Freecycle means Free Sewing

[pasithea]

Last week I happened to glance at Freecycle and saw a message for an old Singer sewing machine which 'needed some work'. I've got several friends who either do sew but don't have a machine or would like to learn but again, don't have a machine. So, I asked about the machine and picked it up yesterday but I had my bamboo tiki bar to finish and a date with paradox_puree to teach her the basics of airbrushing so she could paint her new RC plane (You can see her completed work here. She took it up for a test flight today. :) so I didn't really get to look at it until today.

The machine was practically new and by new I mean very low use. It's a Singer Model 417 (does straight, zip-zag, and stretch stiches) plus it has a button-holer attachment. It came with all the original accessories (even the oil) and their boxes and manuals. Also tucked away in a corner was the sales receipt from 1974.

It's a GREAT machine. Needed some very minor cleaning and adjustments and I did the full tear-down, lubrication, and inspection. The only thing that has even minor wear is the rubber friction wheel for the bobbin winder but it'll be fine for some time to come. Moreover, it didn't have so much as a single chip in the paint. She's beautiful and runs so smooth!



Honestly, I'd forgot just how nice these machines feel. Everything is so solid and smooth that I confess, I like the feel of it better than my new Husqvarna. Probably because one is mostly steel and the other mostly plastic. The old singers have a much nicer peddle. I've always liked them and peddle is definitely my biggest complaint about my Husqvarna. The husky as a few other tricks (like overlocking stitches and handling of a wider variety of fabrics than the Singer) but on the whole, it's a GREAT little machine.

Soo... Now if any of you guys want to come over and sew or learn to sew or want to borrow either machine for a while, I won't have to threaten you with my 1800's treadle machine. :)

Coming soon: I'll post some photos of some of the stuff I've been sewing lately. Just want to finish the current piece I'm working on. :)

Comments

[silverbrand.livejournal.com]

Wish I was closer. I want to get back into sewing. My mom taught me and I used to work at a tuxedo shop doing alterations and such. Just simple blindstiches on a machine or altering the sleeve length or fixing buttons. But still. I have a desk in my room covered with crap that I want to clean off and put all my jewelry stuff on and a sewing machine and mount a little vice and so on. Make a nice crafting area.

[viesti.livejournal.com]

EXCELLENT! I've been wanting to learn for a very long time.

And the 1800's treadle is a magnificent beauty, just a little less portable. ;)

[anaisdjuna.livejournal.com]

paradox puree! what a great el j name!

[viesti.livejournal.com]

Tastes great, too! (though it needs more pectin)

[foxgrrl]

That looks just like the sewing machine that my mother had.

[doodlesthegreat.livejournal.com]

I was about to say the same thing. She used hers like crazy when we were younger, making quilts and her own clothes.

[dv-girl.livejournal.com]

Not surprising. Sewing machines changed very little in the 60's and 70's. It was only the advent of consumer-cost ICs that made machines with more options in the mid 80s.

Singer was the most popular brand. Followed, I'm guessing by Kenmore, White, and Brothers (in the US anyhow) Singer and White are good solid machines. Kenmore, not so much, and I never used a Brothers.

[salia-chan.livejournal.com]

*pout* I've tried to get a machine off freecycle for a while now and have had no luck.