When does a machine become "a vintage machine"?
 

This may be a silly/dumb question -

but I don't know the answer.

And when does "vintage" become "antique"?

Is there a difference between "vintage" and "antique"?

I've always heard that 100 years was the rule of thumb for how old something had to be to be a true "antique". But going "antique" shops shows that rule is a lot more flexible than that.

"Vintage" is even more loosey-goosey. Is a machine from the 60's vintage? I'd say so. What about the 70's? Sort of. 80's? I...guess?

I'm from the 70's myself, and I guess I think things older than me are vintage, things younger than me are just "old".

A lot of words to say "I don't really know". LOL

I don't think there are any strict rule for the term vintage. There is a general way about things being new, then old, then sort of old enough to catch interest again. Nothing is as old and out of fashion as 10 years ago. I have noticed young people in their teens and early twenties take a second look at the 1980s and borrow a few things, in the 90s it was something from the 70s.

When it comes to sewing machines, I think there is a point in 1960s when things start to get very plasticy and even flimsy. Not all machines though, there are very good machines from the 70s and eighties. Plastic was used widely by the 1950s (Elna and Bernina among them). Odly enough, the machines accused of being plastic, light weight and weak in the 1960s, come of as sturdy and capable by todays standard. Sewing machines have probably never been as cheap as today, both cost and quality (the lower price ranges that is).

The term vintage for me is something borrowed from wine making, something that has had time to mature and come into it's own right. Either way, when it relates to sewing machines it has a lot to do with a durable and dependable quality, worth repairing and fixing up, capable and well made. Not all the old machines where the best either. The eariest electronic models was introduced in the late 60s, the first computerised models in the 80s. The all mechanical machines with cams controlling the stitch patterns aren't made anymore. I don't think there are anything like the Elnagraph on any of the newer model. Does anyone have a Bernina 1008 to check with? It's listed as a mechanical machine, but I think it doesn't have the cam stack like the old.

Most dealers use these terms interchangeably but the old rule use to be 20yrs vintage 100yrs antique

That was interesting to know. I guess I am vintage along with my Bernina 1530!

Sewing machines seem to have ( longer lives) than many items, I've heard 100 years or less is vintage. Over 100 ( might) be antique depending on the machine & who is appraising it. I have a machine that is 102 years old, in good condition, still sews beautifully, and was told when it was appraised for insurance that it's a very nice Vintage machine. When I asked about it being an antique the response I received was -- "just because something is old doesn't mean it's an antique ".

LOL. That is funny. It is true that just "old" does not mean antique, but any sewing machine that is over 100 is an Antique. Period. Just to put it in perspective, the first "official" sewing machine was only made in 1846, 170 years ago.


Perhaps they hold the view that "Antique" is another word for "Valuable" which is true, that not all old Antique sewing machines are valuable...


I would personally say that you need a new appraiser.


My entire collection is 1901 and earlier. ALL were appraised as Antiques.

I think vintage starts at about 20-25 years old and antique is 50 years old. These words change with whoever is talking. My 19 year old DGS thinks 10 years old is antique while my DH who is 75 thinks it's a baby.

I have heard that antique means over 100 years old, unless it's a vehicle (different rules according to DMV), and vintage is whatever you want to call vintage. I personally go with 50 years or older for vintage but know that most consider 40 or older to be vintage. I personally am vintage aged but am less offended by that than being a dinosaur or fossil. :D

LOL... Antique is defined as:
any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or the like, created or produced in a former period, or, according to U.S. customs laws, 100 years before date of purchase.
Antique does not equate with valuable, though an antique may be valuable the terms are not interchangeable though it has come to be common usage. What is funny is that antique furniture with a few exceptions, is becoming anything but valuable as the current generations are collecting vintage modern furniture of the 40s-60s which won't be technically antique for another 25-50 years.