My vintage sewing machines

Pfaff 11 hand shank (1938)
I own eleven vintage sewing machines. I just want to have them all, but I guess that is not possible. So I stay firm and refuse most machines that cross my way.

Here are mine:

My first was a Pfaff 11 made in 1938. I bought it in 2005 at ebay.com. At that time I wanted to have Pfaff vintage machine because I own a modern Pfaff, my mother owns a Pfaff, my mother in law owns one and so on.

Anyway It's in great condition and sews like it's never done something else ( I guess it hasn't LOL). My father (80) in law remembers his mother making her quilts on a likewise machine. She worked not the floor, while the housekeeper had to turn the wheel..

Pfaff 11 threadle (1925)
My second machine was another Pfaff 11, made in 1925. I bought it also in 2005 and used it mostly to display quilt on it. It was in good condition and was used once in a while. Last year it went to its new owner.
Singer 222k featherweight free arm (1953)

Singer 221k featherweight (1949)
Long before the Singer Featherweight hype in the Netherlands started I bought my first two. Also in 2005. I searched internet for months and found two at a retired Singer sewing machine dealer. A 222K built in 1953 and a 221 built in 1948 with a 110V motor. A few years later I sold the 221 because I saw no use for having two Featherweights.

My interest for vintage machines decreased. I was busy having kids, studying and building the quilt studio. I regained interest in 2013 when I was looking for a new sewing machine. My modern Pfaff is already from 2002, is sewing like ever but sometimes you just want something new right? I tried several new machines, they are great, neat stitches, embroidery etc etc. But being a quilter I only need a fine straight stitch. So what if I searched for a 1950's machine to restore....?

Well they are not hard to find, after a short search on internet I bought the Singer 412G. A story of it's own: I bought it via www.marktplaats.nl, a Dutch version of Ebay.
It looked nice on the photo and the seller agreed for only €15,-(!). A few days later it arrived by post: A box that was a bit smutty, a filthy case (there had been mice in it for sure!), dirty machine with plastic top. O my! I bought scrap metal. But I gave it a chance. When I turned the flywheel lose, the motor started running nicely. I cleaned out all the mess inside and out and at the end of the evening I plugged it in again. After a slow start it revived! It is a sturdy machine and stitches are beautiful.

During my search I came across a Singer Featherweight 221K. I just couldn't let it go! Wow, what I nice little fellow! It has been built in 1949 and purrs like a kitten. It only got a bit dry during age and needed a new electricity cable (it had a white one attached to it). Good to go for another 64 years of sewing!

After that I've bought another five Featherweights: A centennial, one with Dutch patent numbers, a white one and two more who are still waiting to get some restoration. Right now (febr. 2015) I'm busy restoring a prewar Singer 206. And in the attic a Singer 99 is patiently waiting for his restoration. O my, it sounds like I'm trying to rescue them all after all!!

Singer 412G zig zag slantomatic (1954)

6 opmerkingen:

  1. Hallo,

    ik heb net zo'n Singer 412g van iemand gekregen. Het is me gelukt om de draad erin te stoppen en een zigzagsteek te maken, maar ik vraag me af of hij ook nog andere steken kan. Ik vind geen manual meer op internet. Heb jij er nog één?

    Bedankt!

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  2. Nog een Nederlander die ook houdt van de vintage naaimachines! Ik kom over het algemeen alleen mensen buiten Nederland tegen, echt super leuk je blog gevonden te hebben!

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    Reacties
    1. Ik hoop dat je nog eens langskomt op mijn blog! Groetjes, Wendy

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  3. Beste Wendy, ik heb 3 oude naaimachines, een Singer 201K, serienr EL32979 een Pfaff 11 serienr 1704964 en een machine die identiek is aan de Pfaff 11, een Ossa van Adolf Knoch serienr 1027979. De laatste is een erfstuk.
    De machines staan als sier maar ik wil ze alle 3 werkend maken (mogelijk zijn ze dat al). Weet jij waar ik meer informatie van deze machines kan achterhalen en waar ik eventueel onderdelen kan kopen?

    Groet, Martin

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  4. Ik heb ook een Singer 412 op de Martkplaats gezien, raa je je me aan om deze machine te kopen, het is compleet met een singer voetpedaal en de juist kettingsteek plaatje!! bedankt amateursewing

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  5. HI, I have bought the 412G from Marktplaats, can you tell me how you raise the throat plate to swap them over? there doesnt seemt to be one of those levers on the right next to the neck of the machine? thanks amateursewing@gmail.com - thanks

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