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Hey all, wondering if'n anyone collects or knows about old sewing machines? My wife has a 1947 Kenmore-White 117-959 Rotary machine. I'm going to a sewing repair store today to try and find a part for it to make it work for her. Just wondering if anyone else collects these? My wife wants to start, seems like an expensive, bulky habit lol
I'm not a collector, but I do know there are plenty out there. I'd kind of like ot be a collector, but my husband rolls his eyes every time I threaten to bring home a new machine, so I onlly have two. But I saw this beauty of a touch-n-sew (1965 model) for $20 yesterday! And I really want a slant-o-matic. I mostly fall in love with models from the 40s, 50s, and 60s, but even the older ones aren't worth all that much.
Not necessarily expensive, but you'll definately need some space.
Actually a couple of mine I got during 'Spring Cleanup Week' and I grabbed them off the curb!
Our favorite is a hand crank machine.....had to have a servant, friend, one of the kids, or someone to crank it while you sewed. And the cranking speed HAD to be consistant.... Impossible for one person to operate alone.
On a placque on the side is an inscription to the effect that this is the model presented to Princess Alexandra. Princess Alexandra became Queen of England in 1901, so that model is earlier than that, tho we don't know if the machine itself is actually that old. I can't imagine it had a real long production period since it's so awkward to operate.
Oh, that one we got at rummage sale along with a beautiful bentwood carrying case. Pd $25.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JBMallory
Hey all, wondering if'n anyone collects or knows about old sewing machines? My wife has a 1947 Kenmore-White 117-959 Rotary machine. I'm going to a sewing repair store today to try and find a part for it to make it work for her. Just wondering if anyone else collects these? My wife wants to start, seems like an expensive, bulky habit lol
Old sewing machines are mechanical marvels. Too bad we don't have room for a collection although some day I want a machine capable of sewing sight to medium sailcloth.
Old sewing machines are mechanical marvels. Too bad we don't have room for a collection although some day I want a machine capable of sewing sight to medium sailcloth.
Keep your eye out for a Pfaff 130. These heavily built machines are frequently available at home/farm auctions, on eBay, etc. Straight needle and zig-zag, I learned to use one of these machines at a sailmaker's shop in the 1960's ... where they had a bunch of them, also used for boat canvas and cushion work.
Reasonably priced, typically at anywhere from $35-100, in hardcases or consoles. We've got three plus a spare head for parts, and these machines are very easy to adjust and will sew anything from silk through leather with the correct needles. Parts readily available through Pfaff dealers or repair shops.
We've also got a Pfaff 332-2, which is very nice if you're doing buttonholes or decorative work with the built-in cams. I don't use it for that, it gets used for horse blankets and canvas covers repairs ... but it's also a very nice machine with the convenience of a "free arm". Bought mine, a console model, for $65 and all it needed was to be oiled and cleaned. I've also got a heavier duty Pfaff upholstery machine, treadle powered only; works slick and we've done saddle leather projects on it.
Also, older Bernina machines will do well, too. But for some reason, they tend to be more expensive than the Pfaff's ... perhaps favored a bit more by dressmakers.
Location: Sometimes Maryland, sometimes NoVA. Depends on the day of the week
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I just bought an older Kenmore for a friend. Not really anything collectible about it, but I am loving it. I paid $10 at goodwill, including the table. I took it out of the table and left that there for them to resell or something (couldn't fit in in my car). I don't think it had every been oiled (every screw still had the tiny washer with it)! Anyway, I let the frozen parts soak in oil for a couple hours, and now it sews like a dream.
Wow! I had no idea that people wanted these old things. Two weeks ago I had an old building torn down in west Texas that contained at least two old sewing machines in cases (probably 1940s/1960s) that went to the high school homecoming bonfire with the rest of the building. I would have gladly given these to anyone who was interested. These machines probably worked as my sister-in-law took one or two of the old machines out of that building several years ago and they worked.
It's not very expensive, but it can take up a lot of room. It's great if your wife sews though, because a lot of the older machines work better and more durable than many of the newer ones on the market. That's sort of how my "collection" came about, thrift store shopping and buying older machines because I kept having problems with the new ones. One of my favorites is a 1920s Singer treadle machine - I had my husband build me a "skid" for it on wheels, so I can roll it out and sew on the back porch on nice days.
High_Plains - I thought I'd add you'd be amazed what people collect, and use. Another big item is old wringer washers - lots of these go for over $100 a piece. I bought one to use for washing cloth diapers, so I could do small daily loads separate from the normal laundry. Some "green" and "off-grid" people like them because they're easily modified to run on gas engine or bicycle power, and others use them for decor or flowerpots.
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