My poor neglected super awesome sewing machine.
I got my first sewing machine when i turned 16. I still have it. Actually its the only sewing machine ive really used, aside from the ones in home ec. Several years ago we found an older (we thought 70's ish) singer in a cabinet at the thrift store for $25. I told Jason I had to have it, and that yes, i would use it :) I tested it out once, and used it as a desk up until recently. It has gotten more sewing use recently...sorta. Ive been using my first machine on top of it. :) ive not stuck with sewing much because my first machine always jammed up and all i could do was clean it out a bit and keep going until it jammed again. I know nothing about machine maitenance. So last night it got jammed again, and i got frustrated and stopped sewing. I tried again this morning and didnt have any luck with it.
This afternoon I decided to open up the singer and try it out. it took me a minitue to figure out how to turn it on. (just plug it in lol). I pulled a piece of scrap fabric out and sewed a bit, and its just great! it definatley could use cleaning, i havent done any to it. The machine didnt come with a manual, and I just noticed tonight that it has a model # on the front. So i decided to do a little research. It turns out that this machine is one of the best that singer has ever put out :) its the singer 401(A) I checked out selling prices online, and got an average of $202 the lowest price $25 (what I paid) the highest $330, but I saw stories about ones being sold for $500 and up with all the accessories (not neccisaraly a cabinet tho) heres a link to a blog entry about the type of machine in case you care to look
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/25/singer-401-401a-403--403a--404--sewing-machine-review.aspx
So now I think Im going to call the sewing machine shop here in town and talk to them about tuning up my little singer. Im not sure how to get it out of the cabinet, but they can probably tell me how.
Ive wanted to take it out for quite awhile now so I could re-finish it. Its an ickie blonde color and the finish is chipping, and it needs new hardware.
so anyway Ive had a wonderful sewing machine sitting in my house for 2 or 3 years collecting dust while i wrestled with my cheapo machine that I got when i was 16. Oh well, now that I know what Ive got Ill use it :) (but not until after Jason gives it a complete once over for spiders, one popped out this evening and scared the crap outta me)
This afternoon I decided to open up the singer and try it out. it took me a minitue to figure out how to turn it on. (just plug it in lol). I pulled a piece of scrap fabric out and sewed a bit, and its just great! it definatley could use cleaning, i havent done any to it. The machine didnt come with a manual, and I just noticed tonight that it has a model # on the front. So i decided to do a little research. It turns out that this machine is one of the best that singer has ever put out :) its the singer 401(A) I checked out selling prices online, and got an average of $202 the lowest price $25 (what I paid) the highest $330, but I saw stories about ones being sold for $500 and up with all the accessories (not neccisaraly a cabinet tho) heres a link to a blog entry about the type of machine in case you care to look
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/25/singer-401-401a-403--403a--404--sewing-machine-review.aspx
So now I think Im going to call the sewing machine shop here in town and talk to them about tuning up my little singer. Im not sure how to get it out of the cabinet, but they can probably tell me how.
Ive wanted to take it out for quite awhile now so I could re-finish it. Its an ickie blonde color and the finish is chipping, and it needs new hardware.
so anyway Ive had a wonderful sewing machine sitting in my house for 2 or 3 years collecting dust while i wrestled with my cheapo machine that I got when i was 16. Oh well, now that I know what Ive got Ill use it :) (but not until after Jason gives it a complete once over for spiders, one popped out this evening and scared the crap outta me)