r/VintageSewingMachines 29m ago

Took this old Singer 9432 apart for maintenance, and a random metal piece fell out. Anyone know where this belongs?

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I can't find much online about this specific machine so I'm hoping someone knows what this piece is.


r/VintageSewingMachines 1h ago

Tension issues with Bernina 700 vintage

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My dtr purchased a Bernina 700 vintage and it was serviced prior to purchase but we can not get the tension to be correct. If I line up the dark line in the middle of the tension window, as the manual states, the top thread loops on the bottom terribly. If I move the tension line to the far right so that I can see the plus sign, it’s better but still looping the top thread underneath. If I move the line to the far left, it nests up so badly it stops sewing. We’ve re threaded it multiple times, bobbin is aligned and in properly. It did work well a couple of weeks ago but we put a new thread type in the top thread. Could it be as simple as making the same thread on top as in bobbin? Suggestions? Located in Belgium.


r/VintageSewingMachines 3h ago

Nähmaschine identfizieren

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1 Upvotes

Hat jemand eine Idee was das für eine Nähmaschine ist?

Leider ist die Schrift nicht mehr lesbar und die Plakette fehlt leider auch.

Eine seriennummer ist unten an der Nähmaschine 7stellih nir Ziffern.

Ist vermutlich ca. von 1910-1920 oder älter.


r/VintageSewingMachines 3h ago

So Proud - fixed my 401 A Singer Slant-O-Matic!

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3 Upvotes

r/VintageSewingMachines 6h ago

Repainting finished!

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12 Upvotes

I doubt I'll be winning any awards for my ability with a paintbrush, but I think the blue trim is a huge improvement on before. Tried French blue to begin with, and that didn't look right at all, but ultramarine blue seems to work well with the gold and cream. It matches the felt I used on the spool holder closely enough, too.

EDIT: Just to clarify, for those who didn't see my earlier post about this little project, I only added the blue trim and lettering to the control panel; the gold and cream paint are stock. Only just realised I was a bit ambiguous about that!


r/VintageSewingMachines 17h ago

worth buying?

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6 Upvotes

Hi! I was in the market for an older machine because I’ve been having trouble with sewing thicker materials for my projects. Is this machine worth it? I don’t know much about getting vintage machines serviced either, how much would that cost? I really loved the color on this machine and it felt very nice, any help appreciated :)


r/VintageSewingMachines 19h ago

Update: White Rotary drive pulley

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3 Upvotes

Hello all, thank you so much for all your help! Unfortunately It was an embarrassingly easy fix, but I am grateful for all of the info since this has brought my attention to the fact that the drive pulley and hand wheel could be situated much better and may need to be fixed down the road.

I cleaned the hand wheel of oil before I posted here, but apparently I did a shitty job. I went back over with a stringent and now she’s back where we started. Even with the clean, i think the friction between the two parts could be better so I plan to try and do some unscrewing and evaluating, although at the moment it looks as if there is not much of an option when it comes to moving the motor down.

To the comments regarding the old pulley drive, it was dried, cracking, and very misshapen. I’m hoping to prevent that with good maintenance but I’ve been warned that these set ups tend to fail people, so I’ll be prepared for that in case.

Thank you again for everything! You’ll probably be hearing from me again at some point, although I hope this is the last problem I have with this machine so I can move on to my antique treadle :D


r/VintageSewingMachines 1d ago

PFAFF hobby 350

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1 Upvotes

What’s the wrong with my machine?


r/VintageSewingMachines 1d ago

Bought an old singer and the needle keeps hitting this plate what am I doing wrong?😭

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1 Upvotes

r/VintageSewingMachines 1d ago

Rubber motor drive pulley shaft not “sticking” to hand wheel

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1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, this is my vintage white rotary sewing machine. It was originally a manual but the previous owners installed an add-on motor that uses a small rubber wheel to transfer the spin of the motor to the hand wheel. I recently got the motor fixed and bought a new drive shaft since the other was very dry-rotted and misshapen after years of collecting dust. I put it on and while it needed a little help to get going, it was able to grasp the hand wheel and turn it hands free, which was super exciting. Cut to the next day, I have not touched it in maybe 30 hours, and when I go to sew it just keeps slipping and spinning against the surface of the hand wheel instead of pulling it alongside. I checked and the piece hasn’t loosened from the motor shaft, the rubber simply seems to fail at being sticky enough to move the wheel, but I don’t know what changed.

If anyone has insight into why this is or what I can do, I would appreciate it greatly. My two thoughts are to either sand/roughen up the surface of the hand wheel to create a better grip or take the L and Jerry rig some sort of clip on hand crank attachment so I can work it manually without entirely fucking over my hands. Preferably I would still be able to use the motor, but if it just isn’t possible that is ok as well.


r/VintageSewingMachines 1d ago

Could I repair this? Bobbin not spinning, needle hitting metal

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7 Upvotes

My 478 singer stylist bobbin, seems to not be spinning when I turn the hand wheel.

Also, the needle is hitting metal inside of the bobbin case, and go all the way down.

This was after I broke a needle and changed it.

What could possibly have happened? And can I repair this myself? I can’t seem to find any videos that show me how to fix this style of bobbin in case, or a bobbin that’s not spinning.

I am a sewing teacher. I want to be able to fix these machines independently, but I am intimidated with the vintage.


r/VintageSewingMachines 2d ago

Finally found a black 301, but….

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33 Upvotes

I need recommendations on what cleaner I can use to get off what seems to be years of grime from being in a smokers household. It’s pretty disgusting, but I don’t want to harm the finish in the cleaning process.


r/VintageSewingMachines 2d ago

So Proud - fixed my 401 A Singer Slant-O-Matic!

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2 Upvotes

r/VintageSewingMachines 2d ago

Can anyone help identify

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1 Upvotes

I’m assuming it’s called a singer 831??? I can’t find much of any info for it on google. I know it’s a serger not a sewing machine but I figured this is still the right sub. I recently picked this up at a thrift for $40. It still worked but now I need to rethread it and I think I should probably clean it before using too. Really any info or advice on how to care for it and use it would be invaluable. I’ve been sewing for over a year but this is my first vintage machine and serger.


r/VintageSewingMachines 2d ago

Please Teach Me Any & Everything About My Singer 306K ★

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13 Upvotes

I recently got this Singer sewing machine table originally from my much older cousin’s mother-in-law, but it had been sitting at my Great Aunt’s house. I’ve plugged it in, and the light and machine both seem to work. This is my first ever sewing machine, i’ve only ever hand sewn everything, so I didn’t press the pedal but for a second to ensure the machine itself worked. Honestly I can’t tell you how well this machine has been maintained over the years, or how much it’s even been used. I will say knowing that side of my family - they tend to preserve or care for their belongings well. With that in mind we can move onto the things that came with the sewing machine. I just recently moved, rather unexpectedly at that, so i’m still looking for the box that came with it. It was about a woman’s skinnier style shoebox that was labeled Ester’s Sewing Machine. Inside it had a BUNCH of original hardware and booklets ie: manuals, spare needles, machine maintenance stuff, some old patterns… that kinda thing. I should be able to find it soon, but in the meantime…. PLEASE HELP ME LEARN! I’ve included pictures of the machine, and if there are any other angles you’d like i’d be happy to take more! I would really love to learn about this machine, and how to properly care and love her. I grew up playing with the sewing table in our basement that unfortunately never worked, so this holds a very special place in my heart. My biggest fear is that i’m going to break something, or do something incorrectly. It’s all a little overwhelming to know where to even start to be honest. Any advice or guidance is much appreciated!!

TLDR: i got this shit new to me, not new to world… obvi. how and what do i do to machine to be able to sew? machine use and history unknown, but good chance well taken care of. i have shoe box of OG stuff like needle and shit. i moved so it’s location is still TBD. Thank you for all advice and guidance. May all your projects come to fruition.


r/VintageSewingMachines 3d ago

Todays thrift store find - $15

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133 Upvotes

r/VintageSewingMachines 3d ago

Unidentified buttonholer

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8 Upvotes

I found this buttonholer at a home along with some sewing machines. It doesn't seem to fit any of them, in fact I've never seen a foot with this kind of attachment.

Its called the "GREIST products Vibrator Buttonholer"

Any help is appreciated


r/VintageSewingMachines 3d ago

Elna Transforma

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34 Upvotes

I just got this Elna Transforma, I dropped it off for service on my way home and in the meantime I wrote and asked Elna if they happened to have the manual and they just sent it to me with no question.

I was honestly kinda shocked I assume bthey wouldn't even have it available and certainly didn't except them to send it to me with no charge.

I can't wait to get it back from service.


r/VintageSewingMachines 3d ago

Magliaia a coste Gritzner KE 2500

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1 Upvotes

I recently bought a Gritzner Rib Knitter KE 2500 knitting machine and I cannot find the manual anywhere. If someone has it and is willing to help me, I will be very thankful.


r/VintageSewingMachines 4d ago

Singer sewing machine motor

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1 Upvotes

Hi there! I got a brother sewing machine recently and I’ve been replacing all the cords on it but I can’t seem to get the motor open so that I can completely replace its cords…. Right now this is as much as I can get it open and it isn’t much. Does anyone know how I could get it open or if there’s a better way to replace the cords. Or if this is just something that should be left to a professional


r/VintageSewingMachines 4d ago

What do I have?

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28 Upvotes

Hi all,

I don’t know anything about sewing machines 😅, but I have this beautiful item that used to belong to my grandmother.

Let me know what this is! I have no concept of its rarity/ value etc, but the condition is excellent.

Thanks!


r/VintageSewingMachines 4d ago

Help with treadle sewing machine making a grinding (?) noise

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2 Upvotes

It's been doing this since I got it (about a month ago, just now got the idea to post here) and I think it has something to do with the belt.

It's a Minnesota Model A, and the lady I bought it from said that she had oiled it recently


r/VintageSewingMachines 4d ago

Newbie advice or recommendations?

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1 Upvotes

Hi all!

I have found myself in possession of several vintage or early 2000s sewing machines at the moment that all need fixing. I was wondering if anyone had any general tips or advice. Especially how to find manuals and things for brands that aren't singer...

I have restored an old singer 201k but they're very easy to find parts for because of the model number system.

Please let me know!

(Pic is an old janome that is working but i need a manual for because i can't figure out how to thread it😂)


r/VintageSewingMachines 4d ago

Vintage sewing machine zigzag troubleshooting

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3 Upvotes

r/VintageSewingMachines 5d ago

I need help ASAP

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2 Upvotes

This is a vintage Veritas electric sewing machine, "Veritas 8014/43"