Are there any TUGgers who are involved with vintage sewing machines?

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I find myself in a situation in which I need to "outplace" my MIL's Model 66-16 Singer sewing machine, which, based on the serial number, was manufactured in September 1941. A few pictures of the machine are below. It is fully functional. I have about one week to get rid of this, and I intend to put it up on OfferUp. Does anybody have any idea of what I might ask for a fully functional machine of this type, with zigzag attachment and floor pedal control unit?

 

[JudyH]

I have a somewhat older version and now it’s an end table in my northern condo.

 

[Patri]

I have a somewhat older version and now it’s an end table in my northern condo.

Yep. My uncle converted any in the family into end tables. Refinished the wood and they are beautiful. I’m hard pressed to think any person would want to actually sew with them. With foot power, I wonder how long it took to sew things.

 

[wackymother]

I would ask for $50 or $100 to start, or if someone wants it to use, give it to them. I'm in a couple of vintage sewing machine groups on FB--here's one. There are people who like treadles.

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[silentg]

That’s nice, I’m sure you will find a buyer.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Yep. My uncle converted any in the family into end tables. Refinished the wood and they are beautiful. I’m hard pressed to think any person would want to actually sew with them. With foot power, I wonder how long it took to sew things.

It's actually electric powered. The treadle is attached to a control box and is like an accelerator. The further you push on the treadle, the faster the machine operates.

 

[Sandy VDH]

My mother didn't like singers at all. I have her table top portable Bernina machine. My sister took the serger and her non-portable Bernina.

 

[stmartinfan]

Sorry I don't have useful information but had to comment on what nice shape it's in. I have my mother's, which was a treadle that she had converted by adding a small motor. Mine's a bit more worn looking, but I use it as a small table in my bedroom. She used it to sew all my clothes when I was young and my wedding dress (more than 50 years ago), so it’s hard to part with the memories.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

As mentioned, this machine was my MIL's. But as a kid I remember my Mom and my sisters regularly looking at pattern catalogs in fabric stores- then coming home with a pattern and fabric to sew clothes. When I was a lad, all of my shirts were made by my Mother. Shortly after we were married, DW sewed a shirt for me. I think that was the last thing she ever sewed.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

It's actually electric powered. The treadle is attached to a control box and is like an accelerator. The further you push on the treadle, the faster the machine operates.

I remember seeing foot-pump organs in some churches.

 

[rickandcindy23]

That is in great shape. I had an aunt that used a very old machine right up until she died in 1993. She saw no need to replace it.

My mom and Grandma both had Singer 500 machines, which were the '60's with a newer styling. My grandma sewed dozens of wedding dresses and bridesmaids' dresses, right up to the time she was about 80. My sister inherited Grandma's beloved Singer 500, and now it doesn't work, so she is trying to pilfer mom's from me. No way will she get that machine. It's a dream.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

In doing some background googling (this is something that I know next to nothing about), it seems that there are people who simply collect these vintage machines, as well as a group of people who sew with them and believe the vintage machines do better than the new machines.