We thinned the herd a few years ago, but, apparently, the universe feels that we need to start collecting again! We were just gifted 4 machines this weekend!
Eu moro em Manaus - Amazonas Brasil e aqui muitas mulheres não tem contições financeiras de ter uma máquina de costura e estas estão muitooo bem conservadas.
Lol :) That is so true! Love the sound of the 201 as well. There is something very calming about the sound of a sewing machine. It helps me forget how stressed out I am trying to actually sew on them :) Thanks for watching!
You are not alone :) The Singer 401a is the most highly loved machine that we have run across in our journey. There is almost a "cult following" on them. They are handsome, smooth, well engineered, capable, and fun :) Thanks for sharing!
I had a strategy for finding machines awhile back. I put an ad in newspaper here locally and told people I would be interested in the old sewing machines stored in their attics and garages. Actually, scored several free plus a featherweight and a pretty black 301A that came in a man's car trunk. He said he was sure the featherweight was just a salesman's sample as it was so small. No attachments, etc. but a serviceable case. Just need clean and oil. $20.00 - score! (I also have the brown 301A - I call it mocha)
I have a vintage 1948 117.812 kenmore By White (rotary) deluxe. It is brown cast aluminum and 3/4 size. It is 17lbs. I would never get a featherweight as this machine sews straight and true. It sews straight only but the stitch is perfect. Also have a German made 215-G which allows for feed dogs to be lowered.
That sounds awesome! Our Kenmore machines are some of our favorites :) We don't have a 3/4 Kenmore yet but we have out eyes out for one. Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 it had a small feed dog in front of needle hole which gives it such a straight feed. Great for piecing. Thanks for sharing your love of vintage machines
I have my Grandmothers singer treadle machine. She used this machine forever! I don't think she ever had an electric machine. I have not had the time to see if it still works, but now that I am retired, I will mess around with it and see. I also have been picking up older machines at thrift stores and yard sales as well. I just got a 70's Kenmore machine for $3.00, aluminum body that the owner stated it kept breaking needles, well they had the needle in backwards and the bobbin tension was off. Fixed that and it sews beautifully!
Nice. That is my favorite kind of score. When someone can't get one running and then you figure out how to fix it up it makes the journey that much more fun :) Well done! Hopefully you can get your Grandmother's treadle up and running as well. Good Luck! Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Recently fired up my Gmas 1938 15-88 treadle that I've had for the last 40 years. Still has the original belt which is pretty rough but works ok. I now have a lineup of sewing projects from the wife. My goal is to sew myself a denim jacket.
I have a small collection of vintage sewing machines. The Singers-a Spartan and also a 15, both sew beautiful stitches and I love using them. But the one that sees the most beautiful stitches-I have to give it to the Elna Supermatic from the 50’s. It is all green and the box folds out to be a sewing table. I also have a beautiful blue Morse machine and a pretty pink Visetti. Sewed many great garments and household items on all of them. The most recent acquisition is a Sears Kenmore machine from the 70’s. I love the styling of it and it was barely used when I got it. Thanks for posting this video. It is always such fun to see these vintage machines!
That is great! Sounds like you have an amazing collection of your own. All of the machines you mention are super nice. Thank you for sharing and thanks for watching! Happy sewing :)
I was lucky enough to buy a Singer Featherweight in 1972 for my high school graduation for $50, and it sews beautifully. I have all the attachments and the instruction book. Recently I sold my 2005 Pfaff, which was giving me a lot of problems, to a collector and bought a Baby Lock Jubilant that I’m still learning to use. I’ve owned a 1980 Kenmore with cams . In my teens my family owned a Singer Touch and Sew which I call Touch and Swear.
Wow. That is cool to have the same Featherweight all these years, especially with all the "doo-dads". I sew on a Baby Lock Espire and I LOVE it! Ya, the touch and sew models are a bit finicky, but they were pretty cool when they were new. Thanks for sharing . Thanks for watching and following along!
1. I concur, 201-2 2. Kenmore model 52 (it's a tank with a 1.2 amp motor) 3. Singer Genie 354, it's 3/4 size, 70's kitsch and I adore it. 4. My grandmother's Kenmore model 1756. 5. Atlas Precision Deluxe. It's big, it's heavy, it's gaudy, and it's really pink. It's an unabashed 50's machine that screams look at me.
Love that your husband understands the addiction and benefits - mine does not understand why I "need" another machine (ever) when I already have >15. Haha. I have a soft spot for Necchi's , particulary the 1940s BU Mira and the Supernovas. My mom had a 1970s Husqvarna Viking 6000 series machne that she used her whole life and made everything from apparel to costumes to household goods. It's the one I learned to sew on and it reminds me of my (deceased) mother every time I see it. IT's also a FANTASTIC machine with a low gear, strong as an ox, sews through anything, and minimal things to go wrong. I would *LOVE* a treadle machine. I really need a second house to keep my machines haha
Ya, we are lucky to both share the same passions and hobbies. We both love picking up old machines and making them run and work. We are loving our Viking machines as well. That is great that you have a soft spot for Necci machines. We really want to pick up a couple of those as well. They seem like really well made equipment. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a interesting thing. I started with a treadle and taught myself to sew as a young mother staying at home at night. Then a antique White portable in a wood case. Several after that of later dates. 💛
Thank you so much! It is true, they all tell a story. They all have a personality, and they all deserve to be rescued :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Fun look at sewing machines. I grew up sewing on a Singer 201. My first personal sewing machine was a White portable. It had a zigzag feature! Then as a young married girl, I saved my money and bought a Sears machine with 2 boxes of cams with decorative stitches! When I went to the use and care sewing lesson on my new Sears machine, I asked our instructor what she thought was the best sewing machine. She closed the door and told us all about the Swiss made Bernina machine! LOL! I saved my money again and several years later bought the Bernina 830 Record. The cams were built-in and the stitch quality, the strong piercing power of that machine were so far above anything I had ever sewn on. Additionally, the sewing manual and the Bernina classes were where I first was introduced to fine sewing techniques. I’ve had many Bernina sewing machines since the 1970s. They have all been outstanding for my garment sewing addiction. I opened a sewing studio in 1990 where I taught garment sewing to children and adults. We moved to another state in 1993, so I sold off my collection of manual and computer Bernina sewing machines to my students. I opened another sewing studio in 2016, teaching garment sewing to children and adults. During Covid I couldn’t provide enough sewing classes for adults-a huge re-interest in learning to sew among adults of all ages. I closed the studio after the summer of 2022. I sold off most of my classroom sewing machines. My personal sewing machine is a Bernina 790+, and a 890 serger. I also purchased a Juki DDL9000 computer industrial machine which is a heavy duty, blindingly fast and accurate straight stitch machine. All purchased with the money I made from teaching sewing. I’ve had so much joy and made so many dear friends in teaching sewing and going to classes and seminars over the years. What a great skill to have and to pass on to the future generations!
Wow! What a wonderful story :) Thank you so much for sharing! I am soooo ready to come across a Bernina Record. I have heard soooo many awesome things about Bernina machines. I can't wait to acqauire 1, or 2, or many, many! I am also very inspired to make my own clothing. I am pretty good at buying old machines, a little better at fixing them up, but my sewing skills leave a lot to be desired. Your story is the kind that inspires me to try new projects and challenge myself. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I sew on my Mom’s Phaff 362. My Dad bought it for my Mom when I was 3 for $800 and I am now 61. I love this machine!! I sew on it 3-4 days a week when I am not working as a staff floor nurse here in Indy at a rehab hospital. My Mom made all my choir dresses and prom/dance dresses on this machine. She taught me to sew on it when I was 13. I still remember making a top on a Sunday to wear it on a Monday.
Nice! There is nothing like a Pfaff. How awesome to be the original owner and still have and use the same machine all these years. That's fun! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching and following along!
@@jannooney8672 A Necchi machine ? WOW!! I have never heard of that machine. That is so cool!! I am sure like me whenever you sit down to sew I think of my Mom. I still have several of the prom dresses she made for me and a few dresses she made for my sister and me. Nursing is really hard these days!! Physically, emotionally and sometimes a thankless job. I so glad you have sewing to refresh and escape!! 🌷
My unicorn machine is a teal colored Ford machine. It's Japanese made and my mother owned one till she donated it to Goodwill. I have never seen another one since.
Wow. That's cool. I have never heard of a Ford machine. I will have to look that one up. It is fun to come across a machine that your family owned in the past. Even though it is not the actual machine, it still provides the sentimental value. Sewing machines are a special collector's category like that :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Wow! That is cool. I have heard so many great things about the Elna machines, but have not come across one yet. What an engineering marvel to have lasted all of these years. Good work! Thanks for sharing.
I have an ELna machine and I don't like it. I paid about $900 for it new in 2022 and to me, it sews like a cheap Singer machine. I'm going to give it away. I wanted a heavy duty machine and the sales person lied to me about it.
@@katielove9932The later model Elnas are Elnas in name only. The early Swiss manufactured models are marvels. It's a pity the Elna name has been tarnished by these later Asian imposters. It's pretty much the same with other European brands that have lost their quality and heritage by shifting their production to developing countries.
Love my 201. I use it everyday since I got it in 2019. It was serviced by an Amish guy. As much as I have used it, I have had no problems. Came with a beautiful Queen Ann cabinet. Put me back 75$.
My unicorn machine is a white featherweight. I'm collecting Kenmores from the 70's. My 1st machine at 14 yrs old. I'm very sentimental about them and love the way they sew.
That is great! I just saw a white Featherweight on marketplace for 2,400 dollars. Ouch... So many people love their Kenmore machines. I love ours as well :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
My 1st machine was a 1976 Kenmore and I still love the older Kenmores. Tough, reliable, and inexpensive because the old all metal Kenmores are very underappreciated.
I've had a few white featherweight I've the years and honestly feel they are cool looking but not as well made as the older black ones. Even the cases are a bit flimsy.
I have 19 machines in total My favorite is my great grandmothers 1894 singer treadle, my most stylish is my featherweight, my tank is my 1928 white rotary, my best stitch is my Italian made Necchi, my most nostalgic is my 2 fiddle base, hand crank Frister and Rossmann.
Wow! That is a great list! Thank you so much for sharing! Sounds like you have a wonderful collection :) I am super envious of your Italian Necchi. One day we will have one, just have to be patient. Those kind of machines don't hang out in the thrift shops very often :) I am not familiar with Frister and Rossmann...I will have to look those up. Thanks for the info. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Hands down Singer 301A. I own 4. I have all 3 colors. I have both long and short beds. They are so fast. So easy to maintain. So light! So easy to use! I am a quilter and use all of mine all the time! I do use a Singer 206k for free motion quilting. It being a zigzag machine makes for great quilting! Fun video!!!
Thank you so much! I completely agree. We just picked up our first 301a last week and we just love it. It is a dark brown color. It is so smooth, fast and light. It will be our new travel machine for sure! Thanks for watching!
I agree with you. They all have a personality of their own and behave in their way. They are marvels of engineering and I love being a part of the vintage machine game:) Thanks for watching and following along!
I just acquired a 185J but it doesn’t have a case. I would love to see a video or be directed to a video that shows how to replace or rebuild a case. Or table for that matter.
I am a collector of mostly Singer vintage sewing machines. I agree with your top pick of best stitch being 201-2. I have picked up a few machines from folks who got them from relatives. One was a Singer 66 Red Eye from 1919, another was a Singer VS2 from 1886. You are lucky to be in a location where you can find machines like you have at thrift stores. I haven’t been so lucky. Great video! Thanks
Thank you so much! Ya, we are super lucky. There are literally 10 thrift stores that sell machines within 5 miles of our home. Sounds like you have some pretty cool machines as well. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
My everyday machine is my Singer 328K. Made in 1962 in Kilbowie Scotland. Even with a Viking Husqvarna, I do 95% of my sewing on my 328K. It’s always out and ready to work. 😊. I lovingly restored it; it’s all I need. (I’d love a 201 or 15-91 someday. )
I heard they are the most dependable and never see a tech. They are also treadle capable too.They have a strange sound a slight clickety clack like a train on the tracks. Some find it soothing
When I was 12 my grandmother gave me her 401A. I’m in my 60s and I still use that machine. It’s been moved around the world with minimal fuss. I oil it on occasion and have replaced the light bulb a few times. My grandmother named it Brown Betty! I have other machines but Brown Betty is my fave!
Nice! There is nothing cooler than having, and using, a machine that was handed down to you. It really makes the sewing experience much more special. Thanks for sharing!
I started collecting a few months ago when i unearthed a 1948 singer 201-2 from my attic in a # 40 cabinet, I now have a model 27 treadle and a 15-91 in cabinet # 42, I'm awaiting delivery of a singer 20 just for fun. The 201 is Zen to use, whisper quiet, strong, smooth. A singer 403a will be my next machine i think.
How fun! You are off to a great start :) We just love the 300, 400, and 500 series Singer machines. They are super stylish and really fun to use. Hope you find what you are looking for. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
So many people love their Kenmore machines. I love mine as well. That's awesome that your 71 machine is still doin the thing :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I just happened across your video! This is wonderful! I have my grandma’s Singer 1902 treadle , it’s my absolute favorite! It’s not working but probably could be. I was gifted a 1953 Featherweight a couple years ago from a friend who got it for graduation in 1955. I’m like you the price range for the featherweight is crazy. I do have a small collection of working/ non working machines of various brands. Thank you for sharing your experience and choices!
Thank you so much! That is awesome that you have your grandma's machine. I hope you are able to get it running. Great work on your collection! Thanks for watching and following along!
I'm not a collector, but when I saw you bring out that beautiful White machine, it was like seeing an old friend. My parents got me a new White back in 1962 when I was learning to garment sew. I don't know the model, but it was very similar to the White that you showed. I used it extensively until the early 90's when I got burnt out and gave up sewing and (I'm now ashamed to admit) donated it, thinking I'd never sew again, along with all my sewing supplies. A few years ago I got into quilting, and have a nice Juki, but I so wish I hadn't given away that White. It was built like a tank and performed so well.
That is cool! I am glad that we could bring back your machine, if only in memory :) Glad you are back sewing. Hope you are enjoying it :) Thanks for watching!
I am not a collector of sewing machines. However, I am a seamstress and quilter. My primary machine is my grandmother's 1950 Singer. Love it. My guy that services it, says it could sew a car engine back together. Its still in its original cabinet.
While I appreciate the 201s ... I like the 15-91s from the 1950s best. Easy to find for cheap, larger bobbins, ruggedly durable, and reliable stitching.
I’m so glad you rescue great older machines from thrift stores. I’ve done it too. It just breaks my heart when I see a once proud, once loved ❤ machine….that was someone’s mom or grandma’s, sitting there, cast off, on the shelf of a thrift store. They’re often mishandled or people mess with them, who don’t know what they’re doing, and really make a mess of them. What may have been just a tune-up can turn into a much more expensive repair. I still can’t believe that so many great machines sell for so little. I know, not everyone sews or appreciates the machinery, but many of these vintage machines were made to last many generations and should never be sent to the landfill! p.s. I sew on a Pfaff Creative 1471 from 1986 or 87….about 37 years old. I bought it used in 1988 so it was in good shape…only 1 minor repair. Every time I think about selling my Pfaff and getting a more current model, I think WHY? It was made in Germany and still sews like a champ! I also have a newer Brother sewing machine and the very popular Brother 1034D serger AND a few older machines that I’ve rescued (will likely sell) and I’ve sold a couple of other older machines too. 👍
Sounds like we speak the same language! I have heard that thrift stores throw away more machines than they sell (so sad). I wish that I could save them all. We have a pretty good mix of vintage and new machines and I love them all. My only hope is that when I am gone, the next generation will value and appreciate them as I do. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching and following along!
I fully agree about the 201. Its my preferred machine at making quilts and I love them so much I have 3 of em. I am in the process of restoring a #48 Singer cabinet, which back in the day that cabinet was only offered with the 201. Been wanting one of those cabs for years and finally found a restoration candidate on eBay that the seller was willing to ship so I got it.
That's great! The only thing better than having a 201 is having 3 of them :) Great work getting the cabinet you wanted. Good luck with your project(s). Thanks for watching and following along!
My 401A came in a full-sized mahogany desk sewing table. Not a small cabinet. A desk. I bought it at a yard sale many years ago for $65. It's my favorite machine.
Wow. that's cool! It is crazy what you can find at a yard sale. I sure love my 401a. They seem to have a cult following :) Thanks for watching and following along!
That is great! It is really hard to beat a Pfaff machine. We have them ranging from early to late models and we love them all. They are so well built and fun to use :) Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
This was a lot of nostalgia for me. My first machine was a Singer treadle. I got my White “shark” for graduation and put a lot of hours on it. I also have a Singer 99, featherweight, and a black 301a. My mom sewed thousands of hours on her Singer 401a. Wish I had that. My main machines are a Bernina 1260, Babylock Esante and a Brother straight stitch.
That's great! Wow, you have some really awesome machines. Glad we could bring back some memories for you. That is what this journey is all about for us :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Ohh goodie. Feeling much better about my little oddball hoard here in Swedent. ;-D Still hoping to grab a couple of old green Husqvarna or such from the 50/60s...
Lol. A little hoard never hurt anyone :) I like 3 things about your future goals...1. old, 2. green, 3. Husqvarna. Definitely on our wish list as well. Thank for watching!
My sister-in-law got away with the vintage Singer machine before she divorced my brother. I learned to sew my own dresses for school at age 12yrs on that machine. Now I use a Juki for chain- straight stitching and a Singer Heavy Duty for most everything else. The old Singer had the knee lever. Loved it!
Ya, divorce can be hard...especially on sewing machines :) We love our Juki and I have heard a lot of good things about the Singer Heavy Duty. I am sure you miss your old Singer. Hopefully it is in good hands and is making projects as it would be if you still had it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! Ya, Kenmore made some awesome machines. We really want to acquire a Kenmore 1040 mini machine. They are so cool looking :) Thanks for the comment and thank you for watching!
I learned to sew on my great grandmother’s Singer treadle machine! I was about eight at the time and made pillowcases. I still prefer a Singer over almost any other machine, but recently used a friend’s Janome that I really liked.
That is great! How wonderful to have been exposed to sewing on an treadle at such a young age :) I really love all of our Singer machines as well. They have been a pleasure to collect, work on, sew on, the video. I don't yet have a Janome but I am sure they are great as well. In fact, I haven't met a sewing machine that I didn't like :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Just found your channel. I got seduced by featherweights and wound up buying 3 on eBay. I’ve since sold one and made a slight profit, but the prices are ridiculous now. Your collecting style looks like a lot of fun.
Thank you so much! Featherweights are great for collecting. It is a slippery slope :) Ya, we have fun hunting down the machines in our area at our local thrift stores. It is amazing how many machines end up at the landfill. Thanks for watching and following along!
I just found you two and loved watching the couple of videos so far. AND YOURE IN NAMPA? I’m in Eagle next door 😁😁😁 Thank you for sharing all that you do! So cute and special that you both share this passion!
Thank you so much! Glad you found us and are enjoying our content. We moved from Eagle a couple of years ago. What an awesome little community. We really miss it. Small world we have here. We have so many viewers from every corner of the globe and here you are in the same valley as us. So cool. Thanks for watching!
I have a Singer 66 that I purchased for $8. I needed it for boat canvas and upholstery. A guy on youtube had a video of how to update it to sew fast and strong. Central Michigan sewing supply has all the parts. We replaced the motor to a 9000 RPM with a new electronic foot to go with it. It sews like a dream through sunbrella. I put in a size 22 Organ needle and it will sew through 14 to 16 layer. 18 if I help it. I can turn around and put in a size 9 needle and sew sheer fabric or silk. It was the most common sewing machine in factories of all kinds. The 201 was the same.
That's great! Ya, the 66 is an awesome machine. We have banged out several fairly stout projects on ours. I can imagine that upgrading the power accessories would transform it. Great info! Thanks for sharing!
That is so cool! So we are in a "club" :) I LOVE my Franklin treadle. It is so rewarding to use. I am glad you get use out of yours as well. Thanks for watching and following along!
That is great! I am glad you enjoyed. We had fun making it as well. That is quite the collection you have. Very Nice! Thanks for watching and following along!
My Singer 201 is awesome. Even my husband thinks it’s the best! I have 10 vintage and antique Singers including the Featherweight 221 and 222, a 401a and a 503a Rocketeer. So fun to collect and restore these machines! Fun to see yours and hear your thoughts too!
Thank you so much! Ya, the 201 is super nice to use. We love ours :) That is great that you have a collection of vintage singers. They are so much fun to work on and super rewarding to restore. It is empowering to make a broken machine work again. Thanks for watching and following along!
I learned to sew on my grandmother's Minnesota A treadle machine. As soon my legs were long enough to reach the treadle, she had me making simple things, like pillowcases. I think my most favorite machine as my Kenmore. I liked it even better than my Viking, which was very temperamental.
That's great! Soooo many people love their Kenmore machines. They are really well built, have great styling, and are fun to collect :) I bet you thank your lucky stars everyday that you were taught at such a you age to appreciate and use these awesome machines. I wish that more of today's youth was given the same treatment. Thanks for watching and following along!
I have a 185, I call him Sigmund because he's a monster....But I love him! I do have an issue I need to take time and figure out since I miss using him. I bought him for $28!
I really enjoy your channel and collection of sewing machines!! My mom taught me to sew in the 70’s on her Elna with cams. I regret to this day not taking it after she died. By then (80’s) I had a new Singer machine that I used a lot without issue. Fast forward- like many, I needed to learn quilting a few years ago. Then I discovered vintage machines!!! Oo!! Way too much fun! I have the mocha 301(made in Elizabeth,NJ) and an older Singer that I can’t pinpoint the model of having been made in Germany at a time when the info was destroyed. By studying the shape I believe it to be a 201-3 or 201D. I need to learn simple repairs and maintenance of these marvelous machines!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the positive feedback! That is great that your mom taught you to sew on what is now a vintage Elna :) We just picked up our first 301a and it is also the mocha like yours. Wow is it amazing! Very interesting about your German made Singer. I am not familiar with the 201-3 or the 201D models. They sound fascinating though. As far as maintaining these old machines, I would start out the way we did...if you see a screw, try removing it and see what happens. If you see a metal on metal rotating assembly, try adding a couple drops of sewing machine oil to it. Before long, you will be making UA-cam videos like us :) Thanks for watching and following along!
That's great. Ya, seems like a very useful and convenient tool. Vikings have a huge following for good reason. They are incredibly well built and engineered. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
I absolutely love antique sewing machines. I've just started collecting them and have 22 just now. I love them all but my Frister and Rossman one from around the 1880s makes me melt, its just so pretty. Bought a White one from around 1912 which has lovely decals and the lid is beautifully carved with the name and leaves. Your wee Lark is adorable! Best wishes fae Bonnie Scotland ❤
💞💞 Love sewing machines ... only have 2 vintage though at the moment.. finally getting back into sewing.. luv it.. this is my find for free give away a couple of years .. ago had to get the spool holder replaced was made of plastic.. but all other parts are solid. made in Japan.. it says. Simpson's. Fooling around with it.. just wish i could find a manual for it.. for extra tips....wish I could post a pic of it !!
If i had space I'd have a collection for sure. Right now i only have six. LOL But for vintage machines I have to say I love my mom's old 1955 Singer. not sure model but it brown/beige color and I think you have but only straight stitch. I think mine is prob. older. The stitch is so great and it will sew Anything! i also have two old treadels in storage right now, so not sure of model, but as soon as I get a new home again (currently living in a rv)... but when I get a house again, then I'll be going through both of them to restore them best as possible. Can't wait.
Great...now I have to get a Necchi BU Nova circa 1953 :) I will have to keep an eye out for that one. I have wanted a real Necchi for some time now. Thanks!
I absolutely enjoyed your video. Just found it today. I’m an old time/old fashioned sewer. I’m unable to do much sewing lately however do so as much as possible. I collected singer featherweight and treadles years ago and still have a few. Great to see others enjoy collecting as much as I do. Thanks for sharing. 🥰💖
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am sorry that you are unable to sew as much as you would like but great work doing what you can. Yes, we love collecting machines. It is a "healthy" addiction :) Thank you for watching and following along!
I love your machines. I've had an old Singer similar to one of yours, but it's long gone, and a treddle which is also long gone to a stepdaughter, I think, and who knows where from there. I was married in 1958 and bought an old Bernina 117 K then. I still have it, but it's become a little heavy for me, and my daughter bought me a newer (barely used) Phaff. I sewed 4 kids clothes and mine for all those years, but am going to switch to the Pfaff. I've tuned it up, cleaned it up, and put all the accessories together to give to my son. He asked about it some time ago. If he doesn't want it, I'll find a new home for it, since I am downsizing. No collections here any more, but thanks for giving us a tour of your collection. Lynn
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. Sounds like you have had a great time sewing and creating over the years. Yep, time to pass on the tradition to the family. I hope your son gives it a good home and enjoys it as much as you likely did :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
That wa fun to watch. My favorite machine was in there. I have two, working, 401A machines. One was purchased new by my mother in 57 and one we got used around 1970. I used it in hs and took it to college with me. When I take them in for a spa treatment (tune up) I feel like my kid is away at camp and worry until they are back home. I know, only people like us understand. 😂
That is great! I LOVE our 401A. How cool to have one that you bought new in 57 :) Ya, I know what you mean about the spa day. You get attached to them. You take care of them and they take care of you. Thanks for watching and following along!
Have you consiided the Singer 15-91? I made a lot of great things with that machine. Formal Gowns, quick tops, swimsuits (cotton). It was a wonderful machine with a beautiful stitch. I also appreciated that I could maintain it my self, even after my mother made a mess of it. You can drop the feed dogs and do free motion quilting.
Thank you so much! Yes, we actually have 2 15-91 machines. We love them for sure. You are right...they are awesome to work with and work on :) I haven't tried free motion quilting on one yet. I will have to give that a try. Thanks!
Have all the machines you mentioned except the 201, plus a treadle 66, several fancy Husqvarna I've been gifted. My absolute best machine is a Neechi ultra super nova. It is built like a Ferrari! The engineering is absolutely amazing. Made in Italy in 50s. I also love my Juki 2000 for quilting and speed sewing. It's stitching is quite precise. I just love them all!
That is awesome! Every time someone mentions the name Necchi, I get jealous. We want an Italian made Ferrari machine too! The Necchi-Alco that we have (I think made in taiwan) is really cool. I can only imagine what an actual Necchi would be like. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
What a nice video! I have a Featherweight which I found here in Holland at a quilt fair. I am greatly surprised by the prices of these machines in the US, because the kind lady who sold it to me only asked $420 for it. It dates from 1949. I also have a modern Pfaff and I use them alternately for normal piecing. For heavier work I get the Pfaff out.
Thank you so much all the way from Holland! Ya, the featherweights are a bit of a novelty when it comes to pricing. They are super cute and really portable, but like you said, when you want to sew heavier work, you reach for the Pfaff :) That is a great duo to have in your arsenal :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Ya, for sure! The 185 is in a class of its own for cuteness. Just light enough to move, just heavy enough to hurt afterwards :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Great video! I’ve learned a lot from watching y’all -and I grew up watching Little House as well. I just picked up a black Singer 301A short bed from Goodwill. Perfect case, original accessories box, buttonholer and zig zagger, plus 6 bobbins AND it included a “tuneup kit” from The Featherweight Store as well! What we didn’t see was the button pedal foot control was missing a large chunk of plastic right in the middle. We’re going to work on rehabbing but she’s definitely functioning which was awesome. Seven of my machines have come from Goodwill-two are currently in Maryland, to be driven down in July by a family member. Take care and happy hunting!
Thank you so much for the feedback! That is funny, we just picked up a 301a yesterday as well. Super cool machine. It didn't come with all the doo-dads, but we love it all the same. Sounds like you have a great collection of your own. Awesome what you can find at a thrift store :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Great video My first machine was a 201 now I have two of them Then I got a Pfaff 230 and then I got a 401g that came with a 328 both not working Got both of them working now am loving the 401 and I agree it’s like the 230 Keep on sewing guys :)
Love your channel! Thank you for confirming it's okay to collect and appreciate these beautiful, functional machines that are so well made they last for generations!
Thank you so much! It is definitely okay to collect. We have to all work together to save these machines from the landfill. Thanks for watching and following along!
What a great, interesting video, just came across it on my feed. I have an old BERNINA 831, not as old as a lot of these machines, but it all metal, and sews like a dream.
That is great! I have heard so many great things about the Bernina machines. It is definitely on our list to get 1, or 2 , or ALL of them :) Lol. Thanks for watching!
Absolutely agree with everything you said about the 201 - it's just a beast. LOVE mine. Your collection is a lot like my own - and I'm honestly a bit jealous of your Lark - What a gem! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much! Ya the 201 is simple perfection :) That is great that you have a similar collection. So much fun. The Lark is too cute for its own good...Lol. Thanks for watching!
That is awesome! We actually just picked up our first one and we love it too! I thought there were only two colors, black and light brown, but the one we found is a dark brown and cream like color. It is beautiful and like yours, it stitches wonderfully. Thanks for sharing and following along!
I inherited my mother's 201 Singer. My husband repaired it, we bought the special grease for it. It was the top of the line machine when she bought it in the 50's. I agree, best stitches of all. I have all the attachments for it. Makes the best button holes of any machine I've ever used, with the button hole attachment. I'll keep it forever. It will outlive me, for certain. I also have a couple of Singer 99's. Also, a Japanese version of a Singer 15.
That is awesome! Yes, it will outlive us all :) The 99s are super cute. We just picked up a couple of them (video coming soon...). We have the button hole doo-dad for the Singer machines as well, though I have never used them. I really want to start making my own clothing, so I am hoping I can work out the whole button deal :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I really enjoyed this video, especially the collection of ur vintage machines. The quality of the engineering with vintage machines r the best. Give me vintage instead of modern any day. I enjoy the beauty of the machines. The only problem I have is finding someone to repair. The machines does the same thing too me - takes me back into history. Sewing is my therapy.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. We enjoyed making it as well :) Ya, Vintage machines just hit differently. Collecting them has been very therapeutic for me as well. Thanks for watching!
I love my Pfaff 130-6. If you have never tried sewing on one you’ve got to try it! When I sew delicate wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses it’s my Bernina artista, for a great top stitch I like my white 2134. For extreme heavy duty I use my Techsew 830 bed post. One day I will most likely add a singer and a husqvarna
Thank you so much! Sounds like a great list. I will check those out for sure! Thank you so much for the suggestions. Thanks for watching and following along!
The green Singer looks a lot like the 1952 Elna Supermatic which is the follow-up to the Elna Grasshopper. The Supermatic had cams for patterns. I have one and it has incredible stitch penetration. Goes through thick fabric and thin leather without missing a beat.
That's great! Since this video we have picked up a couple Elna machines, but not yet the Supermatic. Looks like a really cool one. Glad to know that it is a work horse. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for this interesting video. I'm not a collector, but my unicorn is a Pfaff 545-H4. With about 0.75" space under the presser foot it sews through almost everything non-metal, fingers and bones included, while it is still so elegant in performance. This "ballet tank" weighs about 70 lbs (just the machine head), and to me it's engineered to perfection. I have it running almost every day, and it hasn't ever let me down. The stitch is incredibly beautiful on top, I never had to adjust tension, whatever I've been sewing - and as we are of the same age, we just make a perfect couple 😉
@@NeverTooMany2023 thanks for your reply! The 545 is really worth a closer look. It's very popular in upholstery, leatherworks and car seat manufacturing. I sew my bags on it. The H value (H1, H2, H3, H4) indicates how high the presser foot raise is.
I do love my 500a. I don’t have any cams but that isn’t a priority for me. The 301 is a favorite as well. The slant needle is what I first learned to sew on and still love the visibility it provides. I have been looking for the 185…so cute!
That is great! Ya, I haven't gotten the cams for our 503 either but one day I will get it all together :) I hope you find your 185. Thanks for watching and following along!
You definitely need a 301! Not much heavier than a Featherweight and faster! It has a beautiful straight stitch. There are actually three colors - mine is a two-tone (cream and tan).
Lol...That's awesome. We actually just scored our first 301 last week. It is a dark brown model. It is fabulous! My next one will be the two tone like yours :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I enjoyed your video and the great information you provided. I would like to start collecting vintage sewing machines. The only vintage sewing machine I own is a Singer that my parents purchased for me when I was 8 years old. I still have the case and the clamp to hold it on the table. I made dolls clothes on it. The main sewing machines I use now are a Singer Heavy Duty and a Bernina 570. Do you buy vintage sewing machines that need to be restored? I would like to learn how to restore vintage sewing machines. Thank you so much for this awesome video.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the positive feedback. Yes, yes, yes...collect away :) Ya, the majority of our collection is from thrift stores in our area. They almost never come home without an issue or two. Sometimes they are locked up tight due to bent or broken parts, but most of the time people give up on them because they think they are broken but just need cleaned and lubricated. I say...get an old machine, start taking it apart, clean it up, oil anything that moves, put it back together, and enjoy the process. Once you do it a couple of times it is super easy :) Thanks for watching and following along!
My go-to machine is my black long bed Singer 301A. But my Sewing Room also has a 1948 Singer 66-16. It has a potted motor for faster speed sewing in a Sewing Shop. And, I have a 1951 badged Singer 15-91. One treadle Singer "A" from 1858; a Singer 127 from 1892 with Egyptian decals. A Singer Red Eye (66) from 1922 treadle; and a 1923 Singer Red Eye Electrified treadle. I have a tan short bed Singer 301 in a case; a Singer Featherweight; I have a Sew Handy 1932 precursor to the Featherweight debut in 1933 Worlds Fair. I have a newer Singer Talent for portability and variery of stitches for workshops. I prefer my Vintage Machines for their best straight stitches.
Wow! Sounds like you have a pretty sweet collection of machines :) It is hard to beat the quality craftsmanship of the vintage equipment. Singer has made, and continues to make so many great machines. Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 look around for Auctions and Estate sales. That's where most of mine came from. Sometimes we paid less than $5. Two we got from along side the road put out for garbage, cabinet and all!
I've always been a singer fan, I have a spartan, 201-2, 503a and some newer singers. Kenmore has recently stolen my heart. 158s and 385s are my favorites
Hello neighbors, I live in Caldwell and just bought a viking husqvarna 6010. Its in less than perfect condition but will be restoring it! I can't wait to sew with it!
I have THAT White machine! Must admit I put it away 3 years ago as I never could be sure of what kind of stitching I’d get. Had it cleaned and refurbished at my local shop-it wasn’t on their list of machines and the tech said that although he’d never worked on one he was impressed with it’s quality. My complaint was that I felt the tensioning was probably worn from so many years of use. I’d love to hear from you with an opinion! Wonderful video, thanks 😊
That is so cool! I LOVE my "Great White". I agree that this is a very impressive machine. All of the White machines that I have worked with have been wonderful. I have no complaints about the operation of my machine. If you are having tension issues I would look at the condition of the tension plates. If they are worn or pitted they can hang up on the thread. More likely the issue could be the tension spring. If it wears out, it will stop keeping proper tension on the needle when it hits the bottom of the down stroke. Also, it could be bobbin tension. Sometimes the bobbin holder gets worn or pitted or the tension screw on it strips out. Any of these problems, or even worse, a combination of them will make your stitches really irregular. Hope this helps. The machine is definitely worth getting running right. Happy sewing! Thanks for watching and following along!
That is great! We haven't had the opportunity to try out an Elna yet. The people that own them seem to really like them though. Hopefully we cross paths with one soon :) Thanks for watching!
Hi I just came across your video and loved seeing all of these vintage machines they are beautiful. When I was 24 my husband bought mean an Elna SU machine and what a workhorse that machine has been a true piece of sewing engineering, I am 71 years old now and although I bought a Pfaff 4 years ago and it’s a lovely machine and has some extras that are fantastic my Elna is my favourite.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I have heard so many great things about the Elna machines. I can't wait until we can acquire one as well :) It is rare that something could last one's lifetime and still be a workhorse. Sewing machines are a marvel of engineering for all to enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
We have my husband's grandmother's White Rotary that needs to be restored. It has ALL the accessories and the original manual which instructed the user on how to fit her sewing schedule so that she didn't neglect her other wifely duties, ha. My son has a Nintendo sewing machine. It is directed by a Nintendo game controller that is connected separately to the machine. Has a footpedal. I used in November 2022 when I visited him. It was produced by Singer in the early days of Nintendo in an effort to draw young people into sewing.
I just bought a Singer 201k bauitiful for 200 € when I put my finger on side of spool it works perfect if you know how I can adjust tenchen afraid to tuch it in case I mess it up
That's great! The 201's are so beautiful and smooth. Great find! I would just play with the tension knob and experiment until you are happy with the stitch consistency. If you don't have any luck, try taking the lower bobbin out and adjusting the tension there. There is a really small screw on the front of the bobbin holder that adjusts the tension. Start with only 1/4 turns at a time until you feel a change in tension when you pull by hand. You will get the hang of it I am sure :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I use a Bernina 1020 which I bought for $150 several years ago. It sews like a dream. I kick myself for not taking my aunt’s two machines, both White machines, one old p, prob the 1940s and the other maybe the 1970s. She actually went back to using the older machine.
I collect because people won't stop giving them to me. Lol. Seriously it breaks my heart to see an orphaned sewing machine.
Lol. This is a really good problem to have. As long as you have the room, I say keep taking them in :) Thanks for watching!
I agree with you. Such a shame to see them not being used.
Me,too…which is why I now have about 100+….
We thinned the herd a few years ago, but, apparently, the universe feels that we need to start collecting again! We were just gifted 4 machines this weekend!
Eu moro em Manaus - Amazonas Brasil e aqui muitas mulheres não tem contições financeiras de ter uma máquina de costura e estas estão muitooo bem conservadas.
The first Singer, the 201, was so quiet. I loved the sound of it. Some newer ones sound, to me, like a motorboat.
Lol :) That is so true! Love the sound of the 201 as well. There is something very calming about the sound of a sewing machine. It helps me forget how stressed out I am trying to actually sew on them :) Thanks for watching!
I was given a 1958 Singer 401a Slant-O-Matic and I love this machine! It is like driving a vintage Cadillac. ❤
You are not alone :) The Singer 401a is the most highly loved machine that we have run across in our journey. There is almost a "cult following" on them. They are handsome, smooth, well engineered, capable, and fun :) Thanks for sharing!
I had a strategy for finding machines awhile back. I put an ad in newspaper here locally and told people I would be interested in the old sewing machines stored in their attics and garages. Actually, scored several free plus a featherweight and a pretty black 301A that came in a man's car trunk. He said he was sure the featherweight was just a salesman's sample as it was so small. No attachments, etc. but a serviceable case. Just need clean and oil. $20.00 - score! (I also have the brown 301A - I call it mocha)
Wow. That's genius! Sounds like you scored a few pretty nice machines. Well done! Thanks for watching!
I have a vintage 1948 117.812 kenmore By White (rotary) deluxe. It is brown cast aluminum and 3/4 size. It is 17lbs. I would never get a featherweight as this machine sews straight and true. It sews straight only but the stitch is perfect. Also have a German made 215-G which allows for feed dogs to be lowered.
That sounds awesome! Our Kenmore machines are some of our favorites :) We don't have a 3/4 Kenmore yet but we have out eyes out for one. Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 it had a small feed dog in front of needle hole which gives it such a straight feed. Great for piecing. Thanks for sharing your love of vintage machines
@@notesfromleisa-land Oh wow that's cool :) Thanks!
I have my Grandmothers singer treadle machine. She used this machine forever! I don't think she ever had an electric machine. I have not had the time to see if it still works, but now that I am retired, I will mess around with it and see. I also have been picking up older machines at thrift stores and yard sales as well. I just got a 70's Kenmore machine for $3.00, aluminum body that the owner stated it kept breaking needles, well they had the needle in backwards and the bobbin tension was off. Fixed that and it sews beautifully!
Nice. That is my favorite kind of score. When someone can't get one running and then you figure out how to fix it up it makes the journey that much more fun :) Well done! Hopefully you can get your Grandmother's treadle up and running as well. Good Luck! Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I have my grandmother’s treadle. I used it as my makeup table.
I have been able to use UA-cam to get my mom's 1955 Pfaff working like almost new. It can be done! Good luck!
Recently fired up my Gmas 1938 15-88 treadle that I've had for the last 40 years. Still has the original belt which is pretty rough but works ok. I now have a lineup of sewing projects from the wife. My goal is to sew myself a denim jacket.
You two are as hooked as I am.
Sounds about right :)
I have a small collection of vintage sewing machines. The Singers-a Spartan and also a 15, both sew beautiful stitches and I love using them. But the one that sees the most beautiful stitches-I have to give it to the Elna Supermatic from the 50’s. It is all green and the box folds out to be a sewing table. I also have a beautiful blue Morse machine and a pretty pink Visetti. Sewed many great garments and household items on all of them. The most recent acquisition is a Sears Kenmore machine from the 70’s. I love the styling of it and it was barely used when I got it. Thanks for posting this video. It is always such fun to see these vintage machines!
That is great! Sounds like you have an amazing collection of your own. All of the machines you mention are super nice. Thank you for sharing and thanks for watching! Happy sewing :)
I was lucky enough to buy a Singer Featherweight in 1972 for my high school graduation for $50, and it sews beautifully. I have all the attachments and the instruction book. Recently I sold my 2005 Pfaff, which was giving me a lot of problems, to a collector and bought a Baby Lock Jubilant that I’m still learning to use. I’ve owned a 1980 Kenmore with cams . In my teens my family owned a Singer Touch and Sew which I call Touch and Swear.
Wow. That is cool to have the same Featherweight all these years, especially with all the "doo-dads". I sew on a Baby Lock Espire and I LOVE it! Ya, the touch and sew models are a bit finicky, but they were pretty cool when they were new. Thanks for sharing . Thanks for watching and following along!
“Touch and swear” lol.
Touch and Throw is our name for those models
I still have the featherweight I learnt to sew on as a child in the 60s. It's like an extension of my hands!
1. I concur, 201-2
2. Kenmore model 52 (it's a tank with a 1.2 amp motor)
3. Singer Genie 354, it's 3/4 size, 70's kitsch and I adore it.
4. My grandmother's Kenmore model 1756.
5. Atlas Precision Deluxe. It's big, it's heavy, it's gaudy, and it's really pink. It's an unabashed 50's machine that screams look at me.
Now that is a great list! Thanks for sharing :)
Love that your husband understands the addiction and benefits - mine does not understand why I "need" another machine (ever) when I already have >15. Haha. I have a soft spot for Necchi's , particulary the 1940s BU Mira and the Supernovas. My mom had a 1970s Husqvarna Viking 6000 series machne that she used her whole life and made everything from apparel to costumes to household goods. It's the one I learned to sew on and it reminds me of my (deceased) mother every time I see it. IT's also a FANTASTIC machine with a low gear, strong as an ox, sews through anything, and minimal things to go wrong. I would *LOVE* a treadle machine. I really need a second house to keep my machines haha
Ya, we are lucky to both share the same passions and hobbies. We both love picking up old machines and making them run and work. We are loving our Viking machines as well. That is great that you have a soft spot for Necci machines. We really want to pick up a couple of those as well. They seem like really well made equipment. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a interesting thing. I started with a treadle and taught myself to sew as a young mother staying at home at night. Then a antique White portable in a wood case. Several after that of later dates. 💛
That's great! I love treadle machines :) There is something very rewarding about making with them. Thanks for sharing!
The White Rotary is gorgeous. I collect vintage machines and I think of who may have sewed on each one. I feel like I'm rescuing memories.
Thank you so much! It is true, they all tell a story. They all have a personality, and they all deserve to be rescued :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Fun look at sewing machines. I grew up sewing on a Singer 201. My first personal sewing machine was a White portable. It had a zigzag feature! Then as a young married girl, I saved my money and bought a Sears machine with 2 boxes of cams with decorative stitches! When I went to the use and care sewing lesson on my new Sears machine, I asked our instructor what she thought was the best sewing machine. She closed the door and told us all about the Swiss made Bernina machine! LOL! I saved my money again and several years later bought the Bernina 830 Record. The cams were built-in and the stitch quality, the strong piercing power of that machine were so far above anything I had ever sewn on. Additionally, the sewing manual and the Bernina classes were where I first was introduced to fine sewing techniques. I’ve had many Bernina sewing machines since the 1970s. They have all been outstanding for my garment sewing addiction. I opened a sewing studio in 1990 where I taught garment sewing to children and adults. We moved to another state in 1993, so I sold off my collection of manual and computer Bernina sewing machines to my students. I opened another sewing studio in 2016, teaching garment sewing to children and adults. During Covid I couldn’t provide enough sewing classes for adults-a huge re-interest in learning to sew among adults of all ages. I closed the studio after the summer of 2022. I sold off most of my classroom sewing machines. My personal sewing machine is a Bernina 790+, and a 890 serger. I also purchased a Juki DDL9000 computer industrial machine which is a heavy duty, blindingly fast and accurate straight stitch machine. All purchased with the money I made from teaching sewing. I’ve had so much joy and made so many dear friends in teaching sewing and going to classes and seminars over the years. What a great skill to have and to pass on to the future generations!
Wow! What a wonderful story :) Thank you so much for sharing! I am soooo ready to come across a Bernina Record. I have heard soooo many awesome things about Bernina machines. I can't wait to acqauire 1, or 2, or many, many! I am also very inspired to make my own clothing. I am pretty good at buying old machines, a little better at fixing them up, but my sewing skills leave a lot to be desired. Your story is the kind that inspires me to try new projects and challenge myself. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I sew on my Mom’s Phaff 362. My Dad bought it for my Mom when I was 3 for $800 and I am now 61. I love this machine!! I sew on it 3-4 days a week when I am not working as a staff floor nurse here in Indy at a rehab hospital. My Mom made all my choir dresses and prom/dance dresses on this machine. She taught me to sew on it when I was 13. I still remember making a top on a Sunday to wear it on a Monday.
Nice! There is nothing like a Pfaff. How awesome to be the original owner and still have and use the same machine all these years. That's fun! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching and following along!
I also sew on my mom's Necchi from mid 1940s.AND I am also a Nurse on a long term care unit. Sewing keeps me sane after the stress of working.
@@jannooney8672 A Necchi machine ? WOW!! I have never heard of that machine. That is so cool!! I am sure like me whenever you sit down to sew I think of my Mom. I still have several of the prom dresses she made for me and a few dresses she made for my sister and me. Nursing is really hard these days!! Physically, emotionally and sometimes a thankless job. I so glad you have sewing to refresh and escape!! 🌷
My unicorn machine is a teal colored Ford machine. It's Japanese made and my mother owned one till she donated it to Goodwill. I have never seen another one since.
Wow. That's cool. I have never heard of a Ford machine. I will have to look that one up. It is fun to come across a machine that your family owned in the past. Even though it is not the actual machine, it still provides the sentimental value. Sewing machines are a special collector's category like that :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I bought a secondhand Elna in 1973. Still going well after all these years.
Wow! That is cool. I have heard so many great things about the Elna machines, but have not come across one yet. What an engineering marvel to have lasted all of these years. Good work! Thanks for sharing.
It was “sleeping “ . So beautiful and well designed. So many …
That White is superb
I have an ELna machine and I don't like it. I paid about $900 for it new in 2022 and to me, it sews like a cheap Singer machine. I'm going to give it away. I wanted a heavy duty machine and the sales person lied to me about it.
@@katielove9932The later model Elnas are Elnas in name only. The early Swiss manufactured models are marvels. It's a pity the Elna name has been tarnished by these later Asian imposters. It's pretty much the same with other European brands that have lost their quality and heritage by shifting their production to developing countries.
I think there is a story behind every sewing machine. I wish they could talk.
Lol. For sure. But then...maybe not :)
We grew up with a Pfaff in our house. It still stands out in my mind.
Ok cool...I am glad that I am not the only one :) Thanks for watching!
Love my 201. I use it everyday since I got it in 2019. It was serviced by an Amish guy. As much as I have used it, I have had no problems. Came with a beautiful Queen Ann cabinet. Put me back 75$.
That's great! A good 201 in a nice cabinet is worth every penny of 75 dollars. Thank you for sharing :)
My unicorn machine is a white featherweight. I'm collecting Kenmores from the 70's. My 1st machine at 14 yrs old. I'm very sentimental about them and love the way they sew.
That is great! I just saw a white Featherweight on marketplace for 2,400 dollars. Ouch... So many people love their Kenmore machines. I love ours as well :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
My 1st machine was a 1976 Kenmore and I still love the older Kenmores. Tough, reliable, and inexpensive because the old all metal Kenmores are very underappreciated.
I've had a few white featherweight I've the years and honestly feel they are cool looking but not as well made as the older black ones. Even the cases are a bit flimsy.
I have 19 machines in total My favorite is my great grandmothers 1894 singer treadle, my most stylish is my featherweight, my tank is my 1928 white rotary, my best stitch is my Italian made Necchi, my most nostalgic is my 2 fiddle base, hand crank Frister and Rossmann.
Wow! That is a great list! Thank you so much for sharing! Sounds like you have a wonderful collection :) I am super envious of your Italian Necchi. One day we will have one, just have to be patient. Those kind of machines don't hang out in the thrift shops very often :) I am not familiar with Frister and Rossmann...I will have to look those up. Thanks for the info. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Hands down Singer 301A. I own 4. I have all 3 colors. I have both long and short beds. They are so fast. So easy to maintain. So light! So easy to use! I am a quilter and use all of mine all the time! I do use a Singer 206k for free motion quilting. It being a zigzag machine makes for great quilting! Fun video!!!
Thank you so much! I completely agree. We just picked up our first 301a last week and we just love it. It is a dark brown color. It is so smooth, fast and light. It will be our new travel machine for sure! Thanks for watching!
@NeverTooMany I have 1 black short bed. And 1 ELBOW. And 2 beige one long and one short beds. And I would buy another in a heart beat! Lol!
I loved looking at the past sewing machines.
Very classic like the antique cars were all unique.
I agree with you. They all have a personality of their own and behave in their way. They are marvels of engineering and I love being a part of the vintage machine game:) Thanks for watching and following along!
I just acquired a 185J but it doesn’t have a case. I would love to see a video or be directed to a video that shows how to replace or rebuild a case. Or table for that matter.
That's great! I am sure you will love it :) Not sure about a video replacing the case. If I remember right, those were plastic. Thanks for watching!
I am a collector of mostly Singer vintage sewing machines. I agree with your top pick of best stitch being 201-2. I have picked up a few machines from folks who got them from relatives. One was a Singer 66 Red Eye from 1919, another was a Singer VS2 from 1886. You are lucky to be in a location where you can find machines like you have at thrift stores. I haven’t been so lucky. Great video! Thanks
Thank you so much! Ya, we are super lucky. There are literally 10 thrift stores that sell machines within 5 miles of our home. Sounds like you have some pretty cool machines as well. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
My everyday machine is my Singer 328K. Made in 1962 in Kilbowie Scotland. Even with a Viking Husqvarna, I do 95% of my sewing on my 328K. It’s always out and ready to work. 😊. I lovingly restored it; it’s all I need. (I’d love a 201 or 15-91 someday. )
That's great! The 328 is a wonderful machine. We also have a Viking and we love it as well. Thanks for watching!
I heard they are the most dependable and never see a tech. They are also treadle capable too.They have a strange sound a slight clickety clack like a train on the tracks. Some find it soothing
When I was 12 my grandmother gave me her 401A. I’m in my 60s and I still use that machine. It’s been moved around the world with minimal fuss. I oil it on occasion and have replaced the light bulb a few times. My grandmother named it Brown Betty! I have other machines but Brown Betty is my fave!
Nice! There is nothing cooler than having, and using, a machine that was handed down to you. It really makes the sewing experience much more special. Thanks for sharing!
I love my 401A-got mine on eBay.🥰
I started collecting a few months ago when i unearthed a 1948 singer 201-2 from my attic in a # 40 cabinet, I now have a model 27 treadle and a 15-91 in cabinet # 42, I'm awaiting delivery of a singer 20 just for fun. The 201 is Zen to use, whisper quiet, strong, smooth.
A singer 403a will be my next machine i think.
How fun! You are off to a great start :) We just love the 300, 400, and 500 series Singer machines. They are super stylish and really fun to use. Hope you find what you are looking for. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
Those old sewing machines a wonderful. In have a Kenmore I bought in 1971 and it still runs like new.
So many people love their Kenmore machines. I love mine as well. That's awesome that your 71 machine is still doin the thing :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I have 2 Kenmores. made in1965 and1969 both work and are used almost daily
@@belindakinmon1395 That's awesome!
My favorite Kenmore 158 1931.❤❤❤
I just happened across your video! This is wonderful! I have my grandma’s Singer 1902 treadle , it’s my absolute favorite! It’s not working but probably could be. I was gifted a 1953 Featherweight a couple years ago from a friend who got it for graduation in 1955. I’m like you the price range for the featherweight is crazy.
I do have a small collection of working/ non working machines of various brands.
Thank you for sharing your experience and choices!
Thank you so much! That is awesome that you have your grandma's machine. I hope you are able to get it running. Great work on your collection! Thanks for watching and following along!
I'm not a collector, but when I saw you bring out that beautiful White machine, it was like seeing an old friend. My parents got me a new White back in 1962 when I was learning to garment sew. I don't know the model, but it was very similar to the White that you showed. I used it extensively until the early 90's when I got burnt out and gave up sewing and (I'm now ashamed to admit) donated it, thinking I'd never sew again, along with all my sewing supplies. A few years ago I got into quilting, and have a nice Juki, but I so wish I hadn't given away that White. It was built like a tank and performed so well.
That is cool! I am glad that we could bring back your machine, if only in memory :) Glad you are back sewing. Hope you are enjoying it :) Thanks for watching!
I am not a collector of sewing machines. However, I am a seamstress and quilter. My primary machine is my grandmother's 1950 Singer. Love it. My guy that services it, says it could sew a car engine back together. Its still in its original cabinet.
That is great! There is nothing better than using a family heirloom machine :) Thanks for watching and following along!
While I appreciate the 201s ... I like the 15-91s from the 1950s best. Easy to find for cheap, larger bobbins, ruggedly durable, and reliable stitching.
Awesome! I agree, the 15-91 is a great machine as well. Thanks for watching, commenting, and following along!
I free motion quilt with my 15-90. Does great!
I’m so glad you rescue great older machines from thrift stores. I’ve done it too. It just breaks my heart when I see a once proud, once loved ❤ machine….that was someone’s mom or grandma’s, sitting there, cast off, on the shelf of a thrift store. They’re often mishandled or people mess with them, who don’t know what they’re doing, and really make a mess of them. What may have been just a tune-up can turn into a much more expensive repair. I still can’t believe that so many great machines sell for so little. I know, not everyone sews or appreciates the machinery, but many of these vintage machines were made to last many generations and should never be sent to the landfill! p.s. I sew on a Pfaff Creative 1471 from 1986 or 87….about 37 years old. I bought it used in 1988 so it was in good shape…only 1 minor repair. Every time I think about selling my Pfaff and getting a more current model, I think WHY? It was made in Germany and still sews like a champ! I also have a newer Brother sewing machine and the very popular Brother 1034D serger AND a few older machines that I’ve rescued (will likely sell) and I’ve sold a couple of other older machines too. 👍
Sounds like we speak the same language! I have heard that thrift stores throw away more machines than they sell (so sad). I wish that I could save them all. We have a pretty good mix of vintage and new machines and I love them all. My only hope is that when I am gone, the next generation will value and appreciate them as I do. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching and following along!
I fully agree about the 201. Its my preferred machine at making quilts and I love them so much I have 3 of em. I am in the process of restoring a #48 Singer cabinet, which back in the day that cabinet was only offered with the 201. Been wanting one of those cabs for years and finally found a restoration candidate on eBay that the seller was willing to ship so I got it.
That's great! The only thing better than having a 201 is having 3 of them :) Great work getting the cabinet you wanted. Good luck with your project(s). Thanks for watching and following along!
I just found you folks, Love, Love your show..You mention Stacy has a show too--could you tell me where to find her..185 is so cute..
Thank you so much! You can find Stacey's channel at the following link: www.youtube.com/@RichSoulCreative
Thanks for watching!
My 401A came in a full-sized mahogany desk sewing table. Not a small cabinet. A desk. I bought it at a yard sale many years ago for $65. It's my favorite machine.
Wow. that's cool! It is crazy what you can find at a yard sale. I sure love my 401a. They seem to have a cult following :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Love all your picks! I had to stop collecting machines for so many reasons!
Thank you so much! Sorry to hear that. We will collect all the machines we can in your honor :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I love my Pfaff 130. So sturdy, I can find replacement parts and videos showing how to do my own maintenance.
That is great! It is really hard to beat a Pfaff machine. We have them ranging from early to late models and we love them all. They are so well built and fun to use :) Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
This was a lot of nostalgia for me. My first machine was a Singer treadle. I got my White “shark” for graduation and put a lot of hours on it. I also have a Singer 99, featherweight, and a black 301a. My mom sewed thousands of hours on her Singer 401a. Wish I had that. My main machines are a Bernina 1260, Babylock Esante and a Brother straight stitch.
That's great! Wow, you have some really awesome machines. Glad we could bring back some memories for you. That is what this journey is all about for us :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Ohh goodie. Feeling much better about my little oddball hoard here in Swedent. ;-D Still hoping to grab a couple of old green Husqvarna or such from the 50/60s...
Lol. A little hoard never hurt anyone :) I like 3 things about your future goals...1. old, 2. green, 3. Husqvarna. Definitely on our wish list as well. Thank for watching!
Never too many is sooo truuue. I got the bug last year and have never looked back ❤. Delighted to find your channel .thank you.
Thank you so much! I am glad that you have found us as well! Thanks for watching!
My sister-in-law got away with the vintage Singer machine before she divorced my brother. I learned to sew my own dresses for school at age 12yrs on that machine. Now I use a Juki for chain- straight stitching and a Singer Heavy Duty for most everything else. The old Singer had the knee lever. Loved it!
Ya, divorce can be hard...especially on sewing machines :) We love our Juki and I have heard a lot of good things about the Singer Heavy Duty. I am sure you miss your old Singer. Hopefully it is in good hands and is making projects as it would be if you still had it. Thanks for sharing!
All great machines! I love 70's Kenmore's
Thank you so much! Ya, Kenmore made some awesome machines. We really want to acquire a Kenmore 1040 mini machine. They are so cool looking :) Thanks for the comment and thank you for watching!
Love your enthusiasm
Thank you so much! Thanks for watching!
I learned to sew on my great grandmother’s Singer treadle machine! I was about eight at the time and made pillowcases. I still prefer a Singer over almost any other machine, but recently used a friend’s Janome that I really liked.
That is great! How wonderful to have been exposed to sewing on an treadle at such a young age :) I really love all of our Singer machines as well. They have been a pleasure to collect, work on, sew on, the video. I don't yet have a Janome but I am sure they are great as well. In fact, I haven't met a sewing machine that I didn't like :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Just found your channel. I got seduced by featherweights and wound up buying 3 on eBay. I’ve since sold one and made a slight profit, but the prices are ridiculous now. Your collecting style looks like a lot of fun.
Thank you so much! Featherweights are great for collecting. It is a slippery slope :) Ya, we have fun hunting down the machines in our area at our local thrift stores. It is amazing how many machines end up at the landfill. Thanks for watching and following along!
I just found you two and loved watching the couple of videos so far. AND YOURE IN NAMPA? I’m in Eagle next door 😁😁😁
Thank you for sharing all that you do! So cute and special that you both share this passion!
Thank you so much! Glad you found us and are enjoying our content. We moved from Eagle a couple of years ago. What an awesome little community. We really miss it. Small world we have here. We have so many viewers from every corner of the globe and here you are in the same valley as us. So cool. Thanks for watching!
I still use my mom’s 401A. I learned to sew on that machine and it still runs great. Best machine ever!
That is great! I can see why...it is an awesome machine! Thanks for watching and following along!
I have a Singer 66 that I purchased for $8. I needed it for boat canvas and upholstery. A guy on youtube had a video of how to update it to sew fast and strong. Central Michigan sewing supply has all the parts. We replaced the motor to a 9000 RPM with a new electronic foot to go with it. It sews like a dream through sunbrella. I put in a size 22 Organ needle and it will sew through 14 to 16 layer. 18 if I help it. I can turn around and put in a size 9 needle and sew sheer fabric or silk. It was the most common sewing machine in factories of all kinds. The 201 was the same.
That's great! Ya, the 66 is an awesome machine. We have banged out several fairly stout projects on ours. I can imagine that upgrading the power accessories would transform it. Great info! Thanks for sharing!
OMG yes! The Franklin treadle machine…I have one that belonged to my great aunt and have been learning to use it. She still stitches like a charm.
That is so cool! So we are in a "club" :) I LOVE my Franklin treadle. It is so rewarding to use. I am glad you get use out of yours as well. Thanks for watching and following along!
The Franklin treadle is breathtaking!!! Lucky you!!!!
Thank you so much! We were very fortunate to find it :) Thanks for watching!
This was fun to watch for me. I have a singer treadle, a singer 221, 222, and a fotomatic 4, which reminds me of 50s car. Full of chrome.
That is great! I am glad you enjoyed. We had fun making it as well. That is quite the collection you have. Very Nice! Thanks for watching and following along!
My Singer 201 is awesome. Even my husband thinks it’s the best! I have 10 vintage and antique Singers including the Featherweight 221 and 222, a 401a and a 503a Rocketeer. So fun to collect and restore these machines! Fun to see yours and hear your thoughts too!
Thank you so much! Ya, the 201 is super nice to use. We love ours :) That is great that you have a collection of vintage singers. They are so much fun to work on and super rewarding to restore. It is empowering to make a broken machine work again. Thanks for watching and following along!
I learned to sew on my grandmother's Minnesota A treadle machine. As soon my legs were long enough to reach the treadle, she had me making simple things, like pillowcases. I think my most favorite machine as my Kenmore. I liked it even better than my Viking, which was very temperamental.
That's great! Soooo many people love their Kenmore machines. They are really well built, have great styling, and are fun to collect :) I bet you thank your lucky stars everyday that you were taught at such a you age to appreciate and use these awesome machines. I wish that more of today's youth was given the same treatment. Thanks for watching and following along!
I agree with you on the Viking machine. I bought one thinking it was great and it disappointed me. I gave it away.
I have a 185, I call him Sigmund because he's a monster....But I love him! I do have an issue I need to take time and figure out since I miss using him. I bought him for $28!
That is great! I am sure you will have him up and sewing in no time :) Good luck! Thanks for watching
Thanks for the tour! Good to have an 'addiction' that makes you happy.
Thank you so much! It definitely makes us happy :) Thanks for watching!
I really enjoy your channel and collection of sewing machines!! My mom taught me to sew in the 70’s on her Elna with cams. I regret to this day not taking it after she died. By then (80’s) I had a new Singer machine that I used a lot without issue. Fast forward- like many, I needed to learn quilting a few years ago. Then I discovered vintage machines!!! Oo!! Way too much fun! I have the mocha 301(made in Elizabeth,NJ) and an older Singer that I can’t pinpoint the model of having been made in Germany at a time when the info was destroyed. By studying the shape I believe it to be a 201-3 or 201D. I need to learn simple repairs and maintenance of these marvelous machines!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the positive feedback! That is great that your mom taught you to sew on what is now a vintage Elna :) We just picked up our first 301a and it is also the mocha like yours. Wow is it amazing! Very interesting about your German made Singer. I am not familiar with the 201-3 or the 201D models. They sound fascinating though. As far as maintaining these old machines, I would start out the way we did...if you see a screw, try removing it and see what happens. If you see a metal on metal rotating assembly, try adding a couple drops of sewing machine oil to it. Before long, you will be making UA-cam videos like us :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I love my 1961 Viking Husquavarna that has a low gear on it that allows very heavy fabric stitching!!! Awesome video!!!
correction. 1971 model viking!!!
That's great. Ya, seems like a very useful and convenient tool. Vikings have a huge following for good reason. They are incredibly well built and engineered. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
Lol...1961...1971...they are all awesome! :)
I absolutely love antique sewing machines. I've just started collecting them and have 22 just now. I love them all but my Frister and Rossman one from around the 1880s makes me melt, its just so pretty. Bought a White one from around 1912 which has lovely decals and the lid is beautifully carved with the name and leaves. Your wee Lark is adorable! Best wishes fae Bonnie Scotland ❤
Thank you so much! Wow, sounds like you have a beautiful collection. Great work! Thank you for watching and following along all the way from Scotland!
💞💞 Love sewing machines ... only have 2 vintage though at the moment.. finally getting back into sewing.. luv it.. this is my find for free give away a couple of years .. ago had to get the spool holder replaced was made of plastic.. but all other parts are solid. made in Japan.. it says. Simpson's. Fooling around with it.. just wish i could find a manual for it.. for extra tips....wish I could post a pic of it !!
That's great. Glad that you are getting back into sewing. I am sure you will have many more vintage machines in your future :) Thanks for watching!
If i had space I'd have a collection for sure. Right now i only have six. LOL But for vintage machines I have to say I love my mom's old 1955 Singer. not sure model but it brown/beige color and I think you have but only straight stitch. I think mine is prob. older. The stitch is so great and it will sew Anything! i also have two old treadels in storage right now, so not sure of model, but as soon as I get a new home again (currently living in a rv)... but when I get a house again, then I'll be going through both of them to restore them best as possible. Can't wait.
That's great. Sounds like you have a lot of fun in your future. Happy machining. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely. Thank you for watching and following along!
Necchi BU Nova circa 1953. The machine I learned to sew on, and an incredibly engineered machine. Perfect stitches and a strong machine
Great...now I have to get a Necchi BU Nova circa 1953 :) I will have to keep an eye out for that one. I have wanted a real Necchi for some time now. Thanks!
I love the Novas but the BF looks so perfect. My favourite looking machine.
I absolutely enjoyed your video. Just found it today. I’m an old time/old fashioned sewer. I’m unable to do much sewing lately however do so as much as possible. I collected singer featherweight and treadles years ago and still have a few. Great to see others enjoy collecting as much as I do. Thanks for sharing. 🥰💖
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am sorry that you are unable to sew as much as you would like but great work doing what you can. Yes, we love collecting machines. It is a "healthy" addiction :) Thank you for watching and following along!
I love your machines. I've had an old Singer similar to one of yours, but it's long gone, and a treddle which is also long gone to a stepdaughter, I think, and who knows where from there. I was married in 1958 and bought an old Bernina 117 K then. I still have it, but it's become a little heavy for me, and my daughter bought me a newer (barely used) Phaff. I sewed 4 kids clothes and mine for all those years, but am going to switch to the Pfaff. I've tuned it up, cleaned it up, and put all the accessories together to give to my son. He asked about it some time ago. If he doesn't want it, I'll find a new home for it, since I am downsizing. No collections here any more, but thanks for giving us a tour of your collection. Lynn
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. Sounds like you have had a great time sewing and creating over the years. Yep, time to pass on the tradition to the family. I hope your son gives it a good home and enjoys it as much as you likely did :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
That wa fun to watch. My favorite machine was in there. I have two, working, 401A machines. One was purchased new by my mother in 57 and one we got used around 1970. I used it in hs and took it to college with me. When I take them in for a spa treatment (tune up) I feel like my kid is away at camp and worry until they are back home. I know, only people like us understand. 😂
That is great! I LOVE our 401A. How cool to have one that you bought new in 57 :) Ya, I know what you mean about the spa day. You get attached to them. You take care of them and they take care of you. Thanks for watching and following along!
Have you consiided the Singer 15-91? I made a lot of great things with that machine. Formal Gowns, quick tops, swimsuits (cotton). It was a wonderful machine with a beautiful stitch. I also appreciated that I could maintain it my self, even after my mother made a mess of it. You can drop the feed dogs and do free motion quilting.
Thank you so much! Yes, we actually have 2 15-91 machines. We love them for sure. You are right...they are awesome to work with and work on :) I haven't tried free motion quilting on one yet. I will have to give that a try. Thanks!
Have all the machines you mentioned except the 201, plus a treadle 66, several fancy Husqvarna I've been gifted. My absolute best machine is a Neechi ultra super nova. It is built like a Ferrari! The engineering is absolutely amazing. Made in Italy in 50s. I also love my Juki 2000 for quilting and speed sewing. It's stitching is quite precise. I just love them all!
That is awesome! Every time someone mentions the name Necchi, I get jealous. We want an Italian made Ferrari machine too! The Necchi-Alco that we have (I think made in taiwan) is really cool. I can only imagine what an actual Necchi would be like. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
What a nice video! I have a Featherweight which I found here in Holland at a quilt fair. I am greatly surprised by the prices of these machines in the US, because the kind lady who sold it to me only asked $420 for it. It dates from 1949. I also have a modern Pfaff and I use them alternately for normal piecing. For heavier work I get the Pfaff out.
Thank you so much all the way from Holland! Ya, the featherweights are a bit of a novelty when it comes to pricing. They are super cute and really portable, but like you said, when you want to sew heavier work, you reach for the Pfaff :) That is a great duo to have in your arsenal :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I love my 185 singer….but it is really heavy. I think it sews so wonderful.
Ya, for sure! The 185 is in a class of its own for cuteness. Just light enough to move, just heavy enough to hurt afterwards :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
Great video! I’ve learned a lot from watching y’all -and I grew up watching Little House as well.
I just picked up a black Singer 301A short bed from Goodwill. Perfect case, original accessories box, buttonholer and zig zagger, plus 6 bobbins AND it included a “tuneup kit” from The Featherweight Store as well! What we didn’t see was the button pedal foot control was missing a large chunk of plastic right in the middle. We’re going to work on rehabbing but she’s definitely functioning which was awesome.
Seven of my machines have come from Goodwill-two are currently in Maryland, to be driven down in July by a family member. Take care and happy hunting!
Thank you so much for the feedback! That is funny, we just picked up a 301a yesterday as well. Super cool machine. It didn't come with all the doo-dads, but we love it all the same. Sounds like you have a great collection of your own. Awesome what you can find at a thrift store :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Great video
My first machine was a 201 now I have two of them
Then I got a Pfaff 230 and then I got a 401g that came with a 328 both not working
Got both of them working now am loving the 401 and I agree it’s like the 230
Keep on sewing guys :)
Thank you so much! You have some great machines :) Good work getting them up and running. Thanks for watching and following along!
Love your channel! Thank you for confirming it's okay to collect and appreciate these beautiful, functional machines that are so well made they last for generations!
Thank you so much! It is definitely okay to collect. We have to all work together to save these machines from the landfill. Thanks for watching and following along!
What a great, interesting video, just came across it on my feed. I have an old BERNINA 831, not as old as a lot of these machines, but it all metal, and sews like a dream.
That is great! I have heard so many great things about the Bernina machines. It is definitely on our list to get 1, or 2 , or ALL of them :) Lol. Thanks for watching!
I have a LOT of vintage machines, and the 301 is my pick for travel and retreats!!
That's awesome. Ya, the 301 is an amazing machine. We have acquired 2 since this video and we just love them. Thanks for watching!
Absolutely agree with everything you said about the 201 - it's just a beast. LOVE mine. Your collection is a lot like my own - and I'm honestly a bit jealous of your Lark - What a gem! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much! Ya the 201 is simple perfection :) That is great that you have a similar collection. So much fun. The Lark is too cute for its own good...Lol. Thanks for watching!
I have the 301a and really love it. Stitches are amazing.
That is awesome! We actually just picked up our first one and we love it too! I thought there were only two colors, black and light brown, but the one we found is a dark brown and cream like color. It is beautiful and like yours, it stitches wonderfully. Thanks for sharing and following along!
Me, too. It was my mother’s and she gave it to me when I married. She got it in 1957 and I’ve had it since 1975. Still works great.
I inherited my mother's 201 Singer. My husband repaired it, we bought the special grease for it. It was the top of the line machine when she bought it in the 50's. I agree, best stitches of all. I have all the attachments for it. Makes the best button holes of any machine I've ever used, with the button hole attachment. I'll keep it forever. It will outlive me, for certain. I also have a couple of Singer 99's. Also, a Japanese version of a Singer 15.
The only repair it needed was a new power cord.
That is awesome! Yes, it will outlive us all :) The 99s are super cute. We just picked up a couple of them (video coming soon...). We have the button hole doo-dad for the Singer machines as well, though I have never used them. I really want to start making my own clothing, so I am hoping I can work out the whole button deal :) Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I really enjoyed this video, especially the collection of ur vintage machines. The quality of the engineering with vintage machines r the best. Give me vintage instead of modern any day. I enjoy the beauty of the machines. The only problem I have is finding someone to repair. The machines does the same thing too me - takes me back into history. Sewing is my therapy.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. We enjoyed making it as well :) Ya, Vintage machines just hit differently. Collecting them has been very therapeutic for me as well. Thanks for watching!
I love my Pfaff 130-6. If you have never tried sewing on one you’ve got to try it! When I sew delicate wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses it’s my Bernina artista, for a great top stitch I like my white 2134. For extreme heavy duty I use my Techsew 830 bed post. One day I will most likely add a singer and a husqvarna
Thank you so much! Sounds like a great list. I will check those out for sure! Thank you so much for the suggestions. Thanks for watching and following along!
The green Singer looks a lot like the 1952 Elna Supermatic which is the follow-up to the Elna Grasshopper. The Supermatic had cams for patterns. I have one and it has incredible stitch penetration. Goes through thick fabric and thin leather without missing a beat.
That's great! Since this video we have picked up a couple Elna machines, but not yet the Supermatic. Looks like a really cool one. Glad to know that it is a work horse. Thanks for sharing :)
The White rotary is really beautiful. Some of your machines Ive never seen before. When will you open a museum?
Thank you so much! I agree completely :) Lol...ya we should give guided tours :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Thanks for this interesting video.
I'm not a collector, but my unicorn is a Pfaff 545-H4. With about 0.75" space under the presser foot it sews through almost everything non-metal, fingers and bones included, while it is still so elegant in performance. This "ballet tank" weighs about 70 lbs (just the machine head), and to me it's engineered to perfection. I have it running almost every day, and it hasn't ever let me down. The stitch is incredibly beautiful on top, I never had to adjust tension, whatever I've been sewing - and as we are of the same age, we just make a perfect couple 😉
That is great! I will have to look up the 545-H4. It sounds like a real piece of equipment :) Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 thanks for your reply! The 545 is really worth a closer look. It's very popular in upholstery, leatherworks and car seat manufacturing. I sew my bags on it. The H value (H1, H2, H3, H4) indicates how high the presser foot raise is.
@@petersiliekrause2203 Interesting. Good to know. Thanks!
I do love my 500a. I don’t have any cams but that isn’t a priority for me. The 301 is a favorite as well. The slant needle is what I first learned to sew on and still love the visibility it provides. I have been looking for the 185…so cute!
That is great! Ya, I haven't gotten the cams for our 503 either but one day I will get it all together :) I hope you find your 185. Thanks for watching and following along!
I loved all the sewing machines in this video! Amazing video!
Thank you so much for the feedback. Glad that you enjoyed our content :)
You definitely need a 301! Not much heavier than a Featherweight and faster! It has a beautiful straight stitch. There are actually three colors - mine is a two-tone (cream and tan).
Lol...That's awesome. We actually just scored our first 301 last week. It is a dark brown model. It is fabulous! My next one will be the two tone like yours :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Great video! Enjoyed the dialogue between the both of you.
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed your video and the great information you provided. I would like to start collecting vintage sewing machines. The only vintage sewing machine I own is a Singer that my parents purchased for me when I was 8 years old. I still have the case and the clamp to hold it on the table. I made dolls clothes on it. The main sewing machines I use now are a Singer Heavy Duty and a Bernina 570. Do you buy vintage sewing machines that need to be restored? I would like to learn how to restore vintage sewing machines. Thank you so much for this awesome video.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the positive feedback. Yes, yes, yes...collect away :) Ya, the majority of our collection is from thrift stores in our area. They almost never come home without an issue or two. Sometimes they are locked up tight due to bent or broken parts, but most of the time people give up on them because they think they are broken but just need cleaned and lubricated. I say...get an old machine, start taking it apart, clean it up, oil anything that moves, put it back together, and enjoy the process. Once you do it a couple of times it is super easy :) Thanks for watching and following along!
My go-to machine is my black long bed Singer 301A. But my Sewing Room also has a 1948 Singer 66-16. It has a potted motor for faster speed sewing in a Sewing Shop. And, I have a 1951 badged Singer 15-91.
One treadle Singer "A" from 1858; a Singer 127 from 1892 with Egyptian decals. A Singer Red Eye (66) from 1922 treadle; and a 1923 Singer Red Eye Electrified treadle. I have a tan short bed Singer 301 in a case; a Singer Featherweight; I have a Sew Handy 1932 precursor to the Featherweight debut in 1933 Worlds Fair. I have a newer Singer Talent for portability and variery of stitches for workshops. I prefer my Vintage Machines for their best straight stitches.
Wow! Sounds like you have a pretty sweet collection of machines :) It is hard to beat the quality craftsmanship of the vintage equipment. Singer has made, and continues to make so many great machines. Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 look around for Auctions and Estate sales. That's where most of mine came from. Sometimes we paid less than $5. Two we got from along side the road put out for garbage, cabinet and all!
I've always been a singer fan, I have a spartan, 201-2, 503a and some newer singers. Kenmore has recently stolen my heart. 158s and 385s are my favorites
All great machines! Sounds like you have good taste :) I haven't met a Kenmore that I didn't like so far. Thanks for watching and following along!
Hello neighbors, I live in Caldwell and just bought a viking husqvarna 6010. Its in less than perfect condition but will be restoring it! I can't wait to sew with it!
That's great! Congratulations. Vikings are such nice machines :) Good luck with your restoration and thank you for watching!
I have THAT White machine! Must admit I put it away 3 years ago as I never could be sure of what kind of stitching I’d get. Had it cleaned and refurbished at my local shop-it wasn’t on their list of machines and the tech said that although he’d never worked on one he was impressed with it’s quality. My complaint was that I felt the tensioning was probably worn from so many years of use. I’d love to hear from you with an opinion!
Wonderful video, thanks 😊
That is so cool! I LOVE my "Great White". I agree that this is a very impressive machine. All of the White machines that I have worked with have been wonderful. I have no complaints about the operation of my machine. If you are having tension issues I would look at the condition of the tension plates. If they are worn or pitted they can hang up on the thread. More likely the issue could be the tension spring. If it wears out, it will stop keeping proper tension on the needle when it hits the bottom of the down stroke. Also, it could be bobbin tension. Sometimes the bobbin holder gets worn or pitted or the tension screw on it strips out. Any of these problems, or even worse, a combination of them will make your stitches really irregular. Hope this helps. The machine is definitely worth getting running right. Happy sewing! Thanks for watching and following along!
@@NeverTooMany2023 thanks for those hints. I’ve replaced with an Elna, but like with anything new I’m not as ready to sew as I was with the White!
I love my Elna 6003 Quilters Dream. It really is a dream to sew with.
That is great! We haven't had the opportunity to try out an Elna yet. The people that own them seem to really like them though. Hopefully we cross paths with one soon :) Thanks for watching!
Hi I just came across your video and loved seeing all of these vintage machines they are beautiful. When I was 24 my husband bought mean an Elna SU machine and what a workhorse that machine has been a true piece of sewing engineering, I am 71 years old now and although I bought a Pfaff 4 years ago and it’s a lovely machine and has some extras that are fantastic my Elna is my favourite.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I have heard so many great things about the Elna machines. I can't wait until we can acquire one as well :) It is rare that something could last one's lifetime and still be a workhorse. Sewing machines are a marvel of engineering for all to enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
❤the sewing machine museum
Lol...Ya, it is starting to look that way :) Thanks for watching!
We have my husband's grandmother's White Rotary that needs to be restored. It has ALL the accessories and the original manual which instructed the user on how to fit her sewing schedule so that she didn't neglect her other wifely duties, ha.
My son has a Nintendo sewing machine. It is directed by a Nintendo game controller that is connected separately to the machine. Has a footpedal. I used in November 2022 when I visited him. It was produced by Singer in the early days of Nintendo in an effort to draw young people into sewing.
That's awesome :) I will have to look into the Nintendo machines. Sounds fun. Thanks for sharing!
I just bought a Singer 201k bauitiful for 200 € when I put my finger on side of spool it works perfect if you know how I can adjust tenchen afraid to tuch it in case I mess it up
That's great! The 201's are so beautiful and smooth. Great find! I would just play with the tension knob and experiment until you are happy with the stitch consistency. If you don't have any luck, try taking the lower bobbin out and adjusting the tension there. There is a really small screw on the front of the bobbin holder that adjusts the tension. Start with only 1/4 turns at a time until you feel a change in tension when you pull by hand. You will get the hang of it I am sure :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I use a Bernina 1020 which I bought for $150 several years ago. It sews like a dream. I kick myself for not taking my aunt’s two machines, both White machines, one old p, prob the 1940s and the other maybe the 1970s. She actually went back to using the older machine.
Great...Now I have to get a Bernina 1020 :) LOL. I will have to look that one up. Always wanted to get a Bernina. Thanks for watching!