Calling Vintage Sewing Machine fans!

[SoupDragon]

I know you're out there! I think of you every time I visit my favourite house clearance shop and keep meaning to take pictures... so this time I did.

Here we have offering no. 1. Which the serial number seems to imply is rather old. It has a lovely domed wooden case. Just beautiful but I can't really justify buying it!

3rd picture, Soup, it's probably a ruffler. It's usually rufflers. Someone at Singer loved a ruffle.

You can always check out which attachment you see here:

www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/simanco_accessories/

Most Singer ones have the word "Simanco" followed by a number which makes them identifiable. If it's a low shank machine, the attachments will fit other low shank Singers.

The attachments I use a lot are the zipper foot, and a hemmer. Am usually too lazy for attachments but then when I get round to using them, think "Why didn't I always do this?" The things to look out for though, are the different size original Singer screw-drivers if you don't already have them as they are very useful for doing up vintage machines.

Yes, looking at the pictures on that website there seems to be a ruffler or two and a couple of adjustable hemmers. I like the sound of a ruffler :)

Of course, I have a modern Janome so its all irrelevant!

One is a 35932 quilting foot.

This is a useful site for anyone out identifying vintage Singers in the wild. It shows you the decals and give you approximate dates.

www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/gallery_decals/

It looks like Flora was a Painted Roses. It might be worth keeping an eye out for one in better condition as the decals were worn around the word 'Singer' but looking at this, I'm bowled over by how beautiful the original would have been, with the flowers threading through the Singer logo! I keep looking for either this pattern or 'Ottoman Carnations' but have yet to see one in the wild.

I have just inherited one very similar to the first photo, from my DGF.
Its beautiful, there were two. A singer and the one I have ( cant remember the name) I will check it out in more detail tonight

I will keep looking :) I don't need much encouragement.

I quite liked that Flora was so well used and worn though.

Yes, well worn means much used and loved. ;o)

I adore mechanical sewing machines, as so glad that you are enjoying this hobby, OP.

For my own story, they provided machines like you are looking at when I was at school, but when I started collecting I decided to go for something a bit different but still vintage and cool (only IMO of course!):

A Singer 201K Mk2, made on Clydeside in 1957 which currently has a hand crank but with a machine for the rear pot if I fancy converting - a sentimental purchase because DM had one:
An Elna Lotus SP 1968 which has an almost unbearably cute integral tool set housed on the top. Designed by Richard Loewy, there are examples of it in design museums around the world and you could certainly pick up a nice example of one for under £150.

Both of these work and are useful for light jobs or just indulging myself. My next goal is an Elna Junior, technically a toy which creates a chain stitch with just a top thread, but they are like hen's teeth now.

The cultural history and processes of manufacturing of pre-computer machines is fascinating. All we need now is a Ravelry equivalent for sewers/sewists.

Ps, OP, how about a Godzilla tin with attachments for your machine? eBay has them on from time to time.

This is my old Singer. Works like a dream, treadle or hand turn. Not temperamental,unlike my fairly new Frister and Rossman you bastard

Godzilla tin??

I don't even possess a vintage sewing machine. I just love looking at them in the junk shop andi knew there were obsessed people fans of them here.

I think if another one like Flora appears it might come home with me though. I'm worried it's a slippery slope.

Not temperamental,unlike my fairly new Frister and Rossman - that's what happens if you get a programmable machine, they are the work of the devil.

I'm worried it's a slippery slope. - no way, it's the route to higher consciousness. Embrace the muse and partake of the drug that is textiles, you have nothing to lose but shit that doesn't fit you.

SpongeBobI have that same Lotus 66K as well, although it currently needs repair (timing). It's still in its original 7 drawer table which has preserved the decals quite well. Also have the same machine converted to hand crank which was my husband's grandma's - much more battered and worn. I bought the Lotus in the 1990s in a junk shop because I didn't like using my husband's inherited machines (He has several - a lot of seamstresses in his family!) Never felt like 'my' machines. This was the start of my slippery slope.

SoupDragon a Godzilla tin is a metal accessories tin with a black, crinkly finish. They seem to date from around the time of WW2, and Singer machines with the black crinkly finish are the rarest and most sought-after - worth a fortune! There's the story they were made for the military but no-one really knows - Singer not great at record-keeping. The tins turn up occasionally. I've never seen a Godzilla sewing machine in the wild.

I'm reasonably sure I've seen nothing black and crinkly :o

If you ever do - pounce.

Having briefly googled, too right I'm pouncing!!

I have got a Godzilla tin - I have this sad obsession with perfect looking accessory boxes, especially complete ones. I have got more accessories than I have machines for.

If I know something is rare and I see one I buy it even if I already have one , like a hemstitcher (120687) and a proper little Singer hopping foot for free motion. I have more than one of each (not confessing to how many though).

Same with buttonholers and zig zag attachments ..... I have got too many.

I couldn't smuggle another machine in without it being noticed, but the attachments are another matter!

No new machines this week, just a tin of accessories.

Shiny black unfortunately!

Some beautiful machines on this thread . Does anyone know if modern sewing machine needles would work on a 128k machine? My mum's passed on her old Singer and it's in good shape apart from the rubber bobbin winder ring is warped and not reliably touching the wheel anymore, but I've found a replacement on eBay. I've been trying to compare the needle it came with to a modern one and it looks very similar. Maybe the tip of the shank is slightly more pointed on the old needle, but hoping it might still work?

Check the part of the needle that goes up in the machine-that's a bit more reliable,

This week's offering. I think they wanted £60.

No accessories though, not even a sneaky wooden box hidden in the wooden domed cover.

Stef, I think most if not all Singers take a standard modern needle. I could be wrong. I had a 28K which is the same machine but smaller and that definitely took a 'normal' needle.

Vintage Jones machines need a round shank needle, as do older (like, 1880s!) Singers, IIRC. I have a Singer 12K which has to have a special needle but a 128 is no doubt the same as a 28.

Just wanted to show off this lady who I found over the weekend. She's a 1940 28k, in great condition and sews like a dream after a new needle, a clean and oiling. I also have a 1951 201k and a earlier 28k with different decals. Most of my sewing is now done on vintage machines and I'm so tempted to sell the modern brother innovis

Can OP please ask MNHQ to change the title if this fred to warn us that there's porn pictures? I feel a klaxon is needed...