Old???!!!
 

Since moving out of our house I am down to one machine, a Singer 185J (1957 vintage). Had a good laugh the other day when the Terminix guy came in to spray, saw the machine on the table and said, "Wow, that's an old machine!" I replied, "It's the same age as me!" and he said "oops!"

It just doesn't look that old to me, now the old black Singers DO look old. Guess I am in a time warp.

Makes me remember the comment from a clerk at an antique mall. She wasn't that much younger than me, probably late 40's.

I was carrying a "dashboard" machine up to the front, and it was heavy! She commented "those old American Made machines sure are built to last - not like the Japan made stuff!"

She was very surprised when I showed her the "made in Japan" label and said it was made after WW2.

For me, anything that came standard electric doesn't look old.

The 185J is just an updated 99. Nice little green machines. I had one once ... till my wife saw it and said; "Thanks, it's mine now." :D

Here's one that looks "old" cos it is "old":
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It's a Davis made Minnesota Mdl B sold by sears prior to 1910.

Joe

Joe, just comparing your Minnesota B to mine which is a treadle - on mine the bobbin winder wheel has no rubber and lines up with the treadle belt. It looks like the arm that attaches to the machine head is on the right hand side of your winder and on the left side of mine.

You are correct. Mine was originally like yours. I had to use a belt to wind the bobbins:
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Jon (jlhmnj) told me I could shift the bobbin winder over so I could put a tire on it and not need the belt.

Joe

ptquilts,

Sorry about hijacking your thread. It wasn't intentional.


Joe

I've got a 185J...it's my favorite machine. In fact, I just finished a rag quilt on it the other day. You're case is in much better shape than mine, still a nice green color. Mine is now a lovely shade of nicotine yellow. :(

I don't blame your wife, Joe. The 185J is a wonderful little sewer!

Rach L.

Our case is a faded green too. But that's ok. What gets me is that although the 185s are just updated 99s, ours is considerably quieter than our 99s.

Joe

My 185J is quieter, and in my opinion, sews better than my 99K. ...then again, maybe I'm just biased because green is my favorite color. :D

Rach L.,
I laughed at your "green is my favorite color comment". As I've told dh the same thing. I have several vintage machines, but I've said to him I'm hoping to find "just the right green one"...:thumbup:

Kif

Kif,

I'll have to remember that one. ;)

I like the 185s too. I'm hoping to add one to my herd at some point. Green is also my favorite color though my favorite green machine to eventually own would be a Singer 319 (or even better a 320).
Rodney

I don't think you could have chosen a cuter machine than that one to keep. I call them "grasshopper" LOL My sister was born in 57. I think for us baby boomers and old machine would be a treadle!

I had to put one in a frame made out of some scrap cherry wood - the old case base was mangled.
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Why is it more fun sewing on a machine that is pretty? I remember thinking about how I loved to knit. Then thinking one of the reasons was because the needles were so pretty. I think they were anodized aluminum. So many pretty colors.

I think that's why we love to sew on a Featherweight. They're so darn cute.

LOL - some day you will figure out it is better to find one that is mechanically the best...

Nice frame Miriam!!

I got a 185j from a friend this summer and it is in a pale green case. Unfortunately the plastic bottom is brittle and one corner is broken on the inside so it doesn't sit flush with the top. I know chances are slim but was wondering if I might be able to find another base for it so that I can still use the lid and keep the machine happy.

There are so many that sew well with good mechanicals we have to cut down the choices somehow!

You all can keep the green Singers. Mint green does not attract me. More for the rest of you.

Love my 185j. just used it the other day. I think i like it better than my FW.cm