a 15-99 and a "Little Princess"
02-10-2017, 04:50 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Blacksburg, SC
Posts: 731
a 15-99 and a "Little Princess"
OK, confession time...the toy machine bug bit me again. I scored a "Little Princess" at the local antique shop today. She sticks when you crank the handle, but I think I can fix her. She's not in nearly as good of shape as my little tan hand crank, but for $20, I think I can refurb her and make her pretty and working again.
The same antique store sold two of my quilts... but they're kind of trying to not pay me in cash. They have a 1953 Singer 15-99, but I think it's been stuck into some other machine's cabinet. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 15-99 just a table-top type machine?
She's in beautiful shape, she DOES run(but the tension is squirrely), and the cabinet is in decent shape as well. They're wanting $100 for it (to come out of what they owe me, of course!)
So, four questions here:
1 - can I paint/shellac/restore the Little Princess in much the same way as the big machines (or do I just sand her down and use some Krylon from a can?)
2 - was the 15-99 ever in a cabinet?
3 - did the bobbin case for the 15-99 need a check spring inside (like my longarm has)?
4 - is $100 a reasonable price for the 15-99?
Now, I'm looking around my sewing room trying to figure out where-oh-where can I put her? I need another sewing machine like I need a hole in my head.
The same antique store sold two of my quilts... but they're kind of trying to not pay me in cash. They have a 1953 Singer 15-99, but I think it's been stuck into some other machine's cabinet. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 15-99 just a table-top type machine?
She's in beautiful shape, she DOES run(but the tension is squirrely), and the cabinet is in decent shape as well. They're wanting $100 for it (to come out of what they owe me, of course!)
So, four questions here:
1 - can I paint/shellac/restore the Little Princess in much the same way as the big machines (or do I just sand her down and use some Krylon from a can?)
2 - was the 15-99 ever in a cabinet?
3 - did the bobbin case for the 15-99 need a check spring inside (like my longarm has)?
4 - is $100 a reasonable price for the 15-99?
Now, I'm looking around my sewing room trying to figure out where-oh-where can I put her? I need another sewing machine like I need a hole in my head.
02-10-2017, 05:47 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,138
I've familiar with the 15-86,88, 89, 90 and 91, but have no idea what the 15-99 is.
I also have a 15-30, 15-75 and 15-125
All of these machines could be in a cabinet or case, though the 88,89 were treadle/handcrank versions.
I also have a 15-30, 15-75 and 15-125
All of these machines could be in a cabinet or case, though the 88,89 were treadle/handcrank versions.
02-11-2017, 04:33 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Blacksburg, SC
Posts: 731
Sorry, my bad... I went back today, it's a 15-91.
This one is electric, not treadle nor hand-crank.
(Now how do I edit the Subject line of the thread, I wonder??)
I still want the machine... but sadly have NOWHERE to put it.
This one is electric, not treadle nor hand-crank.
(Now how do I edit the Subject line of the thread, I wonder??)
I still want the machine... but sadly have NOWHERE to put it.
02-11-2017, 06:48 PM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,826
some answers:
2. Yes 15-91s are cabinet machines. It's my guess that more were in cabinets than were portable.
3. I'm not sure what you mean by check spring, but there isn't a spring that I've ever seen in the bobbin case.
4. $100. is not a great price for a portable 15-91, but it's reasonable.
It's a great machine and is supposed to be really good for Free Motion Quilting. I haven't tried it yet, but have it on my "to do" list.
bkay
2. Yes 15-91s are cabinet machines. It's my guess that more were in cabinets than were portable.
3. I'm not sure what you mean by check spring, but there isn't a spring that I've ever seen in the bobbin case.
4. $100. is not a great price for a portable 15-91, but it's reasonable.
It's a great machine and is supposed to be really good for Free Motion Quilting. I haven't tried it yet, but have it on my "to do" list.
bkay
02-12-2017, 07:03 AM
#5
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: High Point, NC
Posts: 88
Look carefully at the wiring on the 15-91. For some reason the wiring on these and 201-2, both "potted" motor machines, tend to need re-working more than other models of the same time period. It is a great straight stitch machine! I agree with above comments on its price.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
