Sewing Machines, anyone?

[veg-o-matic]

Well, ladies and germs, I'm seeing more and more mentions of sewing machines 'round here. Anyone care to share theirs?
I have a Singer Fashion Mate that's good for regular stuff--need to do some upholstery stuff soon--and a Singer Futura that has all the bells and whistles. I still think that's one of the most excellent examples of good industrial design. Guess I'll post pix when I find my camera...
Bob

 

[tolivac]

Sewing machines are sort of cool-I have a -A Husquavarna(not sure of the spelling)It needs a cleanup and possibly a lubing.Got it at a yard sale.It has a set of cams that determine the type of pattern it could sew.I have used it-Sew very basdic-just can join two peices of cloth together-don't think I could make clothes though.I think it has some lint and fuzz in it-will have to clean or blow it out.Its a neat ALL METAL unit.I am surprized some commercial type machines haven't shown up here with the textile and clothing factories that have closed around here.My mom has a very old Singer and a Kenmore.My stepmother has a Bernina.Used my mom's Kenmore once or twice.Haven't tried the Bernina.How popular is sewing these days-the sewing stores are closing near me.Are people still making their own clothes these days?My mom and stepmom used to do that a lot.Esp when we were kids.Now they just mend clothes.

 

[foraloysius]

I have a Kayser (made by Pfaff I think) sewing machine. I hardly use it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/foraloysius/detail?.dir=72b1&.dnm=10a2.jpg&.src=ph

 

[tolivac]

Pfaff

Before my stepmother got her Bernina-she had a Pfaff that she bought in Germany and brought to the US.It was a pretty neat machine.think it got lost in the Great Rapid City S.dak flood of 1972.I watched her use it a lot,and lubed it for her once.Was very well made-and HEAVY.

 

[jaxsunst]

My wife and I have two. A Singer "Electronic Control" and a Brother PC8200 touch screen that does embroidery and we have several cartidges for it. Sewing is something we do as a couple, we make some of our kids clothes and things for the house together. She prefers to sew on the Singer and I prefer the Brother. Also, I am better at running the embroidery functions than she is. Normally, when we are making something, she cuts and pins and I run the machine, or she will make the item and I'll put the embroidery on it.

 

[peterh770]

I have 3 black Singer "Featherweights" and a Singer 501 from about 1961...

 

[partscounterman]

Singer Featherweight!

I shipped my Singer Featherweight with me. The case is looking a little rough after the trip. Machine is still fab. My mom got it in the early '80s at a garage sale for 15 bucks. Mom never sewed, but a friend who did praised the Featherweight as being the best machine she had. It is a black one with gold trim

 

[veg-o-matic]

Featherweights

Hang on to them Featherweights, people! They always seem to go for big bucks on ebay.

 

[scott55405]

I always thought the Singer Futura was so cool-looking with its covered controls and the shape of the head. And then the Futura 2 with the convertible arm...wow!

I also like the early 60s tan-colored Singers, similar to the one I think Peter is describing. I always liked how the needles slanted toward you on older Singers, making it easier to see what you're doing.

That's another company that's endured a sad demise, kind of like Frigidaire.

I have a newer Sears sewing machine. For the money I paid it is packed with features, well made and does a great job. I don't really sew per se most of the time, but a sewing machine is a really nice thing to have at your disposal for many things!

Tolivac, could your machine be an industrial type? I believe Husqvarna models made for the home are sold under the name Viking.

 

[DADoES]

My mother has a 1960s Singer Slant-O-Matic.

My sister a Singer Featherweight she got from the estate of a dear friend who passed away a couple years ago. I have some pictures of it.

 

[foraloysius]

I was wrong about my sewing machine. It's a Kayser "Made for Pfaff" instead of made by Pfaff. BTW, it's a very heavy machine.

 

[deeptub]

I have a Singer Creative Touch 1036...a later version of the Futura. I, too, like the slant needle, and on the 900/1000/2000 series machines, the housing slopes away from you, so as you sit at it, you're looking down right at the needle. I agree with veg-o-matic, it's an excellent design. About all I do is mending, hemming, and make curtains and slipcovers.
I also have a Singer "Rocketeer" 500A. My mother has a Singer 404 and a Singer Touch n' Sew 630 that was my grandmother's. I've always loved Singer's wind-in-place bobbin, though I know some people don't care for it.
As a child, I remember going to the Singer Sewing Center with my mother. I think mostly I sat on the floor, bored off my a** while she looked at patterns. (The only really interesting thing was the clockwork mechanism that they measured fabric with). But I remember when the Touch-Tronic 2001 came out and it had touchpad controls. They had a sign on it, encouraging interaction (I think it said "Touch me, I beep"). I touched it, it beeped, and my mother had a high-speed come-apart, despite the salesgirl's assurance that it was ok. Ah, good times.

T.

 

[gansky1]

Peter - I didn't know you had THREE Featherweights, wow! I found one for my mother at a thrift store in near mint condition for $80, I'd love to find one for myself now. I saw a white one at an estate sale a while back that went for nearly $600! There a few in black and white at the antique malls in Iowa for around $400, I may have to splurge someday.

I have two Berninas, a 930 and a "Matic" portable (with handle on top), these are my favorites. I also have a Viking 6030 (with stitch cams) a Pfaff 1469 that was abused, and two beautiful Necchi "BU" machines from around 1950-51.

I have never used a Singer Slant-Needle machine, I've heard good things about them and like any machine, those who love them wouldn't give them up and others turn up their noses...

 

[tolivac]

Scott: At this point I'll have to dig the machine out from an area full of vacuum cleaners and look-It's a "portable"has a plastic case and the foot pedal.Was not built into a table or bench.The user manaul and parts were also stored in the case.Right now its on a table with a bunch of trade-in vacuums sitting in front of it.Did use it to attempt to make curtains a few times-worked just fine-Although my curtains I made wouldn't get awards from Better Homes and Gardens.

 

[gansky1]

Husqvarna Viking

I'll bet it's domestic model if it has the cams for decorative stitches, etc. with it. My 6030 has four cams, some models have up to six. Now, with the computerized versions and embroidery functions, the patterns are unlimited.

Pfaff, Viking, White, and several other brands are all owned by VSM Group which manufactures sewing equipment worldwide. VSM is owned by Husqvarna, a Swedish company now owned by none other than...Electrolux!!

 

[tolivac]

I just hope Husqvarna products don't get bitten by the bad quality bug.I have always respected them-they seem to be an industrial giant in Sweden.Besides sewing machines-they also make chain saws and other power equipment,sawmill equipment,and for awhile a fine line of sporting rifles.electrolux owning them now sort of scares me.Hope they can keep up the good work.Those new "computerized" sewing machines-I thought you can also hook them into your computer and sort of use the sewing machine as a "periphral" like a printer.

 

[ironrite]

Funny the sewing topic came up. I have a Huskystar, by Husqvarna. Believe it's a cross between White and Husqvarna. Not a fancy machine but it works well for basic sewing and has the needle stop up/down feature. It also takes bobbins unique to the machine. So off I go to Joanns tonight for the bobbins.

They had a sewing class, 5 ladies and about $10K worth of their machines! And I thought car clubs got competitive. After looking at some of the new machines, a very nice sales lady asked me if she could show me a machine "for someone special." I told her that "I'm special." We had a good laugh and I got my bobbins. She did show me Husqvarna's new computer machine, $7,000.00, not including the computer. I'll keep my Huskystar for awhile!

 

[tolivac]

Shazam!!$7G-is that "Husky" a commercial machine?I envision that machine would be used by those folks that embroider logos and names on baseball caps and shirts.You would need to use it for that to pay for it.Sounds kinda neat though-would like to see it just for fun.-And see what it could do.

 

[gansky1]

I've seen them in action and they are amazing. Jon (jetcone) has an embroidery business, perhaps with the topic at hand he'll be kind enough to snap a couple of pics of his shop, time permitting. I wanted to see it when we were out there last February but we ran out of days too fast!