I am thrilled you found your Granny's machine. Just in case anyone else is looking for a new machine you might consider this option. I just bought a BabyLoc from Jackman's here in St.ouis. You may not have a Jackman's Fabric store where you are, BUT you may have a deal like this where you are. Jackmans gives lessons in sewing and quilting and after a year, they sell their classroom machines for 50% off. I just happened to be taking lessons when this happened. The company came out with another updated version of the same machine after these had only been used for four months. They had to start using the new ones right away, so the old ones were sold then. It's a great machine. They cleaned it all up, serviced it, packed it in the original box. It is just like BRAND NEW. You get the same warranty on it like a new machine PLUS free lessons on using it.
The lessons are given in sets of four mornings a month. You can take the lessons as many times as you want. I am starting my second set next month. I am still not 100% comfortable with my machine, but I can review what I learned last month and learn even more the second time around.
The teacher is great and very helpful. There are only two other ladies in the class so I feel like I am getting private lessons.
You might check into this concept if you have a store that gives lessons using their machines. Good Luck!

Do you ever find the time to sleep? LOL!! Don't blame you one bit for firing that doctor. I'd probably have told him where he could put his opinion on my way out the door.

I have that machine also and would NEVER get rid of it. I have had that machine close to 30 years and have NEVER had a problem with it. I have 2 other newer machines and always use my old one most of the time.

i bought a new singer about a year and 1/2 ago it was the same model as one my mil got her was great mine sucked so its just sitting and i broke down and bought a brother sq 9000 this spring and all i can say is wow i cant stop sewing now lol. so im a brother convert nowalthough i do like my old kenmore alot as well i just felt like i wanted more stitches and needed a spare machine as well but i love it so much the kenmore is the spare now ))).
carla

Congrats! You won't be sorry you saved the 15!

Looks just like my grandmother's sitting in my dining room. Now before you use it, oil it and lube it. If it has been sitting for a while, she may be a little dry. I oil and lube "Florence" just so she keeps on purring. You can't do better than a Singer Vintage. I have 3 including my newest Featherweight.

Your Grandma's machine is wonderful, its a 15-91. I have a 15-90 that got a motorectomy so that I can treadle it.
You'll find that it sews a beautiful stitch and you can even quilt with it.

I have been doing FMQ for about a year and have tried it on my Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0, my Brother CS6000i and my Elna 6005 Heirloom Edition. I love my Elna, it is a dream machine to me even though it is over 10 years old. I love it so much that I bought a second one as a back up on E-Bay. The Elna is now made by Janome and the feet are interchangeable. I highly recommend this work horse.

:thumbup: I have this same machine and it sews perfect. My avatar is a 1932singer 101 & it sews perfect also has a large throat plate for free motion it is slower than the 1947 -15

Kim - I have no doubt you will enjoy "grandma's" machine and in your mind it will always be hers. What a treasure and what an awesome way to love your grandma by using. I have no doubt that Grandma would love that. What a wonderful thing to remember you had!

Stick with your grandma's singer....you won't be dissapointed! Save up and buy another machine when you're ready. I'd recommend the Bernina, it's a workhorse and a great machine, I have the Activa 220.
Blessings,
MaryAnna

I like the Janome 6600. :)

I just bought a new Janome horizon, I kept my Janome 6500, I do all of my own quilting, The 6500 had a 9" throat and the horizon has 11", they both have auto thread cutters which is great when Free Motion Quilting. (one of the reasons that I bought these). I kept the 6500 because the horizon is hard to travel with, but I like both, But the longer throat is great for larger quilts.The only thing that I am not crazy about on the Horizon is because of the extra lights(which I love)it makes changing feet a little more difficult., Good luck, be sure to test drive.

I'm with HobbyKat1955 (it must be the year) as to the Viking. I have the Platinum and love it. I also have a FW as a back up and a 66 that I'm getting ready to place into my g'grandmother's old case (as long as it fits). I don't MQ so I'm no help there but I know the Viking will do that with no problem.

I played with Grandma's Singer the other day and was sewing together jelly roll strips for my son's quilt. Is it just me or do others find it a little hard to keep the 1/4" seam straight? The machine is so "free" that I found out quickly I couldn't hold the 2 pieces together inches away from the needle and just let the machine pull the fabric in. I had a 1/4" seam, a 3/4" seam and no seam at all. LOL!! I had to keep my hands right by the needle to make sure I kept everything on track. Probably just take some getting use to. I did find a Janome 3000 and it should be here today. I'm so excited!!! My hubby said now that I have 2 machines maybe I can make a dent in the boxes and boxes of fabric I have. Told him I rather doubted it because for every piece I used there would be 2 more to take it's place. That's how it's done right?! ;-)

From Sew-Classic, you can buy a low shank foot from Jenny that will keep your fabric exactly 1/4" just made for quilting. I have found she has the best prices for both my Featherweight and Singer 66-6. My grandmother's 1930 Singer and my Featherweight sew every one of my seams 1/4" and the foot can be used on both machines. Plus, you need to adjust your speed. I did go waaaay to fast with the knee lever on the 66-6 until I got the hang of it.

Even when I slow the machine down the material still seems to want to wander around under the needle. I'm going to check out Sew-Classic. Thanks. :-)

I see your "junk" has an X-Box and motorcycle helmet....priorities????

Oooooohoooooo! Is that a Singer 15-91? That is the number one vintage quilting machine and it pieces great too. No need to go shopping unless you want too. This baby can do it all and with some minimun care will keep going for ever. Maybe set the Singer 15-91 up for free motion quilting and then use the new Janome for piecing. Have fun! And yes, I also bought the free motion foot for the singer 15-91. I have a hard time without it making the quarter inch seam.

The X-Box is a major priority for my son and my hubby and I have a Harley. We get out and ride as much as we can.

Yes it is. It belonged to my Grandma but now lives with me. I'm working with her to get use to how she runs. Can you adjust the stitch length on that machine?

Kim S; I have a 15 -91 and the knob that is above the needle, the one with threads ,to screw it down or up ,this adjusts the foot so it will sit lighter or firmer on the fabric , it sounds like it it needs to be firmer on the fabric , its worth a try anyway . your fabric should not be able to move with a light touch when the foot lever is down good luck and happy sewing , Dottie Bug

Thanks! I'll take a look at it. :-)

I've had some suggestions made from those here to get Margaret to operate a little better. It seems like there are loads of people who love the 15-91.