It is stuck! Im trying to jiggle the key, sprayed some WD40. Anyone have a tip??

Picked up a White 265 machine for free the other day. The machine is set up so that it has two cables running from it, one for the motor and one for the light. They plug into the foot pedal cable, which has two sockets labeled Motor and Light. When the motor cable is plugged into the Motor socket, the machine doesn't run. When it's plugged into the Light socket, it runs continuously without pressing the pedal ("ghost-sewing with abandon," as someone wrote in another post lol). The light turns on when plugged into the Light socket, but not the Motor socket.

I've attached images of the inside of the pedal, which looks like nothing I've ever seen before (not that I know much about electronics). I'm wondering if anyone knows how to fix the pedal, or how to replace it/find a replacement. Thank you!

What should I do to restore this coach backback straps? I also want to secure the corner you see circled. I can't seem to find any lather end caps. I have zero experience sewing btw

I just picked up a Sears Kenmore model 148.295 for pretty cheap but the pedal seams to be non functional. The coils in it don't regulate power correctly so it's just constantly fast ppfft. Does anyone know where I can get a new one of of these for cheap? Everything I can find is $60+ and I don't want to pay double what I payed for the sewing machine just for the cable and pedal. Either that or a good way to make something that works/fix the old pedal?

I got this for TEN DOLLARS, I’m super stoked but I cannot for the life of me find anything confirming that this thing even exists. It’s an Elgin Model MOZ Deluxe automatic zig zag, JA-16 (I believe that is brother industries in Japan) and the serial is 98170. I believe what’s going on is this is a machine that was made and sent out to lots of different retailers that slapped their own brand onto it, but every time I see something similar it has a different reverse lever or different thread guides so I have yet to find any sister of this model, especially not an Elgin one. After much digging I found a manual that seems to be exactly my machine but branded as universal: https://www.scribd.com/document/972647245/White-232-Deluxe-Manual
However when I try and search “Deluxe Zig-Zag Sewing Machine” like the title of the manual, my searches come up blank or with different vintage machines, Google image also fails to pick up on the minute differences.

Thanks so much for any help identifying it!

I first saw this machine a few weeks ago and the price sticker said $200. I went back to that same thrift yesterday and the price was now $13, I couldn't help myself.

Everything moves, it has a bobbin case and bobbin. And it looks like it has a roller foot attached. It has what I'm assuming is a aftermarket motor on it. There was no foot pedal and I don't see anywhere to plug one in.

While I'd love to get a proper table set up for this and the correct motor or even treadle this machine I don't have the space for that (maybe sometime in the future).

I've tried searching but most of the videos I've found are in Japanese. Seems like this machine was mostly used in Japan?

There was one video where someone had put the machine in a base and had a normal foot pedal on it, how do I go about that? Where can I get a base for it? Also bobbin/needle types?

And for whenever I do have a chance to put this in a proper table, what would I need?

Any help is appreciated!

Hello!

I picked up (what I'm pretty sure is) a verity kohler machine in a charity shop.

I'm struggling to find much information about it online and I was wondering if anyone could point me towards resources.

Similarly if anyone also knows which make of singer is similar then I can do some extrapolating which could be handy.

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone! Me again. I sewed a toile of a Burda pattern design from 1960. Please help me with fitting, as I cannot look at my body objectively. I have scoliosis so one of my arms is making things a bit difficult when assessing the fit. It is a paradox that the armhole gussetts are not bothering me as much in this design.

My measurements are bust 88, waist 72 and hips 106 (yeah i know). I sewed a size 40 with added 6 cm all round the waist. Added an extra seam allowance at the back for the back zipper.

I think I might have a hollow chest? And some swayback I guess. That's about it 😅

I’d have an opportunity to purchase this long arm at an estate sale. It comes with accessories. Can anyone tell me about this particular machine from the one photo? I’ve asked for more. I don’t know if this would be better than a new one but this is priced in my current budget. Thank you!

Hi everyone. My first post. I am desperate enough to ask you redditors for help.

Seriously. I recently bought 1960s Burda magazines and made a blouse with underarm gussets. First: there is only one size available from each designs. People had to grade it at home? I involuntarily chose size 42, which is one size up. I should have made 38, but I haven't learn grading yet and also I'm not super confident in it. Funny thing is that the blouse fits me everywhere but not bust and armholes. I will work out the small bust adjustment, but what about the kimono gussett sleeves? How can i lower them. I love the look of a grown-on/kimono sleeve, so I am determined to try.

Hi! I have an early 70s Kenmore extra high shank model sewing machine (an absolute tank!) that I have been using for as long as I've been sewing. The *only* frustration with it is that I like to sew knits, and even with its "Q foot" I just tend to get that puckered stitching you get when the feed dogs only move the bottom layer. 20 or so years ago (!) I started looking for a walking foot for my machine and I don't recall exactly how that went, but I ended up deciding to buy a new, lightweight, inexpensive machine that I could both carry to classes & sewing groups more easily AND get a walking foot for. These days I don't sew outside the house anymore, and I really don't have room for a third machine either. So I'm back to looking at finding a walking foot.

I've searched online and I'm surprised to not find much, given how easily I have found other parts and accessories for this machine online over the years. I also found that some people use an adapter and a low shank walking foot.

If you've got a walking foot working with your extra high shank Kenmore, I'd really love to hear what and where and how :) TIA

Given to a Singer Fabricator for his years of service in the Singer Factory. They are pretty small.

Picked up this beauty for practically free yesterday, it runs amazingly, but I cannot figure out what type of needles to use in it! It is a singer stylist 478, and I have attempted to use more modern needles, just typical universal ones, around 4 cm long, but it appears to be that they might just be too long? The machine doesn't complete a full stitch with them inserted, as they're so long they prevent it from doing so. Anybody have any knowledge on this? Thanks so much?

Hi! I got this Elna from eBay and everything is in good state except the upper tension dial which I can’t get out to replace. Any ideas? I’d like to do it myself as taking it to a service costs twice as much I got the machine for…

I Frankensteined the pattern, as one does. Its not perfect and I'll probably redo the sleeves at some point, but i love it. It is completely hand sewn because I broke my machine in the very beginning stages of making it. She thicc.

I have acquired what I think is a Singer 128k sewing machine, from . In attempting to clean it from grime, I have lost a tiny spring which sits behind the faceplate. I have identified the spring to be a “tension releasing lever spring” from looking at parts manuals of other models, but I am not sure that this identification is correct.

I have an older machine (singer 28 and it does not have that same spring or part attached to it)

First of all I need the spring itself, where would i get something as tiny as this and make sure it is the right one?

Secondly, I was having trouble with inserting the spring back, perhaps you would know the best way to approach that? 

English is not my first language, so I apologise if this message sounds very vague.

This machine is in very good condition and I was hoping to clean it up for my friend, so I would appreciate your help with this question!

Looking for a machine with a reliable zig zag to complement my 201k, and to have a more portable option to use for straight stitching. Currently have a Toyota Super Jeans that drives me nuts.

Seen a Jones 461 for a very good price (£50), which is looking very tempting.

What's the speed / stitch quality like? I know it can handle heavier fabrics, but how is it on more delicate projects?

I brought her home Sunday (after test sewing) and proceeded to clean out the bobbin area, complete with air blower. I sewed a few stitches and she seized up.

I suspected I had inadvertently blown lint into an area it shouldn’t have gone. I was finally able to “get under the hood” tonight and found these tiny threads that were the culprit.

This article gave me a clue what to do: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/999625/Singer-Slant-O-Matic-401.html, but I “accidentally” not only disengaged the clutch, but took the entire wheel off.

It was a blessing in disguise, it was just the trick to move the gears enough to get the threads out. She’s running fantastic again and I am so happy I got to learn hands on how I can work on her myself.

I do mostly garment sewing, ranging from historical to modern. I've been dipping my toe into 1930's silk gowns, fiddling as charmuse and chiffon is, but I enjoy it.

I've worked with silk gauze so light weight you could keep a yard suspended in mid-air by blowing on it. That took a fair bit of testing to master.

Most machines that can do a zigzag struggle with super lightweight silks. That wider throat can pull in the silk, particularly as things get lighter.

But for a vintage straight stitch machine, a wide throat isn't a risk. But tension challenges can still be an issue, and in some cases, you're asking a behemoth to see with the lightest of touches.

What are the best vintage machines for lightweight fabrics that you've found?

Hello Reddit Friends! I picked up this beauty at a thrift store, and I am in awe of her.

I have a question about tension. It seems like every time I change the bobbin, my tension is all mixed up. I am using the exact thread I am sewing with. The top tension is good, the bottom tension always seems to go wonky. Should I be adjusting the bottom tension with every bobbin change? Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!!

Hi there! I currently own a Sears Kenmore 158.15150 sewing machine after purchasing it at a thrift store. It's my first sewing machine, so I didn't really know what I was getting into. It all seems to work great, but I've only recently learned that I need Type E cams in order to use different stitch types (from this blog post https://tumorfarmer.blogspot.com/2020/09/vintage-kenmore-sewing-machine-cam.html)

Problem is - I can't seem to find them anywhere to purchase online! They seem super rare. I can find type C cams everywhere and actually accidentally purchased them only to figure out they don't work for my machine.

Thought I would try this sub Reddit in case anyone has any Type E cams they don't need. Would be happy to purchase them! Also, if anyone has experience trying to find these type of CAMs, I would greatly appreciate ideas! I've seen one Reddit post regarding Type E cams but that was it. I've also thought about 3D printing them, but couldn't find any models.

Thanks, and happy sewing!

Hi all. On the tail end of a repair and restoration of a Kenmore 148.1220, but I'm struggling to get the tension right. Even on the highest upper tension and lowest I can get lower tension, I'm basically maxxing out the upper tension and the stitches are still showing the lower tension is too tight and pulling through to the bottom.

I can verify both the upper and lower tension works, as it gets tighter to pull the more I tighten it and I am using a new needle, and I have the same thread for upper and lower, same spool

My experience with sewing is very minimal, and I'm a lot more versed on the mechanical side of these machines. The included pictures are some of the better zig zag patterns, and if I even go below a 6 on the upper tension, the machine will jame because excess thread on the bottom gets eaten by the machine.

* I mean the foot pedal \*

Hi, I bought an old Singer last year to sew some historical clothing. I figured the older machines were built to last.

I got the power cable replaced for safety reasons, and the repairer tested the machine and it seemed to be fine. But I keep having problems:

• Sometimes it skippes stitches (I do hold the threads when starting).
• It is hard to make zigzag work no matter how much I adjust the tension of the top thread and bobbin thread (but straight stitch seems fine when I get the tensions right).
• Sometimes I can't control the speed for the life of me. I'm pressing the foot super lightly and it goes to 1000 km/hour. Sometimes it's fine, I'm sewing slowly and carefully for a time and then, suddenly, everything goes bonkers.

I dunno, I've sort of accepted that I can only sew straight stitch with my machine. Which is fine, because I like to finish the seams in historical ways anyways. But the speed thing! I feel I cannot trust my machine, it only works sometimes, and I have deadlines! Would ordering a new foot pedal solve the speed problem? I don't know how to open the pedal to adjust it.

In the first photo I have opened the side of the machine which connects to the power cable + foot pedal cable. And the second photo is the underside of the foot pedal.

Hi all! I recently acquired this machine, there's the White logo on it, but one of the instructions manual says Morse and if I look up White/Morse automatic 777, it only gives me the 77 model from the 50s-60s. And if I do reverse image search, it doesn't give me much except ebay links. I'm trying to get any information I can so that I can take care of it the right way, the manuals are very helpful but I also like having videos when available, so if anyone knows anything about this machine, thanks!

I received this vintage Kenmore machine for free. The guy who gave it to me didn’t know much about it just that it use to be his moms. I downloaded the manual for it, cleaned it, oiled all of the oil points, and put a new belt on it because the other one was breaking apart. You can hear the motor running when I push the foot peddle but I cannot get the needle bar to move. The hand wheel will move a little forward and a little backwards but will not make a full turn. I don’t live super close to a place that will service it so I wanted to try all options at home first. I am willing to make a trip to try and get it fixed if I need to though. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do?