Which Vintage Zigzag Machine Would You Recommend?
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Sacramento County, CA
Posts: 302
I was hoping someone would mention they had an old American made 1950s zigzagger like White, Sears, Kenmore, or even New Home before they where bought up. Were there any other brands early on with zigzaggers? It's easy to forget, but most of the 1950s the straight stitcher was still the most common sewing machine.
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
I don't know for how long they were in production, probably introduced in 1938. Bernina managed to introduce their first free arm zigzagger of much lighter build just before the war ended in 1944, and in those years most sewing machine makers lacked machinery. In those years I think Bernina produced machines for Husqvarna, Pfaff, Gritzner, and other brands until they had sorted out production. During the war all factories produced some kind of war oriented necessity and it took a while to get back on track. I imagine Bernina let their model 114 and 117 go, and focused on their new model 125. I'm not sure how they numbered their model, if there are any between 117 and 125? Might be industrial models. I don't know what happened to the 117, but all post war machines I've seen were cast aluminum bodied, more of a shell than the older heavier castings. Bernina is the last sewing machine factory left in Europe. Most of the known brands seems to live on, but they have been bought and sold, merged and dissolved so many times it's hard to keep track. Some claim they still are developed in Europe, but I suspect just as much in the far east these days.
#33
Thank you to everyone for the comments and insights. Went "machine hunting" yesterday with hubby, but only found straight stitch machines (???). I can usually find a few zigzag machines, but not yesterday. Received a call last night from a friend re: a Singer in the 400 series that she is getting rid of. She said it was a 404 and it takes cams, but I thought the 404 was a straight stitch only machine. Am I wrong? I am guessing she has a 401 or 403, but won't know until I pick it up later this week. The price is right: FREE! It is in a cabinet and has the cams, etc. with it.
Seems like I just can't break out of the Singer family ( 3 Fw's, 201 hand crank, 301, 2 66-1's, 2 15-91's (my favorite go to machine of all time!))... And all of them are straight stitch! I need a zigzag! I have two modern Janome machines with lots of stitches, but there is just something more satisfying about using a vintage machine. Why did I ever give away my 1970 Kenmore....
Thanks again for everyone's help!!!!
Seems like I just can't break out of the Singer family ( 3 Fw's, 201 hand crank, 301, 2 66-1's, 2 15-91's (my favorite go to machine of all time!))... And all of them are straight stitch! I need a zigzag! I have two modern Janome machines with lots of stitches, but there is just something more satisfying about using a vintage machine. Why did I ever give away my 1970 Kenmore....
Thanks again for everyone's help!!!!
#35
#36
Oh, I see. I didn't realize the model difference. After seeing one of these in action I fell for it and looked it up on the web. I actually never knew model number at the time. It's all promising info on them, and I still want one :- )
I don't know for how long they were in production, probably introduced in 1938. Bernina managed to introduce their first free arm zigzagger of much lighter build just before the war ended in 1944, and in those years most sewing machine makers lacked machinery.
I don't know for how long they were in production, probably introduced in 1938. Bernina managed to introduce their first free arm zigzagger of much lighter build just before the war ended in 1944, and in those years most sewing machine makers lacked machinery.
There are some good historical informational sites online about Bernina and their machines. I believe I remember reading that their numbers went from the 117 to the 125 model. I think the numbering guys played drunken darts with random num bers and whichever number was hit and the dart stayed that was the next model number. I think these dart games happened at the annual Christmas bash after the wives were dismissed to go to the parlour and talk about the fashion things of their days. Just my theory anyway and it amuses me.
#37
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Bernina dealers also don't like to admit that the Bernette machines are badged machines made in China. Bernina doesn't build them.
Cari
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
The Bernettes are something different the 1008 or the computerized models. I have nothing against them, but some of them are on the plastic side. It suppose they have to be produced in Asia to compete in the lower priced ranges. I think the quality control and stable network of employees and developers of Bernina definitly have it's advatages.
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Not having a zigzagger killed both White and National and they were the last competition standing. Singer only lived on long enough to make an American made zigzagger because of its name. And they kept on being behind for the rest of the mechanical era of zewing machines.
#40
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
First time I had my hands on a 401 I don't think I even had seen a picture of them. Joints in the body were stained by oil and dirt, it didn't look like any thing I've seen. It was actually in very nice condition under the dirt, it cleaed up very well. I've grown used to the look now, but at the time it was an odd looking machine ;- )
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