but not visable in the small pictures available on the GW site ;-) I was kind of looking for notable features to help identify from a picture.

The stitch length selector on the photo is the color of 185's. It's a different color than other models. But, like I said, it's got a replaced light which is not attractive at all. Also, it's missing it's original case. I'd keep looking and pass on that one!

Thanks! I am letting AZKat, bid on this one..... Though the light is a plus for me as it would actually be the correct one for my black 306....... And I don't like the plastic cases anyway......I just want to be sure when I do "pull the trigger" on a 185 that I don't accidently get a 285, that would make me very unhappy.

Gotcha. Mine even has the original green belt and bobbin winder;>

Candace... do you use your 185 ? do you have a 99 ? I have yet to use my 99's and I have never handled a 185, but it appears to me that they are the same "internals" just the 185 has the later style alumin body and will be lighter than a 99 ( though people still insist they are heavy ) i was just curious if the 185 is as "cute" and sews as nicely as a 99 ?

i have no use for one but I want one as they just seem to be a nice little machine. what are your thoughts on them ? ( also both of my 99's are "pre reverse" vintage.. so this might be handy)

Dan

The 185 is HEAVY, aluminum or not. I have used it many times, though I've not used it in probably 6 months. I have at least 15 other vintage machines and go to other machines instead. Because of the weight and small bed area, it's not the most transportable machine and I usually grab on of my 301's. For quilting, the 99 and 185 aren't my favorites because of the tiny bed area. It is basically the same machine as the 99. Comparable in all aspects, just the body type and paint color. Yes, it makes a nice stitch and the cuteness factor is high. But, because of it's limitations for actual usefulness, truth be told, it would probably be one of the first of my vintage machines out the door if I had to sell one.