Manalto

I tried for a while, and it's created a bit of a space issue.

I know of a sewing-and-vacuum shop that "upsells" their customers by convincing them that a repair of their old straight-stitcher isn't worth the (inflated) cost. They dazzle with computerized programs that the customer will probably never use and pressure them into buying new. (They've got a business to run, after all.) The old machine gets tossed into the dumpster out back. When I've been there, they have asked me if I want the machine they're about to throw out, and I always take it. (I've suggested they donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. "Who is going to put them in the car and drive them there?" they asked.) I've gotten some wonderful old Necchis, Berninas, Japanese machines from the "Golden Age" and so on, but I had to stop when I ran out of room. The worst problem I've encountered is a thread jam. I know this trashing of old machines is repeated in many places and has been going on for decades. Those millions of machines are having their numbers depleted as families clean out their grandparents' houses. It's sad to say, but when enough machines are discarded so that demand exceeds supply, vintage sewing machines will finally acquire some value.

miriam

people some times buy the old machines to use as back up for the new - they are cheaper than one service call for the new - you can sew a real project on it - they make a better looking stitch or at least the same straight stitch as a new one - can you compromise with your hubby? maybe let him paint it to look like his tractor but leave it in tact as a fun working machine to use for heavy projects

TGood

If you part it out please let me know.... I'm looking for a needle shaft cam for a Singer 27.

Thanks

OurWorkbench

I agree with a possible compromise. Most of the 'tractors' I have seen have been made have the bed removed. I saw one that I think was referred to from here maybe a year ago that looked like it could very easily put back to working order. I tried searching for it and all I could get to was the small size on pinterest. The small size image is here http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...dEd2nWizeEU2f8 and supposedly is at http://www.pinterest.com/jamesrivere...s-like-a-deere I also looked at Allis tractors and looks like a "g" or "u" would be better candidates for leaving the bed on the machine.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Mickey2

Is this tractor thing everybody is talking about for real or just a joke? There is no commercial interest in these old machines, the vast majority of them is far from a collectors gem, though they can easil become someones gem of a sturdy stitcher. It must be about reaching out to others who see the qualities and values in these machines. Those who made them the developers as well as the workers at the factory were very proud of what they made. Almost nothing made to day is comparable when it comes to being durable, capable and dependable. Can we persuade todays seamsters and seamstresses to take on a simple straight stitcher? I personally fell for the 201, and still like it. The zigzaggers like the Elna Supermatic, Necchi BU and Supernova, Singer 401, and Bernina in the 500 to 700 numbers, compare favorably to any brand new machine under $500, it should be very easy to like them. Maybe we have to cherish the fact that these are the best machines made by previous generations and a good reason to give them a chance? They are and very much look like something from another era, before plastic and computerised features, but they are very much up to the needs of 2015. In my mind the ideal set up is a Singer 201 with an additional serger for finishing edges on difficult fabrics.

Manalto

Alas, I think you're preaching to the choir. I agree with everything you said, except I wouldn't cut off the comparison to today's machines at $500. I don't begrudge those who want to put computerized embroidery on their work, but it's an exercise of choice, not skill, and can't compare to the subtlety of hand work. When the circuit board of a computerized machine fails or goes wonky, it's not a simple fix. By contrast, many old iron machines have functioned perfectly for 100 years. To my eye, a solidly built machine of any vintage is beautiful; it doesn't look dated, it looks classic. Oops, now I'm preaching to the choir!

I agree about the 201. I also have a soft spot for the 101 despite its wimpy motor, its lines are so elegant.

ThayerRags

Let him make a tractor out of it. The model 27 is probably one of the best models for that purpose. He can create a decoration that keeps the machine in use for something, and not buried in a landfill. I would guess that most people that have a Singer 27 just use it for decoration anyway. I’d say that very few people actually sew much on a Singer 27, except for maybe one or two projects, and then they just look at it for decoration too. That’s what I’m doing with mine.

I don’t see much difference in how it’s used to decorate, even turned into a tractor. It’s a sewing machine that is being used as a decoration. Besides that, it’s your machine, and as far as I’m concerned, you can do whatever you like with it.

CD in Oklahoma

miriam

M Must be a guy thing

Manalto

I can't help but think if the gender were changed there would be an offended outcry.

Rodney

We like tractors too. I just don't care to see old sewing machines turned into them. I've seen a couple in person and wasn't impressed.
I had to move my 27 out of our living room to make room for a Christmas tree last year and haven't put it back yet. I did enjoy sewing on it while it was set up though.
I just don't use decorative stitches for most of my projects. I don't sew with a lot of knits either. A straight stitcher fills 99% of my sewing needs and I think if most quilters are honest with themselves, they'll find it's rare that they need anything more. If you're sewing with knits then it makes sense to have a machine that will at least do a simple zigzag. I might be wrong but I don't see a lot of decorative stitches being used on a regular basis.
Rodney