My favorite past time, even before sewing, is thrifting. Before Ebay or Craigslist was even a twinkle in the eye of the not yet discovered internet, I could be found with two young boys in the local Goodwill in Sunnyvale, California. There I would find treasures, learn my personal taste and the kids would always find a few fun things too.
It was the way that enabled me to stay at home as a young military family in one of the most expensive places to live. My love of thrifting went way beyond being frugal, it was a way that I could rescue furniture, vintage clothing and when I discovered SEWING MACHINES at the thrift shops, I was absolutely giddy!
Vintage all metal machines are amazing! They are well made, can sew through anything from silk to concrete( not really but pretty close) and with a little love and care, they will last a lifetime. That is how they were built. You can find vintage machines inexpensively compared to many new machines. They could need some work to get them going. An investment in a vintage machine ( pre 1980) for minor repairs is well worth it!
Even though I was NOT looking ( I SWEAR on the Singer Sewing Manual), I walked in to a Goodwill and there, at the front door, was a sewing machine cabinet. It was meticulous. A sewing cabinet that is in perfect condition is very rare! It was unlike any I have seen previously, so it really intrigued me.
I was pretty certain I would find a lovely old Kenmore or maybe a White but what I found instead was a Singer 403. Let me repeat that... A SINGER 403 Slant-O-Matic!
When I opened the top and realized what I had found, my heart started to race a little. The price on the machine was $39.99. It was out of my range of what I would normally pay for a vintage machine. The machine had a manual, all of the cams and the lid for where the cams are inserted was still intact.
By this time, an older gentleman came up in interest and started a conversation about the machine. He was just as interested as I was ( which made the machine even MORE interesting to me...lol) in what it was and the condition.
He was telling me that he had a collection of sewing machines at home but he does not even sew! He is not the first man to tell me this in a thrift shop! It is interesting to me how many men collect sewing machines for their beauty and interesting mechanics.
After we chatted for a bit, I put the sewing machine back into the cabinet, thanked him for the lively conversation ( he was so funny and kind) and decided that the machine was really not for me.
Or was it...
Two days later, I was in the same area and just had to stop back in to see if the machine was still there. When I walked through the door, it was gone!
Then out of the corner of my eye...I spotted it! Someone had moved it to check it out. I walked up, opened the case and then tried to turn it on. DRATS! No power. The machine was plugged in properly. I checked all of the wires and there were no splits or severed bits.
I was sure it was something else. I picked up the extension cord and followed it to a plug in the wall...it was unplugged!
I plugged it in and OMG!!!! It WORKED!!!! Not only did it work, it was strong and not sticking at all! and there was another surprise! I hidden compartment with attachments! That was IT! This machine was meant for me!
I picked it up and carried it to the checkout. There, in front of me, was a lady with loads of plates and bowls. She was admiring the cabinet. She also had tales of vintage sewing machines. She was also someone that did not really sew ( like the gentleman two days before) but had a collection of vintage machines given to her from family members.
We chatted for a few minutes and she plopped a 20% off coupon on top of my cabinet! WHAT!?! I said thank you many times over! So generous of her to help enable me to rescue this lovely machine!
I love everything about her!
The cam case!
I am usually not a drop in bobbin fan but I love this one, especially since I figured out how to adjust it!
The door that opens to reveal part of the magic!
and even the tension discs... YES...I am a freak!
Someone had asked me about threading this machine. It is very easy! If you do not have a manual, the door on the side has the thread guide right inside!
I will have more on this machine as soon as my iPhone decides to start cooperating with my computer😉 Silly phone!
Do you have vintage machines? Which one is your FAVORITE?
For now, I am pretty smitten with this one 💗💕💗 Now to find a NAME!