Vridar

Referencing only the vintage Singers, and primarily the black ones, Singers are one of the few mechanical things that last over centuries and still perform their intended function, and perform it very well. They were made in such quantities that replacement parts are available. They, with few exceptions, require only available consumables such as the 15x1 needle, class 15 bobbins, and class 66 bobbins. With only moderate maintenance they will last one's lifetime. They are to the sewing industry what Rolex is to watches and Mercedes is to automobiles, but, within the common persons budget.

redbugsullivan

Ah! Well stated. Thank you for the insight. This machines have never proven themselves to me. That's why I've asked. Clearly there is something about them that have endeared themselves to folks. Perhaps the Featherweight I learned on has skewed my opinion. Hearing the opinion of others help me keep an open mind.

redbugsullivan

Ah! Well stated. Thank you for the insight. These machines have never proven themselves to me. That's why I've asked. Clearly there is something about them that have endeared themselves to folks. Perhaps the Featherweight I learned on has skewed my opinion. Hearing the opinion of others help me keep an open mind.

bbower

It's been awhile since I have been here but wanted to share my excitement with everyone. I just bought a 1924 Singer Red Eye treadle. Where I live on the Oregon coast, we experience lots of power outages, so end up letting a whole day pass when I could be productive. I look forward to learning from everyone how to operate one and what others have to say about them.

Brenda B.

miriam

You need to watch all of Muv's videos: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html
and then read her blog, too.

chris_quilts

I love the older Singers. Intuitive to thread, clean up easily and not real fussy machines. Both of my daughters, who don't sew much, can operate them without much guidance. That being said, my featherweights are a pain in my patookis and both have personality issues as far as I'm concerned. Other people really love those little buggers. Actually, they remind me of the Shetland pony my siblings and I learned to ride on as children - obstinate with his own way of doing things.

miriam

FW and 301s are my least favorite straight stitch vintage Singer - I think it is the PITB bobbin area. When they get tangled (which they DO) they are hard to untangle.

chris_quilts

Love my 301. I will, admit that the bobbin area can be a real hassle but she is so quiet and easy to use. What I don't like is that she is picky about the bobbins that I have on hand. I have one vintage bobbin that she doesn't like and I know it when I attempt to use it but operator head space error never remembers to take it out of the box with all the other bobbins.

nanna-up-north

I have to put in my 2cents worth. I love my FWs (I have 4) but you are correct. They have their own personalities. I use them for piecing almost exclusively. But my 1947 is my favorite (also my 1st) and the 2nd one I bought comes in a close second. The last one I got has it's issues..... foot pedal needs to have the cord lengthened. Someone cut it so short that it doesn't even reach the floor to sew. And this one had a thread in the bobbin area that was really difficult to get out..... I've put that one away to work on when I'm not so busy.

redbugsullivan

I am glad to hear from everyone! With the overwhelming love of Singers, I thought I was missing something. My Singer 99K sounds like my mother's FW.

That click, click, is a muffled sound from my childhood. My mother stitching together her daughters' prom dresses, fixing Daddy's work shirts, and my everyday clothes at the kitchen table in the wee night hours with that amazing machine... They had a symbiotic relationship. It never gave her the fits it gave the rest of us.

I remain a fan of all things not Singer. Perhaps some day, a special machine will change my perspective!