r/vintagesewing

I just got a Rocketeer, and I'm looking to replace the foot pedal or controller with a modern one. I just don't like the button on this vintage style. I found a whole pedal and cord unit online, but it's expensive. Can I get a cheaper pedal and wire it to my existing power cord? I don't know what's compatible. Thanks so much, I'm so excited to get her all oiled up and running smoothly again!

Help! I got this machine for absolutely free and she’s a beauty, just needs a little loving but the issue is that I’m missing the shuttle cover and I have no idea where to get a replacement for that part :((

Please help!!

Edit: I’m missing the shuttle race cover/retainer not the shuttle itself, it’s the bit that keeps the shuttle from falling out.

Hello, fellow sewing machine enthusiasts! I hope everyone’s doing well and that your projects are going smoothly. I recently rescued this Singer 348 for $20. When I opened the back panel, I found several handfuls of rat droppings and nesting materials inside, so I’ve decided I’d like to give the machine a complete teardown, cleaning, and rebuild if possible. I’ve already run into a few problems and would really appreciate some advice from people who have worked on these machines before. First, I’m having trouble removing a couple of stubborn screws/bolts. The one on the left is a flat head in a very awkward location, and I can’t seem to get a normal flat head screwdriver into it properly. Does anyone know what type of angled flathead screwdriver would work here, or where I could purchase one? The black screw/bolt also refuses to move. I’ve already applied WD-40 penetrating oil, but so far it hasn’t budged. Would applying a small amount of heat be appropriate, or would using a torch risk damaging the machine or nearby components? I’ve also been trying to remove the belt, but its ungodly tight. If anyone has experience removing the belt from a Singer 348, I would be very grateful for  any tips, instructions, manuals, or videos you could point me toward.

A few other questions:

• Has anyone repainted a Singer 348 with Rustoleum? If so, how did it turn out, and what preparation did you do beforehand?
• What cleaning products would you recommend for a machine that has been contaminated with rodent droppings and nesting material?
• Are there any specialized tools you’d recommend purchasing before I go much further with the teardown?
• If anyone has done a complete restoration or rebuild of a Singer 348, I’d love to hear about your experience or see any resources you found helpful.

I’m fairly new to restoring sewing machines, so any advice is greatly appreciated. I’d really like to bring this old machine back to life rather than see it end up being thrown away. Thank you!

Just got this baby home and realized I don’t know how to set it up 😂 it’s from 1932-1939 😅💕

I am a clothing design major and found this Davis vertical feed sewing Machine at goodwill. It still has all its accessories including a shuttle and 5 bobbins. I am interested if anyone could lead me in the right direction about how to best restore it to working condition as well as possibly how to date it.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping some of you vintage sewing machine people can give me some advice.

I have a Kenmore Model 21, model 148.210, that I believe is from 1965. It’s a zig-zag machine and it still works, but it hasn’t been serviced and has been sitting unused for probably 30 years.

It has the original wooden cabinet and matching stool, and I also have the original instruction manual, the original tag that came with the machine, and the original bobbins.

I don't know how to sew yet, but I'm thinking about finally learning, and I thought this might be a good machine to learn on since I already have it.

I'm also curious about the machine itself because I really don't know much about it.

For those of you who know vintage Kenmores:

• Is the 148.210 a good machine?
• Is it worth having it serviced after sitting for about 30 years?
• Would this be a good machine for a beginner to learn on?
• Does having the original manual, tag, bobbins, cabinet and stool make it more desirable to collectors?
• And, just out of curiosity, what would something like this be worth today?

I'll add some pictures. I'd love to hear what you think!

I’m a little bit obsessed with vintage McCall sewing patterns that have embroidery transfers included in them.
Here are a couple of favorites from my collection.

I picked this one up for £85, it was only 30 minutes away. It had been neglected, was dirty and a little seized up but some cleaning and lubrication and it’s running like a Bernina again.
I still need to service the pedal to get rid of the squeak as well as check the motor brushes, commutator and capacitors.
I’ve added some before and after photos.

Edit: it also has a metal cam drive gear and not a nylon one, I haven’t seen any information on the 730 having a metal gear, they’re always nylon and a failure point, but this one definitely has a metal one.

If any of you lovely sewers have any ideas or recommendations, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

I've wanted a sewing machine for a long time (especially since my grandma was a seamstress) and decided I would go with something vintage (I've read that newer ones aren't built to the same quality). Found this one on marketplace for $100. How'd I do? What should I know?

If I am not mistaken this is an Anker MMZ and it has two numbers: F44273 and U 1 5366759. The thing on the right is a working bobbin winder (I figgered that out, looked abit like a bobbinwinder for lace making that I have), altho I needed to add some elastic to have friction! I would love to sew with it but the underthread keeps going in loops. I have no clue on how to thread it :/ If someone could enlighten me with information of maybe the year? There is also a myserioud wooden knob thzt is removable behind the machine in the table! This was left by the previous owner because it was to heavy to take with the family said. (the old lady died sadly) I really love the look of it! Thanks!

I just got my first vintage machines, after my "brand new" Singer made me want to throw it out the window with how often I had to tinker with it to make it work. I figured I'd just get a vintage machine - for some reason I'm much more willing to tinker with an older machine than a new one.

What tips do y'all have for taking care of these gorgeous machines?

I got these beauties from a costume maker in Leiden, Netherlands. His mother bought them when he was about 15, and they became his over the years.

The Husqvarna sews like a dream. She powers through curtains that my newer Singer couldn't manage, and when she's in a low gear she literally purrs. The only problem right now is the reverse button doesn't engage - the outer housing depresses, but it doesn't engage the actual reverse function. I'm going to let some oil percolate for a couple days, and hope that works. The top thread guide got a little smushed somewhere along the way, and other than that and a couple of tiny paint chips that you only see if you're looking for them, she looks straight from the factory. The only other bummer is I only have one bobbin, though it seems I can just use modern bobbins? I will have to investigate this further. I have the original sales receipt - Jan 15, 1966 - along with coupons for €2.50 servicing! Sadly the expiration on those coupons was 25 years, but the store that originally sold the machine still exists.

The Elna looks to be functioning properly, but after a few stitches the top thread starts pooling quite a bit. The bobbin timing looks right, and we tried a couple of different threads, but it keeps happening. I'm hoping some oil and a good cleaning will sort her out quickly. She comes with about 15 cams, most of which look to be barely used.

I paid €90 each - I figure if the Elna doesn't end up sewing well, the cams alone should cover the price I paid for her. I literally can't wait to get them up and running - I have so many projects on hold until I have a machine that doesn't make me want to throw it out a window.

During the lovely warm weather I sat outside on my patio sewing a camisole top for a friend. The camisole was based on an 1880s replica corset cover I had sewn for my Victorian dress project and she asked me to make her one.

What I hasn't even thought about was that because I was sewing with a 1954 Singer 128K hand crank sewing machine, it wasn't noisy so didn't disturb the wide variety of wild birds that visit my garden daily.

I got to spend the day enjoying the sun and seeing the wonderful birds popping in for some good food (only the best for my birds) and a nice soak in the bird baths. All in all it was a truly lovely day 😊

Does anyone know any more information about my grewt-grandma's sewing machine. I used to play with foot pedal and a kid and I love how ornate and beautiful it is. I believe it is a Simger model 115 from the early 1910's. Thank you

Wondering if this is a good purchase- I've never owned a vintage machine like this before.

It's $200 USD and about a 3 hour drive away (happy to collect as the post man might damage it if shipping is an option).

Comes with everything shown in the photos, is $200 USD okay, and what would be the first bit of cleaning/restoration you would start with on it?

Thank you 🙏

I got this Singer Stylist 513 for free! I've opened it up and checked it out, pretty dusty and lint-y... definitely needs to be serviced. Along with that, one of the gears is broken, something that stabilized the hand wheel is broken, the lever that raises the bolt to release the needle plate is broken, and the front cover is missing as well. Is it worth it to get this thing fixed? Or would it make more sense to just find a different vintage machine that is in working order?

Davenport style sewing desk found at an estate sale in Phoenix, AZ. Any information on the maker would be greatly appreciated since I’ve never seen one like it.

This was my great grandmother’s machine, I have never seen it open, no idea of the brand/make and no clue of how to open the lock with a missing key!
I looked in the lock and saw there’s a little pin, tried to push that in with a skinny screwdriver but that doesn’t do anything. Is there a technique to this? Would love to unlock it and just to finally see what’s inside ❤️