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Posted by Anne Donnelly on January 3, 2006, 2:42 pm
Hi,
I'm thinking of getting an old Singer sewing machine. There appear to
be lots available in the UK at reasonable prices.
Can anyone advise on which models are best ? Hand cranked or electric
?
I have used a hand cranked one in the past but thought that electric
would be easier and quicker to use. Or would electric be difficult for
a beginner to control.
I don't have much experience of using a machine but can do basic hand
sewing. I would expect to use the machine for duvet covers, small
curtains, etc. Eventually I would like to learn dressmaking but that's
not likely to happen soon. I'm not expecting to do any sorts of fancy
stitches.
I'd want a portable machine so that it can be put away in a cupboard
when not in use. I've seen what seems to be a very small machine - a
221K ? - but wondered if that was too small to cope with large pieces
of material.
Ideally I'd want one of the older black ones that looks nice as well
as being functional.
I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions on the most suitable
machine to get.
Thanks
Anne
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Posted by Kate Dicey on January 3, 2006, 2:49 pm
Anne Donnelly wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm thinking of getting an old Singer sewing machine. There appear to
> be lots available in the UK at reasonable prices.
>
> Can anyone advise on which models are best ? Hand cranked or electric
> ?
There are lots of good ones, but look out for things that were built
before about 1964.
>
> I have used a hand cranked one in the past but thought that electric
> would be easier and quicker to use. Or would electric be difficult for
> a beginner to control.
Oh no - I have some, and I teach kids to sew on them. They will take a
little getting used to as the foot controls can be a little less easy to
control than modern ones. The Singer 'button on a square tortoise' type
can be particularly picky, but they are easy if you use just a single
toe on the button.
>
> I don't have much experience of using a machine but can do basic hand
> sewing. I would expect to use the machine for duvet covers, small
> curtains, etc. Eventually I would like to learn dressmaking but that's
> not likely to happen soon. I'm not expecting to do any sorts of fancy
> stitches.
You need something with a larger harp area - that is, a bigger hole
through the middle. I suggest a 66 or a 15 of some sort. Both come in
'portable' and cabinet versions.
>
> I'd want a portable machine so that it can be put away in a cupboard
> when not in use. I've seen what seems to be a very small machine - a
> 221K ? - but wondered if that was too small to cope with large pieces
> of material.
Yes. I have one, and they send to be more expensive and something of a
collector's piece. They are VERY tiddly! Very tough, some of the best
machines ever built (for straight stitch only), but very small.
>
> Ideally I'd want one of the older black ones that looks nice as well
> as being functional.
The 221 'Featherweight' is light because it is cast of aluminium rather
than cast iron. The 66 and the 15 will both be very heavy as they are
larger machines. Portable is relative: they won't be as portable as a
featherweight, as they will weigh almost 3 times as much!
>
> I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions on the most suitable
> machine to get.
For the type of work you want to do, I'd suggest either a type 15-90
with an electric motor (mine's a 15-88 treadle built in about 1936 in
Canada), or a 66. My 66K is hand cranked, but there were motorized
versions too. Both will be heavy. A good compromise would be a 99,
which is a 3/4 sized machine: smaller than the 66 and 15's, but quite a
bit bigger than the Featherweight.
There are other models about: look for ones that take either the Type 66
bobbin (the old traditional Singer drop-in bobbins) or the Type 15
bobbins (also sometimes called 'universal' bobbins) that go into a
separate bobbin case in the side or front of the machine. Both a re
readily available. Remember to use the metal ones, not plastic ones in
these older machines. Look for something built in the 40's or 50's.
Parts are still available for these machines. Go much later and you
start finding some of the early zigzag machines, and complexities such
as cams for different stitch patterns. Some of those machines are very
good, but probably more complex than you want right now.
You can see examples of the Featherweight, the 66, and the 15-88 on my
web site in the Sewing Machine Gallery. I don't yet have pix of my 99K
up. It was the first machine I ever made a garment on, when I was about
7! :) It was last used by a bunch of 10 and 11 YO's to make Christmas
stockings just before Christmas.
Here are some ebay examples:
Type 15 hand crank:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SINGER-15K-HEAVY-DUTY-HAND-CRANK-SEWING-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ8247393627QQcategoryZ3118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Type 66 hand crank:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SINGER-66K-HAND-CRANK-SEWING-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ8247394579QQcategoryZ3118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Type 99 with reverse - which mine no longer has (old story about
accident with a ship!)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SINGER-99K-ELECTRIC-REVERSE-STITCH-SEWING-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ8247403264QQcategoryZ3118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Just a 'by the way'...
While many older 'boat shaped shuttle' or bullet shuttle machines are
still about and still working perfectly, if you want to use it a lot, go
for something that takes the standard Singer type 66 or 15 bobbins:
spares, replacements, needles and bobbins are all readily available, but
some older models take odd sized needles (my old Jones machine uses one
now only found in industrial machines used for bar tacks for example!).
The Featherweight takes a different bobbin, but standard needles.
Bobbins are available without too much problem, though in some areas you
may have to order them.
Happy hunting, and happy sewing!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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Posted by Hanna's Mum on January 3, 2006, 4:27 pm
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:42:38 +0000, Anne Donnelly
>Can anyone advise on which models are best ? Hand cranked or electric
It depends entirely on what you want to do. Electric is better for
the projects you described but a hand crank is a lot of fun and you
can sew any where at any time. I take mine camping all the time.
>
>I don't have much experience of using a machine but can do basic hand
>sewing. I would expect to use the machine for duvet covers, small
>curtains, etc. Eventually I would like to learn dressmaking but that's
>not likely to happen soon. I'm not expecting to do any sorts of fancy
>stitches.
See if your local fabric shop or sewing machine store can help you
with lessons. Often they will supply them with the purchase of a
machine.
>I'd want a portable machine so that it can be put away in a cupboard
>when not in use. I've seen what seems to be a very small machine - a
>221K ? - but wondered if that was too small to cope with large pieces
>of material.
No they are a collectors thing and more of a cult than a real sewing
machine. If this is going to be your first machine then you need
something more substantial and one that will handle everything you
want to do. No point being frustrated by a too small or too light
machine. They are also way over priced for what you get.
>Ideally I'd want one of the older black ones that looks nice as well
>as being functional.
Probably a good first choice. For ease of use any of the 15 series of
Singers is great, there is a heavy duty one that will sew a door if
you can get it under the needle and that is a 115. Great all purpose
machines but limited to straight stitch only so you forfeit the use of
the new modern fabrics that have lots of stretch. You may want to
consider something more 'modern'. For example there are plenty of
'old' machines of all brands, that are from the 60's, and 70's, are
great machines to learn on, have built in decorative stitches, do Zig
Zag for seam finishing and stretch fabrics and have semi automatic
buttonholes. All things you will need for dressmaking. So don't limit
yourself to the old back machines just yet. Seek out a reputable shop
and ask to try the older trade in machines. Also ask around as you
have done here. There are several Yahoo groups that feature Vintage
machines and they are a real help in deciding what you need as opposed
to what you want. I highly recommend this one
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagejapansewingmachines/
for good all purpose machines that will handle your home dec projects
and learning to make your own clothes.
What I tell my customers to do is to make a list of what they want to
do. Then match the machine to that list. By staying with a straight
stitch only machine like the old black ones you limit yourself to
straight stitch only or the use of bulky attachments and may become
rapidly bored with sewing. Explore what is out there and enjoy the
process.
I recently worked on a New Home from l966. It was the most amazing
machine and I had a ball doing all the 'cam' stitches it had plus it
did a fantastic straight stitch. The lady who owns it bought it for
her marred son as they had no sewing machine. She paid $10 Canadian
for it. Truly a treasure and is now lamenting the fact that it is
spoken for even though she owns several other machines including an
embroidery machine. So get one you will use and start the collection
of others when your confident in your sewing skills. .
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Posted by Doreen on January 3, 2006, 8:00 pm
Hanna's Mum wrote:
>
> No they are a collectors thing and more of a cult than a real sewing
> machine. If this is going to be your first machine then you need
> something more substantial and one that will handle everything you
> want to do. No point being frustrated by a too small or too light
> machine. They are also way over priced for what you get.
>
>
Hey, what makes you think the 221 is a cult thing?...just because the
best known site is named Featherweight Fanatics? :)
Much of what you say, I agree with. The FW is small, and light, and
maybe overpriced for what it can do. But I've used mine for more than
50 years. The money I earned with it is largely responsible for putting
me through college, making everything from bridesmaids' dresses to
tailored garments to slipcovers to draw draperies for triple windows
to...well, you name it. And I can still take it out of its case, plug
it in, and it chugs right along, as dependable as ever.
I love my Bernina, its capabilities, its stitches...but will it still
perform as well in 2042 as it does today? Bet my Featherweight will.
Not being disagreeable, just taking up for an old, reliable friend.
Doreen in Alabama
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Posted by IMS on January 3, 2006, 10:48 pm
wrote:
>Hanna's Mum wrote:
>
>>=20
>> No they are a collectors thing and more of a cult than a real sewing
>> machine. If this is going to be your first machine then you need
>> something more substantial and one that will handle everything you
>> want to do. No point being frustrated by a too small or too light
>> machine. They are also way over priced for what you get. =20
>>=20
>>
>Hey, what makes you think the 221 is a cult thing?...just because the=20
>best known site is named Featherweight Fanatics? :)
>
>Much of what you say, I agree with. The FW is small, and light, and=20
>maybe overpriced for what it can do. But I've used mine for more than=20
>50 years. The money I earned with it is largely responsible for putting=
=20
>me through college, making everything from bridesmaids' dresses to=20
>tailored garments to slipcovers to draw draperies for triple windows=20
>to...well, you name it. And I can still take it out of its case, plug=20
>it in, and it chugs right along, as dependable as ever.
>
>I love my Bernina, its capabilities, its stitches...but will it still=20
>perform as well in 2042 as it does today? Bet my Featherweight will.
>
>Not being disagreeable, just taking up for an old, reliable friend.
>
>Doreen in Alabama
I'm with you, Doreen. I love Featherweights....such a beautifully made,
simple machine with a perfect straight stitch -- and such a handy
machine so easy to take with you. I've even used it on the kitchen
counter.
-Irene
--------------
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
--Mae West=20
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