Some have heard these stories, or at least parts of them but some haven’t.
Bernina
Back in about 1981, I was just starting to do machine piecing but I was also making smocked children’s clothes. I had an old Singer Golden Touch & Sew that I had gotten while in high school so . . it was about 8 years old. It had been an awful machine from Day 1. The first machine would not make a buttonhole, no matter what I did, no matter what the Singer sales person did and no matter what the Singer repairman did so they agreed to replace it. The new one did seem to have a major flaw – it would make buttonholes, but it made the worst stitch ever and tension was a nightmare. But I sewed on it. When I began piecing quilt tops and trying to make buttonholes on little girls’ dresses, that machine had to go. I did a little research and decided I waned a Bernina. The husband (not Vince!) thought the Berninas were outrageously expensive and he found a Sears machine that “did everything a Bernina would do”. Right! That lasted about a year and then I somehow convinced him that I really needed a Bernina and got a 930, which I still have.
Then, in 1989 we moved to Texas (same husband – not Vince) and that was a disaster from Day 1. Not long after the move, he came home with a Bernina 1230, a big cutting table (which I still use) and a Bernette serger. At that point, I was a “Nothing But Bernina” girl and thought I always would be.
By the way, it was that move to Texas that made me tell Vince . . every time he’d consider a job relocation . . I’d say “I’ll move anywhere in the south EXCEPT Texas!”
Singer
Fast forward to probably about 1998. Vince, Chad and I were going to Georgia to stay in a little cabin in the mountains for about 10 days at Christmas. We had a mini-van and, of course, I was taking a sewing machine – my Bernina 1230, which isn’t small but it isn’t huge. When Vince saw it, he said “We don’t have room for that!” What? Did he think I was going out of town without a sewing machine. I had a Singer Featherweight that I had bought to take to classes. The Berninas were heavy! I had never used the Featherweight but I had a quarter inch foot . . what could go wrong?
We got to the cabin. Vince and Chad were all set to play video games on the TV downstairs. There was a little reading room upstairs so I set up my sewing in that room. I got the iron and ironing board all set up; got my cutting station ready; had the sewing machine setup and I was ready to sew. That darned machine would take a stitch and about 2 minutes later, it would take another stitch. Wait . . this is NOT going to work. I marched myself downstairs, most unhappy that I had not brought the Bernina instead of that Featherweight. Vince knew I was not happy so we drove to the next little town and went to Walmart. Nope, not going to buy a sewing machine from Walmart. I was not opposed to drive 10 hours home to get my Bernina and then driving back to north Georgia.
On the way back to the cabin, Vince decided to stop by a flea market. He asked if they had any sewing machines. Yes, and the lady took us to it. There was a 301A in a cabinet with a sewing chair. I think the asking price was $40 but . . it didn’t sew. I sat down and looked at it and right away I saw that the little “finger” in the bobbin area that needs to be fitted between two sections on the throat plate wasn’t in the right position. I knew how to fix that and I knew that would probably solve the problem.
While I was looking over the machine, Vince went to talk to the lady and she agreed that the she would sell it all for $15. Vince came back and said “I can probably fix it and she’ll take $15 for it. Do you want it?” I said “I guess”. I was really thinking . . if we didn’t have room for my Bernina .. machine only, how do we have room for a machine, a cabinet and a sewing chair . . but at that point, I was not asking questions.
We got in the car, with the machine and I said “We need to go back to Walmart and get an eyeglass repair kit!” Vince was all prepared to take the machine apart and I said . . I can fix it. And . . I did.
Since that day, I’ve been a devoted Singer 301 fan.
Tomorrow I’ll tell you the story about fixing the Featherweight that didn’t sew in Georgia and I’ll tell you about Vince fixing the 301 machines today . . and about the one that didn’t get fixed.
vivoaks says
My Singer Touch ‘n Sew is still here! I bought it in 1975 on Staten Island when I was in the Army. I needed something to sew patches on uniforms and it was used, and in my price range, so I bought it. I used that thing through 3 sets of gears, maternity clothes, school clothes for the kids, and a quilt I made while in the Army because I couldn’t get a second blanket, so I made something to keep me warm!! I used that thing until my son offered to help me in a purchase of a new machine. He worked as an EMT for an ambulance company, and the owner of the company’s wife owned a sewing machine sales store. (He got me a discount.) So I used that Touch ‘n Sew for about 30 years before getting a new machine. It served me well.
Judy Laquidara says
Mine was about a 1971 model and I heard they got better after that year.
Heidi says
I use my 301 for my quilts and love it. I have a modern machine for some decorative stitches but I love the solid feel of the 301 the best. Love it so much I have 3 of them. Fixing them up is usually very easy and no expensive computer board to replace! I also have a couple of featherweights that I use for guild sewing days but find it hard to sew against a black background, definitely puts a strain on my eyes after a couple of hours.
Susan Nixon says
I like my 301, too. I always start children sewing on that one. Luckily, mine sewed, right out of the eBay box! =) It’s so much fun to have many machines of all vintages. I always thought the 930 was a nice Bernina, but wasn’t willing to pay that price, and then I found my Viking, and that’s the love of my life. I did finally buy a Bernina – 153 Alex Anderson quilting Edition, barely used, and it’s a nice machine, but it just isn’t me like the Viking is.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s how I feel about my Bernina 430. It’s nice but it will never be the first machine I reach for.
Ruth says
I love hearing about the sewing machines people have used! My mother had a Singer 15-91 for years, then just before I went to college Dad surprised her with a Singer Touch and Sew. It wasn’t the greatest and eventually she got a Bernina secondhand. I got the 15-91 and I sewed my first mask on it this morning. (the bread tie doesn’t keep it from fogging up my glasses so I stopped sewing)
I have several other blackhead Singers, and a Brother computerized tabletop machine for doing baby blanket bindings. The Singers are nice because I can do the maintenance on them myself.
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t think the bread tie will make it safer but does give it a bit better fit. I saw a video last night with someone using a strip they had cut from a heavy duty aluminum disposable baking pan. It was kinda sharp on the edges but they folded til there was no exposed edges. These are not perfect for sure but maybe to be worn over a real mask . . I don’t know but I wish I had a better solution.