Cheesehead

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1975 Singer Fashion Mate sewing machine. It is immaculate as is the cabinet it is housed in. It has everything that came with the machine and that too is in like new condition, the seller is asking $40. I have done some research regarding this machine but would prefer to hear some opinions from the members here. Also, is this machine difficult to get belts or other parts if needed in the future?

One of the reasons I am considering this machine is that it is owned by my neighbor and I know how well they maintain all of their possesions. Would appreciate any comments you may have about this machine.

Thanks, Jan

quiltingcandy

My first response is to stay away from any Singer made in the '70's - but that is only because the one I got in 1973 was in the shop more than it worked. The gears were made of plastic or nylon or something that was worthless. Since it was bought in Seattle and I moved to San Diego 2 months later I couldn't take it back. That was before the lemon laws were enacted.

So look inside - if it is all metal it may be worth the $40.00 but if the gears aren't metal, smile and walk away. JMHO

J Miller

Cheesehead,

I too completely dislike the plastic gears. However those machines do have many features my wife likes. She uses them a lot. And she does not baby them. We have found that if the gears are the newer design spiral cut gears they hold up much better than the old straight cut gears. And they are available. Those machines are so common that several sources have parts for them. At that price it wouldn't be too bad a deal if the machine works now.

It would be better if it's got metal gears, but it just might be a good machine as it is.

Joe

Cheesehead

Thank you both for responding so quickly. I definitely will check out this machine further and find out more about the gears. I think my neighbor mentioned that it was purchased in Germany, she is German so that would make sense. Can't imagine why she wouldn't have purchased a Pfaff!
Again thank you for your help.

Jan

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ok with out knowing a model number... we can't say

but you say fashion mate. if it's a 237 buy it. they don't have gears. The mechanic's of those are very close to what was used in a model 15

xxxxxxxxxx

she was in germany so that sounds like military, In a military PX that machine was probably only $80. where they would not have had a pfaff in those, so a pfaff would have been over $400 USD

starch that idea. I just notice you said she is german.. I was thinking of how much less items were in a army PX, compared to a civilian store ..

KenmoreRulesAll

I found a Pfaff 130 for $9.99 in pristine condition (literally looks like it hasn't been used more than, say, 10 times) complete with a cabinet, the Pfaff tin of presser feet, the manual, the original sales receipt, etc. It was a rare price, yes, but great deals can be found on truly great machines.

IMHO, there are so many machines out there and some are so good that I wouldn't advise buying mediocre to less-than-mediocre machines. A year ago I would buy the Singer you're considering but I wouldn't now. $40 seems like a great deal but a Fashion Mate was and will never be worth much.

Cheesehead

After looking at several pictures online, the machine looks like a 360. I sure wish it was a 237, my dream is to find one of those in good shape.

Cari-in-Oly

Here you go-
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-18356684.html

Cari

purplefiend

I really like my Singer 237, its treadle powered. I use a head lamp for a light.
Great machine with the stitches I use the most. It cost me $20 just the head, foot pedal and power cord. The motor is bad due to a stretch motor belt that was too small.
Sharon in Texas