Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Singer Sewing Machines..... >
  • Singer Sewing Machines.....

  • Singer Sewing Machines.....

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:41 PM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Jennoh2's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: NE Iowa
    Posts: 89
    Default

    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.

    Just got back from a vacation in Boston, and in the Back Bay Area saw a storefront that must have had 2-300 old sewing machines on a window display. Must say I was impressed with the looks of them.
    Jennoh2 is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:43 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: Mableton, GA
    Posts: 11,313
    Default

    I have three and I love them for their purposes. Yes, only straight stitch but i can do piecing and stitch in the ditch or grids. If you use the search function or check out the Vintage machine topic you will find lots of good info in addition to other comments you will get here.
    Stitchnripper is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:47 PM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Annaquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: SoCal
    Posts: 12,022
    Default

    I have about 17 sewing machines, most are vintage. The ones that are mechanical and all metal parts are often wonderful. Many have only straight stich but are great for piecing or sometiems quilting. The value often varies from $35 to in the hundreds for Feather Weights. Pitty you gave away the treadle. And Yes, I definitely use them and often prefer to use them over my newer wonderful Janome 6500. Only some can do more fancy stitches. some will have stitches build in or you have to use cams. As for button holes, I think many need several steps if they even do button holes. Some only do straight stich and there is no reverse, and some only do straight stitch, zig zag and reverse.

    Singer 401
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]252039[/ATTACH]

    Singer 201
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]252040[/ATTACH]

    Feather Weight
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]252041[/ATTACH]

    Treadle
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]252042[/ATTACH]

    Singer 301
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]252043[/ATTACH]
    Attached Thumbnails attachment-252033.jpe   attachment-252034.jpe   attachment-252035.jpe   attachment-252036.jpe   attachment-252037.jpe  

    Annaquilts is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:57 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Feb 2011
    Location: North Dakota
    Posts: 2,633
    Default

    love your antique machines and the cabinets are beautiful.
    amyjo is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:58 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: Northern Michigan
    Posts: 12,861
    Default

    my 1956 vintage singer is my (travel machine) the one i take with me for classes ect- it has a very good even straight stitch- they are very reliable machines that sew very nicely-and are very easy to maintain (unlike the new computerized machines that need to go to a shop for maintenance/repairs)
    i wish i had been around when you were getting rid of your treadle! that is my dream machine---one i can still use when the lights go out!
    i do own a $5000+ viking- which is nice-
    but i love my little singer- yes it works- yes i use it-almost daily
    yes they have VALUE! no plastic parts to break- easy to clean, easy to oil- easy to thread- easy to sew with...great basic machines!
    ckcowl is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 12:58 PM
      #6  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Jennoh2's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: NE Iowa
    Posts: 89
    Default

    Waaaaa - am I sorry I gave the treadle away - looked just like the picture, case and all.

    If someone is looking for singer accessories - send me a pm - I was in the local thrift store a couple days ago, and they had loads of accessory kits. Guess I'd just need to know the model number.
    Jennoh2 is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 01:03 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    vintagemotif's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Posts: 4,972
    Default

    Yup! I sew with all of my vintage machines. I mostly use treadle machines now. I'm in the process of making a baby quilt. If you look at my blog, you can see my machines and projects. After this baby quilt, my next major endeavor will be making lots of donation quilts.
    vintagemotif is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 01:06 PM
      #8  
    Junior Member
     
    totosmom's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: Bedford Co, PA
    Posts: 256
    Default

    Oh, yes, I'm a real devotee of those older machines. They are utterly reliable and last forever due to their metal construction. When plastic gears were introduced in the 80s, everything went downhill.

    The Viking 6440 was my first vintage machine which I use for piecing blocks. It also has cams which create some lovely decorative stitches that I use on the bindings of my quilts. I will admit that I fell in love with its red color only to discover that these things can last a lifetime -- and then be repaired to last another one!

    Then I started making Quilts of Valor with a group of friends. The Viking was too heavy to take each week, so I thought I'd get a Featherweight. I found them too expensive, so I invested in a 301 which is only a tad heavier but still quite manageable. She is always ready to sew a straight as an arrow 1/4" seam which is all I need when we meet. She's full sized too, so I'm looking forward to doing some FMQ on her sooner or later. She's not collector quality, but I love her nicks and scratches because I know she's been lovingly used.

    For all the fancy pants stuff I have a newer Bernina which is reliable too but not at all portable.

    Dorothy in PA
    Attached Thumbnails attachment-252044.jpe   attachment-252045.jpe  
    totosmom is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 01:29 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: My Sewing Room
    Posts: 1,180
    Default

    I love using my vintage sewing machines. In fact, I only use my sewing/embroidery machine is when I need embroidery.
    jlm5419 is offline  
    Old 09-05-2011, 01:35 PM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    fabric_fancy's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: at my sewing machine
    Posts: 1,916
    Default

    i collect them because i love the art work. i have about 12 machines now including 2 featherweights. i just got another one this weekend.

    i do go to the trouble of cleaning them up and restoring them but i never use them (they all work)

    i have 3 modern sewing machines with all the bells and prefer to do my sewing, piecing, and quilting on them - for me technology is king.
    fabric_fancy is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    miriam
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    154
    03-12-2014 07:43 AM
    EvelynAnita
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    4
    06-07-2012 03:29 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    46
    10-15-2010 06:00 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter