When you were young and impressionable, what type of machine ...
 

... did your parent(s) sew on?

When I was a young feller my mother sewed on a black sewing machine. One that looked like any of 10 million Singers or clones or other brands. Back then I never knew what brand it was, all I knew was it was black and heavy. As I grew up that is what I thought all sewing machines looked like.
40 years ago, back in the 70s my mom had a HOTHER sewing machine. I basically grew up with that machine and my mom using it. I have it now, it's my avatar picture, and use it myself.
I did not see or even know that sewing machines had evolved to the squarish ones until I met my wife and saw her Singer 538. Not long after that my mom bought what I think is a Kenmore ZZ machine in a cabinet. It was a square one too. She gave my wife and myself the HOTHER.

Now after being exposed to the forums, and becoming interested in sewing, I still see the old black cast iron Singer 66 / 15 / 99 type machines when I think of sewing machines.

How about you?

Joe

Hello Joe

To me the Singer 28K hand machine is the classic sewing machine, and any other machine is a variation on that theme.

My mum only ever had one machine, and I have it now. When I left home and wanted a machine I bought another 28K because that is what I had always used.

I'm only just getting used to round bobbins, and I've only recently stopped looking for non-existent thumb tabs when releasing my work. Once a 28K girl, always a 28K girl.

And motors were an unnecessary complication. I'll never see the attraction.

I'm happy in my time warp.

My mother sewed on a Singer treadle. It was one her foster mother had. I also learned to sew on it. It makes me sad to think about that machine because when I was breaking up my brothers house I foolishly gave it to the salvation army. Things were in a mess than and my husband said give it away cause you'll never use it. How I wished I had kept that sewing machine.

My father was the sewer in the house when I was growing up, he learned to sew in his teens and worked in NYC garment trade sweatshops with his mother back in the early 1930's. He had his mothers sewing machine, black and probably a Singer, and it was in a big sewing cabinet. I remember he always had a circle of felt around the top somewhere for straight pins. It was a treadle machine and I could never get the hang of it. My brother Jim did as he made himself lots of little drawstring bags for his marbles.

Next machine I used was the one, note I said one, machine we had in sewing class when I was in 7th and 8th grade, around 1948-49. With only one machine in our class room it took us the whole year to make our outfits - pj's in 7th grade and our graduation dress in 8th.

Fast forward to the 1960's when my MIL bought herself a new Singer with lots of attachments and it sat in a lovely walnut desk. She gave me her old White that had a knee press to begin and stop sewing and I began sewing curtains for our new house and little cotton dresses for myself.

Machines that I've bought for myself, 1970's a Kenmore when I began a small craft business with my friends, 1999 an inexpensive Brother to bring to my week long Elderhostel quilting class and then a Pfaff when I wore out the Brother making quilts almost non stop. Brother really didn't wear out, just wasn't up to the amount of sewing I was doing and needed repairs every year that cost more than the machine itself. I've been happy with my first Pfaff and a few years ago upgraded to a new edtion and that's it for me although I do have a 1963 white Featheweight and a little Gem Gold for classes. .

My Mom always had a Singer. I learned to sew on her treadle in the early 70's. She then "moved up" and bought a refurbished Singer when the Junior High Home Ec. liquidated theirs. Only two machines she every had. My husband still has the second Singer in the cellar and uses it sew on canvas for tents and ice fishing shanties.

My Mom used Singers all the way...but we were never allowed to touch them (with rare exceptions) as they were a very important part of our household income. My first very own machine was a (gently) used black Featherweight, which I subsequently traded in for a newer model. I went through several of them but now have 15 or 16 different ones so I guess I'm done (for now...), including a new Janome 6600P and an almost new Husqvarna Platinum. Also have a treadled 128, and several other older ones. Did I mention I LOVE SEWING MACHINES????

My mom had a black Singer when I was very young...I don't know the model, and she does not remember it. At one time we had a Martha Washington cabinet with a ZZ machine in it, but again, I don't know the model, and neither does she. It was a loooong time ago!! I had bought a couple of modern machines when I started sewing again in about 2001. When I started quilting in 2004, I realized how bad my cheap Brother was, so I bought a more expensive Brother. Then I got interested in the vintage machines, and now I have lent out both of my modern machines and primarily use my vintage Singers. They ROCK!! :-)

My mom had a Singer treadle, not sure which model, or where it came from. Unfortunately, she loaned it to a friend in the '70's, who left it out in the rain. Grrrr...

My dad bought her a brand new Kenmore in a cabinet soon after that little incident. That's the machine I learned to sew on.

At home we had a Singer 301 shortbed, in Mocha, it had belonged to my Grandma. She let us have it, and i believe she purchased, a Brand new Kenmore. My Grandma in Mexico had a treadle, I don't remember much about this machine, she wouldn't let us touch it. I wish i knew more about it.
I would love to find a 301! That is top on my list right now.

My mom had a 15-91 which sat in a corner in her bedroom. We all learned to sew on that machine. I was lucky enough to end up with it and I use it frequently. I also own a 301a, 99K, 185J and a portable Brother for classes. As you can see I love the older Singers. The 99K is my favourite because it just sews so nicely and I love the sound it makes. I also use my 301 a lot. I have been looking for a featherweight to complete my collection. I know I'll find one someday.

When I went to AZ in '01 to take care of my moms final requests I saw her last machine. The one in the cabinet. I wanted to take it with me, but my aunt asked me if she could keep it. I said OK and left it there.
Since I've gotten into the sewing machines and quilting I've wanted that machine very badly. I've contacted my Aunt who said I can have it, but it's out in the old shed. My step son who lives on that property says it's under a tarp and in good shape. But neither of them will lift a finger to take it down, box it up and send it. I've even offered to pay all the shipping costs. Family ............... :( The only way I'll ever get mom's last machine back is to go get it myself and that is financially prohibitive. No gas money.

Joe

My Mom had a 306 W cabinet mounted with a knee control... I have that machine now .. and love it..I was never allowed to use "her" machine while living at home.. Me and my siblings had an inhereted Kenmore Rotary.. no zig zag... but did have reverse.
Once in awhile I think my Mom regrets passing that machine on to me , as it still just keeps on going and going. It saw so much use while she had it .. if it was made of cloth she made it.. curtains, coats , slip covers, all of our clothing. I still give it its daily workout.

I don't remember what my mother had pre 1952ish, but about that time, she worked at a department store and used her employee discount to help buy a beautiful turquoise White. As there was no money for luxuries for my mother in the budget, so it was her pride and joy. I wish I had it, but recently settled for a Universal with the same look (made by the same factory as Whites). I always felt I had a stake in that machine because at a very young age, I took care of the house and the other five children so she could work the second job. Grandma had a gorgeous big shiny black machine - it had to be 201. Grandpa only bought the best. By the time I was old enough to sew, she had the a similar machine in electric. Was it the same machine - I don't think so. Another 201, for sure, but not the one in treadle. The treadle may have been in her bedroom now that I think about it. I loved both machines, but only sewed on the Singer for two weeks in the summer. In school we had a room full of very new black 301s.

My mother didn't have a machine until the 60s, when she got a "portable" zigzag White, with the cams for decorative stitches. I cannot remember the brand of machine we used in Home Ec. Around 1978 I bought a Kenmore zigzag new, in a cabinet. Both my sons learned to sew on the Kenmore. I still have mother's white and my Kenmore, and both still work just fine.

Dad bought Mom a Featherweight when the oldest girls were little...that's what she used up until 1980 when she bought her Kenmore. I have the Kenmore now, my sister has the FW.

My mother had a beige Fleetwood portable. It had the cams for special stitches and weighed a ton. She bought it on time before she was married to my dad. It was lost in a flood 2 days after we buried her.

My Great Aunt lived in the mountains and used a treadle occasionally, but preferred to hand piece her many quilts. Mom made many of the clothes for the 1st 3 girls in our family (I'm #2) on a Montgomery Wards machine. Dad worked 2 - 3 jobs including at MW, so likely it was a returned or discounted machine. In Jr High I was forced to take Home Ec- as 1 of 6 children with 2 working parents I certainly did Not need to learn homemaking! The Singer machines were "so modern" compared to what I was used to! Mom's 70's Kenmore with the fancy cams is at the family cabiin for when we have withdrawal symptoms on vacation. I started out with my wedding gift from Mom and Dad- a '76 Kenmore, which I still use. I branched out into "hoarding" treadles a few years ago when I rescued my first one at a garage sale for $10. There's something about a nice wood cabinet and pretty decals that makes my heart go pitter pat. I have a lightweight Brother for carrying to Guild sewing. Plastic machines just leave me cold, regardless of the number of stitches they can do. I do appreciate the pretty '57 Chevy styling of some vintage machines after hanging around the Board, but am determined not to add another category to my herd!

A Kenmore. I dont know the model, but I know it had light green cams. She taught me, my sister and one brother how to sew on this machine. My brother used to make the "Frostline" kits (sleeping bags, back packs, etc) while us girls did garments. When I got married I told my husband I wanted a sewing machine as my wedding present (I've always been the practical type) and I got a Kenmore. Mother was amazed that it could do different stitches without the cams.

I also grew up with one of the black with gold trim Singer machines from the 40s.

And that is what we had in my HS home ec classes as well. They were several different models, but the only real difference was the stitch length regulator knob or lever design. All were in plain cabinets and had the knee lever which activated what we mostly use now as a foot pedal.

As a HS graduation present I got an aqua Singer 327k (think that was the model #) that was what I used all through college and quite a few years past that. Made lots of shorts and shirts for little boys on it as well as most of my clothes and even matching leisure suits for DH and the boys at one point.

When I moved back to my home town I again used Mom's Singer until the house burned in 2000. Should have rescued it from the debris, but I was in shock and just wanted to move on...silly me...fire marshall said it should be OK.

After that I went through quite a few yard sale machines and finally upgraded to cheapie Singer and Brother machines from Wally World. Then I discovered this board and jumped on the featherweight bandwagon...never to return to anything else...unless I decide to get an embroidery machine at some point in the future. Have been considering that, but not sure I would use it enough to justify the expense.

Oh, and I do have a Singer treadle machine that I got a year or so ago that needs some TLC and a belt. I think it is also from the 40's.

Singer Touch and Sew. Then, when I got my own machine, it was a hand-me-down Kenmore from my sister when she got her first Bernina. That Touch and Sew is the first machine I remember having.

My Mom had a 70s Singer that I made one tiny doll quilt with but was not allowed to use after that because I sewed too fast and she was afraid that I would sew over my fingers. In home ec the machine that you got to use was based on how well you did in the cooking part of the class. I burned the Spanish rice because I had never used gas stove and didn't have the burner set low enough, so I got stuck with the old Morse 15 clone that no one wanted to use. I loved that machine. I have a collection of old Singers that I love. My collection has a 201, 301, 306K, 221, 401, 500, 503, 99K, 66 handcrank, treadle modle 12, 15-91, a 15 clone, a Pink Atlas, Industrial Singer 72w19 hemstitch, and a Montgomery Ward.

The one I remember was a tan singer slant needle. I learnt to sew on it. I loved that machine. When I was in my senior year Mom bought a new singer. My Dad really wanted me to use it, kinda pushy, I kept saying I just wanted Moms old one. Anyway, turned out he bought me a new one too for a grad gift, and gave the slant needle to the neighbor. I loved that old slant needle, and even though I used the new one for years, I still cant believe they gave the old one away, when I wanted it so bad.

My mother bought a Singer 66-16 when she was 19 years old and used that machine her entire life, sewing clothes curtains, slipcovers and quilts. It accompanied her from Illinois to Colorado to Washington and eventually to California and I learned to sew on that machine. She passed away in 2007 and that machine is now mine. Although I inherited a number of my mother's things, none evoke her spirit in my mind as much as that machine does. I have a number of machines, mostly vintage, but the old 66-16 is the one that feels right.

It's nice to read these stories. My parents never sewed, but my mom had a brownish-beigeish ?Singer? that sat tucked away in a cabinet in the dining room. I didn't even know she had it until I announced I wanted to make my own prom dress! I had taken Home Ec the year before, so I thought I could whip it up! Well, then I found out that my mom had some sewing skills, but she hates to sew. Well, no wonder, with her old neglected machine! So when I got into quilting last year, she had mentioned that she wanted this or that hemmed or patched, etc. So I gave her a new sewing machine and started showing her how to use it. I really need to sit with her and spend some time with it.

I lived in a small town in western PA. Everyone worked at the "mill". There was a general store (PM Moore Co.) that would let the mill workers buy on credit and take it out of their weekly paycheck. They stocked White (and clone) machines. My grandmother had a White treadle (similiar to the one I have now) and my mother started with a Domestic crinkle. She gave that one to me when she bought herself a new Rocketeer.

The first sewing machine I remember was a Singer treadle. I can't remember what ever happened to that sewing machine or whether or not mother sewed on it. I guess she did at one time, but not much. The second sewing machine was a Featherweight that she bought when I took sewing lessons at the Singer store (OMG, that was 60 years ago!). I still have the manual for it, but alas, my sister took it and likely hocked it somewhere:mad:. But that's OK. I dealt with that issue and now have six.:D

The first sewing machine I remember was the Brother my mother had when I was very young. I learned to sew on it. Then when I was in high school I used it to make my clothes for school. One of my teachers wanted to know where I bought some of my clothes, it really shocked her when I said I made them. Then I got married my husband bought me a basic Singer as a wedding gift. Then we traded it in on the Viking I still have. Then I bought a Euro Pro sewing machine from Fingerhut for quick repairs. My daughter used it and now it won't sew worth a darn. So I have bought a Brother and use it for the quick repairs.

What an interesting piece of American depression history this thread is.

I learned to sew on a treadle not sure of model either Singer or White in the early 50s, used it for years. I made most of my wardrobe on it including prom dresses. We were very poor so this was very necessary. Then mom upgraded to a used electric machine, probably a Singer. Sometime later in traded it in for a used Singer 301, which I now use to quilt my large quilts on. Works like new. Never herard of a FW till I started quilting and joined thid board. I have purchased a FWfrom ebay about 1 yr ago. I haVE Become a vintage machine collector. My daily piecing& seweing machine is a Singer 778 (36 yrs old) that I purchased when i was pregnant with our last child to make her layette.

My first machine was a Riccar-bivadar(wrong spelling) thast I won art the county fair. Horrible machine couldn't wait to trade it in for my Singer.

I have found that thses oldies will work for me as long as they are kept clean and well oiled and in some cases greased.

I have also purchased a couple of vintage machine Singers that need some TLC.

Ah here we go.....
The first machine that I remember was an old black Singer. Portable type with the old knee crank. That is the one that I learned to sew on.Before we learned to sew, our mother made a lot of our clothes. I also remember her making some of my Halloween costumes, They were at times very fancy to say the least.
Somewhere in my teens my mother went out and bought a Bernina in a cabinet. That was in retaliation to my dad spending around a grand on wood working tools from a guy he worked with.
One of her comments was that if he could spend that much, so could she. The Bernina was green and yellow to my memory and had the built in stitches. I used to push both those machines fast.
Supposedly one of the machines was given to my younger sister and the other was sold in a yard sale. I was told that the Bernina was the one sold and that My mother regretted doing that. One of my sisters later helped her get another machine but she did not use it much.
I remember making all my own clothes from grade school up, mainly because I refused to wear hand me downs.(That unto itself is another story) I was always a year or so ahead of the girls in home ec . I remember spending one summer with one of my sisters when she lived near Chicago making my wardrobe for the following school year. I think I wore some of those clothes even after I graduated. The ensemble was basically a mix and match so that I could make several outfits out of a few pieces.
I think that I frustrated some of the girls in my home ec class because I was more advanced than they were and was allowed to do more on my own with the sewing machines.
As for cooking I think I hated that part because it bored me.
In 1978 or 79 my first husband bought me the Singer 538. That was because I wanted a sewing machine with cams for the decorative stitches. I still have that machine and now it needs another new gear.
Some of the machines that we have acquired over the last year or so I have to blame on memories of my childhood friends and the machines they had that fascinated me then and still do to this day.
The rest of them are due to Joe's love of machinery, and making them work again.

Elaine

My grandmother sewed on an Eldredge two spools treadle. Mom tells stories about pushing the treadle for g-ma!
My mother taught me to sew on an electric Eldredge purchased for her by my dad the year my oldest sibling was born. It is in a wonderful oak cabinet, and is now in my front room. It makes the most wonderful buttonholes, and will sew most anything. In school, I had to use a Singer. I fought with that thing - I do not know the model, but I remember the drop-in bobbin. I used to take my projects home, because I could get a much better job done on the old Eldredge. After leaving home, I had access to a sewing machine in the dorm - imagine! A sewing machine, but no kitchen! I used it (probably an old black Singer) to make dresses for parties... But that is another story:D When I got to teach my girls, they used my Viking - a 1979 model 6570 that is currently my newest machine.

Wow! What a walk down memory lane! Thanks, everyone for sharing your stories!

My mom has an old Singer she has used since before I was born.{i'm almost 60, she is 86 and still sews} It's in a nice wood cabinet and has never been out of her house. She is a wonderful seamstress and has sewn for many people. She has been given other newer machines but, still prefers to sew on her Singer. I learned on that machine and after I was married and started my family, I bought a Singer in about 1974. I still have it, a Featherweight and a Baby Lock sewing/embroidery machine. I will probably be the one to get mom's machine when she can no longer use it. Out of the seven siblings in my family, I am the only one who sews.

The first machine I remember was my Mom's Singer 401 in a cabinet that had a knee control (the cabinet originally held my Grandmother's Singer 66). When knits came out in the 70s, the 401 didn't do well and she got a Kenmore that sat on the 401 cabinet. She still has both of them ... When I graduated HS in 78, I asked for a sewing machine and received a Kenmore, basic model, only utility stitches (still have it too). It was my only machine for 25 years. When I started quilting, I wanted a better machine and my best friend and quilter has an old Bernina 830. I looked around and found a used 1090 at the local sewing dealer. That was a great machine but another friend dragged me to see the dealer when the Bernina 440 came out with the BSR (stitch regulator). I ended up selling the 1090 and buying a year old 440 from a private party that was upgrading. I still love the 440 but got hooked on vintage machines about 5 years ago. I've added a 2 Featherweights, an Elna Lotus, 3 Singer 301s (can't leave them at the thrift store), a Viking 6020, a Bernina 910, a Bernina serger, then my Grandmother's 66 turned up in a case at my cousin's house and came to me. I've re-homed a few others that just needed a little TLC.

My mother did not sew much, I only remember her having one of the white plastic simple machines from maybe the 70's. Now, her momma, was a wonderful seamstress. She could make anything. She earned extra money making Barbie clothes. Those little garments were amazing. We had a few to play with when I was little. The fabrics were wonderful. The tiny snaps, zippers and buttons...wow. But, the finishing. Many items were lined. And the wedding gown had hand beading on the bodice.

She had a beautiful Singer.

Heehee...I'm still young and impressionable...sometimes...:)

My mom had a Necchi Supernova that I learned to sew on. My mom now sews with a Bernina 830, the old Bernina 830. :)

Well, I own some very old machines that I love to sew with( their older than my mom :)), and I'm very impressed with their mechanics and quality of stitching. I wish I had learned to sew with them instead....so simple and sweet...got to love those vintage old ladies.

My mom had a Singer treadle and that's what I learned to sew on, including running the needle through the edge of one of my fingers, ha! I bought a black Singer portable as a young bride, and in later years drooled at the new Singers that were far too expensive for our budget. I now have a Babylock Ellegante, a Pfaff Expression 4.0, a "plastic" Singer portable and just acquired a Singer 401A in a cabinet. I, too, love sewing machines! Wish I had more room!

My mom had a White Rotary. It was black with a matte finish in a wood cabinet with turned legs. It was lost yrs ago. Just after she died last yr I found a White Rotary with a brown matte finish in a wood cabinet with lots of attachments, bobbins, thread, and more than I ever dreamed of. It had the receipt with it. All for $50 on Craigslist. It wasn't exactly the same but it is close enough for me. I have never liked the newer machines but I love this one. Every time I sew on it, it reminds me of my mom.

A Singer Treadle. Later, in 1948-1949 I learned in Home Ec class in Glenwood Park, WV, I think those were the black Singers, but were electric. I loved to sew from day one., made all my Dolls clothing, and my own also as I got better. Still love it. Just received my 9th Machine today. A Brother 140 Electra Zig Zag, Aqua colored.

My mom had a treadle that she didn't use although she new how to and an electric Singer that spent more time being broken asnd not working than working. I learned to sew in Home-Ec and I hated that semester but loved the cooking semester. If I could go back, I'd pay better attention in the sewing portion and not take the cooking portion.

This thread is like reading a "best seller" for me. Very interesting. My mom had a Graybar with a knee lever. I got that when she bought a Nechhi later. In school we used the black Singers. I hated sewing clothing, but found quilting when I retired and love it. I now have a Janome 6600P and gave my daughter my older Euro Pro. I started out with a green Kenmore with cams, and it would never sew thru denium, and was frustrateting for me. Also have the janome 350E embroidery machine, and managed to get two Featherweights in the last few years. Gave them to my grand daughters when we downsized, and really regretted it. (not the giving, just not having them around) Older grand daughter returned hers to me last week, and now I'm working on a baby quilt for her. Also have my late mother-in-law's treadle bottom that my Featherweight is sitting on. Love the vintage machines and I never heard of a Featherweight till I started reading this board!!

Too late to edit my earlier so thinking the electric mostly non-working Singer might have been a Touch 'N' Throw because my mom bought it in the early 70s. My grandmother had a portable plastic Singer when she died that I would have taken but would have needed to take it on a plane to get it home so it stayed at her house. I had a mostly plastic 25 yr old Singer, a 6215, that I got when DH & I married but gave it away with his blessing last year. I do most of my sewing with my 301 but am going to start using my FW for some piecing. My DD has a vintge machine, a Singer 362, that she mostly uses but I hate so bought another 301 for her to use and will rehome the 362. Truthfully, I bought the 362 because it came with a complete box of Singer accessories and seller only wanted $20.