What sewing machine do you have? - Page 4

[OldFashionedGirl]

I ended up giving the Singer 235 to GoodWill. My cousin didn't need it, and I couldn't find anyone who wanted it, and I just wanted to get rid of it.

(I hope no one on here had their hopes set on getting it from me....But I now have a Kenmore from the 60s that I paid $2.50 for. It has similar tension issues. I only bought it for the cabinet hinges, though, so if anyone wants that machine PM me--Soon!)

[sabrinat]

oh, what's the model # on the kenmore head

[OldFashionedGirl]

I'll have to check tomorrow and get back to you. I can take some pics of it if you'd like.

[OldFashionedGirl]

I couldn't find an "easy" 3 digit model number, but I took a picture of what was on the underneath. Here are all the pictures I took of it so you know what you're getting into:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...odelnumber.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...enstitches.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...s/kenfront.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...footpedal2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...footpedal1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...obbincover.jpg

As you can see in the pics, the plate that slides over the bottom opening is missing. The footpedal is broken, but duct taped together as I have it, it works fine.

The tension is wonky; it needs a professional cleaning and adjustment, but is in good, basic working order. (And in far better condition than the Singer 235 that we gave to GoodWill.) I've used this machine before in a pattern making class and was thrilled with the way it worked. Between my Mom and me, though, we have 6 machines, so I really can't rationalize spending $50 to fix up a machine I don't need. For someone who actually needs/wants a machine, though, I would say this is well worth fixing up.

Give me a holler if you're interested!

[sabrinat]

I'm not interested in the entire machine, but I am interested in the silver stitch selector knob on top. I have a 1301 and my stitch selector knob is broken. Can we work something out so I can get the knob. I was drooling when I saw it.

[xenabyte]

I have my mom's 'vintage' Husqvarna Viking 6000 SL 6460 'Embroidery Sewing' Machine. It's solid metal and came with the sewing cabinet which was really convenient for storing accessories (cams and such). I've used it for years now, but still have a 'thing' about trying out all the cams for the different stitches! They make me nervous! In my defense, they used to stick pretty badly and I was scared I jam or break something using them. Then I had it professionally serviced and they seem to move super easy now, and the technician had some nice designs he put on the sample cloth for me showing me how easily they worked now! But I still am a bit 'twitchy'. I am making some diapers for my latest baby, due in November, perhaps I should make some cute border details and just 'get over it!'

I have a 1986? (not quite vintage, but solid metal and a 'workhorse' type machine) Babylock BL4-428 Serger that I got for $100, and it came with a large bag of serging thread and several additional books on serging. It would 'freeze up' after about 15 minutes of serging, but once I had it serviced, it's running like a dream! Made like 30 cloth wipes with the cutest border on them!

Recently bought a Singer Quantumlock (14T967DC) Serger, as it's 5 cones and has extra feet and goodies for doing special stuff. I've only had it a few days and am learning a few new stitches at a time, so as not to overwhelm myself....took a full day to make sure I threaded it right! It handles nice though and I LOVE the triple cover stitch for doing detail work.

I WISH I had my mom's old knee pumped (treadle?) Singer from the early 1900s, but she gave it to my aunt... Would be nice to sew fast with no electricity!

Have had several others handed down to me, that I ended up giving away to my other sisters. (Glad I kept the Viking though )

[sabrinat]

I had a viking 6460 that I sold it though...they are very nice. I didn't have the cams, but I have the cams for both my singers and kenmore and they are so cool. I can't believe that a bit of plastic cut a certain way will create a cool pattern. Anywho...I hope you enjoy your serger. I'm just getting into serging. I'm making diapers for my dd. I get nervous with how fast the serger goes.

[Shantimama]

I have my grandmother's Singer from the 1930's. I even used it to make my wedding dress! It goes forward and that is about it, but I love havig it. AT some point the plate got lost which makes it unusable. Whre cuold I try to find a replacement for it?

I also have a Kenmore - I bought it a few years ago when the big thrill for me was that it could od rverse, buttonholes and zigzag Definite step up form the old Singer.

If money was no object - I would get the best free motion quilting machine I could find. I have been dreaming of the Janome 6600 professional - but that will likely remain a dream. I would love to use the embroidery stiches to make crazy quilts.

[sabrinat]

Try this link to the vintage singer yahoo group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintag...guid=167593287

Someone on there will have one or know where you can get one. You have to join, but you'll learn a ton about your grandmothers machine and get every part for it you could ever want.
Happy Sewing!

[ma23qtz@home]

I have a Viking Designer one with the embroidery unit. I love it but it is a little over the top. Also have a Huskylock 905. I would love to get a Babylock Evolve serger - jet aire threading

[sabrinat]

Adding to my ever growing collection...I added a singer 401 this week I don't have the foot pedal or power cord yet, but I'll stalk ebay for awhile and post on the yahoo groups and they're bound to show up sooner or later!

[awesomebirths]

i have a bernina 930 which is awesome....and i just got a janome 300e machine which is still in the box but i'm itching to break out!

[pfamilygal]

I just bought my first: a Janome Decor 3050. It freaking rocks. I am so in LURVE!

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by awesomebirths

i have a bernina 930 which is awesome....and i just got a janome 300e machine which is still in the box but i'm itching to break out!

I'm so jealous. A bernina 930 is one of "those" machine that is known to be a must have and a star in the sewing world. I want one!!!

[curly_mommy]

I am so amazed that so many of you have MULTIPLE machines! I just bought my first machine - a Singer 500. It's probably the most basic machine ever, it only has five stitches, but it does what I need it to do.

I chose it because it was really simple, and I had never used a machine before, and because it it very solid with all metal parts. I used to work in a theatre (plays, not movies) that made its own costumes, and when I asked the workers in the costume shop what they would suggest, they told me to get a machine with metal parts. It will last longer. They also told me not to get a machine less than $600, but I didn't listen to that part....

I don't know what my dream machine would be, but I do want a serger. However, I can't get a serger until I get a sewing room, so that is part of my dream as well!

[Erinok]

I have the singer quantum futura, which I LOVE. It sews great, and the embroidery options are fun and easy to use

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Erinok

I have the singer quantum futura, which I LOVE. It sews great, and the embroidery options are fun and easy to use

You know I'm glad to hear that. You hear so much negative about brands that aren't Bernina/Viking/Pfaff but I think each manufacturer has moved from using all metal to less expensive plastic in some components of their machines. Most machines, even the "swiss, german and swedish" ones are all have some components made in Taiwan or China. That doesn't mean it's crap. No modern home machines are all metal, it's just not practical, but you can still find a great machine out there. Singer had a long history of making awesome machines. The first machine I ever sewed on was a singer, it was a bit wonky...but it got the job done. Most importantly it made me love to sew. All right stepping off my soap box

[Cloth4Colin]

I have a 1950 Singer...and it is a workhorse of a machine! I love her! LOL!! I actually learned to sew on my grandmother's 1920's treadle machine...I actually miss it - I loved working the treadle and the control I got from it.

[OldFashionedGirl]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

Most machines, even the "swiss, german and swedish" ones are all have some components made in Taiwan or China. That doesn't mean it's crap. No modern home machines are all metal, it's just not practical, but you can still find a great machine out there.

I guess I don't understand why it's not practical to make a modern machine out of metal. The computerized ones, yes, but why can't I get a basic, metal machine? One that goes straight and does zig-zag? That's all I want *beats head against wall* (I suppose the answer is because plastic is cheaper. If they made them metal, there wouldn't be the same profit and they'd have to jack up the price so much no one would buy them.)

And that is why I will NEVER get rid of my grandma's 1950s Singer!

[Sharondio]

Joining late. I've got my Huskystar 217 (which I think is made by Janome for Husqvarna). It's a great workhorse. I just couldn't afford something more expensive when I started. I also just bought a Janome serger for some basic rolled hem type projects that I just got tired of doing the old fashioned way on the straight stitch machine.