r/vintagesewing

So far I’ve identified it (from the serial number) as a 16K, made in 1920 in Scotland. I’ve downloaded the manuals and am looking forward to having a good play with it this weekend! It appears to be in decent condition and everything externally that is supposed to move moves freely so 🤞!

Someone is selling on FB for $125, thoughts?

Does anyone have any idea about how these MOP buttons/beads were used? I want to do something with them but haven't figured out how yet. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

It has aspirational flair! #haberdashery #MOP #sewinghelp

I recently inherited this sewing machine for my mom that she got from her aunt. Is there a way to figure out how old it is out of curiosity. It works, and I have the key to all the drawers. Thank you for any information you may have!

I'm stoked to have found a third machine to add to my "collection". While the 217 can do everything I need and then some, I was looking for a lighter machine I can bring with me when I'm out and about, or use for simple domestic sewing, and found this beauty online.

She needs some light work, but mostly the usual things: cleaning and oiling, capacitor, .. the feed dog control was stuck but that was an easy fix as well. I'm still pondering on whether to keep the knee speed control (with a carbon stack regulator), replace it with a modern pedal but keeping the original motor, or swap the motor entirely.

I'll probably post about the 117L and 217 in the future but here's what I've done so far to make them usable:
- 117L got a 3D printed bracket with a small modern motor, will be mounted in a small box soon
- 217 is on its table but the clutch motor was replaced by a 750w servo with a small pulley for speed control. It has the cam attachment so I plan to 3D print custom cams for it.

I mostly use these for MYOG type of work (bag making, gear modification etc) and practicing towards a "parachute rigger" certification.

I live in Belgium so these type of machines are not that hard to find used online, yet they feel very precious to me ! To give a rough idea, I paid 30€ for the 125 (with a lot of original presser feet which also fit the 117L), 100€ for the 117L (bought from the first owner .. crazy right ?) and about 200€ for the 217 on its table with plenty of accessories.

Does anyone know if Singer cabinets were specific to a model of machine or could newer machines be put into older cabinets?

I bought this cabinet, which came with a model N475 machine. However none of the N475 images I find online have this style of cabinet which got me curious. The only cabinet I've found online that looked the same was fitted with a 201P which was made from 1956, whereas the N475 was manufactured from 1969.

Incidentally, I bought this for the cabinet and didn't intend to keep the machine. I have no idea what condition the machine is in as it has no cable/pedal and i havent opened it up but it might be good for parts if there's anyone from South Australia who wants it.

Hello!

First post here.

I've serviced my featherweight in the last year or so, with no use but some travel since that time. It came home with a clean bill of health, and I am a novice at this point so I'm reaching out to yall fine folks. I'm trying to load the bobbin with thread, and the manual says to turn the silver part on the wheel towards you to disengage the sewing mechanism. I felt the piece turn as i think it should, but the sewing mechanism is still engaged.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance! I was sewing when i took the photo, so I'm aware it doesn't exactly match the problem, but i figured that would be okay

Hi! New to this sub and new-ish to sewing. Picking it back up to start quilting so I can spend more time with my mom, who is an avid quilter.

I have a model 600 that was my grandmother’s. However it’s missing the foot pedal & cord, and the stitch length lever is bent (won’t go lower than 12).

Parts are $75 (cord, pedal, stitch lever) if I want to try to fix it myself. I am assuming taking it in to be repaired would be much more than that. I also saw a working model on ebay for $150.

Sentimental value aside, is this worth fixing myself/having it repaired? Or am I better off using that money to buy something else?

I've tried different methods to unstuck it. I tried heating it up with hair dryer to melt the oil that I've previously applied and I've also tried to unscrew it but it still wouldn't budge.

Hi everyone, thanks for the previous advices. I have an update and a very specific question for the Necchi experts.

My previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagesewing/s/TVtzJ9gakg

After more cleaning and oiling (which didn't fix it), I looked closer at the drop-feed linkage inside the arm. I noticed a metal "jaw" / bracket (which seems to hold a lubrication felt) sitting on a shaft. This part is quite loose and slides along the shaft.

I discovered that if I manually push this "jaw" back into its original position and hold it there, the mechanism works perfectly. The feed dogs snap back up instantly after half a rotation of the handwheel, no "sweet spot" or manual nudging required!

I tried to tighten this part on the shaft.

However if I tighten it enough to stay put, the whole mechanism becomes so stiff that I can’t even switch to embroidery mode (the dial turns but it can't be pressed down).

If I loosen it just enough for the dial to work, the part becomes loose again, slides out of alignment, and the feed dogs stop returning. (But it still works if I align it with a sweet spot)

It seems I can't find the balance between "aligned and functional" and "loose and failing."

My Questions for Necchi owners:

Is this specific part supposed to be held in place by a specific clip, spacer, or a very precise torque on a set screw?

For those with a working Supernova: Does your feed dog return instantly when you switch back to sewing mode, or is there a specific "timing" or "sweet spot" in the rotation where it's supposed to click back?

Is it possible that a spring inside this "jaw" assembly is fatigued or installed incorrectly, causing it to drift on the shaft?