fairydawn

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.

Skyangel

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.

Suze9395

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.

vintagemotif

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.

ShirlR

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!

willis.debra

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.

janegb

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.

chris_quilts

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.

csharp

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!!

chris_quilts

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.