Curb Find: A Teutonic Gem
09-07-2025, 12:54 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 674
Curb Find: A Teutonic Gem
While walking my dogs a few Sunday mornings ago, I encountered a stack of old, beat-up furniture at the curb in front of a house, presumably the residents cleaning out in preparation for putting the house up for sale. Among the unmemorable pieces was a sewing machine cabinet. My collecting/hoarding of vintage machines instinct immediately kicked in, quickly followed by the reminder that I’m already paying monthly storage fees for dozens of machines that never see the light of day, much less a yard of fabric.
”Oh,well,” thought, “I’ll satisfy my curiosity. If it’s not empty, it’s probably a cheap, plastic machine that won’t be the least bit tempting.”
Boy, was I wrong. Tucked into the weathered cabinet was a grimy, but otherwise pristine, Pfaff 362. I dragged it down to my friend’s house who, coincidentally, lives just a few doors down the street, and returned in my vehicle to pick it up.
It was just the machine; no power cord and because there was no storage space in the cabinet aside from a narrow trough on the door, no attachments, manual or supplies. I ordered a power cord online and once lubricated, the old machine sprung to life, sewing a respectable straight stitch, but would neither zig nor zag. It took a great deal of coaxing, kerosene (outdoors), oil and heat from a blow dryer to finally get the zigzag and LCR lever functioning properly. Huzzah!
This find is of particular significance to me because my prized 362 that I found years ago was similarly frozen (thank you, German engineering) and, rather than risk tampering with my prized Pfaff, I handed it over to the local sewing machine repair shop, who promptly snapped off the rat-tail reverse knob, and handed it back to me with a non-committal shrug. I was furious, and discouraged. The hunt for a replacement for the original produced a vague lookalike of a different size. (I’ve since learned the knob replacement for these machines is so involved that time-travel to mid-60s Germany is probably the easiest option.)
I’ve moved since acquiring the first 362 and it’s been years, but all the attachments, feet, manual and precious pattern wheel are all somewhere, waiting to be unearthed and, at long last, put to use.
I’m even refinishing the cabinet I found it in, adding a few pieces of Craftsman-style hardware to harmonize with its new place of residence.
(I have forgotten how to post photos here, but will do so as soon as I’m able.)
”Oh,well,” thought, “I’ll satisfy my curiosity. If it’s not empty, it’s probably a cheap, plastic machine that won’t be the least bit tempting.”
Boy, was I wrong. Tucked into the weathered cabinet was a grimy, but otherwise pristine, Pfaff 362. I dragged it down to my friend’s house who, coincidentally, lives just a few doors down the street, and returned in my vehicle to pick it up.
It was just the machine; no power cord and because there was no storage space in the cabinet aside from a narrow trough on the door, no attachments, manual or supplies. I ordered a power cord online and once lubricated, the old machine sprung to life, sewing a respectable straight stitch, but would neither zig nor zag. It took a great deal of coaxing, kerosene (outdoors), oil and heat from a blow dryer to finally get the zigzag and LCR lever functioning properly. Huzzah!
This find is of particular significance to me because my prized 362 that I found years ago was similarly frozen (thank you, German engineering) and, rather than risk tampering with my prized Pfaff, I handed it over to the local sewing machine repair shop, who promptly snapped off the rat-tail reverse knob, and handed it back to me with a non-committal shrug. I was furious, and discouraged. The hunt for a replacement for the original produced a vague lookalike of a different size. (I’ve since learned the knob replacement for these machines is so involved that time-travel to mid-60s Germany is probably the easiest option.)
I’ve moved since acquiring the first 362 and it’s been years, but all the attachments, feet, manual and precious pattern wheel are all somewhere, waiting to be unearthed and, at long last, put to use.
I’m even refinishing the cabinet I found it in, adding a few pieces of Craftsman-style hardware to harmonize with its new place of residence.
(I have forgotten how to post photos here, but will do so as soon as I’m able.)
Last edited by Manalto; 09-07-2025 at 01:01 PM.
09-09-2025, 07:03 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 7,142
I had a couple of post-war Pfaffs, they are built like a tank. I ultimately decided against keeping them as they were too high maintenance (needed a screw-driver to clean out the bobbin area). This was in my period where people kept giving me free sewing machines. I sold them on ebay, to professional seamstresses.
Love curb finds!!
Love curb finds!!
09-09-2025, 09:09 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,650
I'm wondering how long it has been since you have posted images on QB. It used to be that you could use the tree icon and if I remember correctly, you could add images in quick reply. Actually I think you can post an image if it is out on the internet by using the link ( the icon to the left of the emoticon is what would be used). Now the icon to use is a paper clip icon or can manage attachments. Either way one needs to "Go Advanced" or click on the red Reply button in order to get the paper clip icon or get to Manage Attachments. As follows is the long instructions I post to tell how to post images:
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf and on an ipad at Posting Pictures From an iPad
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button. As shown at Standard Sewing Machine Co. Paragon
I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg
Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of quilt block ID?
Another way to post pictures can be found at 2021/2022, 2.5” Birthday Swap
And how to use an ipad to post pictures can be found at Uploading photos
Or simply - Make sure pictures are smaller than 2MB
Click on red "Reply" button
Click on the paper clip icon
Click browse - choose picture/s. (only 5 allowed per post)
Once they show up as being loaded, Scroll over to the right side and click on "Upload"
After the pictures show up as being attached, you can close that window and go back to the screen to finish posting your post.
Some additional notes -
The photos generally need to be reduced to less than 2MB in size. I have heard of people sending an email to themselves as it will ask if you want to reduce the size.
I have an android phone and when I tried to reply on Quilting Board while in mobile view None of the options for adding pictures was available. However, there is an option down at the bottom left of the page that is for Full Site when I tapped on "Full Site" It then looked like the way it looks on my lap top. So it would have the Red Reply and the Go Advanced options.
Do Not Preview post.
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf and on an ipad at Posting Pictures From an iPad
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button. As shown at Standard Sewing Machine Co. Paragon
I have found that only the big red "Reply" button or "Quote" work to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...p-location.jpg
Some additional info regarding reducing images at post #4 and images for the scroll and upload button can be found at #5 of quilt block ID?
Another way to post pictures can be found at 2021/2022, 2.5” Birthday Swap
And how to use an ipad to post pictures can be found at Uploading photos
Or simply - Make sure pictures are smaller than 2MB
Click on red "Reply" button
Click on the paper clip icon
Click browse - choose picture/s. (only 5 allowed per post)
Once they show up as being loaded, Scroll over to the right side and click on "Upload"
After the pictures show up as being attached, you can close that window and go back to the screen to finish posting your post.
Some additional notes -
The photos generally need to be reduced to less than 2MB in size. I have heard of people sending an email to themselves as it will ask if you want to reduce the size.
I have an android phone and when I tried to reply on Quilting Board while in mobile view None of the options for adding pictures was available. However, there is an option down at the bottom left of the page that is for Full Site when I tapped on "Full Site" It then looked like the way it looks on my lap top. So it would have the Red Reply and the Go Advanced options.
Do Not Preview post.
