A Huge Thank you -- A bit long
 

Hello everyone,

My name is Donna and I've been a silent member for about a year. I absolutely love my modern computerized sewing machines and all their features. That is until last year when I had to make 3 Amy Butler Weekend Travel bags. Trying to go through all the layers was just awful! Slipping, sliding, jamming what a pain. When I first learned to play golf, I learned a whole new set of vocabulary (and to be honest I still use it today whenever I play) but the language I learned doing those bags was a whole other world. Poor hubby couldn't believe such things came out of his sweeties mouth.


Then one day I noticed the Vintage Sewing Machine Topic in the digest. So I started reading and looking. What a wealth of information you all have. I learned what to look for, what to stay away from, what I should pay for the machine of my dreams, where to get the necessary replacement parts, how to do the repairs myself along with the confidence to do them, websites I might need, and so many other things. You all had something to contribute and I thank each and everyone of you!


Two weeks ago my husband took the car in for repairs and up the street is a Faith Farms thrift store. He came home with a Singer Centennial 15-91 for $40.00! I was thrilled to say the least. It was missing the power cord and foot pedal but I wasn't worried because because I knew to go to sew-classic.com and get one.


Jenny had what I needed and the service was quick. In the mean time I started to clean my new toy up. I used flannel and sewing machine oil and shinned her up like a new penny. There is just a mark from some tape the previous owner used as a stitch guide but that's ok. She is in real nice condition. I oiled all her joints let her set a day and then oiled them again. The parts came and I changed the rubber wheel on the bobbin winder, plugged the cord in and off we went! I am one happy camper!


I also have something to contribute. I remember reading that one of you said when you disengage the wheel to wind bobbins the needle still goes up and down. In the Manual for the 15-91, on page 14 it shows how to adjust the pressure of the bobbin winder. At the bottom of the page it says that bobbins can also be wound while the machine is sewing. So for those of you who thought you had a problem, maybe you don't.


With hurricane season just around the corner, I'm thinking maybe I should be on the look out for a hand crank machine. Nine days without electricity will drive you bonkers, and I was lucky, other areas went much much longer.



Thank you one and all,
Donna

And now I would like to present "Black Beauty"



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And what a beauty she is! Welcome to the fantastic world of vintage/antique machine ownership!

Welcome Donna! Lovely story and a beauty of a machine! My 15-90 was the first vintage machine I purchased to use for sewing...well, I probably don't need to warn you that yours will probably not be your last. LOL

Joann

Welcome also Donna. Warning though, the Vintage Bug has bitten you and there is no cure. What is even worse is that your DH is your chief enabler.:thumbup: Your 15-91 is a lovely girl.

She is beautiful!

Welcome and what a beauty. You did a great job of 'cleaning' her up. Happy sewing and as been said, "It won't be your last one." LOL

Welcome! And what a beautiful machine. You did such a nice job. Collecting and using vintage machines is so much fun. You have been warned already by others but just enjoy it!

Donna, yes the machine can wind a bobbin while sewing, you just turn the handwheel to disengage the needle and feed dogs. The bobbin winder pressure adjustment is used to get the bobbin to wind more evenly. Those who have problems disengaging the needle need to remove the handwheel and clean out the area and reassemble.

Glad to hear our postings have helped you.

Donna, I love your story. Your machine is a beauty. wish I had one.

Welcome to our world. How lucky, she is a beauty. Great Hubby, he is a keeper.

Welcome to machine collectors hell....er, paradise!! LOL Once bitten, you will be on the hunt for these treasures. And I mean that literally. Your 15 is a beauty, and you did a great job cleaning it up. I piece on my Singer 301a almost all the time, only using my modern Brother to do zz'ing. Glad to get to know you.

Oh, my gosh! She's gorgeous! Congratulations, on your new friend! :)

Lovely to hear from you Donna, and lovely to see your machine!

First of all, Black Beauty is gorgeous!

Oh, 'you've only just begun' to collect now that you have caught the bug:D :D I have to admit that my collection is up due directly to the influence here on the board. And I am the richer for it. DH and I have enjoyed collecting them. We re getting more selective now that our home is full of vintage machines but we still enjoy the hunt! Have fun!

Hi Donna and welcome to the world of vintage machines. Every time you and hubby get in the car you will be on the lookout for thrift shops. It is so very addictive but have fun.

What a find for your first time!

Welcome, Donna, your machine is beautiful. Yes it is true, husbands like to look for vintage machines as much as wives. DH knows how much I love tinkering on them just so see if I can get one to work. He brought home a poor little barn-stored 99 and I do believe it will become my absolute favorite hand crank. Welcome to the world of vintage machines!

Welcome to you and your lovely machine. I think the vintage bug gets most of us after the fancy high dollar machines just won't do what we need them to do. I still use my fancy machine but am using my vintage ones more and more. ... and loving it. And, I'm on the lookout for more, like the true sewing addict that I am.

Congratulations on getting a great machine! You can be proud of the machine and and work you have done to get her looking so pretty and to get her sewing so nicely!
Dayle

Donna, Welcome and thank you for sharing your story! You and your husband did a great job on Black Beauty. Enjoy the new machine and watch out for those cousins that will be knocking at your door.

There is a gentleman on this site that sells Hand Cranks, can't remember the name. I bought one a few weeks ago.
There is also a site on how to make a base for your machine.

Be careful, my collection started with a 15-91 and I now own four other machines. Your machine is gorgeous and like mine it will sew through almost anything. Congratulation.

Welcome from NE Ohio. What a beauty she is.:thumbup:

Welcome Donna & I have your machines twin sister. Aren't they lovely machines. It's amazing what a little elbow grease + some sewing machine oil will do to these beauties.

Donna, Congrats! I prefer treadles over hand cranks since they are easier for me than using a HC while feeding the material. So, you might want to rescue a treadle too!:)

Please post pictures of your projects! I love seeing what others make with their vintage machines. Enjoy your new vintage beauty!

Welcome to the board! Always great to have new contributors along with the seasoned ones.
Your machine is a beauty. congratulations! :thumbup:

This will be a good machine for free motion quilting. A centennial model adds to the value. What a great deal. We love it and feel your excitement. This machine should serve you well. Jennie has parts for it too. Isn't she great.
I have wanted one for a long time and was just outbid on Ebay for one. You got a fantastic bargain. You can pass her down to your descendents and she'll be good for years to come. Kiss your husband.

Donna, welcome and watch out you have been bitten with the bug, you will have many more before you are through. I have run out of room so I had to stop. I got one more yesterday though. It was given to me for parts, I cleaned Her up and now She has been added to my collection. I named Her Chance because I took a chance on Her and She turned out great!!!!!

Yes, it is a beautiful little machine! What a sweet husband to pick this up for you. Now I have another model to check into. Enjoy it.

Donna, you have a pretty girl there! :) Be warned...you've just stepped out onto a VERY slippery slope... :D

Oh my!!! That is gorgeous!!! Lucky you.

Wow! that is a beauty.

Hello and welcome Donna....She is a beauty...and guess what...she won't be alone for long.....I see another vintage or two in your future:) Look forward to seeing some of your work.