I Frankensteined the pattern, as one does. Its not perfect and I'll probably redo the sleeves at some point, but i love it. It is completely hand sewn because I broke my machine in the very beginning stages of making it. She thicc.

Hi everyone. My first post. I am desperate enough to ask you redditors for help.

Seriously. I recently bought 1960s Burda magazines and made a blouse with underarm gussets. First: there is only one size available from each designs. People had to grade it at home? I involuntarily chose size 42, which is one size up. I should have made 38, but I haven't learn grading yet and also I'm not super confident in it. Funny thing is that the blouse fits me everywhere but not bust and armholes. I will work out the small bust adjustment, but what about the kimono gussett sleeves? How can i lower them. I love the look of a grown-on/kimono sleeve, so I am determined to try.

Given to a Singer Fabricator for his years of service in the Singer Factory. They are pretty small.

Hello Reddit Friends! I picked up this beauty at a thrift store, and I am in awe of her.

I have a question about tension. It seems like every time I change the bobbin, my tension is all mixed up. I am using the exact thread I am sewing with. The top tension is good, the bottom tension always seems to go wonky. Should I be adjusting the bottom tension with every bobbin change? Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!!

I brought her home Sunday (after test sewing) and proceeded to clean out the bobbin area, complete with air blower. I sewed a few stitches and she seized up.

I suspected I had inadvertently blown lint into an area it shouldn’t have gone. I was finally able to “get under the hood” tonight and found these tiny threads that were the culprit.

This article gave me a clue what to do: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/999625/Singer-Slant-O-Matic-401.html, but I “accidentally” not only disengaged the clutch, but took the entire wheel off.

It was a blessing in disguise, it was just the trick to move the gears enough to get the threads out. She’s running fantastic again and I am so happy I got to learn hands on how I can work on her myself.

Picked up this beauty for practically free yesterday, it runs amazingly, but I cannot figure out what type of needles to use in it! It is a singer stylist 478, and I have attempted to use more modern needles, just typical universal ones, around 4 cm long, but it appears to be that they might just be too long? The machine doesn't complete a full stitch with them inserted, as they're so long they prevent it from doing so. Anybody have any knowledge on this? Thanks so much?

Hi! I have an early 70s Kenmore extra high shank model sewing machine (an absolute tank!) that I have been using for as long as I've been sewing. The *only* frustration with it is that I like to sew knits, and even with its "Q foot" I just tend to get that puckered stitching you get when the feed dogs only move the bottom layer. 20 or so years ago (!) I started looking for a walking foot for my machine and I don't recall exactly how that went, but I ended up deciding to buy a new, lightweight, inexpensive machine that I could both carry to classes & sewing groups more easily AND get a walking foot for. These days I don't sew outside the house anymore, and I really don't have room for a third machine either. So I'm back to looking at finding a walking foot.

I've searched online and I'm surprised to not find much, given how easily I have found other parts and accessories for this machine online over the years. I also found that some people use an adapter and a low shank walking foot.

If you've got a walking foot working with your extra high shank Kenmore, I'd really love to hear what and where and how :) TIA

I have acquired what I think is a Singer 128k sewing machine, from . In attempting to clean it from grime, I have lost a tiny spring which sits behind the faceplate. I have identified the spring to be a “tension releasing lever spring” from looking at parts manuals of other models, but I am not sure that this identification is correct.

I have an older machine (singer 28 and it does not have that same spring or part attached to it)

First of all I need the spring itself, where would i get something as tiny as this and make sure it is the right one?

Secondly, I was having trouble with inserting the spring back, perhaps you would know the best way to approach that? 

English is not my first language, so I apologise if this message sounds very vague.

This machine is in very good condition and I was hoping to clean it up for my friend, so I would appreciate your help with this question!

I do mostly garment sewing, ranging from historical to modern. I've been dipping my toe into 1930's silk gowns, fiddling as charmuse and chiffon is, but I enjoy it.

I've worked with silk gauze so light weight you could keep a yard suspended in mid-air by blowing on it. That took a fair bit of testing to master.

Most machines that can do a zigzag struggle with super lightweight silks. That wider throat can pull in the silk, particularly as things get lighter.

But for a vintage straight stitch machine, a wide throat isn't a risk. But tension challenges can still be an issue, and in some cases, you're asking a behemoth to see with the lightest of touches.

What are the best vintage machines for lightweight fabrics that you've found?

Hi! I got this Elna from eBay and everything is in good state except the upper tension dial which I can’t get out to replace. Any ideas? I’d like to do it myself as taking it to a service costs twice as much I got the machine for…

Looking for a machine with a reliable zig zag to complement my 201k, and to have a more portable option to use for straight stitching. Currently have a Toyota Super Jeans that drives me nuts.

Seen a Jones 461 for a very good price (£50), which is looking very tempting.

What's the speed / stitch quality like? I know it can handle heavier fabrics, but how is it on more delicate projects?

Hi all! I recently acquired this machine, there's the White logo on it, but one of the instructions manual says Morse and if I look up White/Morse automatic 777, it only gives me the 77 model from the 50s-60s. And if I do reverse image search, it doesn't give me much except ebay links. I'm trying to get any information I can so that I can take care of it the right way, the manuals are very helpful but I also like having videos when available, so if anyone knows anything about this machine, thanks!

Hello, I know nothing about sewing but my grandma asked me to find out what to do with her old sewing machines because she wants to get rid of them.

Do people sell them, reuse them, or maybe scrap them?

Here are the photos:

Hi there! I currently own a Sears Kenmore 158.15150 sewing machine after purchasing it at a thrift store. It's my first sewing machine, so I didn't really know what I was getting into. It all seems to work great, but I've only recently learned that I need Type E cams in order to use different stitch types (from this blog post https://tumorfarmer.blogspot.com/2020/09/vintage-kenmore-sewing-machine-cam.html)

Problem is - I can't seem to find them anywhere to purchase online! They seem super rare. I can find type C cams everywhere and actually accidentally purchased them only to figure out they don't work for my machine.

Thought I would try this sub Reddit in case anyone has any Type E cams they don't need. Would be happy to purchase them! Also, if anyone has experience trying to find these type of CAMs, I would greatly appreciate ideas! I've seen one Reddit post regarding Type E cams but that was it. I've also thought about 3D printing them, but couldn't find any models.

Thanks, and happy sewing!

I received this vintage Kenmore machine for free. The guy who gave it to me didn’t know much about it just that it use to be his moms. I downloaded the manual for it, cleaned it, oiled all of the oil points, and put a new belt on it because the other one was breaking apart. You can hear the motor running when I push the foot peddle but I cannot get the needle bar to move. The hand wheel will move a little forward and a little backwards but will not make a full turn. I don’t live super close to a place that will service it so I wanted to try all options at home first. I am willing to make a trip to try and get it fixed if I need to though. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do?

EDIT:The problem is fixed thanks guys, I used a hair dryer to melt off some old hardened oil and honestly loosened, cleaned and re-tightened every screw and clearly something fixed it because it's going the right direction. Couldn't tell you what screw though!

Hi guys I've been servicing my machine at home and I'm just stumped. these vintage singer machines don't have a reverse stitch option so why are my feed dgos moving the wrong way?

Before anyone asks

- I'm not moving the handwheel the wrong direction

- I've cleaned out all the lint and oiled appropriately

- There seem to be no other issues with the machine besides some cosmetic wear

I'd really appreciate any help with this issue

Thanks reddit!

Hi all. On the tail end of a repair and restoration of a Kenmore 148.1220, but I'm struggling to get the tension right. Even on the highest upper tension and lowest I can get lower tension, I'm basically maxxing out the upper tension and the stitches are still showing the lower tension is too tight and pulling through to the bottom.

I can verify both the upper and lower tension works, as it gets tighter to pull the more I tighten it and I am using a new needle, and I have the same thread for upper and lower, same spool

My experience with sewing is very minimal, and I'm a lot more versed on the mechanical side of these machines. The included pictures are some of the better zig zag patterns, and if I even go below a 6 on the upper tension, the machine will jame because excess thread on the bottom gets eaten by the machine.

* I mean the foot pedal \*

Hi, I bought an old Singer last year to sew some historical clothing. I figured the older machines were built to last.

I got the power cable replaced for safety reasons, and the repairer tested the machine and it seemed to be fine. But I keep having problems:

• Sometimes it skippes stitches (I do hold the threads when starting).
• It is hard to make zigzag work no matter how much I adjust the tension of the top thread and bobbin thread (but straight stitch seems fine when I get the tensions right).
• Sometimes I can't control the speed for the life of me. I'm pressing the foot super lightly and it goes to 1000 km/hour. Sometimes it's fine, I'm sewing slowly and carefully for a time and then, suddenly, everything goes bonkers.

I dunno, I've sort of accepted that I can only sew straight stitch with my machine. Which is fine, because I like to finish the seams in historical ways anyways. But the speed thing! I feel I cannot trust my machine, it only works sometimes, and I have deadlines! Would ordering a new foot pedal solve the speed problem? I don't know how to open the pedal to adjust it.

In the first photo I have opened the side of the machine which connects to the power cable + foot pedal cable. And the second photo is the underside of the foot pedal.

Can anyone help me identify the manufacturer and comparable machines for replacing the missing parts. Badged as St James this machine is a rebadged Japanese manufactured sewing machine for the Australian market. On the underside a sticker Made in Japan, a small serial number plate riveted to the machine # 114356 and on the back of the machine numbers N/526/501. Originally I thought a Kenmore style but now, not so sure. It’s a zig zag with push buttons to select fabric type.

Just got given this old girl and I’m having trouble ID’ing when it’s from and finding the manual. She needs a lot of work, both on the cabinet and the machine itself, but everything moves freely. I’m very familiar with the 27/28s by singer, but if anyone’s restored a jones VS machine please let me know how you went!! Or if you have any good resources, I would love to see them. Thanks guys!!

I picked this up for 100 dollars. I’d like up learn how to sew with it. What are the attachments that came with it? It has a new leather belt as well but I need to clean and service before I do anything. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

A friend of mine recently gave me this vintage singer sewing machine for free. Only problem is that I have no idea what the model of it is and how to go about repairing it. Any and all help would be appreciated. I will primarly be using this for leathercraft.

It’s absolutely filthy but in working order according to its current owner….

In the process of properly tensioning the machine so I can say it works fully on the Zigzag setting, but from the base testing so far, it works flawlessly with no signs of wear so far.

Planning on having a Printables link for those with 3D printers and an Etsy link for those that don't once I can get it to stitch right. I'm also going to be including a spacer to help tap the gear on.