SEWING CABINET & TABLE SERIES #1: Taking a Look at Sewing Tables Whose Quality is Beyond Compare!!

[@scotcharoo12]

I believe a Singer 301 requires a carriage be installed in a cabinet due to the absence of any bolt holes. Love this video and I’m looking forward to watching more. Thanks

[@lynncobb8992]

Looking forward to reconditioning my newly found White treadle machine. Just found her a week or so ago.Her cabinet needs work and until I learn from you how to do it, I will only dust her off. I am 70 years young been sewing since I was12 or 13 and have always wanted a treadle. Looking forward to making her pretty again and being able sew with her if I choose to. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@inthehalflight9303]

I just bought a 201 in the 11:40 style table for 50 bucks at my local re-store. All it needs is a light bulb. It is amazing!

[@Sludgedragon]

I never would have thought of ink and pens. I always thought those little niches were the size and shape for spools of thread!

[@drewk1514]

The cabinet displayed around 11:37 is actually a "school model" which was used in home economics classes. They held 66s, 15s or 201s depending on the budget of the particular school. Many of these cabinets and stools were still in use well into the late 1970s. The older machines were often switched out for newer models. Evidently the openings and hinges were standard size and newer zig zag machines were installed in the older cabinets. These machines held up to heavy school use for many years.

[@bearteeka4782]

What a treasure this video is. I'm sitting here re-assembling an old basic cabinet I just bought online, very similar to the basic one on here except mine is walnut. And I had no idea what some of the stuff inside was for. I'm happy to say I knew where to hook the little chain because of this video, and how that little stick pops out when you open the top. It's amazing how well the foot control fits in that bracket, too.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carilynjurgeson6178]

I love this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You showed my cabinet which is the treadle style, but for an electric. You also showed the button style controller and knee lever. It needs to be rewired and this is very helpful. Also to know never to take the pins out to remove the machine was a good tip. I bought from the grandson of the original purchaser and he did not remember ever seeing a stool for it. Possibly that was a separate purchase. I will be on the hunt for the stool. Thanks for all you do to share with the world your knowledge!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

So happy to hear this was helpful Carilyn. I love it when I purchase a machine from either the original owner or their descendants. On your note about the stool, I don't know for sure, but I would imagine that it came with a table given it was the right height compared to say; a dining room chair. It is possible that it got separated which can happen over the lifetime of a purchase. You can find vintage stools sometimes for sale by themselves as many people who have them don't actually know they are for sewing, but just use them for other purposes.

[@carilynjurgeson6178]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage You could be right about it coming with the table. Since it was used originally in the family clothing shop as a tailor's machine, I would think they might swap out the stool for a chair and it got separated. I found one online that I am comparing with the stool in your video. It looks the same, but might not be the correct wood color. It's expensive and I'm only interested if it is the match. I may need to be more patient.

[@ckim5134]

it is nice to see all these sewing tables that i use to sew on back in the day. it is amazing that those small pins can hold such a heavy sewing machine when it is folded down.

[@rosemarykriegel3226]

My father bought my mother a Singer Centennial 15-91 upon the birth of their firstborn son. My mother used that sewing machine for 17 years before she began teaching me how to sew. Once that happened I never left that machine. I have now been using it for 52 years all without servicing it at all. It still hums along! YES! I have that domed carry case for it, but my mother always has the machine put in a White brand treadle cabinet.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Wow, that is a wonderful anecdote Rosemary. Although any machine can require maintenance, one of the reasons you have had many trouble free years is because you have been using your 15. So much of the time (hours) I spend reconditioning vintage machines is because they have sat dormant for many years.

[@IngridRollema]

I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. Very curious to find out how much these cabinets cost back then. I know it was a lot, and the machines and cabinets were very much an investment purchase. My mom inherited her mom's early 50s-late 40s Adler machine and cabinet last year. The cabinet has a beautiful blonde finish and if I'm remembering correctly has drawers down the right side. My grandma made most of their clothes and wedding dresses over the years on that machine (and some of my sisters and my clothes as well). My mom doesn't really sew, but she didn't want her sisters to just toss it or sell it, so she and my dad drove from Oregon to California to haul it to their house.

[@amysullivan2414]

That straight edge decal? I’ve seen that on a White treadle….but it was done in wood inlay. Absolutely beautiful. Couldn’t see it before I cleaned the table. It appeared like magic!

[@Wisea60]

I have the last sewing cabinet you showed, except the pen tray (which I didn't know what it was before your video) is placed on the left side of the top drawer with one closed and one round open space. Maybe to hold the ink? I bought this white sewing machine cabinet for $25 at the Goodwill several years ago. Yes, the table is extremely heavy. I helped my son remove it from my friends van to our apartment that was, of course on the ground floor. I really love that table and use it occasionally. Note: Someone had passed away and the woman's son donated the sewing cabinet. The clerk at the Goodwill told me that the son came back later wanting to remove all the knobs from the drawers, of course Goodwill would not allow him to do it! Thanks so much for your knowledge and expertise on sewing cabinets and tables!! Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.

[@barbaralevel7225]

This was a lot of help. I want to install the black lift in my 401A cabinet to put my 1940 201-2 into this cabinet and I had not seen one up close. Because of you I did know where to look for pedal and knee control in the cabinet. Yea.

[@Tradesman1156]

Because there are no braces low on the legs, it makes sense that they would need to beef up the bracing in the cabinet to hold the legs! I didn't figure out the foot peddle knee brace at first either!

[@eagleeyes1046]

How does one go about finding or restoring a missing emboss ornate piece on a antique singer cabinet I haven't looked up date yet any tips are apppreciated on a proper limited as can be restoration

[@pettylove86]

Here I am commenting on another of your videos! The Singer treadle machine you showed is almost the same as one we had that had belonged to my husband's grandma. The machine itself was very rusty so we only used it for decor. Once I started sewing again I wished I'd had looked into getting it restored but it was too late - he had given it to my sister.

[@judisewnsew6514]

Love this! Off to watch more in the series...

[@rosemarykriegel3226]

I just bought a Centennial 15-91 like my original one in a cabinet just like the one you speak of at the 17-18 minute mark. It was attached to use the knee lever. We were wondering if it was originally installed by Singer and it looks as if it could have been. I am excited to see how you restore this since the top on mine needs restoration, but once the top is open, my how beautiful the wood looks! Thank you. I am so glad I "stumbled" upon this video tonight!!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You're welcome. One reason for the outer panels of the tables not wearing as well as the inside has to do with tables being used sometimes for storage places for items (a water glass is the worst). Also, sunlight degrades varnish over time and the insides of these tables were often kept closed; protecting the finishes inside.

[@rosemarykriegel3226]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage This one I just got has more dots from water glasses than a Target advertisement!

[@beng7923]

thank you very much for those great and interesting videos! I got my first 201 (in wooden case) last week, followed by a 215 (in table) today :D

[@belindaleighfrazier8165]

Can you stear me to a Reputable person that has access to sewing machine tables without sending me to Ebay. Thank you so much, you are a breath of fresh air to me as I am new to this and I do have access to saving many machines.

[@halcobb1627]

The corner design / metal braces are to allow shipment with legs not installed. Remove those two screws per leg, the legs come off and the whole cabinet becomes much smaller / less fragile to ship.

[@bearteeka4782]

That's how my old (new to me) one arrived. So simple to put it back together.

[@BC25citizen]

Very interesting video, thanks. Old furniture is lovely. I’ve just got a hold of a table I plan to use with my Necchi 3537 (which is running beautifully thanks to your video about oiling). I don’t see a manufacturer’s mark on the table but it’s solid wood, maybe walnut? and the machine fits in the gap. However, my Necchi doesn’t have any screws for securing it to the shelf. It has four threaded cylinders molded into the casing. Their diameter is maybe 1/8” and the length about 2”, and they are spaced around the heaviest part of the machine. I was puzzled about what they were for, but now I see they must be where the screws go, through the shelf and into the base of the machine. Can anyone tell me if a Necchi uses standard machine screws, such as I can find at a hardware store? Or will I need to scour the internet for matching parts? I suppose I could lug it to Home Depot to compare sizes and threads.

[@leslieannehill6880]

Interesting. Thank you. Could you do a video, or send me over to it if it is already done, about how to properly lube and oil and when it is needed after restoration and before each sewing session? Also how to learn to treadle properly. Thanks again!

[@amysbees6686]

Have you ever had the larger Singer parlor cabinets, or the #48 (201)?

[@dduran101]

Thank you for showing us how to attach the Singer foot pedal to the cabinet, but can you provide information on how to pop it off from the anchor?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

When you put the foot into the table, it slides across a slot bracket that has a tension clip which holds it in place. Taking it out is simply the reverse of putting it in.

[@dduran101]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage : Thank you for this info, having to transport one this week and enjoyed the transportation video you posted, and the others, a big help, and major saver of these amazing beautiful machines!

[@lisadavis3325]

Hi! Any tips on how to open an antique New Home sewing machine cabinet? (Has drawers) The latch seems stuck!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Try not to force it. If it used a key, then you can CAREFULLY work with a tiny screwdriver that will sometimes move the lock. Be gentle or it could be damaged.

[@anthonyiron4635]

I am looking forward to this series on table/cabinet reconditioning. Do you have a solution for wooden carrying cases the have lost their key? Also, how does a bent wood case (or coffin case) operate with a knee attachment? any idea? Keep the videos coming. Thanks

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Anthony. Yes, you can actually purchase vintage spare keys since many (most) used a common key whose primary purpose was to keep children from rummaging through the machines and notions. I just tried a key I have for one of my bentwood cases and it actually fits the pull drawer on the front of an unrelated Singer table!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Oh, yes, I actually have a Singer 15-91 in a bentwood case with a knee attachment. I plan on doing some videos on that machine and will be sure to illustrate how it works.

[@karodora]

Enjoyed this very much and look forward to your next video. In early 2005 I purchased a Singer treadle machine with four-drawer cabinet; also included was the accordion-style accessory box. The cabinet finish was rough, but not damaged. Sadly, in August 2005 my home and furnishings were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I managed to salvage the iron treadle mechanism and had it refinished. What I need for it, however, are new casters. The original ones appear to be made of wood, and are badly gouged. I have contacted some caster companies, but have not been able to find them. Do you know of a source? Thank you.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello. Actually, you might have some luck with an organization called "Treadle On" Its an association for people who treadle. I would imagine that if you join them, they might have good leads on casters. I have not had to search for parts for treadle tables (as of yet), but I have met folks from that group and they are very knowledgeable and likely a good source for where to find either original or new reproduction replacement parts.

[@karodora]

Thank you.

[@albuchman5875]

This is extremely informative! I have a singer cabinet but it is not the right width for my singer sewing machine. Where do I find a filler plate?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Al. Its not too difficult to find filler plates at places like bonanza.com or ebay. If you decide to install one, make sure your table had one originally. If not, inspect it to see if its practical to install the plate. And if that is ok, be sure to get the screws and any hardware that should come with it such as a spring. Actually, you might it simpler to trade or sell your own table and find one with the filler plate already installed.

[@sylvievicenza179]

You are so interesting, thank you for doing these videos.

[@tonisimonetti8146]

Can you help? I just refinished a beautiful #40 cabinet (I think) and want to install my 401a in it. I think the cabinet was designed for a different machine. How do I retrofit it?

[@caron-bowman]

I'm a little surprised at how heavy the tables are that they did not have casters on them.

[@leslieannehill6880]

Also, how to attach a belt, how to make an oil wick from scratch. I have a Singer 66 treadle. Thanks again.

[@robertwoods3701]

Your knowledge is very impressive. I recently purchased a vintage Winchester-B treadle machine. It came with a lot of little attachments. I am new to all this. So,, I was wondering if you might know it there is a operators manual to be found so i could learn how to use these attachments. Also I would like to find out more information in general about the machine. I haven't had any luck with the internet. Thank you for your consideration. Robert.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Robert. It's possible that your machine may be quite old and a brand from the early "Startup Days" of sewing machines. There were a lot of brands at the beginning of the industry. I don't have any specific info to share with you, but there is a group that promotes the preservation and use of treadle machines that could be a potentially great resource for you. They are called Treadle On. Try googling that org and you may find resources there to pursue. Here are a few links: www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/index.html

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Also see this one: treadleon.net/

[@robertwoods3701]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thank you very much sir.

[@shannonbrown7488]

I bought a machine from someone who removed it by the hinges/ How do I fix that?

[@jamiecone9151]

I'm so confused by the singer sewing machine I have. The legs look like wood but they are made of some kind of metal. It has an electrical machine. But it has the metal singer top part of the treadle. Any ideas?

[@ianbutler1983]

I don't know much, but if you get the serial number off the machine you can look up the model and date of production.

[@lazariquehampton9821]

I just got one

[@The_Tempest_1610]

For the second table - the one that houses a 99 model - does anyone know if the legs can be removed for transport?

[@Midnightsadnesss]

I own a similar sewing machine , how can we find out the year of it?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

If your machine is a Singer, then the serial number should be found on the right front of the machine bed often under the stitch length adjustment lever. It is often stamped into a brass oval plate. Some Singers, (the Featherweight and 301) have their numbers listed underneath by the bobbin case/shuttle area.

[@tonisimonetti8146]

Vintage Sewing Machine Garage I have the #40 table and I have refinished it. It is in beautiful condition with only one area on the veneer top that is stained. Otherwise it is perfect. I want to install my 401a in it but it doesn’t quite work. Can you help??? Please!?

[@meganmills6545]

In a few examples there are two little round grey discs on the ledge of the front "lift up" piece of wood that the front of the machine then rests on. Does anyone know what these were made of, what they were called, and whether you can still get them? I have a lovely table and all is missing is those two things. Without them the machine doesn't sit a little bit proud of the table making it impossible to fully open the bobbin cover plate... Any help greatly appreciated as it's difficult to find anything about them. I guess everyone just knew so it didn't warrant specifically mentioning. :-D

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Megan. While I have never gone looking for those felt supports you speak of and I'm not aware of whether they exist or not, they should be able to be replaced by felts you can find in hardware stores that are sold to go underneath the legs of furniture. They come in different sizes either round or square with rounded corners. You can cut them to fit and they come with peel and stick adhesive backing. I bet you could cut some out and make them work. I think if I recall that the larger the size, the thicker the material.

[@meganmills6545]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Thank you - it's great to know what they're made of and what I might use as a modern-day equivalent. I'm sure your answer will help other people like me too who might not even realise they should have them and have just wondered what is wrong with their tables that the bobbin plate doesn't slide open unobstructed! :-D

[@joshuaorourke5118]

The little felt stick on chair pieces should work great might have to double them up though. You should be able to find them in the similar color of the finish which they would have been.

[@meganmills6545]

@@joshuaorourke5118 Thank you Joshua. :-) ... Megan

[@joshuaorourke5118]

@@meganmills6545 No problem

[@jarikinnunen1718]

My mother bought TIKKA 45 (Singer clone) sewing machine with pedal table in sixties. It wasn`t be that expensive. Cast iron legs and wooden table top with one drawer and hinged extender. Finnish1950`s era style. Export model to Soviet (because war era Nazi connections, soviet took that factory to their control for over decade).