Newbie just bought a singer 514 Help!

Hi there, I've been thinking of buying a machine for ages, but I am so far from the Martha Stewart Genre that I am very intimidated with technology... After researching fancy new machines with warranties but reading up on how often something goes wrong with them, I've taken my mother in law's advice and decided to go with an old reliable machine. (Or so I hope!) Arrives tomorrow, and is supposed to be in great working order... Here is the ad I bought it from and all that does and does not come with it. Can anyone tell me out there what is missing, what I will need to get started with just a simple jean hemming project? (11 pairs waiting for hubby and kids!) Just wanted a basic, strong machine for little jobs and nothing too fancy...

Singer Sewing Machine Model Stylist 514 Special Zig-Zag With FLEXI STITCH Nice Singer Stylist 514 Sewing Machine. Weight in case 25 lbs. Made

1973-75 Strong Motor 0.85amps enclosed inside. Machine made in Canada. 3 Needle positions 5 stitch width settings. 3 Flexi stitch settings, Ric-Rac, slant overedge stitch, feather stitch, & straight stretch stitch plus 3 other stitches all on one pattern selector dial. Stitch length settings 6 per inch to Zero. Buttonhole settings automatic on dial. Presser foot pressure adjustment dial. Easy drop in bobbin & bobbin winding Nice working light ? power on & off switch Easy to learn threading & simple upper thread tension. Capable of twin needle stitching Do free hand decorative stitching, darning, or embroidering with special feed dog cover plate ? NOT included available on internet. Copy of Original Singer 514 Manual included 70 pages. Attachments Include: 2 extra needles 4 extra bobbins Uses standard needles, bobbins & feet available at Singer Dealers or on the internet. Includes foot controller in very good condition. Enclosed in Original Singer case a bit marked up but solid. See picture of sample stitches made ? comes with machine. Cleaned, lubricated ? ready to sew. Easy to use machine.

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Reply to
allthumbs
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Hi there, I've been thinking of buying a machine for ages, but I am so far from the Martha Stewart Genre that I am very intimidated with technology... After researching fancy new machines with warranties but reading up on how often something goes wrong with them, I've taken my mother in law's advice and decided to go with an old reliable machine. (Or so I hope!) Arrives tomorrow, and is supposed to be in great working order... Here is the ad I bought it from and all that does and does not come with it. Can anyone tell me out there what is missing, what I will need to get started with just a simple jean hemming project? (11 pairs waiting for hubby and kids!) Just wanted a basic, strong machine for little jobs and nothing too fancy...

Singer Sewing Machine Model Stylist 514 Special Zig-Zag With FLEXI STITCH Nice Singer Stylist 514 Sewing Machine. Weight in case 25 lbs. Made

1973-75 Strong Motor 0.85amps enclosed inside. Machine made in Canada. 3 Needle positions 5 stitch width settings. 3 Flexi stitch settings, Ric-Rac, slant overedge stitch, feather stitch, & straight stretch stitch plus 3 other stitches all on one pattern selector dial. Stitch length settings 6 per inch to Zero. Buttonhole settings automatic on dial. Presser foot pressure adjustment dial. Easy drop in bobbin & bobbin winding Nice working light ? power on & off switch Easy to learn threading & simple upper thread tension. Capable of twin needle stitching Do free hand decorative stitching, darning, or embroidering with special feed dog cover plate ? NOT included available on internet. Copy of Original Singer 514 Manual included 70 pages. Attachments Include: 2 extra needles 4 extra bobbins Uses standard needles, bobbins & feet available at Singer Dealers or on the internet. Includes foot controller in very good condition. Enclosed in Original Singer case a bit marked up but solid. See picture of sample stitches made ? comes with machine. Cleaned, lubricated ? ready to sew. Easy to use machine.

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Reply to
allthumbs

Hi there, I've been thinking of buying a machine for ages, but I am so far from the Martha Stewart Genre that I am very intimidated with technology... After researching fancy new machines with warranties but reading up on how often something goes wrong with them, I've taken my mother in law's advice and decided to go with an old reliable machine. (Or so I hope!) Arrives tomorrow, and is supposed to be in great working order... Here is the ad I bought it from and all that does and does not come with it. Can anyone tell me out there what is missing, what I will need to get started with just a simple jean hemming project? (11 pairs waiting for hubby and kids!) Just wanted a basic, strong machine for little jobs and nothing too fancy...

Singer Sewing Machine Model Stylist 514 Special Zig-Zag With FLEXI STITCH Nice Singer Stylist 514 Sewing Machine. Weight in case 25 lbs. Made

1973-75 Strong Motor 0.85amps enclosed inside. Machine made in Canada. 3 Needle positions 5 stitch width settings. 3 Flexi stitch settings, Ric-Rac, slant overedge stitch, feather stitch, & straight stretch stitch plus 3 other stitches all on one pattern selector dial. Stitch length settings 6 per inch to Zero. Buttonhole settings automatic on dial. Presser foot pressure adjustment dial. Easy drop in bobbin & bobbin winding Nice working light ? power on & off switch Easy to learn threading & simple upper thread tension. Capable of twin needle stitching Do free hand decorative stitching, darning, or embroidering with special feed dog cover plate ? NOT included available on internet. Copy of Original Singer 514 Manual included 70 pages. Attachments Include: 2 extra needles 4 extra bobbins Uses standard needles, bobbins & feet available at Singer Dealers or on the internet. Includes foot controller in very good condition. Enclosed in Original Singer case a bit marked up but solid. See picture of sample stitches made ? comes with machine. Cleaned, lubricated ? ready to sew. Easy to use machine.

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Reply to
allthumbs

It's a bit later than I's usually pay for (my limit is about 1964 for Singer machines). On the other hand, it's probably a lot better than some of the cheap new light weight cra... um... 'stuff!' we see these days! ;)

From the picture and description on Needle Bar (

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, it looks like a reasonable machine. Do watch out for any plastic/nylon gears inside, as these can go brittle and break without much prior warning. Thre are some parts still available for them, but you need to know where to look. It takes the standard sewing machine needle and a PLASTIC Type 66 bobbin (the metal ones will work, but will evenyually wear the plastic sections of the bobbin case out, and the plastic ones may well work better anyway).2 new needles is nothing! You need a new one for each new project (at least!), so buy a few packs of Universal 80's for standard sewing, and others to suit the fabric and what you are making as you go along. Keep it cleaned and oiled and enjoy it. It should give you many years good service if you loo after it.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

far from the

technology... After

on how often

advice and

Arrives

come with

need to get

waiting for

little jobs and

FLEXI STITCH

Made

I have three of those Stylist 500 series mach The 500 series Stylist machines {513,514,518,533,538} are fun little machines When it is in tip top shape (new gears and belt) and adjusted properly they run good.

****BUT****

they do tend to suffer from the plastic gear and belt rot problem. :(

The 500 series Stylist machines are not highly regarded. You need to go back a decade or more to get a respectable Singer machine.

FWIW all three of my 500 series machines 1 from the-bay, 1 from estate sale, 1 from a thrift store and all suffered the plastic gear failures. One failed while testing it, another failed within a couple of medium sized light jobs the other ran longer. I replaced the gears in one machine and it runs like a champ now with no problems. The gears are cheap the replacing is tedious, time and effort consuming.

When in good condition ... They are capable, reliable, quite, although a bit tempermental on the stretch stitches (i.e. Flexi Stitch Disks) where you need to tweek/fiddle with the stretch stitch adjustment knob, adjust the thread tension and then make lots of test stitches to get the stretch stitches correct. I don't much care for the spring loaded reverse feed knob that you have to push in and hold for reverse but a sticky table top prevents machine sliding frustration.

You may be mising some of the flexi-disks i think there are 6 (not a big deal) ? you have three ? the manual will confirm.

Having said all that .... I like my Singer 538 Stylist version (after i replaced the gears) though i only use it occasionally.

May your gears not crumble and the machine feed straight.

robb

Reply to
robb

I would think you probably should have at least 10 bobbins. You will want to keep a few wound with white thread and a few with black. I have more than 40 bobbins and use about half of them. Barbara in FL

Reply to
Bobbie Sews Moore

Do we want to guess she bought this thing on ebay??

Reply to
itsjoannotjoann

Does that matter?

Reply to
Lizzy Taylor

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Sigh...I actually bought it on Kijiji...same difference I suppose... The man sounded so knowledgeable, and so helpful...told me that it should give me years of service for what I need it for. I was really hoping for beginners luck! It arrvied only an hour ago, and it looks good...but wait til my unknowledgeable thumbs get at it... Maybe I shouldn't even do anything with it and try to sell it and get an even older model myself? I really don't want do get into gears and stuff, I don't have a clue how to even turn it on yet!!!!!!!!!! lol!

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Reply to
allthumbs

True, but it was a rather blunt question.

Lizzy

Reply to
Lizzy Taylor

It can... Notorious for folk over-egging the cake, innit. And for things being badly packed for shipping.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

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Well, you might be lucky at that... I was given a 'not working' Singer

367 a while back. I got that working again (see here for full story:
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it works, use it until it doesn't any more, then get it assessed. If it's worth fixing, fix. If not, replace.The kids will be using the 367 again in December. Along with three Elna Lotus machines, a Featherweight, a Bernina 1005, a Viscount 2000, a big old New Home that sews like a dream, and a couple more if we have room for them. Might take in a hand crank or two, or the 66... Old machines are GREAT - if you get the right one! But I also love my newer electronic whizzy ones!
Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

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Assuming that you didn't pay too much for it, the worst case scenario is that it will be a learning experience. It may serve you well, or you may learn a lot more about sewing machines than you ever intended.

Stick around here for a while, and you'll probably go out hunting through thrifts and second-hand stores (and machine dealers) for a Singer 401. LOL! It's an all-metal, gear-driven sewing machine with utility stitches and is likely to outlast any of us. With a bit of luck, you'll find one for somewhere between $25 and $100, and be quite content with it.

But give your "new" machine a trial. It may work quite well. It's hard to tell if the seller was an honest person or not. The advantage of eBay is that most people who might list a machine have a track record, and you can carefully read their feedback and find out just how honest they are. There are always two issues: An accurate and complete description of the machine, and how well the seller packs for shipping. Sadly, many an excellent machine has gone to the landfill only because the seller didn't pack it right and it sustained terminal damage in shipment.

Meanwhile, best of luck with your machine. Read the manual carefully before turning it on, then have thread and scrap fabric to practice with before tackling a *real* job with it.

Reply to
Pogonip

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snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net wrote:> > Do we want to guess she bought this thing on ebay??> -------------------------------------> Sigh...I actually bought it on Kijiji...same difference Isuppose... The

should give

[trim]

yes, do try it. The best machine to try is the one sitting in front of you. If it doesn't work there are lots of people here that can advise.

A knowledgeable/helpful seller is, at least, a hopeful sign that it was taken care of, fixed or readied for service.

do try it... share your experience.

robb

Reply to
robb

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>

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If it works, use it until it doesn't any more, then get it assessed. > If > it's worth fixing, fix. If not, replace.

------------------------------------- Oh wow... I am barely able to put a roll of toilet paper on! Really went impulse here, because I had a free way of shipping it to me from 5 hours away, and now I am shaking in my boots... I just want to hem some pants, thats really not much more than I am capable of I don't think... Just a few straight run throughs, possibly the most basic of crafts. Well, its here now... so I'm opening the 70 ish page manual tonight in bed, to give it a look over, and then I guess I'll have to get my mother in law to come take a look at it for me, and to tell me what she thinks of it, though she hasn't sewn with a machine herself in over a decade or so. I was planning on taking a sewing class as well, figure if anyone needs some it's me! Still I did pay 60.00 all totalled for it, so at least thats only have the price of my 11 jean tailoring bill. lol. If I can get that much done, then I guess I'm still in the black right? If it breaks down, I will take it in somewhere to see if it is even worth fixing, maybe I can sell it for parts or something. Hey, who knows? It might just be fine, but in the meantime...anyone have any real good suggestions on a much more suitable one for someone as far out of the realm of experienced as a "sewer" can be considered? Thank you for all your imput to everyone!! It is so very much appreciated! Though I do miss that little glow I had when I thought I might have a real gem on the way...

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Reply to
allthumbs

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> snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net wrote:>> > Do we want to guess she bought this thing on ebay??>> ------------------------------------->> Sigh...I actually bought it on Kijiji...same difference I>> suppose... The

Thanks I really am glad I came across this site! You are a wonderful and thoughtful group and I do so appreciate your support. I will read this danged manual, and then follow robb's advice and then go out and get some scraps and thread and bobbins, and needles, and whatever else this task requires... and then play around with the machine a little bit until I can get into one or two very small and out of the way sewing classes offered on our Island. Nearest one I believe is 30 minutes away? I've even been peeking on youtube and those self help sites, but even that is way beyond me right now. I have a coworker as well that I am thinking of asking for a hand, she has done beautiful work with making a heritage quilt. She seems to really know her stuff and we get along very well. Maybe I will suggest some type of trade off...Christmas baking for her for a few lessons for me...? Can't hurt to try! Wish me luck, and believe me I will be in touch!

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Reply to
allthumbs

It s one of those that has several nylon gears that crack and cruble over time, and one or more drive belts (in addition to the motor belt). Anytime you see "stylist" or "fashion mate" on a Singer it will be a 'low end' model, meaning the cheaper machines of that era. Like any other company, Singer made machines for all range of pocketbooks...and these were the low end models.

Hopefully you didn't pay too much, if anything, for it.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

Yes, a Singer 401. The best machine they ever made.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

A small tip for hemming jeans: if you come to a place where the motor says errrrrr and nothing else happens, take your foot off the pedal and turn the flywheel by hand until you get past the difficult place.

Joy Beeson

Reply to
Joy Beeson

Yes, it can matter greatly and yes, it was a blunt question. But I wish her the BEST of luck with her machine. She may have really gotten a nice one and it works like a charm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her. But ebay should be a shoppers last choice in purchasing a machine. Most sellers have no idea how to pack one for shipping for starters.

Reply to
itsjoannotjoann

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