Servicing the Singer Genie 354 / Starlet 353 Sewing Machine from 1974 - Part 1

[@dianekillmon6894]

Thanks so much for your excellent detailed videos of the Singer Genie/Starlet 354. I just purchased one from an original owner who received it in 1976, the same year I was given one for high school graduation. I traded mine in for a Pfaff Creative 1471 (which I still use almost daily) in 1985. Because of your thorough tutorial, I was able to remove the Genie covers, clean, oil and grease correctly, and put her back into top running shape. You are making a difference and keeping machines in use all over the world. What a gift!

[@shopwornbear1171]

I just commented on your assessment video about this very machine...the Starlet. I am in Canada, and these machines were pretty popular with ladies in the mid seventies to early eighties. They didn't take up a lot of room, were very self-contained, and got the job done. Some I've spoken to have said they liked the smaller feet that were used on these slant shank machines. It, according to mama here next to me, made it easier to get into very tight spaces when sewing, and never failed to sew a nice stitch. Her machine, when I redid it required a new tension assembly as the spring mechanism on hers was too far gone to save, and of course, being a gear driven unit, all of the gears were disintegrating. I replaced the gears and the assembly, cleaned and oiled it (except the motor, that's going to be done in the fall), replaced the cover latch which had failed on hers, put in a new slant shank as the old one had stretched and would no longer hold her feet securely, and...retro brighted the cabinet for her. She has a few machines, but this one was her first new sewing machine, and she's kind of attached to it. Really enjoy your videos. Hope your little helper is doing well. OH, and her Starlet is more of a burgundy coloured pattern, instead of the marmalade colours of your two machines. Hers also is a free arm model. Yours is identical to your Genie as it is a flatbed model. Weird, I learned something new today.

[@tiami4251]

This was so helpful for me ! This is my first sewing machine and i completely serviced it thanks to your video. I would not have been able to do it without you. Thank you so much ! She's brand new now 💙

[@InStitches]

That's great to hear. Thanks.

[@christinafidance340]

This is my first machine too! I just found it at Goodwill for $15.99 and I’m SOOOO EXCITED!!! I’ve wanted to learn to see for a long time now, plus I live in an RV so I love the fact that it’s compact & portable!

[@mokhtarnaas5463]

Thank you very much for studying Algeria

[@jasonbednar3597]

Thanks for your help! My mom gave me a Genie years back and a pattern snd material to make myself some pajamas. I never did make them and have only used the machine once or twice for little repairs. Well when a friend borrowed my machine lately to take a beginners course the bobbin winder wouldn't work. The fabric shop wanted $100 to get it working. She declined. Now I've got a sewing project I definitely want to complete, and some boxers to mend, but I had to get that winder working. After you showed me how to get the cover off, it turned out, just as you said, it needed a good oiling. Spins like a charm now! Let the sewing commence!

[@chrispeak9893]

Hey there! I was just given a vintage singer model 764 and it’s in awesome condition. Had to put in a new cam stack gear and pattern selector actuator. Runs great and sews awesome

[@InStitches]

Sounds great!

[@zane9419]

I’ll bet you’ve given this Singer Genie it’s first oiling and adjustments in it’s Almost 50 year life. We thought these were cheap, poorly made machines! How wrong we were! So many metal parts and bearings! What a modern machine has only 4 bearings. Stepper motors won’t last as long. When’s the video on the Starlet? I had one!

[@tinyhandmadedolls4529]

The new camera is fantastic! Really great quality videos. Love the shallow depth of field.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

I'm about to faint, but drooling right now. :D, you can tell the two different colors

[@alexaelliott2598]

OMG, what fantastic machines to have in your collection. I recently acquired a Bernina 1120 in excellent condition. It becomes an addiction. I love the quality mechanics and excellent design of the older machines. They could all be used as a ship’s anchor compared to the machines on today’s market,

[@InStitches]

Thanks for sharing.

[@stereo-sound-processor]

Привет! Извини, но я напишу на своем языке, надеюсь переводчик Ютуба всё правильно переведет) Спасибо большое за эту инструкцию, благодаря ей, я смог обслужить только что купленную машинку Singer Starlet 354. Хотел бы заметить что она весьма значительно отличается от твоей Genie. Например, те детали, которые у тебя сделаны из нейлона у меня сделаны из метала, мне кажется у меня практически нет деталей из пластика. Ещё, и самое главное - у меня насечки на направляющей иглы совсем на другом расстоянии, и мне пришлось смотреть другое видео со Starlet, чтобы настроить иглу правильно. Ещё у меня нет некоторых дырок для смазки в которые ты заливал масло, а ещё у меня нет некоторых отверстий в корпусе которые есть у тебя. Ещё у меня другие ролики снизу. То есть модели различаются не так мало, как кажется на первый взгляд, но в целом, конечно, конструкция у них аналогичная)

[@amandawhyte6151]

I have a 353 badged as a Genie, same colour scheme as your Starlet. I thought they were badged Starlet for the UK market..

[@InStitches]

Thanks, that's interesting. Yes, as far as I know, the Starlet was sold into the European market.

[@chrisjentz677]

I'm in the U.S.; I also have a 353 Genie with the 'salmon' color scheme that's on the Starlet shown in this video. Got it for a song from an online thrift store. I plan to use this helpful video to fully service. She's in great shape and sews a lovely stitch but runs a bit loud.

[@nouramariam915]

Am from algeria thank you very much

[@mokhtarnaas5463]

merci

[@stevenarmstrong7575]

I'm looking for information on the Singer 495 Starlet. It's a nearly identical machine except the 495 is a free arm and has a four step button hole dial. Any information on the 495 would be appreciated.

[@katiejendrey9493]

Thank you for your videos! They are very helpful. May I ask if you have any advice regarding replacing the handle of the Singer Genie 354? I bought this machine used and the handle was already broken off completely.

[@merjemvr]

Great video. I opened the bottom because the bobbincase does not move. I found a broken part in it..... now I have to open the whole thing to see what is broken...Im afraid i can't get that part anywhere...

[@merjemvr]

We found the part but it is situated on a difficult place .... it is the wheel that moves the arm of the bobbin.

[@merjemvr]

We found a new gear and had someone fix it. Costed some but 'm happy it works again.

[@djsamia4569]

Thank you

[@carlyar5281]

Thank you so much for this video! I inherited my Genie 354 for my grandfather 25 years ago, but I haven’t used it in 15 years. This video has been great for cleaning it up and getting it going. I have one question, is it OK to use a can of compressed air (the same used for electronics) instead of an air compressor?

[@InStitches]

Hi. Yes, I'm sure canned compressed air would be fine. Thanks.

[@lesliez1652]

I have a Genie and also a Mon Ami II deluxe 390. I have read about the Genie and Starlite but haven't seen anything on the Mon Ami II nor can I find an instruction book for it. It is very similar to the Genie but has a free arm - I use them both. Wanted to send a pic of the two but can't figure out how to do that under comments. Guess you just can't.

[@m.saldarriaga3908]

I also have a Mon Ami, but mine is the Deluxe 385. I cannot find any videos or manuals on it either. Have you been able to find anything for yours since?

[@user-pb7ee4tk3q]

What type grease do you use?

[@lisalu910]

I want that fabric! Can you tell me the name of it, and where you got it?

[@InStitches]

I got it second hand from a thrift shop. You can try your luck in those types of shops because I doubt this fabric is still made.

[@lisalu910]

@@InStitches Oh wow, what a great find! It goes perfect with the Genie.

[@Jj-zy4xe]

What kind of grease is that? Is that safe to use on plastic parts?

[@user-fg2db2oy3v]

This video is awesome thank you so much. Now to get to cleaning mine. Where did you get the fabric?

[@jays5671]

This video (and the follow up) is perfect, I just inherited a genie 354 from my grandmother that belonged to her sister- hasn't been used since at least before I was born (20+yrs!). What oil and grease would you recommend to use? Given the age since last use and the loudness of the machine, I think it'll be best to fully redo the grease, its all very orange and far too sticky

[@InStitches]

Hi. Sewing machine oil and I use Fenwick's stealth high speed grease for most things. Cheers.

[@melodychipfakacha20]

could you do a Mon Ami II deluxe 390?? by any chance??

[@chrisball3634]

You don't happen to know what the value is of the spark suppress capacitor is?

[@maxwang2537]

Very useful video. Thanks. One question, what kind of grease should I use, general purpose would do I suppose?

[@InStitches]

Hi. Yes, general purpose grease should be okay. Something with graphite in it would be good. Thanks.

[@maxwang2537]

@@InStitches Thanks. I recently got a Starlet 354 as well. It’s absolutely a beauty, a perfect combination of engineering excellence and aesthetic taste. After a quick clean and oiling, it impressed me further that its unique design seems (to me, without detail analysis) to have less moving parts, or less amount of movement of parts, so requiring less oiling, i.e. less maintenance.

[@amateursewing]

is that patterned pillowcase the same design as the perspex plate on the machine itselt?? Looks like the same 70s style pattern?

[@InStitches]

It was just something I found that was close to the machine design and aesthetic. Thanks.

[@licetgarcia1686]

Buenas tardes yo quiero una de ese modelo, alguien vende una

[@yazmindelrosariogarcialope8156]

Yo lo quiero oír en español soy veracruz

[@oliviavarlet6817]

En français slvpl merci