My mom gave me her 39 yr old Singer....

[keepin'itsimple]

Do I pay $90 to have it serviced or do I take that $$ and put it into a newer machine? She shipped it to me across country and when it got here it didn't work. So we took it to a repair shop and when they plugged it in magically it works again? The motor has been blinking on and off for about 14 years, you have to jiggle the cord a bit then it works. The repair guy said they would give me 15 bucks towards a new machine if I trade in (silly I know).

I found a barely used Janome 4623LE on Craig's List that I'm thinking about offering $250 for. I know how to sew but want to get into quilting through classes and stuff. So, what would you do? Buy up or learn how to use the Singer again?

I have been combing threads to try and answer my own question but I'm still on the fence.... Thanks!

[doelkers]

I personally wouldn't get rid of it...since its vintage. Lots of people I know would love to have an older machine.

[sabrinat]

What is it? I mean model #. I bet I can tell you if it's a keeper. I love my singers, but they are more like 50 and 60 years old. They rock!!!

[keepin'itsimple]

Thanks! It's Model #348... so whad'ya think? I know lots of people loooove their old machines. I think a lot of it has to do with nostalgia and comfortability. That's why I'm wondering if I should get a newer model right now, that way I don't get stuck learning on an old machine and having a hard time making the change.

[rubelin]

check out the Vintage Singers yahoo Group and see what they think. At the very least, you might find someone who loves them and will buy it off of you

[keepin'itsimple]

Thanks Robin... I just joined so hopefully I will find something soon!

[rootzdawta]

I'd definitely keep it. My mother's machine is almost 30 years old and my machine is about the same age. They are still strong machines! Don't forget, 30 yrs. ago, manufacturer's made things in such a way so that they could be fixed and fixed easily. These days, our society is much more a "throw away and buy again" society so things are not made to last as long. My only reservation would be that an older machine may be limited in the things it can do--well, let me re-phrase, a newer machine might be able to do more fancy things (like I've heard that some sewing machines serge a little). I'm partial to older stuff--older cars, older appliances, etc . . . so my vote is to keep it!

[sabrinat]

A 348 was a pretty good little machine. Parts and accessories are readily available still for it. Also think back to a time when people made most of their own clothes, they did incredible thing with these "less fancy" machine. Heck most sewist really only care about having a really good straightstich and beyond that you're golden. Like the pp said, these machines were built to last and for you to maintain it yourself. The fact that it's 39 years old and still was working, well...I don't imagine that my very nice, very spendy computerized machine will be in the same place in 39 years.

[keepin'itsimple]

Thanks Sabrina, seems like you are the board guru when it comes to machines! I'm just wondering what I'll do when I need to make a button hole or something? Not sure if the machine does it... But you are right about the straight stitch, my mom says it sews straight as an arrow! I'm gonna give it a shot.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by keepin'itsimple

Thanks Sabrina, seems like you are the board guru when it comes to machines! I'm just wondering what I'll do when I need to make a button hole or something? Not sure if the machine does it... But you are right about the straight stitch, my mom says it sews straight as an arrow! I'm gonna give it a shot.

Oh heavens no...no guru here, just an admirer of good craftmanship and those old machine had it in spades. The folks on the singer yahoo groups and the wefixit group..now those are gurus.
You'll be surpised what it can do. I have a singer 503 that is ss and zz only, but I have a full set of cams (that make all kinds of decorative stitches), a circular thingy that you use to make all kind of free motion quilting stuff, I have a buttonholer that attaches that makes like 20 different styles of buttons (I found all that stuff at a thrift store for about $10 along with about 7 different feet). I downloaded the manual free from an online source.
It's worth a shot.
Good luck with everything. Post back and let us know how you like it.

[momto l&a]

I wouldn't get rid of it.
The old machines are so much better made than the new ones.

Mom and I mistakenly traded in an old Morris for a new sewing machine and serger. The sewing machine sounds like a thrashing machine and just doesn't work as well.

[Katie Bugs Mama]

I wouldn't get rid of it either. Of course, I'm prejudiced because I'm very attached to the 36 yo Elna that I inherited from my mom. Mom spent $40 to have it fixed up for me over a decade ago, and it still runs like a dream. Also, I get pretty sentimental about the idea of sewing my daughter's clothes on the same machine that my mom used for my clothes. :

[courtenay_e]

Okay, here's what you need to consider. The motor in that singer is all metal. You have to pay a LOT of money to get a NEW machine that's made out of all metal. Certainly more than $90. And that repair guy will get much more than that out of your machine even if he only keeps it for parts.

I'd keep it. You'll find that it's probably heavier than today's machines, yes, but also when clean and oiled, you'll probably find that it's quieter, that it needs LESS upkeep (other than the occaisional oiling and yearly cleaning...), and that it will most likely truely last forever. That can't really be said for most of the machines that you could get today.

I love my old singers. My dh "felt bad" for me, because I was sewing on such old machines, so he got me a Pfaff. I really love the pfaff (it's like sewing on butter, all the time...), but STILL find myself dragging out my old (old, and did I mention OLD?) singer for the long haul sewing. It does more, it winds the bobbin in the casing, it's just a great old machine. And I love it. And it would have saved dh a great deal of money if he'd just been happy with the old singer. I kinda think he was otherwise stumped on what to get me for Christmas! The following year, I got a serger!

[sabrinat]

I have a fancy smancy machine...but there is something about my singer. Just the way that motor hums makes me so happy to hear! It rocks!!!
Keep it, I'm not saying the guy is trying to cheat you, but if he's worth his weight he know that he can resale it on ebay for way more than $15. Heck I just got a singer 401 at a thrift store and while I was looking for a cord on ebay I noticed the same machines is selling for $100+.

Oh...I don't know why I haven't asked this before. What did he say it needed or was the $90 for just a normal cleaning and oiling, becuz if that's all it is you can do that yourself without a problem. I service all my vintage machine, I use a good machine oil and a good machine lube. It's really easy.

[keepin'itsimple]

I've decided to keep it, and probably will find another shop to repair the machine! That way I won't have someone trying to tempt me with a new one... Anyway, I'm making the trip soon to get some supplies to start my first project. Keep your fingers crossed that it turns out! Thanks for everyone's help and replies.