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-   -   Need to know why everyone buys vintage Singers (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/need-know-why-everyone-buys-vintage-singers-t106123.html)

Marmie 03-09-2011 05:55 PM

I have an old Touch and Sew that my mother had when I was in grade school. I'm now almost 58.I learned to sew on it. It's a great machine, I have all the extras.( cams and all) It's fun to use and brings back such memories. Had to have a gear replaced a couple times.And the timeing of coarse. But I love it.

sewbizgirl 03-09-2011 06:05 PM


Originally Posted by hobbykat1955
I've been reading how some of you have found Singer featherweights and love them...My question is "do you really use them or are they just for display".
I've been researching them because you all made me curious and find that if I were to buy one it would be a 301A. But why would I buy one, would I really use it when I have the modern sewing machines...

Because absolutely NOTHING made today comes anywhere near the quality or strength of these grand old machines. They were made to last several lifetimes, which is why they are still going strong and are passed from generation to generation.

I love the precision they have, versus some of the newer machines I've owned that sound like a lawnmower and balk at sewing over 4 layers of thin cotton.

Try it, you'll like it!

Yorkielover5 03-09-2011 06:16 PM


Originally Posted by Marmie
I have an old Touch and Sew that my mother had when I was in grade school. I'm now almost 58.I learned to sew on it. It's a great machine, I have all the extras.( cams and all) It's fun to use and brings back such memories. Had to have a gear replaced a couple times.And the timeing of coarse. But I love it.

I'm 66 and bought my Singer Touch and Sew when we were first married 48 years ago! I stilll use it. When she sews over several thicknesses that a newer machine cannot, I chuckle! It's at my daughter's home where I like to use it still. I put the binding on a feed sack quilt with it. I told her husband, this machine is older than your wife, the feed sacks are older than I am, and we won't talk about my age, so that makes this quilt a true antique! It's probably the last Singer they made with metal gears. Yes, I have all the cams and several attachments. Enjoyed many good years with that machine! I'd like to know where to buy more bobbins?

Numa 03-09-2011 06:47 PM

I was working on a project for someone else today and was having to manipulate the quilt a lot. Got out my 503 and the opening (harp) is actually larger than on my Pfaff. Needless to say, I finished it on my 503. Love my 301 too and use it all the time too.

Yorkielover5 03-09-2011 07:00 PM


Originally Posted by Numa
I was working on a project for someone else today and was having to manipulate the quilt a lot. Got out my 503 and the opening (harp) is actually larger than on my Pfaff. Needless to say, I finished it on my 503. Love my 301 too and use it all the time too.

It's sort of like getting together with an old friend, isn't it?

Numa 03-09-2011 07:13 PM

Yes it is!

Marmie 03-09-2011 07:16 PM

You are absolutely right.

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl

Originally Posted by hobbykat1955
I've been reading how some of you have found Singer featherweights and love them...My question is "do you really use them or are they just for display".
I've been researching them because you all made me curious and find that if I were to buy one it would be a 301A. But why would I buy one, would I really use it when I have the modern sewing machines...

Because absolutely NOTHING made today comes anywhere near the quality or strength of these grand old machines. They were made to last several lifetimes, which is why they are still going strong and are passed from generation to generation.

I love the precision they have, versus some of the newer machines I've owned that sound like a lawnmower and balk at sewing over 4 layers of thin cotton.

Try it, you'll like it!


Cam Flower 03-09-2011 07:47 PM

I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A FEATHERWEIGHT FOR A COUPLE YEARS BUT HAD NOT FOUND ONE. tHEN AT CHRISTMAS I WAS AT A LOCAL QUILT SHOP THAT ALSO SOLD BERNINA'S. i LOOKED AT AND TRIED THE BERNETTE 46. wow WHAT A MACHINE! i DON'T MIND TELLING YOU ALL TO CHECK IT OUT - FOR THE PRICE IT REALLY SEWS GREAT, HAD ZIGZAG, HEM STITCH AND WITH ALL THE SPECIAL FEET AVAILABLE IT CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT! lIGHT WEIGHT AND GREAT FOR PIECING AND TAKING TO CLASS, ETC. i HALL IT EVERYWHERE! tRY IT OUT.

Yorkielover5 03-09-2011 07:50 PM


Originally Posted by Marmie
You are absolutely right.

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl

Originally Posted by hobbykat1955
I've been reading how some of you have found Singer featherweights and love them...My question is "do you really use them or are they just for display".
I've been researching them because you all made me curious and find that if I were to buy one it would be a 301A. But why would I buy one, would I really use it when I have the modern sewing machines...

Because absolutely NOTHING made today comes anywhere near the quality or strength of these grand old machines. They were made to last several lifetimes, which is why they are still going strong and are passed from generation to generation.

I love the precision they have, versus some of the newer machines I've owned that sound like a lawnmower and balk at sewing over 4 layers of thin cotton.

Try it, you'll like it!


Oh Yes! My mother patched Dad's canvas overalls. That's heavy canvas, 4 layers! New machines don't do that.

purplefiend 03-09-2011 08:13 PM

I love the old Singers, they sew with no complaining. Its unfortunate that the only thing left of the Singer company is the name, the ones made today are of poor quality and don't live up to the name.
The youngest Singer I own is from 1968, only some of the outer parts are plastic, everything else is all metal. My oldest Singer is from 1923. I use all of my machines.
I have 3 featherweights, 2 are black & 1 is tan. I have 3 Singer treadles: 1937 201,1949 15-90 and 237, soon a Singer 66-18 with bad wiring will become a treadle machine.
I have modern machines will all the bells and whistles, when I want decorative stitches.


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