Wow! lucky day indeed. I have heard about some cities where it is common practice to put your donation items out behind your home in the alley and people just make the rounds scooping it up. I guess the city has to come along occasionally and clean up what is left. Fascinating! I hope your daughter is able to make great projects with them :)
Have to admit to laughing when you said you didn't sew! Glad you still appreciate these machines. My only vintage machines are from family, one I purchased new (White 999) when I was just 11 years old...making us both vintage. My oldest is a shuttle treddle that my grandmother taught me to sew on while riding on her knees.
That's great! Thanks for sharing. These old machines are "memory makers". That is why we love them. We hope that the next generation will continue to appreciate the tradition that is family and creative efforts that sewing encourages. Thanks for watching and following along with us!
I have a modern serger and I use it very often for internal seam alterations and other applications. Babylock is a great brand to pick up. Most are difficult to thread until you've done it lots of times or if you pay for one of the air threaded models that cost thousands of dollars. In the recent years I have come to really appreciate the vintage machines. I picked up a 301A because I didn't have a portable machine and I already own a 201 in a cabinet. All of your machines are beautiful and I can see why the 201 is a favorite. It has become my most used machine because it sews flawlessly, doesn't jam up and is simple.
Thank you so much! Ya, the 201 is a super machine. We just love our 301 as well. I am a little intimidated by the process of making clothes but now that we have a serger, I am really wanting to start making t shirts and pants. Thanks for watching!
I imagine you get the raised eyebrows like I do when you say how many sewing machines you have, but I love them. They are absolute works of art and ingenuity. Also as far as the serger, thread it once and tie on the new thread before the spool is empty and you won't have to go through the threading process everytime.
Thank you so much! That is a great idea. I feel so fortunate to have found a serger at a thrift shop that works well. Ya, I get a funny reaction from people when they find out I collect machines...I just love them and I agree with you that they are works of art and ingenuity. Thanks for sharing and for the tips! Enjoy!
Ive got that White Jeans machine. It's sewn through denim with no problems and I've sewn through multiple layers of vinyl car upholstery. Bought it new and have had her for over 30 years. No problems and no repairs! Just regular lubeing like all machines require and that many ppl neglect. I also own a Necchi BF. Bought it at the Thrift store for $25! What a great find. And I have a Singer 301. Absolutely great machine!! You won't be disappointed.
That is great! Ya, we have really enjoyed the White Jeans machine as well :) We have been fortunate to find a couple of 301a machines since this video. They are such nice machines and so fun to sew with. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
Is your White Jeans machine a newer sewing machine? I make handbags and want something that goes through vinyl and denim. I wont buy a new machine though, I would rather have an older machine
@@jgsawka Cool, I have a White machine but the timing is off. Wish I knew how to fix it. I been sewing for 61 years and you would think I would know more lol.
@@lauratran7638 the timing went off only once over all the years I've owned it. I took mine in to be fixed at the time but there are some good YT vids showing how to do that now!
Hello. Such memories. We are a family of sewing people. . My Aunt was a “sample maker” for all the big names ( at the time) Bridal gowns. Ever female in the family & friends wore a bridal gown made on a Pfaff by Madeline D. My great uncles made mens suits in a factory in South Philly
I learned to sew as a little girl on my Mom’s Pfaff 230. In 1987 she traded it in for a new Pfaff Creative 14?? Top of the line latest technology computerized machine. It’s no longer around because of outdated technology. I have a Pfaff Tiptronic 1171 that’s been my go to for the last 35 years. I sure would like to have another Pfaff 230 though. One day…. I’m enjoying your videos & love seeing all the machine you’re collecting.
The Pfaff 230 will forever be one of my favorite machines. If you ever get the chance to get another one I would jump at the opportunity. How lucky to have learned to sew, as a child, on such an awesome and powerful machine. We recently picked up a Tiptronic from a thrift store as well. It is really nice to use and super well built. Thanks again for watching!
Decorative stitches are great for adding to clothing, home decor or embellishing a quilt top, applique, binding or even making your own unique fabric. I use them when making a crazy quilt. Great way to use those otherwise rarely used decorative stitches.
Thank you so much! I have been thinking about trying out some decorative stitching on a quilt project. Sounds like fun. I really want to start making clothing but need to get better at sewing in general first :) Thanks for the tips!
When my Very expensive Bernina had to go to the shop for work I saw and bought a Singer 401A for sale. The stitch on it is absolutely beautiful. I am just thrilled with it. I love all of my old machines just like you I have many. For me Its the way they sound. I love it. I am enjoying your channel so much. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you are enjoying the content :) The 401a as always a good machine to fall back on. It is super well built and very reliable. Hope your Bernina got back up in action. Thanks for watching and following along!
Love the 401 that I have too! A friend found me a beautiful buffet style cabinet after I had been looking for any Singer cabinet for years. The same friend gifted me the Singer 500 A Rocketeer and a couple months later I found a desk style cabinet for it at a second hand shop! Do an operation video please on the Rocketeer at some point please, I am stymied with the dials for the decorative stitches.
Thank you so much for the comment! That is great that you have the 401 and the 500. I just picked up the missing pedal control and power cord for my Rocketeer so I hope to make a video on it soon :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I have an early 90s Pfaff sewing/ embroidery machine. One of the last made in Germany. It sews like a dream. Has a built in walking foot. Older Pfaffs are very well made. That one is a real treasure.
That is great! I would love to use a 90's Pfaff. I imagine it is a real pleasure to sew with :) Thank you for watching, commenting, and following along!
I have a 269 which is similar. It is in a table and has been updated with a servo motor. It is considered a semi industrial machine and yes, it is a fantastic machine. My son the engineer, was quite impressed. I’m glad you have the round card with stitch instructions. I hope you have the owner’s manual because it shows you how to do a lot of things correctly. That was a great find!😊I bought mine years ago and am now sewing again. These are sturdy machines. I don’t think it has any plastic. I use a belt from the auto parts store to connect to the Sailrite motor, also a joy. It was very tricky getting the right fit belt which had to fit the hand wheel groove as well as be the correct length! But once we got it together…I had a clutch motor before. Very hard to use. Servo is WAY better, quiet and easy to control.
That is great! What a cool idea to convert your machine to a servo motor :) I am glad that you are making use of your awesome machine. Thanks for sharing!
The servo is mounted to the table, underneath, as was the extremely heavy clutch motor. The clutch motor was very loud and on continuously. When you pressed on the pedal, it could take off like a wild pony. I don’t know how I ever sewed anything precise on it before
A former employee of Allyn International states "We were distributors of Necchi for North America from 1966 until 2011.The Alco name was created by the owner of Allyn Int. to market machines made in Asia and distributed by Allyn." The White machine was made by the same company that produced top of the line knitting machines, "White Superba" those machine were top of the line. You did Great! Thanks for answering my email on my grand parent industrial Singer.
That is great info and thanks for the insight! I really appreciate your time and energies. It sounds like if I want to get a true Necchi Italian machine, I would be safer to stick with early 1960's machines. Thanks again!
Lovely machines! One request, could you film more close ups of the machines, all around them, inside and out while the narration is happening? Would rather look at the sewing machines for longer (even though the gentleman is easy on the eye) if you could keep that in mind when videoing. Thanks, love the collection. 😍
I grew up with a child's singer sewing machine - about 1967/1968 Would love to find one to sit in my sewing room - then I found three years ago a Singer touch n sew 600e model from 1963-1965 for myself (which is the same one my mom used till recently- and I was taught to sew on it in about 1969-1970. ) It's like an old friend, love it & now that it has been finally placed in a refinished cabinet (slightly newer than my machine - about 1967-69) it is my happy place❤
That is great! I will have to keep an eye out for a 600 touch and sew. Glad that you got yours into a nice cabinet where it can be enjoyed for years to come. Thanks for watching!
The Singer 500 Rocketeer takes the same "top hat" cams that the Singer 403 does. The 403a was my second vintage machine, although I bought a new Singer 237 in 1971 from "The Singer store." The 237, and 403a were two of the vintage machines I kept after downsizing from 25.
Nice. I still haven't picked up a power cord and pedal for my Rocketeer. I can't wait to try it out :) I haven't come across a 237 yet, but I really like the looks of them. It is so cool that you still have machines that you bought new from the Singer store. That is real history :) Thanks for sharing. thanks for watching!
I have a Pfaff 1221 , a German Mechanical machine purchased new in 1988. Heavy duty machine. Yes newer than yours but you’re right. When I sit down to sew, it sews. No problems. Wouldn’t take anything for it. I LOVE it!
That is awesome! I feel so lucky to have come across the Pfaff. It is a different animal for sure. I will have to check out the 1221 that you have. Sounds like fun. More Pfaff = more fun! Thanks for watching and following along!
Thank you so much! Ya, we got pretty lucky to have found that one in a thrift shop. I am sure you will find your cabinet soon. It is just out there waiting for you I am sure :) Thanks for watching!
Incidentally, Pfaff always made a great sewing machine. What drew me to them was the built in dual feed foot. Don’t know if they existed on the earlier models but my computerized 1475 is where I first experienced it. Loved my 7550, I could sew ANY fabric on that machine! Newer models are not made in Germany any longer from what I understand, I think the quality has suffered somewhat but I can’t give up the brand because of the dual feed.
I have never seen the inner workings of a Pfaff and am so impressed! Because you have so many other wonderful machines, and you are fascinated by this one, makes me sad. That in all my years of thrifting, I was not on the lookout for a Pfaff. Too late now ... I'm 76.
Thank you so much for the comment! Yes, the Pfaff is super fascinating to me. I was really lucky to have come across it and will definitely be on the lookout for more. Thank you for watching and following along!
Picked up a PFAff 336 in Toronto and apparently a lot are around as there was a PFaff store here in toronto that sold a ton. So we see them quite often.
Oh wow! That is so cool. It is funny, I had one of my subscribers from Germany comment on how run-of-the-mill my Pfaff 230 was (that I LOVE). In his neck of the woods they are everywhere :) Hope you enjoy your new machine! Thanks for watching!
I used to have 25 vintage and antique sewing machines, mostly Singer. I've had to downsize, and now have 4 vintage, 1 antique hand-crank, a Baby Lock Soprano, a Sailrite LSZ-1, and a Baby Lock Victory serger.
Wow. That is a great collection! I am not familiar with the Soprano. I will have to look that one up. I have wanted a sailrite since I started sewing. They are super cool! Thanks for sharing!
@@NeverTooMany2023 The vintage machines I kept are a Singer 201-2, 237, 403a, a 1950s Japanese BelAir 620 (red & white) and a 1912 Singer 99 hand-crank.
I know what you mean about the pfaff's, smooth and precise. If you like Pfaff's and like mechanical things I'd keep an eye out for the 360. I think there's something wonderful about the rotary hook system and how well it works. I also have several of the Italian Necchi's. I think the Necchi name was sold in the 80's so modern Necchi's are of Asian manufacture. Hopefully you'll someday find a Necchi Supernova (1955-1958) to add to your collection. To my eye one of the most beautiful machines ever created.
Thank you so much for the comment! I will definitely keep an eye out for a 360 and a Supernova. I really appreciate the info. Can't wait to see what an actual Italian made Necchi sews like! Thanks for watching and following along!
I have the 1957 Singer that was my mom’s. I learned to sew on it and also made my wedding gown using the machine. It’s also in the original cabinet. I just had it recently overhauled
We have heard so many awesome things about vintage Bernina machines but we are yet to come across one locally. It is definitely on our list. Thanks for watching!
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE Pfaff is the German precision engineering. My Mom had a 260 and it is known as the best model ever. The stitches are beautiful and they do not distort at high speeds. It is easy to see why you love it!
Thank you so much! Ya, the Pfaff is really a different animal. I was pretty blown away when I started taking it apart and servicing it. Thanks for watching!
For the Rocketeer 503a, it’s very good that it has the front “nose”! The hinge breaks easily. I got one in a case with manual & a box with feet & cams on 50% off day at Salvation Army -$16!
That is great! Wow, that is a super price. Good find. Funny you mention it, the top hinge on my side door is broken off. I am hoping to be able to insert a pin of sorts that will make it work again. It is fine until you open it, then it wants to fall off. Still LOVE it! Thanks for the comment and for watching!
The "Alco" has a backstitch button that looks exactly like ones on Toyota machines from the 70s. That might give you a clue. My bet is that Alco is some sort of store brand that had machines produced by different manufacturers.
Wow, very interesting. I was not aware that Toyota produced sewing machines. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the the info and thank you for watching!
White was a good sewing machine. My mom had one and she loved it. I have a 301 A it sew like a dream, will sew through leather But, it is extremely heavy. It probably weights 60 lbs. Always enjoy your channel
I can vouch for the Singer 401A - it was my 1st vintage machine! It's a workhorse and definitely worth keeping. So many different stitches with the built-in cam stack - plus you can collect all the extra cams that go with it as well. Your 401 cabinet is also fantastic as well - congrats on the find! New sub here - love your channel!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. I was really lucky to find the 401a in a thrift shop in the condition it is in. Having never been exposed to one before, I really had no idea as to its engineering prowess. I have since gotten to know her a little more and I am super impressed. Such a great machine. I can see why everyone absolutely loves them :) Thank you for watching, commenting, and following along!
You were so lucky to get a Babylock serger, they're one of the top brands. I have a basic Singer serger which I'm happy with. I use it with and without the blade. Your Pfaff machine is amazing! I love all the knobs and it's wonderful that it came with the stitch instruction booklet. Thanks for the update tour. 😊
Thank you so much for the info! What kind of things do you use your serger for? Also, when do you decide that you don't want to use the blades? Thanks again!
@@NeverTooMany2023 I use it for finishing the seams on garments I make, usually before stitching together. I prefer a three thread overlock (serge) though sometimes two for rolled hems and there's no logic to when I use the blade or not 😄. Have fun with it 😊
I have a Necchi that i got from the thrift store. I haven't figured out how to use it. Oddly, it threads sideways. I found a White brand sewing table but without a machine. My last name is White so i love it. Plz reach out if u ever want to sell that machine. That Pfaff looks amazing! Congrats on all ur finds. Thx for sharing.
Thank you so much! I bet your Necchi is super cool. I would love to find an early model made in Italy. Will do...unfortunately, we are much better at collecting machines than we are at letting them go :) Thanks for sharing, watching, and following along!
I had a Juki serger that would take me over an hour to thread. Gave it away and bought a Brother serger where that hard to reach looper has a bar that you pull out, lay the thread in and push it back in and the looper is threaded. SO MUCH EASIER!!!! Now it takes only a few minutes to thread.
Oh wow, that is really interesting. Thanks for the heads up. It is funny, I was reading the manual for my serger and it states that if you want to change out thread you should not re-thread the machine, but instead cut the thread at the spools and tie the new thread to the old. I guess they knew that it was a process from factory :) I am glad you found a unit that works for you. Thanks for watching and following along!
Another great video, thanks for sharing! I have some slant-o-matics (301A, 3-401As, 403A, 503A). Your 401A looks like it's in great condition. I actually prefer my 403A to the 401A because it's much less fiddley to use. My 403A is one of my go-to machines. Another of my favorite machines is my 301A; it's my travel machine. It makes a strong beautiful stitch. Your Pfaff is really nice, I have a 360 which is sort of similar to yours but has a free arm. The feet for these machines are really well-engineered and very useful. I love your enthusiasm about that machine! I love mine as well. Don't get oil on the cleated belts. They're extremely difficult to come by. Wait until you acquire a German Singer. Just sayin.
Thank you so much! I am amazed at how popular these slant-o-matics are. I can't wait to try them out. I really can't wait to get my hands on a 301a. That is great that you have (and love) a Pfaff of your own. I will have to look up what a 360 looks like. I will definitely be hunting down future Pfaff machines! Thank you for the heads-up on the cleated belts. Great comments and advice! Thanks for watching and following along!
The belt on the Pfaff is similar to the belt on the Singer 319, and is hard to find. The 319 has what I call typewriter keys used to change the built in stitches. There are also "fashion discs" which can be used for even more stitches. Only downside is that it uses a different kind of needle that is very hard to locate. I have the green one and it does sew very well.
Oh wow, that is interesting. I haven't seen one of those in person but super cool machines! Weird that it uses a special needle. I have heard that the drive belt on the Pfaff is hard to find. I am super lucky that mine are in good shape. Thanks for the info!
Are you saying that the timing belt on the Pfaff 230 Automatic is similar to the Singer 319? The Pfaff 230 belt is about 52 cm long with 68 teeth. Do you think the Singer 319 belt could fit the Pfaff 230? I am currently trying to make a timing belt for my Pfaff 230.
Nice stuff, sergers are both wonderful & pain in the rear, I recently added to what I have too😂, 3 donations to me for use in volunteering, plus 2 old hand cranks & a 53 Elna😊happy camper, you have nice add ons 🎉
Thanks! Wow, sounds great. I keep hearing about these Elna machines...Never seen one but they must be neat. Also, never had a hand crank machine. Great...now I have to get a hand crank machine :) Thanks for watching
@@NeverTooMany2023 i think one of them hand cranks will end up attached to a treadle base if i can get one cheap enough, right now the Elna needs so love, she sounds like a freight train lol. but that 70 yr old motor runs. The 3 donated machines are a 70's Morse, a Singer 177C & an almost 35 lbs Imperial that i can't find information on but like the Elna i think it'll be a fantastic beast when she's ready to show her stuff. You got the machine bug bite too, my bad , sorry lol.
Nice. That is funny, I just passed over a Morse at a thrift shop because I had never heard of them before. Maybe I made a mistake? I figured it was an off brand machine...Thanks for sharing!
@@NeverTooMany2023 i have now got 2 morse machines here, same make & model. the 1st one belonged to my son's nan on his dad's side. Not a bad machine but something fell out when i was cleaning her out. A funny looking piece, to be honest i couldn't tell if it was part of the machine or something that maybe his dad or uncles may have shoved into it decades ago lol , so i put the piece in an envelope saying i'll figure it ou one day since i wish for my son to be able to use it. Then the stars were with me , got one identical donated, it came with the book. Touch down Yipee lol. Now here's why you don't see many Morse, The business practices of the company makes them the shame of the sewing community. They advertised as American built & produced. Someone found something that was amiss somewhere along the lines. An investigation revealed no employees, no production plant & not even a warehouse. The product was being imported to a garage were labels were being added. That was it. The machines, at least the 2 i have here are dandy. If the company had not been underhanded they could have sold many models over the years. Now that i've bored you to tears, Happy Easter if you celebrate it.
I just got a pfaff 360 and took off the embroidery unit and oiled but it is only doing a zigzag stitch. Did you have to fix the zigzag part? It seems like that is stuck and there’s not much on the internet showing how to fix that.
Congrats on getting a new machine! The 360 is a cool one. I believe that is the one with the folding table? Not sure about the stitching problem you are having. I know that our Pfaff 230 is quite complicated when it comes to changing the stitches to decorative/embroidery ones. All of the knobs and dials have to be in just the right place for you to be able to generate a visibly different stitch. I believe there is even a dial on the top that if it is set to 0 then it will cancel the decorative cam that is selected. I would just keep playing around with it and try every combination of settings including varying your stitch length to very very short. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
I love the rocketeer singer model & the dream would be your 400a❤ but don't discount the 600e machine (it was the last series that had all metal parts as a slant Needle) and the innovations carried over to the 600 series (slant shank presser feet, ... ) Touch n sew's.
thank you so much! Ya, I can't wait to get the two slant machines up and running. I will have to keep an eye out for the 600 series. Thanks for watching!
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
You can NEVER go wrong with Pfaff. And yes, you got seriously lucky!
We could not agree more. Thanks for watching!
My daughter found 2 sewing machine cabinets in the alley, and they each had a 401 in them ! In the alley!
Wow! lucky day indeed. I have heard about some cities where it is common practice to put your donation items out behind your home in the alley and people just make the rounds scooping it up. I guess the city has to come along occasionally and clean up what is left. Fascinating! I hope your daughter is able to make great projects with them :)
Have to admit to laughing when you said you didn't sew! Glad you still appreciate these machines. My only vintage machines are from family, one I purchased new (White 999) when I was just 11 years old...making us both vintage. My oldest is a shuttle treddle that my grandmother taught me to sew on while riding on her knees.
That's great! Thanks for sharing. These old machines are "memory makers". That is why we love them. We hope that the next generation will continue to appreciate the tradition that is family and creative efforts that sewing encourages. Thanks for watching and following along with us!
I have a modern serger and I use it very often for internal seam alterations and other applications. Babylock is a great brand to pick up. Most are difficult to thread until you've done it lots of times or if you pay for one of the air threaded models that cost thousands of dollars. In the recent years I have come to really appreciate the vintage machines. I picked up a 301A because I didn't have a portable machine and I already own a 201 in a cabinet. All of your machines are beautiful and I can see why the 201 is a favorite. It has become my most used machine because it sews flawlessly, doesn't jam up and is simple.
Thank you so much! Ya, the 201 is a super machine. We just love our 301 as well. I am a little intimidated by the process of making clothes but now that we have a serger, I am really wanting to start making t shirts and pants. Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 You can do it! You have the tools and you can learn just about anything on TH-cam.
I imagine you get the raised eyebrows like I do when you say how many sewing machines you have, but I love them. They are absolute works of art and ingenuity. Also as far as the serger, thread it once and tie on the new thread before the spool is empty and you won't have to go through the threading process everytime.
Thank you so much! That is a great idea. I feel so fortunate to have found a serger at a thrift shop that works well. Ya, I get a funny reaction from people when they find out I collect machines...I just love them and I agree with you that they are works of art and ingenuity. Thanks for sharing and for the tips! Enjoy!
Ive got that White Jeans machine. It's sewn through denim with no problems and I've sewn through multiple layers of vinyl car upholstery. Bought it new and have had her for over 30 years. No problems and no repairs! Just regular lubeing like all machines require and that many ppl neglect. I also own a Necchi BF. Bought it at the Thrift store for $25! What a great find. And I have a Singer 301. Absolutely great machine!! You won't be disappointed.
That is great! Ya, we have really enjoyed the White Jeans machine as well :) We have been fortunate to find a couple of 301a machines since this video. They are such nice machines and so fun to sew with. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
Is your White Jeans machine a newer sewing machine? I make handbags and want something that goes through vinyl and denim. I wont buy a new machine though, I would rather have an older machine
@@lauratran7638 I bought mine in the early 1990's. So it's maybe 30 years old already.
@@jgsawka Cool, I have a White machine but the timing is off. Wish I knew how to fix it. I been sewing for 61 years and you would think I would know more lol.
@@lauratran7638 the timing went off only once over all the years I've owned it. I took mine in to be fixed at the time but there are some good YT vids showing how to do that now!
Hello. Such memories. We are a family of sewing people. . My Aunt was a “sample maker” for all the big names ( at the time) Bridal gowns. Ever female in the family & friends wore a bridal gown made on a Pfaff by Madeline D. My great uncles made mens suits in a factory in South Philly
Wow. That is cool! Sounds like fun. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and following along!
I learned to sew as a little girl on my Mom’s Pfaff 230. In 1987 she traded it in for a new Pfaff Creative 14?? Top of the line latest technology computerized machine. It’s no longer around because of outdated technology. I have a Pfaff Tiptronic 1171 that’s been my go to for the last 35 years. I sure would like to have another Pfaff 230 though. One day…. I’m enjoying your videos & love seeing all the machine you’re collecting.
The Pfaff 230 will forever be one of my favorite machines. If you ever get the chance to get another one I would jump at the opportunity. How lucky to have learned to sew, as a child, on such an awesome and powerful machine. We recently picked up a Tiptronic from a thrift store as well. It is really nice to use and super well built. Thanks again for watching!
I grew up with a Singer 403a. The 400 series was an amazing line of sewing machines. We used the decorative stitches for machine appliqué
That's awesome. Sounds like fun :) Thanks!
Decorative stitches are great for adding to clothing, home decor or embellishing a quilt top, applique, binding or even making your own unique fabric. I use them when making a crazy quilt. Great way to use those otherwise rarely used decorative stitches.
Thank you so much! I have been thinking about trying out some decorative stitching on a quilt project. Sounds like fun. I really want to start making clothing but need to get better at sewing in general first :) Thanks for the tips!
When my Very expensive Bernina had to go to the shop for work I saw and bought a Singer 401A for sale. The stitch on it is absolutely beautiful. I am just thrilled with it. I love all of my old machines just like you I have many. For me Its the way they sound. I love it. I am enjoying your channel so much. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you are enjoying the content :) The 401a as always a good machine to fall back on. It is super well built and very reliable. Hope your Bernina got back up in action. Thanks for watching and following along!
Love the 401 that I have too! A friend found me a beautiful buffet style cabinet after I had been looking for any Singer cabinet for years. The same friend gifted me the Singer 500 A Rocketeer and a couple months later I found a desk style cabinet for it at a second hand shop! Do an operation video please on the Rocketeer at some point please, I am stymied with the dials for the decorative stitches.
Thank you so much for the comment! That is great that you have the 401 and the 500. I just picked up the missing pedal control and power cord for my Rocketeer so I hope to make a video on it soon :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I have an early 90s Pfaff sewing/ embroidery machine. One of the last made in Germany. It sews like a dream. Has a built in walking foot. Older Pfaffs are very well made. That one is a real treasure.
That is great! I would love to use a 90's Pfaff. I imagine it is a real pleasure to sew with :) Thank you for watching, commenting, and following along!
I have a 269 which is similar. It is in a table and has been updated with a servo motor. It is considered a semi industrial machine and yes, it is a fantastic machine. My son the engineer, was quite impressed. I’m glad you have the round card with stitch instructions. I hope you have the owner’s manual because it shows you how to do a lot of things correctly. That was a great find!😊I bought mine years ago and am now sewing again. These are sturdy machines. I don’t think it has any plastic. I use a belt from the auto parts store to connect to the Sailrite motor, also a joy. It was very tricky getting the right fit belt which had to fit the hand wheel groove as well as be the correct length! But once we got it together…I had a clutch motor before. Very hard to use. Servo is WAY better, quiet and easy to control.
That is great! What a cool idea to convert your machine to a servo motor :) I am glad that you are making use of your awesome machine. Thanks for sharing!
The servo is mounted to the table, underneath, as was the extremely heavy clutch motor. The clutch motor was very loud and on continuously. When you pressed on the pedal, it could take off like a wild pony. I don’t know how I ever sewed anything precise on it before
@@riceowls Lol. Ya, those servo motors are the way to go for sure :)
A former employee of Allyn International states "We were distributors of Necchi for North America from 1966 until 2011.The Alco name was created by the owner of Allyn Int. to market machines made in Asia and distributed by Allyn." The White machine was made by the same company that produced top of the line knitting machines, "White Superba" those machine were top of the line. You did Great! Thanks for answering my email on my grand parent industrial Singer.
That is great info and thanks for the insight! I really appreciate your time and energies. It sounds like if I want to get a true Necchi Italian machine, I would be safer to stick with early 1960's machines. Thanks again!
Lovely machines! One request, could you film more close ups of the machines, all around them, inside and out while the narration is happening? Would rather look at the sewing machines for longer (even though the gentleman is easy on the eye) if you could keep that in mind when videoing. Thanks, love the collection. 😍
Thank you so much for the feedback. I appreciate your input. (all duly noted) :) Thanks for watching and following along!
I grew up with a child's singer sewing machine - about 1967/1968
Would love to find one to sit in my sewing room - then I found three years ago a Singer touch n sew 600e model from 1963-1965 for myself (which is the same one my mom used till recently- and I was taught to sew on it in about 1969-1970. ) It's like an old friend, love it & now that it has been finally placed in a refinished cabinet (slightly newer than my machine - about 1967-69) it is my happy place❤
That is great! I will have to keep an eye out for a 600 touch and sew. Glad that you got yours into a nice cabinet where it can be enjoyed for years to come. Thanks for watching!
The Singer 500 Rocketeer takes the same "top hat" cams that the Singer 403 does. The 403a was my second vintage machine, although I bought a new Singer 237 in 1971 from "The Singer store." The 237, and 403a were two of the vintage machines I kept after downsizing from 25.
Nice. I still haven't picked up a power cord and pedal for my Rocketeer. I can't wait to try it out :) I haven't come across a 237 yet, but I really like the looks of them. It is so cool that you still have machines that you bought new from the Singer store. That is real history :) Thanks for sharing. thanks for watching!
I received a toy Singer Sewing Machine when I was 7 years old. My mother saved it for me, but I had to get rid of it a few years ago.
That's cool. I am sure that was fun for you as a kid :) Thanks for sharing!
Alco is a witchcraft term refrence to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 😅
lol
I have a Pfaff 1221 , a German Mechanical machine purchased new in 1988. Heavy duty machine. Yes newer than yours but you’re right. When I sit down to sew, it sews. No problems. Wouldn’t take anything for it. I LOVE it!
That is awesome! I feel so lucky to have come across the Pfaff. It is a different animal for sure. I will have to check out the 1221 that you have. Sounds like fun. More Pfaff = more fun! Thanks for watching and following along!
envious of the cabinet you got with the 401, I've been looking for that one for ages!
Thank you so much! Ya, we got pretty lucky to have found that one in a thrift shop. I am sure you will find your cabinet soon. It is just out there waiting for you I am sure :) Thanks for watching!
Incidentally, Pfaff always made a great sewing machine. What drew me to them was the built in dual feed foot. Don’t know if they existed on the earlier models but my computerized 1475 is where I first experienced it. Loved my 7550, I could sew ANY fabric on that machine! Newer models are not made in Germany any longer from what I understand, I think the quality has suffered somewhat but I can’t give up the brand because of the dual feed.
Thanks for the info :) Ya, we just love our pfaff machine. It is really nice to work with. Thanks for watching!
Very nice machines, I’ve always wanted a PFAFF, I’ll one day have one and a Singer Featherweight
Thank you so much! Good luck with your machine goals! I know that you will have those and more! Thanks for watching
I have never seen the inner workings of a Pfaff and am so impressed! Because you have so many other wonderful machines, and you are fascinated by this one, makes me sad. That in all my years of thrifting, I was not on the lookout for a Pfaff. Too late now ... I'm 76.
Thank you so much for the comment! Yes, the Pfaff is super fascinating to me. I was really lucky to have come across it and will definitely be on the lookout for more. Thank you for watching and following along!
Picked up a PFAff 336 in Toronto and apparently a lot are around as there was a PFaff store here in toronto that sold a ton. So we see them quite often.
Oh wow! That is so cool. It is funny, I had one of my subscribers from Germany comment on how run-of-the-mill my Pfaff 230 was (that I LOVE). In his neck of the woods they are everywhere :) Hope you enjoy your new machine! Thanks for watching!
I used to have 25 vintage and antique sewing machines, mostly Singer. I've had to downsize, and now have 4 vintage, 1 antique hand-crank, a Baby Lock Soprano, a Sailrite LSZ-1, and a Baby Lock Victory serger.
Wow. That is a great collection! I am not familiar with the Soprano. I will have to look that one up. I have wanted a sailrite since I started sewing. They are super cool! Thanks for sharing!
@@NeverTooMany2023 The vintage machines I kept are a Singer 201-2, 237, 403a, a 1950s Japanese BelAir 620 (red & white) and
a 1912 Singer 99 hand-crank.
@@PeggyFlowersCreations Looks like you have traded quantity for quality :) What an awesome line-up! Thanks for sharing!
@@NeverTooMany2023 The Soprano is not a vintage machine.
I just looked the Soprano up. Wow...that is a nice one. I sew on a Baby Lock Espire and I love it!
I know what you mean about the pfaff's, smooth and precise. If you like Pfaff's and like mechanical things I'd keep an eye out for the 360. I think there's something wonderful about the rotary hook system and how well it works. I also have several of the Italian Necchi's. I think the Necchi name was sold in the 80's so modern Necchi's are of Asian manufacture. Hopefully you'll someday find a Necchi Supernova (1955-1958) to add to your collection. To my eye one of the most beautiful machines ever created.
Thank you so much for the comment! I will definitely keep an eye out for a 360 and a Supernova. I really appreciate the info. Can't wait to see what an actual Italian made Necchi sews like! Thanks for watching and following along!
I have the 1957 Singer that was my mom’s. I learned to sew on it and also made my wedding gown using the machine.
It’s also in the original cabinet. I just had it recently overhauled
That's awesome! I can't wait to get mine running and try it out. Thanks for sharing!
I have a Bernina from the early 60's. Have you come across any of these? I have loved it and still do. Simple zigzag but nice to use.
We have heard so many awesome things about vintage Bernina machines but we are yet to come across one locally. It is definitely on our list. Thanks for watching!
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE Pfaff is the German precision engineering. My Mom had a 260 and it is known as the best model ever. The stitches are beautiful and they do not distort at high speeds. It is easy to see why you love it!
That is so cool. I would love to get a 260 someday. Thanks for watching and following along!
I really enjoyed seeing your "new" additions. The Pfaff was very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! Ya, the Pfaff is really a different animal. I was pretty blown away when I started taking it apart and servicing it. Thanks for watching!
For the Rocketeer 503a, it’s very good that it has the front “nose”! The hinge breaks easily. I got one in a case with manual & a box with feet & cams on 50% off day at Salvation Army -$16!
That is great! Wow, that is a super price. Good find. Funny you mention it, the top hinge on my side door is broken off. I am hoping to be able to insert a pin of sorts that will make it work again. It is fine until you open it, then it wants to fall off. Still LOVE it! Thanks for the comment and for watching!
I truly enjoyed this. THANK YOU!!!!!
Thank you so much! I am really glad that you enjoyed. Do you sew as well? If so, what machine(s) do you like to use? Thanks for watching!
@@NeverTooMany2023 I sew a little... I use a Montgomery Wards and a Singer Touch and Sew 🙂
That is great! i have heard good things about the touch and sew machines. Very cool! Thanks!
Singer Slant-o-Matic.
Thank you for such a great video! I love your enthusiasm. Cant wait to see more!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching and following along!
The "Alco" has a backstitch button that looks exactly like ones on Toyota machines from the 70s. That might give you a clue. My bet is that Alco is some sort of store brand that had machines produced by different manufacturers.
Wow, very interesting. I was not aware that Toyota produced sewing machines. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the the info and thank you for watching!
How can you people not know alco? Lol! 😂
White was a good sewing machine. My mom had one and she loved it. I have a 301 A it sew like a dream, will sew through leather But, it is extremely heavy. It probably weights 60 lbs. Always enjoy your channel
Thank you so much! Glad to hear good feedback on the White machine. It sews really well. Thanks for watching and following along
Love my Singer 328 built on Clydeside, Glasgow.
That's awesome! Really nice machine. Thank you for watching!
That Baby Lock serger is an excellent machine--my very first one and it is still going. Keep it you will enjoy
Thank you so much for the input! Have you ever had to sharpen or replace the cutters? Do you ever run the machine without the cutters? Thanks again!
I can vouch for the Singer 401A - it was my 1st vintage machine! It's a workhorse and definitely worth keeping. So many different stitches with the built-in cam stack - plus you can collect all the extra cams that go with it as well. Your 401 cabinet is also fantastic as well - congrats on the find! New sub here - love your channel!
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. I was really lucky to find the 401a in a thrift shop in the condition it is in. Having never been exposed to one before, I really had no idea as to its engineering prowess. I have since gotten to know her a little more and I am super impressed. Such a great machine. I can see why everyone absolutely loves them :) Thank you for watching, commenting, and following along!
You were so lucky to get a Babylock serger, they're one of the top brands. I have a basic Singer serger which I'm happy with. I use it with and without the blade.
Your Pfaff machine is amazing! I love all the knobs and it's wonderful that it came with the stitch instruction booklet.
Thanks for the update tour. 😊
Thank you so much for the info! What kind of things do you use your serger for? Also, when do you decide that you don't want to use the blades? Thanks again!
@@NeverTooMany2023 I use it for finishing the seams on garments I make, usually before stitching together. I prefer a three thread overlock (serge) though sometimes two for rolled hems and there's no logic to when I use the blade or not 😄.
Have fun with it 😊
I see. Thanks for the help!
I thought for sure from a distance that Alco was a Viking. I own several Viking machines
Lol. That's great. We have since picked up a couple of Viking machines as well. They are really nice and fun to use :) Thanks for watching!
I have a Necchi that i got from the thrift store. I haven't figured out how to use it. Oddly, it threads sideways. I found a White brand sewing table but without a machine. My last name is White so i love it. Plz reach out if u ever want to sell that machine. That Pfaff looks amazing! Congrats on all ur finds. Thx for sharing.
Thank you so much! I bet your Necchi is super cool. I would love to find an early model made in Italy. Will do...unfortunately, we are much better at collecting machines than we are at letting them go :) Thanks for sharing, watching, and following along!
I saw a movie about that, it's called the enigma machine😅
:)
I had the 229 (no cams) I also was fortunate enough to have the operators manual . It also is as heavy as a tank. It was made for work not for pretty.
Nice. I haven't come across a 229 yet but sounds like a good one :) Thanks for watching!
I had a Juki serger that would take me over an hour to thread. Gave it away and bought a Brother serger where that hard to reach looper has a bar that you pull out, lay the thread in and push it back in and the looper is threaded. SO MUCH EASIER!!!! Now it takes only a few minutes to thread.
Oh wow, that is really interesting. Thanks for the heads up. It is funny, I was reading the manual for my serger and it states that if you want to change out thread you should not re-thread the machine, but instead cut the thread at the spools and tie the new thread to the old. I guess they knew that it was a process from factory :) I am glad you found a unit that works for you. Thanks for watching and following along!
The mini white I just got the same one it has steel gears ❤
Awesome Thanks!
Another great video, thanks for sharing! I have some slant-o-matics (301A, 3-401As, 403A, 503A). Your 401A looks like it's in great condition. I actually prefer my 403A to the 401A because it's much less fiddley to use. My 403A is one of my go-to machines. Another of my favorite machines is my 301A; it's my travel machine. It makes a strong beautiful stitch. Your Pfaff is really nice, I have a 360 which is sort of similar to yours but has a free arm. The feet for these machines are really well-engineered and very useful. I love your enthusiasm about that machine! I love mine as well. Don't get oil on the cleated belts. They're extremely difficult to come by. Wait until you acquire a German Singer. Just sayin.
Thank you so much! I am amazed at how popular these slant-o-matics are. I can't wait to try them out. I really can't wait to get my hands on a 301a. That is great that you have (and love) a Pfaff of your own. I will have to look up what a 360 looks like. I will definitely be hunting down future Pfaff machines! Thank you for the heads-up on the cleated belts. Great comments and advice! Thanks for watching and following along!
The belt on the Pfaff is similar to the belt on the Singer 319, and is hard to find. The 319 has what I call typewriter keys used to change the built in stitches. There are also "fashion discs" which can be used for even more stitches. Only downside is that it uses a different kind of needle that is very hard to locate. I have the green one and it does sew very well.
Oh wow, that is interesting. I haven't seen one of those in person but super cool machines! Weird that it uses a special needle. I have heard that the drive belt on the Pfaff is hard to find. I am super lucky that mine are in good shape. Thanks for the info!
Are you saying that the timing belt on the Pfaff 230 Automatic is similar to the Singer 319? The Pfaff 230 belt is about 52 cm long with 68 teeth. Do you think the Singer 319 belt could fit the Pfaff 230? I am currently trying to make a timing belt for my Pfaff 230.
If you have access to a 3D printer, there are print files for the cams online.
Oh wow. That is brilliant! Thanks!
@@NeverTooMany2023 I found them for my 403A on Thingiverse.
Nice stuff, sergers are both wonderful & pain in the rear, I recently added to what I have too😂, 3 donations to me for use in volunteering, plus 2 old hand cranks & a 53 Elna😊happy camper, you have nice add ons 🎉
Thanks! Wow, sounds great. I keep hearing about these Elna machines...Never seen one but they must be neat. Also, never had a hand crank machine. Great...now I have to get a hand crank machine :) Thanks for watching
@@NeverTooMany2023 i think one of them hand cranks will end up attached to a treadle base if i can get one cheap enough, right now the Elna needs so love, she sounds like a freight train lol. but that 70 yr old motor runs. The 3 donated machines are a 70's Morse, a Singer 177C & an almost 35 lbs Imperial that i can't find information on but like the Elna i think it'll be a fantastic beast when she's ready to show her stuff. You got the machine bug bite too, my bad , sorry lol.
Nice. That is funny, I just passed over a Morse at a thrift shop because I had never heard of them before. Maybe I made a mistake? I figured it was an off brand machine...Thanks for sharing!
@@NeverTooMany2023 i have now got 2 morse machines here, same make & model. the 1st one belonged to my son's nan on his dad's side. Not a bad machine but something fell out when i was cleaning her out. A funny looking piece, to be honest i couldn't tell if it was part of the machine or something that maybe his dad or uncles may have shoved into it decades ago lol , so i put the piece in an envelope saying i'll figure it ou one day since i wish for my son to be able to use it. Then the stars were with me , got one identical donated, it came with the book. Touch down Yipee lol. Now here's why you don't see many Morse, The business practices of the company makes them the shame of the sewing community. They advertised as American built & produced. Someone found something that was amiss somewhere along the lines. An investigation revealed no employees, no production plant & not even a warehouse. The product was being imported to a garage were labels were being added. That was it. The machines, at least the 2 i have here are dandy. If the company had not been underhanded they could have sold many models over the years. Now that i've bored you to tears, Happy Easter if you celebrate it.
What a great story! Storytime is my favorite :) Interesting history on the Morse company. I appreciate the info. Happy Easter to you as well!
i own a phaff its a new one but they have a great reputation
That is awesome! How nice must that be. I can only imagine that a new Pfaff would be incredible :) Thanks for watching and following along!
Elko is a town in Nevada😂.😊
Indeed!
I just got a pfaff 360 and took off the embroidery unit and oiled but it is only doing a zigzag stitch. Did you have to fix the zigzag part? It seems like that is stuck and there’s not much on the internet showing how to fix that.
Congrats on getting a new machine! The 360 is a cool one. I believe that is the one with the folding table? Not sure about the stitching problem you are having. I know that our Pfaff 230 is quite complicated when it comes to changing the stitches to decorative/embroidery ones. All of the knobs and dials have to be in just the right place for you to be able to generate a visibly different stitch. I believe there is even a dial on the top that if it is set to 0 then it will cancel the decorative cam that is selected. I would just keep playing around with it and try every combination of settings including varying your stitch length to very very short. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Ok, i will try to fix my mother's old Black singer. Maybe an old fenix will come alive.
Sounds good. I hope it all works out for you! Thanks for watching!
Time for a little TH-cam for you. Look up decorative machine stitches. The key word here is "decorative".
Thank you so much for the tip! Sounds like fun to "spruce" up a project with some decorative stitching. Thanks for watching and following along!
You will be addicted to sergers ❤
Too late...already addicted :) What is not to love? Thanks for watching!
I love the rocketeer singer model & the dream would be your 400a❤ but don't discount the 600e machine (it was the last series that had all metal parts as a slant Needle) and the innovations carried over to the 600 series (slant shank presser feet, ... ) Touch n sew's.
thank you so much! Ya, I can't wait to get the two slant machines up and running. I will have to keep an eye out for the 600 series. Thanks for watching!
Necchis can be a pain also is a necchi made brand
Good to know. Thank you much!
Haha, my spelling is incorrect😊
No worries :)
Its pronounced "Neechee".
Lol. Thanks!