r/vintagesewing

I acquired two more after taking this picture. 🫣 Though I did sell one! A full comprehensive list can be found here, where there are also a few before/afters. At this point I've got 30+. The first machine I ever owned is my computerized Brother machine, but I never use it anymore. All of them do or WILL work once I work on them. One of them is a cobbler machine (Singer 29-4), another is a chainstitch (Weld-Seam), and there is a 90's Kenmore serger in there too. The rest are standard machines. If you need a workout regime, I promise you that schlepping 30+ 30 lb machines down stairs and then back up them for one picture will indeed get you in fantastic shape. I was ready to keel over.

(Dog is an unwilling participant of this collection; sorry about the creepy mask in the background, I promise it is not haunted).

It's a fun experiment to go through and see how many you can name without looking them up. 😄

Going to finally learn sewing, I have a couple vintage beauties to choose from. This one looks quite basic, what exactly would I be missing? Compared to say a Kenmore 158.19412

Hello

I have recently found a Janome 532 on the side of the road and it was covered in ants and i am currently fumigating it with a sealed trash bag and bug spray on some paper towels in a bowl.

after i open it up id like to see if i can clean up the ants inside if possible, does anyone have any tips and photos of the inside so I'm a little more prepared for when it comes to that time

a few weeks ago i bought an old sewing machine off facebook marketplace and it runs but maybe a little too well… as soon as i plug in the machine it starts sewing, really fast too. i thought the problem might be the cord cause it’s a bit worse for wear. the cord is for both the power and the foot pedal in one. i looked online for a replacement but i cannot find one anywhere
i have attached photos of both the machine and the plug , please help D:

I've been working on this 28k, trying to get her sewing again and was really struggling with the shuttle not capturing the loop from the needle. I realized the needle wasn't going down far enough, so I tried adjusting the needle bar, but there's not much you can do with these really old machines.

I tried dropping the needle down in the bar/holder and she sews like a champ now. My intent was to find a new home for her once I got it sewing again, but I don't feel great about my needle solution. Anyone here have thoughts or ideas for solutions? Thanks!

Found this thrifting, not familiar with the brand but seems like a tank it’s so heavy….I’m thinking it’s a good deal for $25 with the case, tray, foot pedal, manual, cams (I don’t even know how to use) but just a quick plug in seems to run ok except the top left knob seems stuck on that button hole selection (the other two knobs turn ok) and it won’t move at all. Is there a trick to it, does it need repair, or just old stuck oil stuff? Any suggestions to get it unstuck would be appreciated.

I've got the instruction manual (that's for 600/610 as I was informed they're practically the same as a 700) but no matter what I do, and despite it being set up the way the manual says too, I never see the thread getting pulled up into the foot?

About a month after deciding to upgrade from a modern machine to a vintage one, and here I am with my four beauties 😅

They are, from right to left:
Elna Supermatic (1958),
Elna Supermatic (1961),
Bernina 530-2 record (1962) and
Bernina 830 record (1975)

The mint Elna still needs a proper cleaning and a new pulley (already printed one), the older Bernina's feed dog doesn't drop when switched to the darning mode (has to be manually pressed down and then it stays down, I'm trying to figure it out, any ideas welcome), but other than that all work like magic and make me so very happy: what a joy to look at all this incredible engineering, and think of how much work each of them has reliably done in the past!

Hi! Picked up a Singer 347 (i think) on marketplace for super cheap, but it's missing the faceplate. Still works great but the lack of faceplate makes it a bit tricky to remember where some of the controls are, as well as messing with some of the switch limits.

I have access to a 3D printer so thought I'd try to make one! Could anyone who has a 300 series machine (I think they faceplates were all the same) send a clear picture of their faceplate from the front with a few easy dimensions? (Ideally to the mm) I should be able to deduce the rest of the dimensions from a good image.

P.s. if anyone has an extra one laying around, or a model they've already made, send me a message!!

Thanks in advance :)

More pictures here:

https://imgur.com/a/NnR7Etc

Hi everyone,

Thought you might appreciate this piece of technical and personal history. These are photos and clips from a handwritten patternmaking notebook that belonged to my grandmother, Naima, dated 1943 in Iraq.

The notebook features drafting instructions written in Arabic, structural diagrams, and miniature paper toile made from kraft paper. The flaps are functional, you can lift them.

My grandmother was part of the Iraqi Jewish community. Following the establishment of Israel in 1948, the political situation for Jews in Iraq deteriorated rapidly, leading to systemic persecution, loss of citizenship, and the freezing of assets. Between 1950 and 1951, the vast majority of Iraqi Jews fled the country via airlift. The Iraqi government legally barred emigrants from taking wealth, property, or valuables, and each person was strictly limited to just one suitcase and a minimal amount of cash.

With her assets confiscated and her life packed into a single suitcase, she chose to use a portion of that limited space for this notebook, which represented her education and her trade.

I've been wanting to get into sewing recently for making fursuits (still need to learn all the basics of sewing, so any tips are appreciated). I already found a Kenmore 158.331 for $30 that was in a pretty heavily smoked home, but came in a nice wooden desk. After already cleaning it thoroughly inside and out (as well as getting all the old grease and gunk out, and oiling the inside), I was pretty happy with how it turned out (though the belt did start to slip a bit, so im thinking it needs a new one).

The day after I had done all of this, my mom texted me a picture of a sewing machine (this beauty) she found at goodwill, since she knew I was now into older sewing machines, and I immediately told her to grab it (even if it was in rough shape). What she came back with however was in remarkable condition, and had already been serviced less than 3 years ago. It came with almost every accessory I could need, and even a few must have sewing items.

Overall I'm pretty happy with both machines, but I am REALLY stoked about the Singer. If anyone has any info, advice, or recommendations (especially with learning how to sew), I am all ears, and I am curious how good of a deal something like this was as well. Thank you in advance :3

Edit: I did pick up and have secured the Singer

It glides. It's as good as if not better than my mother's $600 Bernina. I am in love. (Also current WIP)

Hi everyone

I am new to this. I bought this sewing machine. Changed the needle by the one recommended for this vintage toy sewing machine

The thread keeps snapping. I opened it and looked. Everything seems to be well working until I add a fabric to actually saw. After a few stitches, the thread snaps

I have tried gutterman and vintage threads and everything in between. Same issues