I went to my fav junk store today looking for old postcards and came home short $27 but carrying a Kenmore 117.812 (circa 1948) in its original carrying case.
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this isn't my photo, but it's the same model and gives youan idea of how it looks. Original manual in the case, all the feetany person could possibly dream up, four bobbins, a couple needles. Icleaned it up and gave it an oiling and she runs like a dream. It'slight enough to carry to classes and I may keep it and sell one of myother 'extra' sewing machines. I looked on ebay and the price for thismachine is either $50 or $165. Take your pick. I'm not a collector. I have never had a collection of anything (except that in the pst 6 months I've been gifted by a number of people with no connections with the beginnings of a little glass pig collection -- go figure) and I really don't like collecting because it means you have things around that are of no use. Okay, so I have mountains (really more like little hills) of fabric, but I could use any piece of it at any moment that the spirit so moves me. but now I have an embarrassing number of sewing machines, all of which work really well.
This new puppy has a really pretty straight stitch, forward or backward, and the feed dogs can be lowered. It's sturdy as heck. Needs a lot, lot, lot more oiling before any real sewing. I'm headed out tomorrow to buy a new can and a tube of machine grease for the gears. The manual calls for daily oiling.
I know I'm not the only one with this sickness that commands one to bring home stray sewing machines. Does anybody have more than ..... 6? I have six SMs. I have space to use 2 of them. Four of them are redundant. Groan.
Sunny (buying sewing machines to avoid chewing my fingers off from stress)
I have 11 and don't hold a candle to the serious collectors. It tickles me that the manual for your new treasure calls for daily oiling. I'm not a maniac about oiling but do l-o-n-g before the silly little thingie on my Bernina counts stitches and says it's time. Good reasons to collect SMs: to have. to share. for backup. for a rainy day . . . I think every one I've ever bought has increased in value. And. Just because it makes us happy to rescue them for a quilter who will love it. Polly
Polly, I've given away two machines in the past couple years. And I have a quilter in her heart, but hasn't ever stitched coming over next week. She doesn't have a sewing machine. I may have just bought one for her. :)
Buying sewing machines like this is a great stress-buster, is cheaper than booze, and you can usually re-home any that become surplus to requirements. That looks a bit steampunk brutal to me, but if it works fine, looks ain't everything!
Currently I have 29:
Adria Saxonia treadle, circa 1887 (not yet working, uses obsolete needles systerm, so will only ever be a museum piece) Jones Family CS, 1907 (Queen Alexandria decals: very pretty) Singer 66K, December 1923 (Lotus decals: used to be a back screw foot version) Singer 28K (1938 I think... ) Singer 15-88 treadle, 1936 (drop-head 5 drawer table) Singer 99K :FrankenSinger, made up of at least 3 machines. Head is
1949, box and some bits 1958... Singer 221 Featherweight, 1956 or so... Singer 367 (late 60's) Singer Featherweight 100 (little plastic thing - cute, but almost a toy!) Viscount 2000 (early 80's) Elna Lotus ZZ Elna Lotus TSP Elna Lotus Stella Air Electronic Frister & Rossman Cub 4 (with attachments) Frister & Rossman Cub 4 (Without attachments) Frister & Rossman Cub 8 (1982, not currently working) Husqvarna Viking Optima 190 Husqvarna Lily 550 Husqvarna Huskylock 910 (not currently working) Bernina 1005 Bernina 1150MDA serger Bernina 1008 (BRAND NEW! It's here on loan for a detailed assessment and review, which is fun). Bernina 707 in cream plastic case Bernina 707 in green suitcase Bernina 807 in red plastic case (awaiting table, but otherwise working well) Toyota thing awaiting accessory box Brother 1034 serger - my backup! New Home (big ole heavy thing: joy to use)
One of the cubs is on loan to a friend in ned of something reliable to throw some costums together, as neither of her Singers is playing quite as nice as it could. In a week's time I'm fetching her a new-to-her 66K with lotus decals back from The Frozen North up by Hadrien's Wall! When I get it here I'll give it the once-over to make sure all is as it should be before passing it on.
Stii waiting for one of these to turn up with my name on it:
As far as how many I have....I have a lot. Right now I have 12 Kenmores....all together I have over 100 vintage machines some of which are awating refirbishing/repair. (I've had training in vintage sewing machine repair.)
Now, that doesn't include all of the ones I've either sold or given away over the last 10 years. It's a great feeling to take a machine that someone has given up for dead and coax it to life again, then pass it to someone who will use it. They just do not make them like they used to - that's a fact.
I'm particularly fond of vintage Singers, Vikings and Kenmores.
Well, golly! You're a lucky girl. I *never* run onto old sewing machines. And I need one!! I've been Craigs-listing and classified-browsing for months, too. The ones I've found look like they're half-dead from rust, dust, and being stored in a barn or something and the sellers are asking a fortune for them. I'd really love to find someone gullible enough to trade the worthless new Singer for a
I'm glad to see I'm not odd, lots more of us sewing machine rescuers out there. :) Kate, the day I see a Singer Rocket is the day I throw out three others to make room for it. I really want one of those and the price is usually so high. I've only seen two for sale since I started sort of looking a couple years ago. People just don't let go of those babies. I've never seen one in person. Think I might swoon.
Wow, what a great find! I had no idea you all had that many machines. I have so little space, there is no way I could ever try it. I have 3 and that is pushing it. Congrats on your new find....what a deal. Donna
Sherry, start looking on ebay. I honestly can't say that it's sound judgment but all of my SMs have come from there. I'm careful about the seller's reputation, snarly about excessive shipping costs and realize it's risky since you have no dealer for backup. OTOH, I've gotten some treasures that way and am willing, just for this, to gamble. Our beautiful old Singers and beloved Berninas came from happy winning bids. Hurricane Katrina scared our SM dealers to higher ground; can't blame them. Polly
"Sherry" < Well, golly! You're a lucky girl. I *never* run onto old sewing machines. And I need one!! I've been Craigs-listing and classified-browsing for months, too. The ones I've found look like they're half-dead from rust, dust, and being stored in a barn or something and the sellers are asking a fortune for them. I'd really love to find someone gullible enough to trade the worthless new Singer for a 15-91 in great condition. Yes, I am bad.
I didn't have the cash the one time I saw one, and let it go... :( Cheap, too, at £150, but if you don't have it, it doesn't matter if it's a tenner or a million!
I just keep hoping... One day it'll come. :) Hey, they ain't the best sewing machine Singer ever made (there are arguments in faveour of several models, but the 201 seems to take it on electricals, for durability, reliability and stitch quality), but it sure is the most STYLISH thing they ever made!
Wow, that looks like one of my mother's machines. Exactly, except the housing was black. I would love to have that. Congratulations on a great find!
My mom's machines didn't actually need oiling every *day*. My machine manual says the same thing. (Mine is a basic cast iron and steel model that is just the same as your/my mother's machine for all purposes). You'll quickly notice if you're over-oiling. "Every day" actually means every four to six hours of sewing, for my Necchi.
My machine maintenance is as follows: I clean the bobbin case and race with a soft, oily brush every time I change the bobbin. I oil the machine thoroughly whenever I start sewing after a long haitus (months) or after a big project. In addition to this periodic full oiling and cleaning, I oil whenever -- and as soon as -- I feel the machine dragging or hesitating, or if I have to reach up and turn the wheel to start it stitching. It's usually pretty easy to see which moving parts are well-oiled and where parts look a bit dry when you open up the machine and turn the wheel back and forth. I just oil what looks like needs oiling and turn the wheel back and forth with the machine open until I feel the oil has worked its way in and the motion is slick.
My machine demands frequent oiling (by stalling or dragging) when I do FMQ; not so much for routine sewing. Piecing patchwork really builds up the fabric dust in the feed dogs and bobbin area very quickly, so I keep a soft, small children's toothbrush in a plastic bag to clean that area regularly.
These machines are like the olf Volkswagen Beetles -- infinitely repairable. There are quirks to any given machine, but these are real workhorses. I envy your find!
My husband had never seen a Rocketeer until yesterday. I was showing him pics of other old machines. As soon as he saw it, he just went nuts and said "We have to get one of those and keep it in the living room, open all the time." That doesn't mean I'm going out to find one no matter the price and buy it. But I do think it means that someday when I have a little stash of cash and spend it all when I find a good Rocketeer deal, he won't give me a moment's question about why. And will clear out something to make room for it in the living room. :) Sometimes style does count.
Sunny
Oh, EP, thanks for the great info. I do have to jump start the machine by turning the fly wheel. I am not going to sew on it until I can get to the sewing machine store tomorrow for good oil and grease and a better brush than I have.
The rocketeer models are very cool. I prefer the 401 over them though. The Rocketeer seems to be a re-styled version of the 401. The Rocketeer seems to be a tad more frail. The pins on the side door are fragile, the hinges on the top also can be. Both machines will serve very will though. No zz on the 201 but what a beauty!
I sent a Rocketeer off to my son's girlfriend some months ago and a 401 to a neice. Both looked so nice, bright and well cared for. They were each $35 at the thrift store. They are around. Just keep up the hunt. I have moved out a lot of the machines around here. There still are more than I need or can use because I really enjoy them but many fewer than
5 years ago. I think Irene wins on vintage machines.
We hit the Rose Bowl Swap meet this morning. 3 FW's. One for $250, one $150 and one at $75 ( really not much to that one) All seemed overpriced for the condition and attachments. A couple of beautiful Sew-Handy toys and a few other oddity machines. None came home today but I hope they get good homes. Taria
Yes. Somewhere around 35-40. I'm not sure how many. Might be 45. The ones I use the most often are an Elna with a tail (electric) from the 60s (for the zigzag), a treadle from 1886 (White VS IIa), and a treadle from the late
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