aren't a new company and used to have a very good name. The wrought iron treadle I have under my FW table (for looks) has 'White' on it so they were around for many years. Sorry I can't help you with quality or price.

I started out on an old White machine that my MIL gave to me. It only did a straight stitch, as the other functions didn't work, but the FMQ on it was beautiful!! That is the one I regret the most as far as getting rid of it. Would make a decent backup, IMHO.

White Sewing Machine Co has been around since 1865 - Cleveland, OH.

I was just reading a book called White Rotary Sewing Machines...it had some history and the art of sewing in the book.

I think they are good machines

That's what I grew up with. Good (heavy) machine and old, old company.

My first sewing machine was a white. Liked it for just basic quilting but then it started acting up - so i got Sally ( a singer with a few extra stitches!) I still have the white and I did take it apart and give her a good cleaning but sadly she just sits in her case. I know she is a good back up if I need her!

I had one that I purchased in the early 80's. Did the basic straight/zigzag stitches, could make it do buttonholes, etc. Was a good heavy-duty machine and really would sew through just about anything. Kept it as a backup after I got my Viking several years ago. Then I got a FW and having very little space to work with decided the FW was enough of a backup for me so I sold the White to a friend's neighbor for $45. You would probably want to send it in for a tuneup. Around here that's $75-100. So if you're good with that kind of investment, I'd say go for it.

We have several White machines that are used for charity sewing workshops at Church. One day one of them stopped working - I said I would take it home and see if I could figure it out -- it was FILTHY! I cleaned it well, gave it a drop of oil and she purrred like a kitten!

Definately worth having as a backup!

My mother had a White, probably from the 40's or 50's. Not sure if she got it new or not. I still have it in the stand in the attic right now. It's kind of a brownish color, very heavy duty. My brother sewed wool WWII Army uniforms on it. My dad sewed naugahyde on it. It was well used and loved. The belt broke but I wanted to finish my blazar so I just hand turned the wheel to finish most of the blazar. Then daddy decided he would fix it.

My MIL also gave me her White in the early 1960's when she bought a new Singer with all the bells and whistles, she even bought the desk cabinet. It came in a small wood cabinet whose top opened to make a sewing surface. I used it for many years, don't know if it did anything more than straight stitch because that's all I knew how to use back then. Instead of a foot pedal it had a knee lever to start and stop the machine.

I started out on a White quilt star, that i picked up from goodwill for 35 bucks. She was a little picky about how i threaded her. And was very noisy. But She was a good machine.

I sewed for years on a White sewing machine. Got it when I was a teen. My dad found it in the basement of a house that was going to be torn down. It wouldn't sew when he brought it home so took it in to be overhauled. It just needed a good cleaning and oiled. Only cost $5.00 then. What a find that was.

Sewing machine back then were made to be work horses. My MIL had one and love it. :-P

I'm currently sewing on a White machine that I inherited when my DMIL passed. It was bought brand new in 1964 and still runs like a dream. I have it serviced every year and keep her good and cleaned and oiled. She only does a straight stitch, but that's all I need from her(since I have a back-up that does all the fancy stitches, but rarely ever need them). I hope to have her a LONG time.

I sewed on my old white for years. It did the basic stitches and buttonholes. I traded up to a more deluxe machine about 25 years ago but never had any trouble with mine.

I think I need to get back to the store this morning and take a closer look. Haven't been able to get it off of my mind. Thanks to the QB it never crossed my mind to have a back up - you know, perfect world and all. I wasn't thinking but I see it posted here often. Yikes! Thanks for your helpful information and wish me luck!

I learned to sew on my grandmother's treadle White machine. Sure wish I still had it.

My first sewing machine is a White. In fact, it's White 2221. I worked for almost a year to save the $600+ (back then that was a lot of money)

Now this machine has been thru the mill and back, dropped, moved, in a car wreck, stored, caught out in rain and the list goes on.

I've taught many people how to sew on my White. It weighs about like a Mac truck and sews like a dream to this day.

Back in "those days" White was the "affordable" Husqvarna Viking machine.

My treadle is a White as is my serger. To be honest I haven't used the treadle but love my serger.

I just gave my White away on CL today. It was the 1755-plastic case, but metal innards, from the early 90's. That little machine chugged through a LOT of curtains, cushions, costumes, clothes, you name it.

I kept it as my backup when I got the Pfaff 130, but then I found the Nelco, and decided to keep that as my backup, and pass this one on to a new sewer in need of decent machine.

Also, you might consider putting a screwdriver and flashlight in your purse and going back to ask them if you can take the top off and check it out. If it's got the metal innards, I say go for it!

I have a White treadle with all the attachments. Need a new belt... I also have a circa 1948 White in a walnut desk cabinet that I learned to sew on. Seems to me that White also made the Kenmore (sears) brand.

My mom bought a White machine back in the early '50's. She sewed a lot for herself and me and it never went in for repairs. It was a "cabinet" model where the machine itself went down into the cabinet and it made a decent-looking piece of furniture in our living room back then. Mom died in 1993, and I sold that machine for 15.00. The lady that bought it didn't even sew, just wanted it for the table that contained it.

I've been kicking myself ever since. I have 2 computerized machines, which seem to give me some problems occasionally. That old White iron horse was great. The only thing I did keep is the little screwdriver that came with it, and I use it every time I sew. It's the best.

I've got one of the White quilter models - don't know the number or anything and it is upstairs and I am down. I got it to use in the motor home while traveling. It runs quite well. It is the one I let my granddaughter sew on as it has a speed adjustment and we can slow it down for her. Don't know who makes them now but the White brand has been around a long time.

Were you able to get it? I sure hope so. ;)

I did! Want to fmq on it but still don't know if I can. It runs great, actually purrs. I really need to sit down n play with it to get acquainted. Have hope of using it on my next quilt. Its beautiful!

That sounds neat!! :)

I'd love to see pictures! I love love love sewing machines!! I have a 99K Singer-She is awesome-I call her Baby, a 128 Singer w/knee bar-it has the rough finish-BEAUTIFUL! I call her Pretty, 2 Brothers and a 1947 Kenmore in a bronze color in the original cabinet. I use the 99 the most. I was gifted a Design A Quilt quilting machine (12' Table) about 3 weeks ago. I've not gotten to play with it much because we are remodeling. I can't wait to get to do some quilts on it.

I think mine is relatively new. Was the model # 1955? Cant remember and too lazy to look. How bout I know it has 2 5's? It has freearm, which I could care about but that tells me its newer. Lucky you on the gifted quilter! I may go that direction but for now dsm is fine. I think I need someone to gift me . . .hint hint. Ive never fmq and am anxious to give it a try. Need to see if I even can on the white n then get the foot.

Unfortunately, the machines that I have won't drop the feed dogs.

My mom had a White machine that did embrodery stitches. Had a ton of cogs. (I think that is what she called them.) I sewed with it a few times then left home. I really do not know what she did with it. I know she used it for years.

This is what Im wondering about the white . . . It would still be great as a backup but I really want to try fmq. Actually, dont know if they'll drop on my Brother but they must as I saw the foot in my manual. Your singer sounds gorgeous. Do all of them work?

Yes, they all work. I just use the 99 the most. It has wonderful stitches!! I loaned my brother's girlfriend one of my Brother machines so she could learn. I have picture posted on here. The Singers are actually my Mom and Dad's machines but they have had them move in with me. ;) They knew I was so excited when I found out they had them. They were like-you can use then and if anything was to ever happen to us they become yours. I was so tickled!!!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-121268-1.htm I have the 1st one and the 3rd one here with me. The 2nd one my Mom just loves-it's in a cabinet.

My Kenmore is further down on this page.....(not the first machine you see but the 2nd one) http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-125822-1.htm This one will run but I've not had time to do anything with her. I actually would be willing to sell it if someone was interested. I just don't have room for this many machines. LOL

Wow! Do your parents want/need another daughter? The paint on your Baby is so rich, gorgeous! My poor old white is nothing like any of these. Its a hippie from the 70's but it sure runs good. I kind of like the little old mini machines I've seen in antique shops. I don't know it they ever really worked or just eye candy. I've seen that matte finish on your other machine. Somewhere in childhood. Very familiar to me, I know just how it feels - so incredible and lucky you!

My first sewing machine was a "White-Westinghouse" bought at a local dealer. (Baldswinville, NY) It was a "designer series". The model number is: 3300. It was an EXCELLENT machine. I received it when I was 24. I am now 40. It is still going strong. I actually "outgrew" it, I moved onto bigger machines. I would recommend the brand.

debra

Im going to gently get out of mine all that I can, then move up, but hope to keep these. Who knows, I may have a real gem. It sure has a strong, solid purr. Love that!

I have a 1986 White Serger that works better than my newer Babylock, never had a White Sewing Machine, but I sure love the Serger!

I had a White a long time ago. It worked great. I think they're a division of Viking.

I am so glad you got your White! I hope you love it as much as I love mine. My first new machine was a White I bought probably in 1980 when I finally had some money. It is a mechanical, all metal machine - that's what I wanted (no computers, no zillions of stitches, no plastic innards for me) I LOVED that machine. It sews through anything and everything and the stitches are beautiful! Both of my children learned to sew on that machine. I have never taken it in for professional servicing, I keep it clean and oiled. I still have it but it has mostly sat on a shelf for the last five years. I power her up every once in a while (just because!). I have too many machines at this point but I would have a very hard time parting with my White. This thread makes me smile - I really do love my White.

My treadle is a White Family Rotary - love it.
My serger is a White -VERY pleased with it, too.