What is your favorite type of sewing machine?

There are the newer models that are electronic computer types, that will do hundreds of decorative stitches at the touch of a button, some can take programs to make even more stitching. They can embroider beautiful designs, run mostly by themselves once programmed.

There are human powered machines - treadles and hand cranks. From what I've read treadles were more common in the United States and hand cranks were popular in Europe due to lack of space in the houses. The oldest machines from the 1800's were tiny, quaint looking, did a chain stitch and were either treadle or hand crank. The later versions of hand cranks was the original portable machine.

The hand cranks are popular among some historical re-enactors for their authenticity and ease in transporting and working with them on site.

When electricity became availabe many treadles were converted to motors. Houses weren't always wired with outlets but did have electrical lights, so in the manual that came with the machines they were instructed to plug the cord into a light socket with an  adapter.

These old sewing machines were real work horses. They were expertly engineered and made of tough metal to last a lifetime and beyond. They had beautiful elaborate decals on them.  There was no plastic on these machines. When the newer fancier machines with all the built in stitches became available these old machines were shoved off into a garage or shed and left to die, and how sad that is, because they were still beautiful working functional sewing machines. The treadle machine heads were taken out, thrown aside, and the cast iron bases converted to tables. The older electrical machines in cabinets suffered the same fate.

 There are many restorers now who love to find these old machines, and with just a little cleaning up and oiling they are as good as new and ready to be put back into service for many more generations to use them.

Can that be said about the fancy new computer machines? 

Edey

I completely agree with you, Edey Elovesta, that the sewing machines of the era that seems to have ended in the Thirties (1930) were far superior to all subsequent ones.  Yet I want to put in a pitch for those ensuing machines before the electronic ones.  Yes, they are made of plastic.  Yes, they have zig-zag function as well as straight-stitch (which is actually a benefit).  But they are warhorses that rarely need servicing, can be lubricated & cared for at home, & only need to be taken into a dealership for heavy lubrication once a year if used daily, or once every few years dependign on how frequently they have been used.

The electronic machines  aren't worth the circuitry that they are printed on!

Yours in Him, Deb

I have two sewing machines.  One is a treadle machine and the other is a basic straight stitch/zigzag Singer machine that I got with Club Z points (Zellers) in the early 1990's.  The treadle machine was given to me by my mother in law around 1980.  I used it for everything from satin and lace flower girl and bridesmaid's dresses to jeans to leather.  Now I use the electric for cottons and lighter materials and the treadle machine for denim and leather.  i prefer the treadle machine, probably because I use it more and it is very easy to adjust tension, stitch length etc.  It's very simple to clean and fix. I've looked at quilting machines and embroidery machines, but I actually like to quilt and embroider by hand even though it probably takes 100 times longer!  My treadle machine isn't fancy looking at all, no decals or anything, but I love the way it sews.

Stacy

Wow!  Stacy!  You are right on!  Tension setting is a real battle with my 1980's machine!  Sometimes, one forgets at the opportune moment important factors; I did not think about tension when I wrote my original post (just above yours).  Yours in Him, Deb

I have a plastic machine too, a Husqvarna/Viking HuskyStar 215, bought for the ability to easily take it with me. I'm not thrilled with the quality of stitching; it works best on light fabrics. And tension setting isn't real easy with this one either. Everything is enclosed in a plastic shell, it would be difficult to work on this one.

 My first machine is a Singer Fashion Mate 223;  it is so heavy it is difficult to move around. I let my husband do it, even he struggles carrying it.  It's supposed to be a portable; fine if you are a weight lifter! But it is still worth keeping, and someday hope to put it into a table sturdy enough to hold it's weight.

I love my treadle. I would love to have more; owning them could easily become an obsession.

Edey

Well, I can't say I have a favorite because I don't use it enough to know!!  I have a fairly basic Kenmore bought as a replacement after my basic singer was stolen after my apt was broken into. Late 90's or about 2000 I think.   My mom has an old singer portable with a wooden cover I have my eye on. With decals etc.  Doesn't work great, needs servicing.  I don't know how old it is because she bought it second hand in the 60's.

My Family's Interests:

I don't know how old it is because she bought it second hand in the 60's.

You can go to the Singer web site and find the date for your machine or any Singer, by the serial number. They have them all in a very long chart way back to the early 1900's, maybe even further, except that at some point in the past the oldest machines didn't have serial numbers. I think these were the ones from the late 1800's. If you want I can look it up for you if you don't want to, I just need the serial number. My treadle serial number is G3650121 and was commissioned June 10, 1914 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, that will give you an idea of what the serial number might be like. It often is on the lower right side of the machine head.

Your mother's machine is probably just very dirty and gummed up. A build up of old oil and lint slows down their working ability. Get it cleaned up with a new belt and it more than likely will work like brand new. Those old machines rarely just broke. Let me know if I can help. Edey

Thanks! I will have to get the serial number from her. She doesn't really know I want it from her yet lol one day. not in a rush since I don't sew. I think the problem is bigger then a good cleaning..more motors problems I think.  She doesn't sew anymore so don't remember much about it. Will have to ask her about it. 

I noticed that my neighbour across the street must have had a treadle machine that was converted into an electrice maybe. Had a big belt on it. She recently passed away at 98 and I saw it in a relatives van when they where clearing out the house. Of course I couldn't go over and really look at it.

I LOVE my Brother 1200 embroidery machine.  Ignoring the embroidery options, it has so many sewing shortcuts that it is VERY nice to sew on.

However, I won't get rid of the old cast iron, circa 1970 Singer that is my husband's.  I call it my workhorse.  The Brother and my 1992 Singer will not sew leather or very heavy stuff like that, and it will.  Every now and again, I will put on my hernia belt and haul it out of its storage cabinet and set it up.  Come to think of it, I had it out last month, I think, hemming canvas drop cloths into walls for a tent of ours. 

Keriamon:

I won't get rid of the old cast iron, circa 1970 Singer

That sounds like my Fashion Mate 223 bought new in 1969 or 70. Very heavy and difficult to move around, but I've had no trouble with using it. I've never sewn on leather but don't doubt that it could. Doesn't like thick bluejean seams though, but I have since learned that if you give the bulky seams a good hammering to flatten them out they can be sewn over by the older machines, but not the newer ones usually.

Using the canvas drop cloths for a tent, that's a good idea. I'm guessing that it is cheaper that way than buying yardage?

Edey