Sewing Machine Addition

My sewing machine collection keeps growing. Yikes! Saw an old Kenmore for sale in my local area and decided I would go see it. It was bought in 1988 but it didn't look like it had been used much at all. It was very clean and had lots of accessories. I couldn't pass it up when the owner told me she was selling it for $40. Had to adjust the tension and stitch length and after greasing it and oiling it was running very smooth. It also makes beautiful buttonholes.

I then saw a Janome New Home 23X for sale online. I've heard Janome machines are good and even though this one was old it had lot's of sewing feet, the needle down/up button, the low/high button, a needle threader and an automatic buttonhole maker. I jumped at the chance and bought it for $100 shipping included. Every time I buy a machine online I hope I'm not going to be screwed and receive a broken or no good machine but I just keep positive and know that most people are good people. The machine arrived very well packed and looking it over I was very surprised at how clean it was. Not a dent or scratch on it. But, when I tried to make a buttonhole on a scrap of fabric, it wouldn't and the reverse button wouldn't work. My reaction was,"NO! I've been screwed!" I wasn't going to complain because that's probably why it wasn't more expansive. Anyway, I calmed down and called a local sewing machine serviceman and they were wanting to charge me between $100 and $200. I told my husband, "There's no way I'm paying that much money to have this machine fixed that's highway robbery so you and I are fixing it." We opened up the machine and hubby started tightening up this and that and we greased and oiled the heck out of it and low and behold we freaking fixed it. I knew that once we fixed the reverse part the buttonhole maker would work too and that's exactly what happened. I told my husband, "If you're able to fix $80,000 + Nasa machines you will fix this little machine." Everything is working perfectly now. The foot paddle isn't even dirty and no scratches on it either. I guess some people buy sewing machines and then realize sewing just isn't for them. 

The electronic part of Janome machine

Top guts of the machine.See how clean it is.

In there is where we had to get to fix the reverse button. Had to put all the different screws in marked baggies.

Fixed

Nice compartment for feet. Not too crazy how to the thread sits though. Have to get used to it.

My Sewing Machines

I've had this machine for about 15 years. The only stitches I ever use are the straight and zig-zag I wish it had an automatic buttonhole maker but I have to put the attachment on and then make them. To me, that's wasting time. I paid about $400 for this machine and it has never given me trouble. I always clean it after a big project like a quilt and especially after sewing flannel. I also oil it about every two months. I really need to get an attachment table.

This is my Singer baby, it's 10 1/2 inches wide and 11 1/2 inches tall. It's pretty heavy and it sews great. I bought this one to use at any quilting classes I would go to since I didn't want to be hauling a big machine. This one was sold in the early 90s and for a limited time. I'm glad I bought it.

This is my quilting machine that I got from an online bid. I got it about 10 years ago.  I love it!  It's got some power I tell ya

. I don't sew clothes on it nor piece quilts on it I only use it for machine quilting.  I've been very happy with it. The iron

next to it belonged to my mom and I believe it to be about 30 years old if not then older. It gets super hot and it not a steam iron

. This machine is just a straight stitcher.

This beauty is a Singer 500A  also know as the Rocketeer.   This machine came out in 1960 and it was the last Singer machine to be made of all metal. There are no plastic parts on it at all. It works with all gears which is why it doesn't

need a belt. It has all the attachments it originally came with and it's doesn't have that many scratches. It still has the singer paper on the front. My husband totally surprised me with it. I had been looking at them for months on Youtube and I guess he was paying attention or he felt sorry for me because one night the FedEx guy just came a knocking at the door and dropped it off.  I still can't believe he did that. Anyway, the reason it's called a Rocketeer is because it came out when America was just starting its journey towards space and Singer came out with a machine that resembled a rocket. This is a very powerful machine with a perfect straight stitch and can sew through about five layers of fabric. It has many fancy stitches that I will probably never use. It weighs about 30 pounds.Very heavy. When I got it I cleaned it really well or as much as I could. I tried to clean up some of the old black oil and then put in lot's of clean oil on every moving part and greased up all the gears. Now, it sounds perfect.

This is a Singer 237 and it came out in the mid-60s.  This will always be my favorite machine because it belonged to my mom and she made a lot of clothes for me on this machine. I brought it to my house after she passed away and I hadn't touched it in about 16 years until January. I took this picture before I cleaned it up so it looks a lot better now. I cleaned it up really well inside and out and oiled and greased it really good in every moving part. More oil than grease. I ordered a new belt for the big wheel and for the bobbin tire.It sounds and runs awesome now. This was the last machine singer made with metal gears and is probably why it still works. You can tell the wear and tear it got in the front from my mom's hands rubbing up against it, and the other spaces it has no paint on is from the scissors banging on it year after year. I feel like my mom is over my shoulder every time I get in front of this machine. It's a good feeling. Of all the machines I have this is the only machine that came with a cabinet. Ha, five sewing machines and I still don't have a serger. 

Well, that's it for my machines.  Actually, I am always on the lookout for another good deal on a vintage all metal machine. My husband doesn't know that. 🌝🌝