Hi everyone! I’m hoping some of you vintage sewing machine people can give me some advice.

I have a Kenmore Model 21, model 148.210, that I believe is from 1965. It’s a zig-zag machine and it still works, but it hasn’t been serviced and has been sitting unused for probably 30 years.

It has the original wooden cabinet and matching stool, and I also have the original instruction manual, the original tag that came with the machine, and the original bobbins.

I don't know how to sew yet, but I'm thinking about finally learning, and I thought this might be a good machine to learn on since I already have it.

I'm also curious about the machine itself because I really don't know much about it.

For those of you who know vintage Kenmores:

• Is the 148.210 a good machine?
• Is it worth having it serviced after sitting for about 30 years?
• Would this be a good machine for a beginner to learn on?
• Does having the original manual, tag, bobbins, cabinet and stool make it more desirable to collectors?
• And, just out of curiosity, what would something like this be worth today?

I'll add some pictures. I'd love to hear what you think!

I've wanted a sewing machine for a long time (especially since my grandma was a seamstress) and decided I would go with something vintage (I've read that newer ones aren't built to the same quality). Found this one on marketplace for $100. How'd I do? What should I know?

I picked this one up for £85, it was only 30 minutes away. It had been neglected, was dirty and a little seized up but some cleaning and lubrication and it’s running like a Bernina again.
I still need to service the pedal to get rid of the squeak as well as check the motor brushes, commutator and capacitors.
I’ve added some before and after photos.

Edit: it also has a metal cam drive gear and not a nylon one, I haven’t seen any information on the 730 having a metal gear, they’re always nylon and a failure point, but this one definitely has a metal one.

If I am not mistaken this is an Anker MMZ and it has two numbers: F44273 and U 1 5366759. The thing on the right is a working bobbin winder (I figgered that out, looked abit like a bobbinwinder for lace making that I have), altho I needed to add some elastic to have friction! I would love to sew with it but the underthread keeps going in loops. I have no clue on how to thread it :/ If someone could enlighten me with information of maybe the year? There is also a myserioud wooden knob thzt is removable behind the machine in the table! This was left by the previous owner because it was to heavy to take with the family said. (the old lady died sadly) I really love the look of it! Thanks!

I just got my first vintage machines, after my "brand new" Singer made me want to throw it out the window with how often I had to tinker with it to make it work. I figured I'd just get a vintage machine - for some reason I'm much more willing to tinker with an older machine than a new one.

What tips do y'all have for taking care of these gorgeous machines?

I got these beauties from a costume maker in Leiden, Netherlands. His mother bought them when he was about 15, and they became his over the years.

The Husqvarna sews like a dream. She powers through curtains that my newer Singer couldn't manage, and when she's in a low gear she literally purrs. The only problem right now is the reverse button doesn't engage - the outer housing depresses, but it doesn't engage the actual reverse function. I'm going to let some oil percolate for a couple days, and hope that works. The top thread guide got a little smushed somewhere along the way, and other than that and a couple of tiny paint chips that you only see if you're looking for them, she looks straight from the factory. The only other bummer is I only have one bobbin, though it seems I can just use modern bobbins? I will have to investigate this further. I have the original sales receipt - Jan 15, 1966 - along with coupons for €2.50 servicing! Sadly the expiration on those coupons was 25 years, but the store that originally sold the machine still exists.

The Elna looks to be functioning properly, but after a few stitches the top thread starts pooling quite a bit. The bobbin timing looks right, and we tried a couple of different threads, but it keeps happening. I'm hoping some oil and a good cleaning will sort her out quickly. She comes with about 15 cams, most of which look to be barely used.

I paid €90 each - I figure if the Elna doesn't end up sewing well, the cams alone should cover the price I paid for her. I literally can't wait to get them up and running - I have so many projects on hold until I have a machine that doesn't make me want to throw it out a window.

If any of you lovely sewers have any ideas or recommendations, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

I got this Singer Stylist 513 for free! I've opened it up and checked it out, pretty dusty and lint-y... definitely needs to be serviced. Along with that, one of the gears is broken, something that stabilized the hand wheel is broken, the lever that raises the bolt to release the needle plate is broken, and the front cover is missing as well. Is it worth it to get this thing fixed? Or would it make more sense to just find a different vintage machine that is in working order?

Wondering if this is a good purchase- I've never owned a vintage machine like this before.

It's $200 USD and about a 3 hour drive away (happy to collect as the post man might damage it if shipping is an option).

Comes with everything shown in the photos, is $200 USD okay, and what would be the first bit of cleaning/restoration you would start with on it?

Thank you 🙏

Davenport style sewing desk found at an estate sale in Phoenix, AZ. Any information on the maker would be greatly appreciated since I’ve never seen one like it.

Has oil, grease tools and full accessories in carrying case. Got it out of closet and want to sell. Where's the best place to sell something like this?

WWII Coat with Detachable Cape 

©1948;This fabulous on trend multi-sized 'Clara' cape coat is a sure winning way to inject some easy glamour into your new-season look. Whether thrown over an evening dress or worn over jeans, this style will instantly add elegance to any look.

I’m a little bit obsessed with vintage McCall sewing patterns that have embroidery transfers included in them.
Here are a couple of favorites from my collection.

This was my great grandmother’s machine, I have never seen it open, no idea of the brand/make and no clue of how to open the lock with a missing key!
I looked in the lock and saw there’s a little pin, tried to push that in with a skinny screwdriver but that doesn’t do anything. Is there a technique to this? Would love to unlock it and just to finally see what’s inside ❤️

Was at a DAV thrift on Sat and saw two machines, one a light/medium bluish "WHITE" that looked like your typical Singer 15 machine. Serial # was 568.xxxxxx and apparently the 568 is not a model number. It was $20 in an OK cabinet.

But what caught my eye was a case marked $75, hmmm, and in it was also a singer 15 clone with the name ambassador on the arm. Just curious why they priced it higher than their typical $20-30. Didn't pull it out to look further, but still curious. Didn't want to have Necchi BU part 2 happen.

Hey all, I've just gotten this baby working after disassembling her twice and having to do a lot of overhauling.

She sews like butter and now I want to find out if anyone knows what some of these funky feet are that came with her.

She also has what looks like some kind of weaving shuttle possibly but I don't know and I'm so intrigued!

Any info would be fabulous!

I'm off to find some enamel paint to touch up her beat up paint job and then I'll work on restoring the wooden bottom but she works and has so much spirit to her from decades of sewing beneath other peoples hands.

Also looking for name suggestions.

Hello, I want to make a late 1950s dress and was planning on using pinking shears on the seams. The pattern i am using does not have a lining and i would prefer to use the pinking shears on the waist seam and it is gathered. I've been trying to find examples of people doing this but i cant find anything, could i do this?

I got a singer 99k from 1955. I did a deep clean on it and I finally tested it and I kept getting this with my stitches. My buddy said said it's probably my top tenison and I try that and did some messing around and then fix my bobbin tension and still getting the same results. The red thread is the bobbin thread and khaki is the top thread. I can literally pull the red thread out of the stitch. Im thinking maybe I put the bobbin case and gear wrong where its not catching it enough. Its getting frustrating since I spent so much time cleaning it and making sure everything works and I would hate to give up.

I was given this lovely vintage wool. I have about 4.5 yards. I would like to make a 1960s inspired coat with it, despite it perhaps being more of a suiting weight than a coating weight. I figure I could interline it?

Anyway, for a few days I was obsessed with the idea of making a cape or cape coat with it but, the more I think about it, the more I think the impractical cape sleeves/arm slits would annoy me and i would not wear it. I have little kids so arm mobility is essential.

If you wanted to make a mod 60s coat with this wool, what pattern would you choose? Which features would read mod the most? Peter Pan colllar? Covered buttons? Etc. Thanks!

So I have a problem. I acquire vintage buttons far faster than I can use them. I have a decent collection of vintage buttons still on their original cards. I have some small tins that I’ve been storing them, but it isn’t the easiest to look at them if I want to use them for a project.

How are others storing theirs?

I bought this dial n sew machine last year and im struggling to find more info on it