HI! I just joined today. Allow me to introduce myself!
 

I'm Jordan. I have been obsessed with antique and old sewing machines since I was 10-12 ish. I'll turn 31 on July 30th so I've been at it a while. Took a break during college but I came right back. I've been teaching myself to sew all over again. I had no idea how to properly use a machine...let alone an antique sewing machine.

I have a treadle SINGER 66 that I found at an auction when I was about 15 or 16 and I was able to nab it a decent price, can't remember for the life of me now. I started to use it before I even understood what it could do. Becoming disheartened I pretty much gave up and used it as an aquarium stand. I KNOW I KNOW PLEASE FORGIVE ME! What usually happens when you neglect a wooden surface and place a wet thing above it...correct. Water damage.

Damaged and relegated to the garage my poor 66 sat for nearly a decade. This past fall my mother and I dragged her out and brought her back to life. I began to sew nearly daily as an attempt to atone for my past misdeeds. Eventually we took her apart and cleaned up her cabinet; sanding and staining and filling in holes with wood pulp, etc.

I have posted an album showing one update to the machine. I found a SINGER 27 vibrating shuttle in pretty okay condition, but I was after the REVCO attachment I had never seen before. After some careful tinkering and removal of both the side clamp presser bar and the REVERSE/FORWARD function I really set my 66 to good use! I use it all the time!

I am working on two quilts at the machines at the moment and I am repairing a third antique family quilt by hand.

My machines include a SINGER 66 on treadle base. A SINGER 201-2 in a cabinet (found the machine for $20 in desperate need of care and a cabinet for $15 for a Touch n Sew that I sold. I just wanted the cabinet. I think I made a mistake letting go of the TnS, but cest la vie). I also found a UNIVERSAL from the early 60's, still cast iron and from Japan. It appears to have a nearly identical 201K (I think, the belt driven motor, also the thread tensioner is on the front plate).

SO, anyway. HELLO!

hello... from one collector to another, tho a few years older... LOL

You are well on your way both in sewing and collecting vintage machines. You will love this board. Welcome!

Hi Linda! Thanks!

Beautiful-Sound, Welcome to the Quilting Board. I have been sewing for the majority of my life -- I'm 70 now, so I've been at it a while. However, I just got into the quilting part of it in the past few years. I did make one baby quilt about 13 years ago. My son was born in Longview, Texas, and we really loved living there. My husband attended LeTourneau University (it was LeTourneau College at that time -- in the mid 1960's). There are more folks who are experts and who are very helpful when it comes to quilting and these old vintage machines (which I love, but which I can't really afford to collect). Despite economics, I have seemed to acquire quite a few vintage machines. My son bought a white Featherweight at the local Goodwill Store for $50; he bought a Singer 403A at the same Goodwill Store for $41, which I think were fantastic buys. I have a 328K which my husband bought for me new the first Christmas we were married (1963), I inherited a National Two Spool treadle machine which at one time belonged to my husband's great-grandmother, I have two Singer Golden Touch 'N Sews which my son picked up for free (because something major was broken--don't recall what -- and he got them to learn how to work on sewing machines; I also have a Singer 1425, a Singer 201(1952) with potted motor, a Baby-Lock Serger, and two more which I haven't even seen yet --Singer 185, and Singer Athena 1200-I think. Okay, I've said enough about me. Please post photos of your machines and your quilts! If I can ever help you, I'll be glad to try, but I'm still a rank amateur! Again, welcome!

Jeanette

Welcome!

I'm not about to try to list all the machines I've bought LOL!! They are addicting!

My "first" was a 66 red eye in a beat up cabinet for $25 at auction. It sat as an end table (no aquarium though) for many years until I was considering finding a machine to sew rabbit hides on - and found many used these old machines, and I already had one! In the process of fixing it up - got looking and bought a really nice one, then a nicer cabinet, then I needed a 201, then found a different 66, and then . . .

But I was doing OK until I wandered away from Singers . . .

My husband also likes the machines, and does most of the repairs (just re-timed my long arm), and he likes the foreign machines. Between the two of us, we're somewhere around 120-130 mark.

Welcome from SC Texas. You have found a place where we love old and new machines and quilting and sewing. Happy you have joined us.

Welcome aboard Jordan! I think you'll fit right in. It's gotten easier than ever to collect, restore and use old machines. The internet makes it so much easier than when you started collecting to find information, parts and (of course) machines.
The machine that got me hooked on vintage machines was a 66 too.
Take some time if you haven't already and read the stickies. There's a lot of really good information in them.
Rodney

Hello, and welcome from Washington!

Hello from NC! You are in such trouble now that you have joined the QB. The more you read about others' machines, the more you will want one also. It is so very addictive. You should go look at Macybaby's photos of her machine shed and also check out Rodney's newly set up room. Talk about eye candy for sewing machine enthusiasts!!! There are a lot of knowledgeable people here who can help you with almost anything dealing with older machines. Just ask. Good luck with your machines and your sewing.

Welcome from Iowa! There are a lot of wonderful people on here and will answer almost any question that you ask. If they don't know (which is rare), they will tell you how to find it. I also collect sewing machines, mostly Singer, but I do have a few non Singers. Welcome again, Lee.

Welcome to the board! Looks like you definitely know the machines you have. Have fun!

Welcome! You are going to love it here. We all love the vintage machines ad some specialize in the really old and the really cool! It's fun to share a new find with others that "get" it!

Welcome from SW Ohio! Glad you found the site, you are now among kindred souls...

Welcome. Where is the photo album posted? I can't seem to get enough of posted pics! (Welcome Jordan's mom!)

Welcome to the board. Collecting antique/vintage machines is so addictive. I have so many I end up using them for decorations in my living room and dining room. Where other people might put pictures or a bouquet of flowers, I put a Red Eye ! My DH is getting into fixing them also. My first purchase was a Singer for $10 in a Bentwood case at an antique store about 8 years ago. Since then, we have bought about 20 more. I have sold several and given some away, but still have way too many. I am mainly a quilter and don't fix up the machines (DH does that), but I sure love reading about them on the Board. Welcome again.

Welcome aboard from Mich.

If you click on my username you should be able to see my album, right?

It's just a few pics of me exchanging the stitch regulator. Nothing fancy

Welcome aboard, happy reading.

Welcome Jordan! We have the same birthday and from experience that Leo personality will be of great help! You have come to the right place as many have said. People here are just wonderful. Don't hesitate to ask anything as they are all happy to help, it's really a great place because of that. I look forward to this section everyday to see what others have found and to learn.

Lisa

Welcome Jordan. You're amongst family here (or fellow patients, depending on your point of view). We all share the joy of these older machines and there are tremendous resources and several hundred years of combined experience here. Enjoy!!

Tom

Welcome from Minnesota Jordan. It was the need for something that said Minnesota that got me hooked. (I don't count mine so I don't have to answer the question.)
HelenAnn

Welcome from Fl formally TX. Your hooked and only thing (I started with Mary, my grandmothers 201-3 which was bought when I was 5 (almost 69 now)is hang in there. Now have as many and more than I have room for, so had to quit. Son is S of Ft. Worth and step son in Big Sandy. Looking forward to pictures.

Welcome to one "Carol" from another, although I go by 'Caroline' here.

Caution - Be very careful around these folks here; they have some serious addictions, and they will have you second guessing yourself. They encourage you to expand your machine horizons; they'll make you think it may be okay to make room for "just one more machine!" LOL

Seriously - scroll through older posts; check out Macybaby's "Machine Shed" and the prom dress Rodney made for his daughter on a vintage machine. All of the people here are so amazing and knowledgeable.

Posted a pic in a new thread!

Welcome Jordan hopefully you'll stay a long while and have your family of sewing machines grow like the rest of us.

Welcome from way to hot Wa, I know it isn't hot compared to other places but I just am not used to this kind of weather. Sounds like you will have a great time sharing on here, so I look forward to your posts and enjoy your machines.

Welcome Jordan! I'm in central Texas. I have 3 Singer treadles,1 Pfaff treadle and 1 White Rotary treadle. My very favorite machine is the 1917 White Rotary.
Sharon in Texas

Hello from TN. We started out with the same machine. They are nearly bullet proof and will last into the next century with oil and care. Keep up the good work and welcome aboard. here are some very wonderful people here, eager to help.

welcome aboard!. These machines grow on us... You will enjoy this site and see some beautiful machines.
I just added a beautiful 66 redeye and an Italain model 15 to my collection...

Hi and welcome Jordan!:)

Welcome Jordan and Hi from Southern California. May any space you have fill up with machines quickly.