Vintage Sewing Machine Shopping Tips

[@katielove9932]

You are so sweet. Thanks for the information.The Montgomery Ward machine is really sharp looking. It does look like the belt to the hand wheel is hanging down. I have bought 2 computer sewing machines within the last 15 years totaling $2,000, and they do not do as well as a regular sewing machine. They are still like new and sit. I use a Dual Sew 3400 sewing machine purchased 18 years ago, as a school liquidation that was never used - all - new machine and it's my favorite.

[@TheaStarr]

The Montgomery Ward machine was actually taken apart when I filmed this. It needed new brushes. But it was too good not to show. I too, have paid a ridiculous amount of money in the past two decades for computerized machines. I've had so many expensive problem with them.

[@jreese8284]

Make sure the feed dogs move with the wheel. Look out for 70s and 80s machines with nylon gears. Those gears can still be purchased and replaced, but what a job that is! Many repair shops won't even touch them. Clean the surface with sewing machine oil and a soft rag or cotton; no detergents, please! You can often unstick with oil, patience, and maybe a bit of heat. I'm completely down the vintage machine rabbit hole myself.

[@kennethgates5790]

A lot of people get a vintage singer 99 it’s not much bigger than a featherweight and uses a common easy to find bobbin.

[@Pam-tx5zd]

Only use sewing machine oil to loosen machines that are stuck. WD40 shouldn't be used on vintage sewing machines

[@Levi-op2hc]

I have the same montgomry ward machine, I found it at a dumpster, the only thing I had to do was replace the wires and moter, that's it! It also has a different case made by montgomry ward, wich I never see anywhere.

[@debramack1853]

Yes, I got bit by the vintage bug. It all started with a FB find. I got a beautiful black 301A for $10, then a 99, and then a 403 Special. Those were both $50. My Aunt is giving me her 401 (all singers). I think I’m done!

[@galaxytrio]

The Montgomery Ward is beautiful.

[@TheaStarr]

It is a pretty one. I love the color.

[@geminilove4682]

You have been very lucky to get the low priced machines. My luckiest find was a featherweight for $20.00 at a garage sale. When I got it home I found that the tension was broken.

[@rogerpeggywheat1630]

Fix it.

[@TheaStarr]

Wow! That is amazing. I hope you're able to fix it up.

[@jennifersetser9091]

You can get the part at Central. Michigan sewing supplies.

[@geminilove4682]

@@jennifersetser9091 thanks.

[@marygautreaux2431]

Love your videos!!!! Great info!!!!

[@susanwatson8605]

What a beautiful machine. I just bought a small one from Temu just for small sewing. Do you know anything about them? Thank you for sharing this.

[@TheaStarr]

I personally haven't ordered anything from Temu. I hope it works well for you.

[@JebbAdams]

Awesome vid! Thank you for these tips!

[@projectrainbowscamp1996]

Hi Thea, I really enjoyed seeing your amazing machines. They're in beautiful condition. I want to get started in restoring some vintage machines that I have, (Sears Kenmore and Viking Huskvarna). Where do you suggest I start? My searches bring up mostly Singer.

[@TheaStarr]

There are quite a few groups on Facebook for both of those brands. As well as Vintage Sewing Machines in general. I'm not a huge fan of FB personally, but there are so many great folks who share their machine experiences in those groups. Everything from repairs, restoring and even manuals that are hard to locate online. Also ismacs.net - has a wealth of information too. Whenever I get a new machine, I look there first. Good luck and have a great time restoring your machines! Thanks so much for your comment. :)

[@Pam-tx5zd]

The background music is distracting

[@Simplesavemoney]

👍 💯

[@jericho56ify]

Не смеши мои ритузы.професионал .

[@kennethgates5790]

Keep spraying the pfaff down with wd40 on the small parts and it will loose .

[@Noreenlee1]

NO! WD40 is not good for sewing machines!

[@kennethgates5790]

@@Noreenlee1 to loosen and clean the parts on a stuck machine not for the lubricant once it is not frozen and cleaned. There was no synthetic oils a hundred years ago .

[@doylekoehn220]

Don't use WD40 at no time for nutten, never. It's like water today, bubblegum tomorrow, well almost. You get the idea.

[@azsunburns]

Bottom line, a vintage machine is going to give you far better results than most plastic machines on the market today. When my daughter wanted to learn to sew, she bought a $400 Brother with all these embroidery abilities. That machine with it's computer and plastic, kicked her out constantly. It was a pain in the rear end. I, on the other hand, picked up a cute metal Singer from the early 70s for $25. I taught myself how to get it going off KZbin. Parts were easy to find & cheap. I could take a denim quilt, fold it 3 times & that Singer would still go right through it like butter. Her machine could never even handle the one ply. I've since bought many vintage metal Kenmore, White, Necci, etc, in very nice condition, under $25 each. I passed up a beautiful lavender Kenmore the other day for $35, simply because I don't need it. I've since realized I enjoy tinkering & repairing more than sewing.

[@TheaStarr]

I wholeheartedly agree, I tell all of my daughter's friends who want to get into sewing, to go the thrift store and look for an old metal machine. Each "new" machine I've had have been trouble. Not worth the frustration. And maybe they'll get into machine tinkering too. I'm an even spilt on the machine repair love and the sewing love. For now. :)

[@azsunburns]

@@TheaStarr I think the vintage machines come with a whole set of available abilities besides sewing. The research, hunting parts, tinkering, the joy of waxing an old machine or seeing these old parts for pennies compared to new. It's just all so worth it. Great lessons for anyone. I would love it if more older people who have collected so many, started machine / lesson groups for homeschoolers, etc. The world needs this!!

[@Noreenlee1]

I started Saturday sewing lessons for eight of our grandkids. I've gathered four vintage machines and one newer Singer. It's plastic, and although the kids like to use it, I'm unimpressed. (It was $20 at the same place I bought a vintage Necchi for the same price.) The class has been a hit even with the two 12-year-old boys. (I do have a couple of personal machines I don't let them touch.)

[@azsunburns]

@@Noreenlee1 that sounds wonderful! What awesome memories and skills for your grandkids. Yes... The new medicines are honestly terrible in comparison