what is your ultimate must have machine for your collection?
 

I was just plotting and cruising the lists, want ads, thrifts, etc etc. While i was doing that I realized i was basically looking for two specific machines, the Bernina 1130 and the Pink Atlas (15 clone) two completely different machines from two different eras, but with the same back story and reasons why im looking for them.

The Atlas was the machine model my grand mother basically wore out from continuous usage, and the Bernina is the machine i grew up watching my mom sew on. If i were ever to purchase a 'modern' more up to date machine i think i'd go with a Bernina machine. Perhaps a series 8. Lol who needs a new car any way. Hahaha. Even my truck is 'vintage', 1979 chevy 4x4 *wink*

So what machines would be your must have machine?

I have it! I sew on the Singer FW ,1947, that I learned to sew on! When I use it,I have such warm memories of sewing doll clothes and thence to garments,quilts,back packing tents,mountain jackets etc. I'll always remember the gentleness and patience my mother used with me as I learned. ( we used a razor blade for unsewing in those days!)

My must have "was" a Grover and Baker. I am making the final payment on a layaway G&B treadle and it should ship late next week... They were the last of the major members of the "Combine" that I was missing.

Now for a new "must have".....

Awesome! Congrats on the FW! I remember my mom showing me how to use her bernina when i was 12. Its always been, "Mom's machine" so using it was a rare treat. Lol

Oh, you must post pics of the G&B when ya get her set up. :-) Ive never even heard of it before. Ill definitely have to do some googling :-D

Ok, how about a teaser or two for now...
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Wow that is one sweet machine! I love the lines.

I might already have my must have machine somewhere in my shop... I'll know it when I see it... Maybe I already let it go... Some do escape on occasion...

Grasshopper.

My life is empty and meaningless until I have a Grasshopper.

Hop hop.

Unfortunately, my "bucket list" for sewing machines is larger than the space I have. But, I really would love a Singer 301 and a Bernina 830 Record. And a little green Grasshopper...

I think I am all set with my dream machines, 4 Pfaff 7570's and now 6 FW's, a nolting mid arm, a Pfaff coverlock serger, and a couple of other Pfaffs, and a White I can not get to work in a cabinet, have run out of room, so NO more for me.

Ditto, ditto, ditto! Love the lines of the treadle irons.

My "ultimate must have machine" is a Singer 206-K With that machine I'll have a sturdy durable ZZ / SS machine that could be outfitted as a H/C, treadle, or e-machine.

Joe

Hum, I guess I have not found it yet. Guess I will have to keep looking!!! Hehehe

I would tell you buying the series 8 Bernina was one of my worst choices. Ever. It's in the shop more than it's in its table. All of my vintage machines are much more dependable. And we're talking any of them. If my house was on fire and I could grab a few machines, I'd grab my 830Record(not the new Bernina, I would hope it got melted in the fire and the insurance would cover it) and my Singer 301 and Pfaff 1471 and 1222. Four machines and I'd be good and happy.

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With this praise coming from you, I think I'll look into this machine.... My DD was asking about an "all purpose solid ZZ" before.

The only things I still want are a tan Featherweight from 1960 - my birth year, and a Bernina 930. I know both are out there and I'm not willing to pay the price they go for. I have two FWs already and I did find a Bernina 910, same era but only a few basic stitches.

I want the cabinet for my Grandma's 66, but for now my Mom has it with her 401 in it. I'll have them both eventually.

You might want to read this first http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...forgotten.html I don't have this machine so I really don't know anything about it personally.....

Thank you for that. I'll stick with Joe's review.

Francie, Did you make the tents and jackets from kits? I made some frostline kits (a backpack and jacket) on my mom's FW, which I also learned to sew on. I have it now, but we abused it so much and then it sat for decades in my mom's closet, and I haven't had the chance to give it the attention it needs. And the bed is deeply scratched from storing the foot controller on it -- the controller was missing a foot so a screw was protruding...argh!! We were animals!
--Sheila

That is beautiful!! How old is it?
-- Sheila

Ooh, an eldredge two spool! I want one of those too! Just think - no more bobbins to wind. But the spools -- are they still made that size? Still a bunch out there, though. (Tons just in my apartment heh heh.) And you could get a spool winder. Will last longer than any bobbin. Can't wait to see your machine!

My other dream machines: A hand crank Singer 24 and a Singer 431G. I'm sure I'm forgetting some because I forgot about the Eldredge two spool until I saw Caroline's post.
--sheila

I have one - it is a nice machine. I also have a 206 or 2 setting around the shop.

I'm the lucky owner of a pink Atlas. It purrs! My dream machine was my grandmother's treadle in a parlor cabinet, and it sits in my living room. My mother's toy sewing machine also is in my care. My mom is 94, and she still had the box and instructions for the toy machine.

FYI There is one for sale at shopgoodwill!

150+ (in the 1860-1862 range)

There are 2 in my shop... nice machines but they do not hand crank

That is just a Gorgeous machine

I saw one in Indiana and one in Pennsylvania

You mean I have to choose?? Lol that pink Atlas is one pretty little machine!!! I always want what I do not have lol. the thrill is in the hunt!!!

So that's what it is. I find them, clean them up and I'm ready for another project.

Where do they go once fixed? I can only move machines locally unless I give away or sell at cost which is very little. Some Singers do OK on ebay. Hope I'm not prying.

Jon

As many as possible go on CL some are setting in my shop. A lot are setting in my shop. I went hog wild buying them this year. I haven't written ads as fast as I would like. I figure I am learning a LOT. Maybe way too much in some cases.

"what is your ultimate must have machine for your collection?"
A 29-4 within an hour's drive for less than $200. Right!!!

When I got the SM bug I thought I could re-home reconditioned vintage machines to like minded persons. Didn't work, so now I'm a collector of reconditioned vintage machines:thumbup:.

I would give my eye-teeth,(if I still had them) , to have my old Wheeler & Wilson Family #9 back, so foolishly discarded for a Japanese POJ. What a machine it was and I sewed all of my children's clothes on it for years.

Don't give up! I found my 29-4 an hour and a half away and it was only $100. Needed two little parts I made myself.

WW9's are awesome machines and honestly seem to be as common on Craigslist as fleas.... You can search for D9 or W9 or even 9W (for the singer badged version from after Singer bought them in 1905)

I must have a fiddlebase machine . . . . I don't know why.