annesthreads

I bought a Featherweight earlier this year, and since then have hardly used my Janome, except for quilting bigger pieces. The Featherweight is totally untemperamental - just sews a beautiful stitch, whereas the Janome usually involves a struggle and bad language. Now I'm waiting for a guy who reconditions machines to find me a 201 or 15-91 that I can use for quilting.

Willa

Even though my treadle only makes a straight stitches, which is what I use anyway, I feel I have more control and I don't have near as many problems as with a newer one.

Fixedgearhead

I used to use high end Bernina Electronic machines. But I came to appreciate the mechanical machines for there toughness and accuracy of sewing. I sold those fancy machines and never looked back. I think if you like to do the Machine Embroidery that the computer driven machines do, and do well, that is the way you will probably need to go. But I don't do that sort of thing, and I stay with the mechanical older machines.
John

SunlitenSmiles

can you find a walking foot for the 301 ????
slant needle SINGER is there a walking foot that works with this machine???

miriam

I grew up with a FW. When I married I got an Elna - when it wore out I searched for something I could afford. LOL. I wound up with a new Viking. It was ok sort of. But when my DD got married I let her take it. The search began again. I bought a used Viking - ok but I wasn't totally happy. Sold it to a friend. Bought a brand new Janome. HATED it but they wouldn't take it back. I pretty much quit sewing for a while. Finally sold it. Then I found a 401g in the trash. I don't know why but we connected. Since then I have found I love and happily sew on various vintage machines. The 401 is a winner but I like the 403 much better. The Singer 503 is a very nice machine too. Those old slant-o-matics are all metal and the needle slants forward so you don't strain your neck to see what you are sewing. I have an old Sears Commander that does very nice work and all the short shank attachments fit it. These machines were precision built and the sewing comes out with much more precision as well. The newer machines won't sew through anything very thick - if they break you are out a machine. If the vintage machines break I can fix them my self.

AliceQ

I'm enjoying this thread. I became a vintage machine collector a couple weeks ago! Got a beautiful Kenmore 158.13250 in the cabinet. She wouldn't sew forward at all and only a couple stitches in reverse. Cleaned out all the packed in fuzz and lint around the feed dogs, oiled her and talked nice to her and she now purrs! Beautiful stitches! I got it at Goodwill and it didn't have any accessories so I'm looking for low shank accessories now.
Then the next day I was given a Kenmore 71. This one needs a part that I've found online and need to order. Not real sure about this one. It'll take some time for us to warm up to each other!
And then that night I won a Singer 99-13 on ebay. Picked it up a couple days later and see it needs a couple small parts I've found online and need to order. She has been well used as all the decal has worn off in the center of the bed and across the front edge. But that's OK. It just shows she was a hard worker!
I'm really loving these vintage machines and can't imagine ever buying a newer machine again.

Surfergirl

I buy most of my parts/accessories for my collection of vintage Singer and Necchi sewing machines from Jenny at sew-classic.com. She has a walking foot that fits the 301.

miriam

Yes try sewclassic http://shop.sew-classic.com/Singer-3...-Parts_c37.htm and she is reasonable too. I think the foot has special instructions or something - be sure to tell her what you are looking for.

Dolphyngyrl

From what my aunt tells me they are the best machines for piecing. She say new one do not sew as good of a straight stitch.

OmaForFour

I have a 1914 Singer Red Eye. I use it for everything. It is wonderful. Also own a featherweight (approx. 1945) (approx 1950) and a WHITE which the feed dogs go up and down on.
I don't own any news machines. I have a Kenmore and a Brother up in the attic that are both broken. They are 1980 vintage.