I bought my 15-91 Singer sewing machine after watching your earlier video, where you demonstrated how the machine worked. Getting a 15-91 was life changing for me, as I can sew so much better on it than I ever could on any other machine. I thank you so much for introducing me to the best sewing machine ever! Thank you also for your inspiring videos, they have had such a wonderful impact on my sewing and quilting!
Thank you for letting people know that attachments are available for zigzag and decorative stitches, as well as tucks/pintucks, hem stitching, ruffling, buttonholes, etc.. Even though they’re just straight-stitch machines, they’re so much more than just straight-stitch machines. Fewer of them would end up in landfills if people know what capable machines they are. I think sometimes people see “an antique” and worry that it’s fragile or finicky, when really these machines are built like tanks. Once you give them a clean and service, you’ve got a sturdy machine for life. Even with some snazzy attachments, they’re more affordable than modern machines, especially those of similar quality. I’m glad you’re encouraging people to try them out. I like the warm yellow light on the 15, but for those who don’t, there are LED replacement bulbs for it if the incandescent bulb is too hot or if someone prefers LED lights. Alex Askaroff has a brief video where he shows the technique of lifting the presser foot and giving the fabric a little tug towards you to get a backtack on a vintage machine without a reverse. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like an easy enough technique with a little practice.
I have my mother’s treadle Singer sewing machine from 1923, no. 127. I’ve got all the accessories. When I was in my teens I learned to sew on this machine. The cabinet is still in beautiful shape. The machine still works beautiful. I was a pianist so moving that treadle was quite easy to do. Merry Christmas.
I love my Singers more than anything. I have a 15-91, 2 Featherweights; also Bernina and they all have special purposes. But the sound of the old machines is something I love so much. They sound like they run so beautifully. The 15-91 is a speed demon and like you said a workhorse. Singer oil is your best friend with the Singer machines. They will hum along forever. Thanks for the review!
I purchased a Singer Red Eye Treadle Sewing Machine about 6 or 7 years ago from an older gentleman that was selling his mothers machine. I named my machine after the previous owner, Joan. My Treadle was born in October 1910. I love her. Her stitch quality is beautiful. In my opinion, that is what sets the vintage machines apart from the newer. Also, the newer machines have this low bulkhead where the needle is. It obscures the sewing area whereas the vintage have higher visibility at the needle and throat plate area. The leather band on my machine was quite worn and shredding. A quilt teacher who travels the world teaching quilting, Bonnie Hunter, and collector of vintage machines taught me this: if you can't fine a leather replacement, you can use plastic tubing. That is what is on my machine and will probably be the last belt I will ever need. I use 3/16" diameter shingle belting with connectors. I purchased it from McMaster-Carr. I used my old belt as a template and it fit and works perfectly. Hope someone finds this helpful.
I learned to sew with a treadle machine, I enjoy my featherweight and singer 201, I use my embroidery machine for edge to edge quilting. Thanks for your tutorials
I have a vintage Singer Featherweight that used to belong to my grandmother. I quilt on a daily basis on my Baby Lock “Aria” that I just love. Before I bought this machine, I sewed on an old machine I bought 42 years ago. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Looking forward to more of your tutorials in the near future. Thank you for taking the time to make the video’s.
Ya can’t beat the stitch of a vintage machine and be able to service and maintain. I don’t trust modern computer controlled machines, they have left to many of my friends without. My main sewers are a 201 and a 401.
Agree ,,I used to make and sell vintage dolls clothes I made then on a 1940s Singer as it did they tinest stitches and never jammed like my modern machine ..husbands just replaced a top bevel gear on my 1970s Singer 476 easy job but a 2000 model one I had the feed gear went and it had to be scrapped even machine shop said too expensive to repair as husband wouldnt tackle it
I have several vintage machines. I sew on my 201 daily, but I have FW's, 206, 15-90, 15-91, 15-88, 306, 301, 315, 99, 66 503, 185, and 4 treadles and a gorgeous hand crank from 1906. Yes, I finally admit I'm a collector.Sad part is as soon as people know you love vintage machines they give them to you. I haven't paid more than $50 for the ones I bought. I also found a fabulous rubber belt from "Lehmans" for my treadles. They just snap together. No more leather and staples. Thanks for you tutorials. Love the inspiration.
Thanks Susan for sharing your views on vintage sewing machines. It just baffled me to think that some of the sewing machines are so expensive, but yet people are buying older ones. Now seeing the throat size difference in the machines oh yes that would make a big difference. I’ll have to check my daughters machine she inherited from her grandmother, and it’s suppose to have a broken belt. My husband said his mother used to love using that machine to fix bluejeans, because it had no problem dealing with the bulky seams. Why are some of the machine called featherweights? Is it a brand name or reference to the actual weight? Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊
Feather weights are a Singer machine that is light weight. It also has a shorter harp space than the 15-91. Quilters like it because it is portable due to the light weight. It is easy to take to retreats, etc.
The newer Singer is far too small. I looked at a similar machine and the width (no arm room) was a deal breaker. My 30 year old Janome (serviced 3 times) a workhorse and never had any issues) is fine for now. I'll just have to save for a Janome with the extra features/stitches. The vintage Singer one is gorgous though. An serger would definitely be required (I couldn't live without mine. 28 years and only serviced once).
The pedals are not compatible. The modern machines use a low voltage 5 to 12 Volts DC pedal when they have that little plug in jack and the vintage machines use 120vac through the pedal. There are digital 120 volt AC pedals and they actually get more torque out of the old motors than the old carbon stack or reostat pedals can. They also don't get hot when running at slow speeds.
I bought my 15-91 Singer sewing machine after watching your earlier video, where you demonstrated how the machine worked. Getting a 15-91 was life changing for me, as I can sew so much better on it than I ever could on any other machine. I thank you so much for introducing me to the best sewing machine ever! Thank you also for your inspiring videos, they have had such a wonderful impact on my sewing and quilting!
Thank you for letting people know that attachments are available for zigzag and decorative stitches, as well as tucks/pintucks, hem stitching, ruffling, buttonholes, etc.. Even though they’re just straight-stitch machines, they’re so much more than just straight-stitch machines. Fewer of them would end up in landfills if people know what capable machines they are. I think sometimes people see “an antique” and worry that it’s fragile or finicky, when really these machines are built like tanks. Once you give them a clean and service, you’ve got a sturdy machine for life. Even with some snazzy attachments, they’re more affordable than modern machines, especially those of similar quality. I’m glad you’re encouraging people to try them out.
I like the warm yellow light on the 15, but for those who don’t, there are LED replacement bulbs for it if the incandescent bulb is too hot or if someone prefers LED lights.
Alex Askaroff has a brief video where he shows the technique of lifting the presser foot and giving the fabric a little tug towards you to get a backtack on a vintage machine without a reverse. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like an easy enough technique with a little practice.
I have my mother’s treadle Singer sewing machine from 1923, no. 127. I’ve got all the accessories. When I was in my teens I learned to sew on this machine. The cabinet is still in beautiful shape. The machine still works beautiful. I was a pianist so moving that treadle was quite easy to do. Merry Christmas.
I love my Singers more than anything. I have a 15-91, 2 Featherweights; also Bernina and they all have special purposes. But the sound of the old machines is something I love so much. They sound like they run so beautifully. The 15-91 is a speed demon and like you said a workhorse. Singer oil is your best friend with the Singer machines. They will hum along forever. Thanks for the review!
I purchased a Singer Red Eye Treadle Sewing Machine about 6 or 7 years ago from an older gentleman that was selling his mothers machine. I named my machine after the previous owner, Joan. My Treadle was born in October 1910. I love her. Her stitch quality is beautiful. In my opinion, that is what sets the vintage machines apart from the newer. Also, the newer machines have this low bulkhead where the needle is. It obscures the sewing area whereas the vintage have higher visibility at the needle and throat plate area. The leather band on my machine was quite worn and shredding. A quilt teacher who travels the world teaching quilting, Bonnie Hunter, and collector of vintage machines taught me this: if you can't fine a leather replacement, you can use plastic tubing. That is what is on my machine and will probably be the last belt I will ever need. I use 3/16" diameter shingle belting with connectors. I purchased it from McMaster-Carr. I used my old belt as a template and it fit and works perfectly. Hope someone finds this helpful.
I learned to sew with a treadle machine, I enjoy my featherweight and singer 201, I use my embroidery machine for edge to edge quilting. Thanks for your tutorials
I have a vintage Singer Featherweight that used to belong to my grandmother. I quilt on a daily basis on my Baby Lock “Aria” that I just love. Before I bought this machine, I sewed on an old machine I bought 42 years ago.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Looking forward to more of your tutorials in the near future. Thank you for taking the time to make the video’s.
Ya can’t beat the stitch of a vintage machine and be able to service and maintain. I don’t trust modern computer controlled machines, they have left to many of my friends without. My main sewers are a 201 and a 401.
Agree ,,I used to make and sell vintage dolls clothes I made then on a 1940s Singer as it did they tinest stitches and never jammed like my modern machine ..husbands just replaced a top bevel gear on my 1970s Singer 476 easy job but a 2000 model one I had the feed gear went and it had to be scrapped even machine shop said too expensive to repair as husband wouldnt tackle it
This is a great video, I got mine from my aunt is in great condition. Thanks a lot for this video well explained.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I'm just hanging out and hand sewing. I very much enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing!
I have several vintage machines. I sew on my 201 daily, but I have FW's, 206, 15-90, 15-91, 15-88, 306, 301, 315, 99, 66 503, 185, and 4 treadles and a gorgeous hand crank from 1906. Yes, I finally admit I'm a collector.Sad part is as soon as people know you love vintage machines they give them to you. I haven't paid more than $50 for the ones I bought. I also found a fabulous rubber belt from "Lehmans" for my treadles. They just snap together. No more leather and staples. Thanks for you tutorials. Love the inspiration.
Vintage machines do seem to multiply, don't they? I love the idea of a belt that snaps closed.
Merry Christmas to you and your God bless you and your family.
thanks for yours videos. always we learned something new
Thanks Susan for sharing your views on vintage sewing machines. It just baffled me to think that some of the sewing machines are so expensive, but yet people are buying older ones. Now seeing the throat size difference in the machines oh yes that would make a big difference. I’ll have to check my daughters machine she inherited from her grandmother, and it’s suppose to have a broken belt. My husband said his mother used to love using that machine to fix bluejeans, because it had no problem dealing with the bulky seams. Why are some of the machine called featherweights? Is it a brand name or reference to the actual weight? Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊
Feather weights are a Singer machine that is light weight. It also has a shorter harp space than the 15-91. Quilters like it because it is portable due to the light weight. It is easy to take to retreats, etc.
looks like my 201k iron cast singer the disk is on the back of yours
The newer Singer is far too small. I looked at a similar machine and the width (no arm room) was a deal breaker. My 30 year old Janome (serviced 3 times) a workhorse and never had any issues) is fine for now. I'll just have to save for a Janome with the extra features/stitches.
The vintage Singer one is gorgous though. An serger would definitely be required (I couldn't live without mine. 28 years and only serviced once).
The pedals are not compatible. The modern machines use a low voltage 5 to 12 Volts DC pedal when they have that little plug in jack and the vintage machines use 120vac through the pedal. There are digital 120 volt AC pedals and they actually get more torque out of the old motors than the old carbon stack or reostat pedals can. They also don't get hot when running at slow speeds.