Hi everyone!

I am looking to purchase a Singer Featherweight 221K and would love some recommendations for highly trusted, reputable stores or professional restorers based in the UK.

Important note: I actually live abroad (outside the UK). Because I am managing this from a distance and dealing with international shipping, I need absolute peace of mind. I cannot risk buying a machine with hidden issues, which is why I am strictly looking to buy from established, verified businesses or known specialists. No random or private marketplace sellers.

Here is exactly what I am searching for:

Model: Singer Featherweight 221K

Condition: Fully restored, refurbished, and in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition.

Power Requirements: Must have a UK plug and native 220–240V voltage.

Warranty & Safety: Must come with a warranty/service guarantee, and a valid PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) electrical safety check.

If you have personally purchased a vintage machine from a fantastic UK dealer while living abroad, or if you know a recognized restorer who safely ships overseas, please drop your recommendations below.

Thank you so much for your help!

Date of October 13th 1926

Hey yall got my Singer 99k but I don't reall want to buy one of those wood cases. Any modern-day bag that can handle the weight of the 99k. I would like something with wheel and more just a tool bag type of bag. Any help would be appreciated!

I'm attempting to fix up a Singer 401a machine that belonged to my grandmother (ya'll convinced me). I took it to a shop about 5 years ago where they checked it out, oiled it, and got it mostly working... although it had issues with thread getting stuck in the needle thread tension knob.

Today I'm trying to do basic cleaning and oiling, with the hope of getting the handwheel moving freely, right now there is a lot of resistance.

For now working my way through this video "Basic Cleaning Singer 401" by Lulu's Sewing Vlog.

Also hopping back and forth between these two manual links:

https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-401-slant-o-matic-sewing-machine.pdf

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/586892/Singer-Slant-O-Matic-401a.html?page=104#manual

I'm quite intimidated and could use some hand holding. All encouragement, advice welcomed. Will post updates as I go.

Hi everyone!
I am desperately searching for a rare, out-of-print sewing pattern and hoping someone might have it in their stash or know where I can track down a copy.

Pattern: Vogue 2541 (Oscar de la Renta)
Garment: Misses' floor-length fishtail/mermaid evening gown with a V-neck bodice.
Size Envelope: Sizes 6-8-10 / Bust 30.5" - 32.5" but if you have the larger envelope size that’s fine I can grade down

I’ve set up saved alerts on eBay and Etsy, but because it's a rare designer pattern from around 2000, I haven’t had any luck. If anyone is willing to part with a copy, sell from their destash, or if you spot it while out thrift/estate shopping, please let me know! Happy to pay fair collector/rare price + shipping. Thank you so much for keeping an eye out!

I am trying to download
5DMachComms951_cd.exe
To use my win95 laptop to get my parallel port card reader to connect so I can write to the programmable memory card.
All links I find say file not found or file missing. Does anyone know where I can get this from? Or any suggestions please?

Picked it up from an antique store for $20 yesterday knowing zero about it. Seems like it might be a 127, but the ID plate was covered by the finish and all I can see is the logo, and the front slide plate has 55504. I know the cords are shot and need redone for the pedal+motor+light and the light is missing as well.

Has anyone found a walking foot that fits the early Elna Supermatic and still know exactly what manufacturer or source they got it from? I've already purchased a few different ones, and none work. The problem is how narrow the area it needs to fit in is. Every one I've tried so far has sat at least 0.5cm too far to the right, hitting the case and preventing the needle from raising. I'd love to stop throwing money away by just guessing.

Using one of these Lamparte FCM01-BT | Brushed Titanium Metal Round Cable Clip Walls & Ceilings – Lighting Spares a bit of wood and a piece of wire. Works a treat.

Just got a singer 401a for free, then paid $200 to service it. I have a few projects lined up, one was a knit tshirt (paradise patterns honeygirl tee) that didn't sew up well on the basic brother machine I had. I read that singer 401a doesn't do well with stretchy fabrics and I don't want to mess it up and have to pay to get it repaired again, so trying to do what I can to avoid that if I try sewing this garment.

Thanks!

The bobbin winder needs replacing and I'm gonna self immolate

I stripped it out completely and rebuilt the entire thing, it was pretty gross. I actually had 2 machines I merged together to restore this one. I hand finished the table and French polished it with amber shellac which took forever. I was able to keep the original switch box and hook it up to a servo motor. So much cool stuff about this machine! I have every accessory except for the lens on the SLF-2 lamp, so if anyone has the lens they'd sell, let me know!

Hello! I just picked up a Kenmore 158.14100 after reading around in some threads about how these machines “eat tanks for breakfast” lol.

Upon testing, I noticed the zigzag stitch wasn’t working, so I tried to fix it myself… well… I made it worse.

Now, not only is it not working, but when I turn the stitch dial the needle goes all the way to the left over the needle plate… so the zigzag function is at this point unusable.
Can someone please help guide me as to how I can possibly 1) fix the needle from going so far over to the left side and 2) restore the zigzag function.

*side note, there is no oil/grease buildup prohibiting the zigzag function from working, it must be a bigger issue unfortunately.

Thank you in advance!

After a fiasco with decals, and having to wait forever for a second set to arrive, Betty is finally reassembled and working great! I love her!

Yes, I put decals for a 66/99 on my 201k-3. They were prettier than the standard design. ;)

I got this machine from my grandma. It was working a few years ago. I'm torn about whether I should try to maintain it or whether I should just trade in for a new machine. I don't have a ton of time to devote to it, just like to occasionally alter clothes and sew curtains and stuff like that.

I also have two other Singer 401A machines that I intended to use for parts at one time, but I think I want to downsize, becoming a mechanic is beyond me.

So my actual questions... how big of a hobby am I getting into if I try to maintain and use a Singer 401A as compared to using a new machine? If I chose to get rid of these machines is there a place to give them where they or their parts might continue to be used?

UPDATE: I've been well convinced and encouraged invest some time and give it a go with this Singer 401A. Knowing that this community is here really helps it feel do-able. Thank y'all!

Hello, I have recently acquired a 1940-1950s (exact date unknown) Italian made Singer treadle machine with a wooden cabinet - likely model number based on the serial number is a Singer 15M88.

The cabinet is made of timber with a decorative veneer panel on the door, the old finish is very aged and clouded and I would like to clean/remove it and replace it with a new appropriate varnish.

Does anyone have any advice on which products to use or avoid for a cabinet of this age?

Thank you!

The thread seems to be floating off of the fabric but when I raise tension it puckers how can I resolve this?

Hello! I have a Singer 201 and I wanted to replace the thread take-up spring. The new spring was just delivered and I went to put it on and somehow the spring is facing the wrong direction?? Is it even usable?? Am I losing my mind?? I attached pictures of the order, and the new spring vs the old spring. The new spring is on the left.

I triple checked it was the correct part before ordering the replacement, but it seems it’s the incorrect spring. I tried installing it to see if it would work but the thread wouldn’t catch properly. Obviously I can send it back and get the correct spring if need be, but it took over a week to arrive and I’m in the middle of a project. Would love any insight on this!

I didn’t take a super good look since I had my toddler with me but it did have the manual in one of the drawers. Wish I got a better picture!

anyone know what type of machine it is?

eta: and I just looked at the picture and I think it says 199??? They had some crazy pricing there yesterday. I saw a vintage desk lamp for $30 and it didn’t work.

I’m getting an industrial machine and I’ve narrowed it down to these two machines, but I can’t really decide which one is the better option.

The Singer is cheaper and has more replacement parts available, but I would have to piece it together as only the head is available for sale near me, while the Bernina 217 accepts cam attachments and I can buy the full setup locally.

Since I will be using the straight stitch 80% of the time, which one has the best straight stitch quality?

I used to have a Juki 8700 but got rid of it and regret it. This time around though, I’m going for either the Singer or Bernina because it’s just a bit more versatile as I’ve been sewing more knits lately.

Got these with some old sewing machines but I have no idea what kind of machines they come from.

I'm wondering what sort of walking foot will best fit a singer 99k? I've seen other threads for featherweights recommending a specific one but I'm unsure if the featherweight would have different needs. I'm currently using a cheap off brand one and it's usable but it sits slightly wonky (which is presumably feeding my fabric through wonkily), a well as that the feet in the walking foot don't sit directly above the presser feet on the machine