CHATTERBOX QUILTS’ BLOG

Helping Quilters Learn and Improve

Gary Hirst 2017-05-23 Gary Hirst 2017-05-23

The Most Important Vintage Sewing Machine Attachment

The owner's manual is a critical source of information about how to use, maintain and even repair your sewing machine. You’ll need the manual to learn how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin and use the machine properly. The manual explains what would’ve originally been included in the machine purchase. It details the attachments that would’ve been sold with the machine.

One of the most important “attachments” that comes with your SINGER® vintage sewing machine is the owner’s manual. Not what you thought I was going to say, was it?!

Each SINGER® model is unique so it is important to have information about the specific model that you own. This information is in the owner’s manual. The good news is that you will often find that many vintage sewing machines are sold with the original manual. If the machine you purchased does not include a manual, there is still hope. You can usually download the machine’s manual free from various websites. All you need to locate the correct machine manual is your machine’s model.

I’ve created a FREE What to do if You are Missing a Manual guide that includes websites where you might be able to download a manual for your vintage SINGER® sewing machine. Enter your information below to receive it and be sure to print it out so you’ll have it for future reference.

You’ll also see some websites online that will sell you a download of a vintage sewing machine manual. You don’t have to spend a cent to get your vintage sewing machine’s manual: there are many websites that offer them for free.

If you don't have a manual for your vintage sewing machine, I hope you'll be able to find one at the suggested websites in the FREE printable What to do if You are Missing a Manual download. It's your most important attachment :)

If you are thinking of buying a vintage sewing machine you may be interested in my eBooks for buyers (click here). If you are thinking of selling your machine you may be interested in my How To Sell a Vintage Sewing Machine eBook.

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Creatively,

P.S. Join me in the private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group for quilting and vintage sewing machine information. I love to share and learn from the group members so be sure to join me there.

Gary Hirst 2017-05-18 Gary Hirst 2017-05-18

How to Thread a Singer 201 Sewing Machine

One of the members of my Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group needed some help in threading her Singer 201 sewing machine, so I created a short video on how to do this.

Do you have more than one sewing machine? I don't know anyone who doesn't :) Do you have problems remembering how to thread a specific machine or which way the bobbin case is inserted?

You're not alone.

One of the members of my Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group needed some help in threading her Singer 201 sewing machine, so I created a short video on how to do this.

Click on the image below to watch the video.

Is there information that you need help in remembering when you are working with one of your sewing machines? Leave me a comment below as to what you struggle with the most with your sewing machine function.

Creatively,

P.S. Join my private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group for quilting and vintage sewing machine discussions. I'd love to chat with you there :)

P.P.S. Did you see my blogpost about creating your own Multi-Purpose Quilt Spray with simple household ingredients? Get the FREE recipe and information download. You'll be amazed at what you can do with this spray.

Gary Hirst 2017-05-15 Gary Hirst 2017-05-15

EBay Is Not The Place To Buy A Vintage Sewing Machine

If you are looking for a really great deal and you are comfortable in your ability to assess a vintage sewing machine, then I recommend that you buy local. Yes, you can buy a vintage sewing machine from eBay, but sewing machines are heavy so even if you find a good deal online you are going to have to pay some hefty shipping charges to get it to your house. You have a better chance of getting a good deal on a vintage sewing machine if you find one locally that is underpriced due to its condition. Vintage sewing machines that needs some tender loving care are your best bet.

Machines sold on online sales sites such as EBay or specialty stores tend to be more expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of shipping. In the case of EBay, you are competing against other people who also want this machine and this can drive the price higher than what the vintage sewing machine may actually be worth. Vintage sewing machines on EBay may have been refurbished, so the price will be higher. You have to scrutinize the photos and take the seller on faith when they describe the condition of the machine. If you want a machine in really good shape that doesn’t need repair, it may be worth purchasing it this way – but only from a seller that you can trust and one who knows how to ship a vintage sewing machine so it arrives in one, and not several, pieces.

Estate sales are another venue where I have had success buying a vintage sewing machine. In my area I receive emails about estate sales that have information and photographs of everything that is available. I can see the machine online first, but then I have to go to the estate sale to inspect it. You can sometimes find a good deal at these sales, but be aware that you will have to arrive early and line up to have any chance of getting the vintage sewing machine in which you are interested. They say "the early bird gets the worm" and if you are wanting a vintage sewing machine that is being sold at an estate sale, “the early buyer gets the machine”.

SINGER® 301 that I bought at an estate sale

If you have the patience and don’t mind spending time browsing, there are also opportunities to find good deals at local places such as Goodwill stores or a yard sale. You can get some really good deals in thrift shops such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army, however there is no guarantee that there will be any machines at all (never mind the one you are looking for) when you visit. The price of the vintage sewing machine varies with the experience and knowledge of the manager meaning that you can see a large range in prices. The good news is that new stock is always being added so you just have to keep checking back (and you might find some other deals as well!).

The likelihood of finding a vintage sewing machine at a yard sale depends on where you live. In some locations there is a chance you may find a used machine, however in other places, such as where I live, it would be very rare for someone to sell a vintage sewing machine at a yard sale. People in my area seem to sell their vintage sewing machines mostly through online classified ads. The big problem with looking for a vintage sewing machine at a yard sale is that you might spend a lot of time going from sale to sale before you find the machine you are looking for – if you find any vintage sewing machines at all.

My favourite method for shopping for a vintage sewing machine is online. Vintage sewing machines sold on classified ad sites such as Craigslist or Kijiji are usually less expensive – often because they are in need of a little, or a lot of, TLC. I like the convenience of shopping without having to drive all over just to look at the machine. There is usually enough information in the ad to allow me to do research to determine if this is a model that I might consider buying. I can often contact the seller if I require more information or additional photographs to decide if it is worth the trip to look at the actual machine or to purchase it online. This method allows me to actually look at the machine before I pay for it. Unfortunately, since you have to visit the owner, this method may limit the location from which you can purchase the machine. I have been known to travel for four hours to look at a machine that I found online (much to the dismay of my husband).

I have created a FREE printable download, Find Your Vintage Sewing Machine Online, that lists websites to search when you are looking for a vintage sewing machine. Be sure to print it out right away so you’ll have it available when you want to start your search for a vintage sewing machine.

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Good luck and good hunting!

Creatively,

P.S. Join the private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group for discussions on quilting and vintage sewing machine. I love to help you with your quilting questions, so be sure to join me there.

Gary Hirst 2017-05-03 Gary Hirst 2017-05-03

Do Your Research and Save Money on Your Vintage Sewing Machine

I’ve compiled all my favourite websites into a FREE printable download, Vintage Sewing Machine Websites, that I find useful for this purpose. Print it out right away so you’ll have it handy when you need to refer to it.

I purchase most of my vintage sewing machines from online classified ads so I have the luxury of getting the information electronically. I can usually locate a manual for that model online which I use to learn more about the machine. I can then determine if I'm interested in that particular machine or not. If I can’t find information about a particular vintage sewing machine model, I don’t bother to go see it. I won't know enough about the features of the machine or how it works to decide if I'd like to buy it, let alone if the price is reasonable. I prefer to be an informed purchaser.

If you don’t have the opportunity to first learn the model of the machine to do your research, it becomes a bit trickier. For example, if you find a vintage sewing machine at a yard sale, you are going to have to decide on whether to buy the machine without knowing everything about it. You could, of course, go home, do your research, and make a trip back once you have that information. You may find that someone else has purchased the machine by that time.

When I see a sewing machine for sale, the first thing I do is try to find out what model it is so I know what to expect when I see the machine in real life. If I am shopping online this usually means looking at the pictures to try to see the model number or the serial number. If the photos aren’t very clear, I will ask the seller if he/she can post more photos and specify the areas of the machine that I want to see.

All SINGER® sewing machines have a SINGER® badge on the front of the machine. Additionally, some models have “SINGER® Sewing Machine Company” or similar company information across the top of the machine. These badges can indicate if the model was a special edition, which may make it even more valuable.

All SINGER® sewing machines were issued with a serial number, which can be found in various places on the machine. Some are stamped on the front of the machine near the bottom, some are underneath the machine bed. They are all long numbers and typically, for the years I'm looking at, start with one or two letters. If you can see the serial number, you can use it to identify the machine model by looking up the number on the SINGER® Sewing Company web page.

Once you determine what model the vintage sewing machine is, you can research that model to ensure it meets your requirements (e.g. reverse, zigzag stitch), what attachments should come with it, etc. before you go to see it. You can quickly decide if it is worth your time to go to see this machine. I have some favourite websites that provide lots of information about various models. Some, such as www.SINGER® 301.com, focus specifically on a particular model and are a wealth of information. I also like to check to see if there are reviews of the specific model that I am interested in so I can get a feel for what actual owners think of the machine. As with any reviews, I take these with a grain of salt, unless I find that everyone has problems with the machine – then I may have to rethink my interest in that particular model!

Download the FREE Vintage Sewing Machine Websites printable that you can use when you are doing your research. Be sure to print it out and keep it near your computer so that you can be ready the next time you go vintage sewing machine hunting.

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Creatively,

P.S. Join the private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group for quilting and vintage sewing machine information. If you have any quilting friends who'd like to join, we'd love to have them join too.

Kim Jamieson-Hirst 2017-04-27 Kim Jamieson-Hirst 2017-04-27

What Should You Pay for a Vintage Sewing Machine

I've created the Pricing Guide for Vintage Sewing Machines that will help you answer the question, “Is this a good price to pay for a vintage sewing machine?”. This PDF download is full of information to help you determine what price you should pay when you find your perfect machine(s). While I refer to SINGER® sewing machines in this FREE guide, this information is applicable to any brand of vintage sewing machine.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CHATTERBOX QUILTS DOES NOT PROVIDE FREE EVALUATIONS ON VINTAGE SEWING MACHINES.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware! I'm sure you've heard this expression before and it is so true when you are shopping for a vintage sewing machine.

When I'm looking at listings online I've noticed that there usually isn't a very good description of the machine. Most sellers don't even know the make of the machine, let alone the model. I have noticed this especially when looking at Singer Featherweight models: a 221 described as a 222 or vice versa. While you might not think that this makes a big difference when it comes to price, I can assure you that it does. Let me explain further.

There is often some confusion about what exactly a SINGER® Featherweight is. SINGER® manufactured two models of the SINGER® Featherweight: the 221 and the 222K. Both of these machines look very similar, but there are significant differences. There is also a SINGER® 301/301A model, which some consider a “sister” to the 221 and 222K Featherweight models. It’s important to understand how these machines vary from one another, as their selling prices are vastly different.

Let’s take a look at these three models so you have a clear understanding of each of them.

The SINGER® 221 was first manufactured by SINGER® in 1933. These little guys look like a child’s toy, but they stitch like a regular sewing machine. You can find the SINGER® 221 models in various colours: white (turquoise), tan or black (shiny or very few in crinkle), with the most common models being the shiny black ones. They come in a compact case that has efficient storage for the machine, the foot pedal, the attachments and sometimes the oil can. Their appeal, besides their adorable appearance, is their portability and the great stitch quality they produce.

The SINGER® 222K model looks very similar, and is often mistaken for, the SINGER® 221 model. There are several important distinctions between the two models. The 222K had a very limited production run from 1953 until 1961. The 222K has a removable bed which turns it into a free arm sewing machine and the feed dogs can be dropped. The 222K model is also a smidge taller than the 221 model, remember those dropping feed dogs, so it doesn’t really fit in a 221 case. SINGER® 222K models were produced in black only and are highly desirable – and expensive, due to their features and limited production run.

While there were only two true models of the SINGER® Featherweight sewing machine manufactured, some people consider the SINGER® 301/301A to be bigger sisters to the 221 and 222K models. I think that’s interesting considering the difference in the sizes of the machines. They really don’t look alike, do they? It’s true that the 301 or 301A uses the same bobbin as the 221 and 222K models, but they aren’t Featherweight sewing machines. There are some other differences with the SINGER® 301/301A sewing machines. These models were the first slant needle sewing machines SINGER® manufactured and the first machines to be sold as a portable in a cabinet. Yes, they are portable, like the SINGER® Featherweights, but the 301/301A are still not Featherweights! The 301/301A models were manufactured between 1951 and 1957 in the Anderson, South Carolina, USA plant.

While these machines all have some similarities, where they really differ is in the prices that you’ll have to pay to acquire them. You need to be knowledgeable about these machines when you are looking at purchasing or selling one of them. The SINGER® Featherweights sell for much more money than the other SINGER® models – in the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. The 301/301A models are substantially less expensive than either of the Featherweight models, with current prices being $150. In contrast, the average current price for a SINGER® 221 Featherweight is $350.00. The rarer, and even more desirable, SINGER® 222K is currently selling for between $800 and $2000. These are average prices in my area, but the relationship between the prices for the different models will be the same in your part of the world.

If you already have any of these models and got them for less than these prices, pat yourself on the back! If you are considering buying one of these machines, you’ll definitely need to carefully check the condition of the machine and what is included in it before you hand over hundreds of dollars. This isn’t a $15 purchase!

Click here for a video where I compare the Featherweights to another popular vintage sewing machine, the Singer 301.

You can see how the prices can differ greatly between vintage sewing machine models. You need to know what the average prices are for various machines and I've done this work for you.

I've created the Pricing Guides for Vintage Sewing Machines that will help you answer the question, “Is this a good price to pay for a vintage sewing machine?” for both buyers and sellers. These PDF downloads are full of information to help you determine what price you should pay when you are a buyer or what price to set if you are seller. While I refer to SINGER® sewing machines in these FREE guides, this information is applicable to any brand of vintage sewing machine. Download the FREE Pricing Guides for Vintage Sewing Machines printable right away.

I know that you will find these guides extremely useful but you will have to do a bit of work too. Since it’s impossible for me to know which model of vintage sewing machine you are considering buying or selling, you’ll have to do a bit of research into what a typical price point is in your area for that particular model. There can be a wide range of prices even for the same model.

Download the Pricing Guides for Vintage Sewing Machines now so you so you’ll have it handy when you’re shopping for or selling your vintage sewing machine.

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Creatively,