Going Down Memory Lane with these Vintage Sewing Machines (Bernina, Singer)

It's a FUN Blast from the Past!
In today's video,
Linda takes us down memory lane showing some old favorites - Vintage Bernina & Singer Sewing Machines. You'll delight in the memories of past customs - some still in place and others that should be - and revel in Linda's stories about how they came about. Then, stick around for another visit with Linda's sister, Joan, in Arizona, and learn about her "vintage" sewing.
ENJOY!
Spoiler - you won't want to miss Linda's fun giveaway in the video!

[@ladyjsunshine6325]

Thank you !! You are such a pleasure to spend time with ! I loved learning these things. I have way too many sewing machines & I just get so much joy from them . ♥Blessings

[@PKEDRM]

I own the Bernina 930 Record Electronic that my mother-in-law gave me. She purchased 2 at the Swiss factory and gave one to her mother. When her mother passed away Mom sent me grandma's Bernina. I LOVE my Bernina and she stitches beautifully. She came with a compartmentalized plastic box filled with various feet - one or two were missing. (I have since replaced them.) The screwdriver is my favorite of all I have for my 5 machines! The case is a molded plastic and protected the machine well when my mother-in-law shipped it to me from Texas to Alaska. Now we are retired in Arizona and I can sew whenever I want to. The last mechanic who serviced her left a note for me asking that I give him a call if I ever wanted to part with her because she stitches so beautifully. This video has been wonderful to watch! The Featherweight made me tear up. My grandma owned one and I don't know where it went when she passed. My dad had a bad habit of giving things away without thinking about where they were going. 😢

[@scotcheggcreates]

I just got a 530-2 and was elated to get a Bernina made in Switzerland. Took it to a service tech and he said even the sewing machines are made like precision watches. I remember the mimeograph (sp?) machines in school and smelling the fresh ink.🤪

[@oldsewer1796]

Never heard of a threadle Singer 221 Featherweight. The machines were designed to be portable, weighing only 11 lbs., hence it would not have made any sense to have a threadle machine. Also, Bernina is a Swiss, not a German company.

[@bobriddle1965]

Another great video today. I loved the history of each classic machine. I have 2 featherweights that I enjoy. I also have my mother’s 1560 Bernina that still sees like a dream. Thanks again Linda fir for knowledge and enthusiasm. See you next Thursday.

[@carolsipes6055]

The first machine I bought was an all metal 830 Bernina. My grand daughter now has it. Great machine!

[@beverlyshepard7731]

I have a featherweight with a case. We got it for my daughter when she was in college. Love hearing the stories that you have, Linda! Thank you!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

I love a good vintage machine! Thank you for sharing!

[@paulettesmith8068]

I have the 890 from the mid 70's. With the red case and box. I still use it for the Cut & Sew attachment. Similar to having a Surger ( I don't think Surgers were sold as a separate machine for home sewing in the 70's?) I have used my original 890 so much it had a new motor in the 90's) I have had several versions of Bernina machines since the original 890 but I have held on to the always reliable original 890. I enjoy my two year old 790 currently. I have a smaller Bernina for traveling. So really I only own 4 Bernina's currently. Three of which Linda at Linda Z's has sold me. Yes, I am a Bernina snob - they produce the best finished projects without complications.

[@carolsipes6055]

My mother-in-law gave me a featherweight with a case like that back in the 60’s.

[@monikafurhofer1875]

I inherited a BERNINA 730 complete with all feet and bocklet. It's in almost daily use and works amazingly fine. BERNINA still has workshops that repair vintage sewing machines.

[@jeroenkommer6467]

I still use my grandmothers old bernina 600 love the thing

[@carolsipes6055]

Trim the seam allowance on the diagonal to eliminate bulk before you turn point right side out.

[@CONNIED1952]

I love that farming hoop!

[@CONNIED1952]

Darning

[@sewforlife586]

Ive been a tailor for over 30yrs and was never bothered with a drop arm machine. I have 9machines all Whites and Singers. The newest machine I have is 1994 and it is the only plastic body machine I have. I dont like plastic body machines, junk in my book. The rest of my machines are 1958 to 1964 and all zig zag and a couple cam machines and the rest build in decorative stitches. I have retired now and got into bag making, quilting, and other things I never had time for, and I continue sewing for some special clients. But u couldnt pay me enough to see on a modern electronic or computerize machine. The old machines are work horses. You can sew anything on them. Any thickness of fabric or type of fabric and they just look at u like, what else u got! lol Plus they are easy to service yourself. Because they are mechanical its easier to determine the problem and fix it. I have always oiled and repair my machines myself. I also think the older machines are good for beginner sewers because they are more simplistic and easier to use and more forgiving, plus gives them a sense of history of the sewing world. My grandmother was a tailor and she taught me to sew starting when I was 4yrs old. I took to it like duck to water. I was making my dolls clothes at 7 and my own clothes at 14.Im now teaching my 13yr old granddaughter. She loves to hang out in my sewing studio going through my dress making fabrics looking for our next project. lol

[@justindietz2368]

Don't put down the computerized machines! I've worked on both old metal ones and new computerized ones. The computerized ones do so much more! I use a computer screen to adjust my tension and have never had an issue with the tension in the 23-years I have had the computerized machine! My old heavy metal machine quite often had tension issues to which the dealer said "they no longer make the tension assembly for this machine. So, I had to buy new and bought that wonderful, computerized Bernina 180 23 years ago and love it to death!

[@Tradesman1156]

Singer brothers?

[@catherinekershaw324]

I have the 707.

[@judithmaffris5394]

I have one