J Miller

LOL, I have a 1990 Singer plastic wonder. I would not classify it as vintage, more like sub modern junque.

Joe

Sewnoma

I think my very first sewing machine is from 1994 - that's the year I moved out of my parent's house. I tend to agree with most of you here, in my mind a "vintage" machine is not computerized and is at least MOSTLY metal. My 1994 machine is a Kenmore (made by Janome) and it's right on the cusp of that description. Most of its guts are metal and it's all mechanical, but it's got a white plastic body that screams "cheap modern machine". I've abused the hell out of that poor thing (mostly through ignorance), and it still sews great so IMO it's actually a pretty solid little machine but I'm not sure I'd call it vintage.

Mostly I think I'm having a hard time thinking that something I bought new as an "adult" is now old enough to be "vintage". I turn 40 in a few weeks and I'm in a little bit of denial, LOL.

Rodney

Don't worry Sewnoma it gets worse as you get older.
Rodney

ManiacQuilter2

Never thought myself as being vintage!! Guess there are quite a few of us that are VINTAGE that are members of this board!!

J Miller

Try being 62 years old and still thinking that things you bought new in 1970 is modern. Sigh ...........


Joe

swizzy

[ What does one do with an old sewing machine, in a cabinet, 1952 Domestic? My Kids are not interested in sewing.
At one time I talked to a dealer and he said there was no value, people want modern machines, but he would service it and donate to a women's shelter.
Would you say that it is worthless?

tessagin

I'm still keeping my eye out for older machines like my 401 (metal). I have learned more about my machines since becoming a member of this board. Joined in 2013. Thanks to all the members for adding more info to my brain than I thought could be.

Monroe

I cringe when machines made in the '80's are touted as rare one of a kind Antiques. I may be a bit older than classically vintage (mid 1950's), but I'm surely not antique-Yet!

mom-6

I find it most amusing that those young whippersnappers advertising the rare antiques apparently think those of us who are retirement age or older must have played with dinosaurs as children!

ArchaicArcane

Agreed! Stepper motors also known as pulse motors.

I wonder if in 40 years if some of the current very high end machines will still be considered vintage, simply because they are the high quality of today's machines. By that time, 3D printing or whatever replaces it will be mainstream and even plastic parts will be "easily" replicated.

Singer was worse than many by the 1990s. The Pfaffs of the same time frame are still sought after, despite their plastic bits and the one I have here has taken a real kicking and it still works. I also had a Singer Athena 2000(?) on my bench at the same time as I got this Pfaff and they're miles apart quality wise despite the plastic similarities.

I've serviced probably a dozen of the Janome made Kenmore machines and the Janome labeled machines and I have to say that they're definitely some of the best of the bunch these days. They're well made considering today's standards. The one Kenmore had a few pins bent into "V" shapes by the hook and the timing was fine and the needlebar was straight and at the right height. I was expecting to have to write the machine off when I saw that but was pleasantly surprised.