I have a newer Janome that embroiders as well as sews, and one that sews some fancy stitches that my other machines don't. I also have a serger that I use quite often. But - the Janomes are heavy and I was worried about messing up their computers when I took them out for quilting trips, so I got a Featherweight. Then I saw a 99K13 in a bentwood case with a knee bar that I got for $40 - I just it because it was pretty - the woman had used it as a display piece. Well, I was thinking of doing the same until I sewed with it! Then I started just running into Singers - a 401 that did fancy stitches for $25, a 201 with a beautiful oak table for $40 (that happens to do wonderful free motion quilting when you learn how to drop the feed dogs!), and my SIL gave me a White FR treadle. The 99 and the treadle live in the dining room (and look great), the rest are all set up in my sewing room and I've been using them all!

I love sewing on my 1919 Singer treadle. My electric machine is very lonely! My 10 yr old DGD likes sewing on it also. She has completed a D9-patch,{lap size} on the treadle. My 3 yr old DGD likes to work the treadle from the back as I am sewing....she is helping!

I have 3 older Singers (1930 -1960) a 1963 Viking and a 1970's Necchi and I use them all the time. I have a 4 year old Janome (rarely use). One of my Singer's is a Featherweight and I love it for classes and sewing on the back deck. I hope to get a hand crank and treadle at some point. For now I just enjoy my "older gals".

OOH I have to go home tonight & find my model treadle # it has no accessories with it, maybe you will be able to find some for it.

Will contact you tomorrow!
Debs

[quote=Jennoh2]I notice many of you are purchasing various "vintage" Singer Sewing Machines. Some are electric and some are treadle. Do you use them? Are they better/worse than newer models. What can they do but straight stitch, button hole, etc? LOL-I just gave away my grandmother's treadle machine because I thought it had no value.

I use all of mine. I have a Singer 99, 15-91, 185, 192K, two 401s, 500, 503, 600 and a featherweight (which is new and needs a lot of work done on it). I also have some slightly newer ones (237, 646, 920, 2010) and I use those those too.

I love them because they are so solid and I can fix them myself (the older ones). The stitches are wonderful and I like the sound they make. If you use a buttonholer attachment you can get perfect buttonholes.

I would still love to get a 201, 301, maybe a 101, and a redeye 66 with great decals. Maybe someday!

Pat

Just my opinion: The old ones were/are great; the new ones are @&!%.

I have FW but I dont use it. It's beautiful though. I use my Janome 6600.

I, too, was suspicious of the vintage machines until I joined this board and saw how much everyone loves them. I got my fw and 301 with the cardtables that go with them and I now use them more than I do my Janome 6600. I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure that Rosie, my 301 would sew through metal if I tried! ;-)

Please some explain to me why the excitement over antique sewing machines. I don't understand.

I have a old Singer industrial sewing machine that I got at the Good will that is electric but was not in a cabnet. My husband made me a box and mounted it for me and I keep all the attachments in the box under the sewing machine. I am saving up for a new machine and hope to have it by Thanksgiving.