Sewing Where can I find just a plain, simple machine?

Countrymouse

Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
Hi All:

After fighting again this morning with my mother's 1960's "Singer Touch & Sew" machine, I've had it .

Can anyone tell me where to find a plain, simple (and if non-computerized, even better!) sewing machine that will simply do straight-stitching and zig-zag?

Just that. Just enough for plain sewing and clothes repair.

Don't need all the patterns/embroidery/ bells-n-whistles.

Mother used this machine until she died (1992) but something's gone wrong with the bobbin tension and though I'd had it in the shop repeatedly (old-fashioned shop, with older man who knows older machines) they still can't seem to get it right. The tension 'slips' or something and I'll be sewing along then suddenly the needle 'grabs' and I turn it over to find a bird's nest underneath.

I think it may be because you can no longer get bobbins for this machine. I bought some that were "supposedly" replacements, but they do not work correctly--the thread always knots itself up in loops while spinning onto these bobbins, something it NEVER does with the (only two now) original bobbins I still have.

I had one of the first "computerized" machines--a Singer "Athena 2000" --but that started having so much trouble almost from the beginning that I just junked it altogether a few years ago.

I've bought a couple of older used machines but as you know they come with their own problems--otherwise they wouldn't be at a thrift shop or yard sale.

I have my mom's old treadle sewing machine, and it works fine--but it's straight stitch only and you can't really adjust the stitch length much.

Does ANYONE make a just plain, simple, straight- and zig-zag stitch machine anymore?

I know they make non-electric plain sewing machines for missionaries who go out to the jungles to work, but I don't think those are sold in the US.
 
Sandcastle76

Sandcastle76

Senior Member
Walmart - the brother brand…I got the “heavy duty” model and it does a good job of what you’re saying you want. They have a less expensive “beginner” model but I got the heavy duty model for repairing jeans and making t-shirt quilts due to the thicker fabrics I would be using it on. If I remember .. it was around / or less than $100
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Umm... it depends on what you are sewing. Mom had a Touch n Sew. I could never get it to work right. She was amused because I would use the treadle machines before I'd use the electric.

I have two old Singer machines. Neither does zigzag. I have the attachments. But my everyday machines are Viking 190s. Again, really old machines. But they are workhorses and handle what I throw at them.

The reason I ask what you are working on is because at one point I decided I needed a more modern machine. So I got one. This was when I was doing a lot of rent faire style pieces.

I broke it within a week. I truly hadn't realized just how strong a Singer 15-91 is. A few weeks later, ex and I ran across a yard sale where a guy was selling off machines that people hadn't come back to pick up after they were repaired.

I don't know why, but that voice made it clear that I was to take that machine home. I put my hand on it and that was it. There were several machines but that one was mine. Or maybe I belong to it. Regardless, ex had to run to the atm quick because we didn't quite have enough on us. And that was my first Husqvarna Viking 190.

I have tested machines from friends. But a lot of them just don't do it. They have lots of fancy stitches. And lots of computer stuff. And really high prices to go with all of that. And it comes down to what I use my machines for.

If my Viking can't handle it, my Singers can.

You might see if the repair shop has some used machines for sale and if they'll let you do some test pieces. Or if they have some sewers, normally quilters, that can give you some recommendations.
 
G

Greywolf036

Contributing Member
Countrymouse said:
Hi All:

After fighting again this morning with my mother's 1960's "Singer Touch & Sew" machine, I've had it .

Can anyone tell me where to find a plain, simple (and if non-computerized, even better!) sewing machine that will simply do straight-stitching and zig-zag?

Just that. Just enough for plain sewing and clothes repair.

Don't need all the patterns/embroidery/ bells-n-whistles.

Mother used this machine until she died (1992) but something's gone wrong with the bobbin tension and though I'd had it in the shop repeatedly (old-fashioned shop, with older man who knows older machines) they still can't seem to get it right. The tension 'slips' or something and I'll be sewing along then suddenly the needle 'grabs' and I turn it over to find a bird's nest underneath.

I think it may be because you can no longer get bobbins for this machine. I bought some that were "supposedly" replacements, but they do not work correctly--the thread always knots itself up in loops while spinning onto these bobbins, something it NEVER does with the (only two now) original bobbins I still have.

I had one of the first "computerized" machines--a Singer "Athena 2000" --but that started having so much trouble almost from the beginning that I just junked it altogether a few years ago.

I've bought a couple of older used machines but as you know they come with their own problems--otherwise they wouldn't be at a thrift shop or yard sale.

I have my mom's old treadle sewing machine, and it works fine--but it's straight stitch only and you can't really adjust the stitch length much.

Does ANYONE make a just plain, simple, straight- and zig-zag stitch machine anymore?

I know they make non-electric plain sewing machines for missionaries who go out to the jungles to work, but I don't think those are sold in the US.
Click to expand...

Yes they are sold in the US. I've seen them being sold in second hand stores, run by Amish and some Mennonite stores.

On that note, check an outfit called "Leamans", I believe they are in North Kidron , Ohio. It's a mail order outfit, but they do have an online store, they MAY have what your looking for, and it may be new, but I will warn you, it won't be cheap through them, and their primary customers are , Amish, Mennonite's, Hutterites, Mormons, and then folks looking to be off the grid
 
W

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
I have my grandma's Viking which has to be 40 years old if it's a day - but it still does way more fancy stuff than I will ever need. It's old enough NOT to be computerized - still cam based, so that's why I keep it. Luckily, when I needed him, there was a Viking shop nearby, and he gave it a good going over about 20 years ago. My main complaint is that the thing is a huge boat anchor and must weigh 30 lbs.

Maybe ask the guy who did your service if he has anything basic (and old) in the back of his shop that would fit your needs.
 
O2BNOK

O2BNOK

Veteran Member
CM, as kyrsyan said, "it depends".
I have a Brother from Walmart. Inexpensive. Small and lightweight. Plastic innards. Best darn needle threader EVER. A little noisy, especially if using a walking foot, for my tastes, but whatever... it makes beautiful straight stitches and zigzags very well. It is computerized, and has lots of extra stitches, but I use it mostly for free motion quilting (those beautiful stitches, yummy). No embroidery or that kind of thing.

I also have an Eversewn. Nice solid machine, basically a lot like the Brother, but quieter and somewhat heavier, having more metal innards. Cost more than the Brother.

Neither has given me a bit of trouble (and I am on one or the other nearly daily). If the Brother ever did, I imagine I'd go buy another as they're probably less expensive than the service man.

My son likes an old Juki that he found. Basic machine.

I do like the idea of checking with repairmen, maybe leave a number if something like you want comes in as folks lives change.
 
Chicory

Chicory

Veteran Member
I love the kenmore sewing machines. All metal parts, they’re like Volkswagens - they last forever.
 
AlaskaSue

AlaskaSue

North to the Future
Sandcastle76 said:
Walmart - the brother brand…I got the “heavy duty” model and it does a good job of what you’re saying you want. They have a less expensive “beginner” model but I got the heavy duty model for repairing jeans and making t-shirt quilts due to the thicker fabrics I would be using it on. If I remember .. it was around / or less than $100
Click to expand...
I second this one because I’ve bought (from Amazon) several ‘starter machine’ Brothers for family I’ve taught to sew. All very dependable, simple to use, and to troubleshoot. Never paid over $100, though it’s been an inflationary couple of years since last purchase.

CM, have you considered buying a separate bobbin winder? My Singer Golden Head machine (a work horse for sure) had the same issue with tension and threads wreaking havoc like you described. It just made the bobbins fill correctly since my machine no longer could.
 
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Sandcastle76

Sandcastle76

Senior Member
Might want to check out Amazon prime days…think it’s July 14th-16th…might get a great deal on any of the suggestions given above
 
R

rosepath

Contributing Member
If you are OK with vintage, the best machine ever is the Singer 301 (well, and the 401 or 403), beige, workhorse, just sews up and back and can sew jeans, several thicknesses of fabric, great stitches, all metal but weighs only 17 pounds. I am still using the one I bought in 1968 with no upgrades, no breaking plastic parts, no temper tantrums from the machine. They're around, used, just check the condition, and really a 301 is worth its weight in gold. Look online at what people have to say if they've owned one. I'm a huge fan of them, I have two, one with the trapezoid case, nice for travel sewing.
 
T

tech

Veteran Member
Chicory said:
I love the kenmore sewing machines. All metal parts, they’re like Volkswagens - they last forever.
Click to expand...
I learned on a late-50s vintage Kenmore. Never had an issue and it had (IIRC) 3 or 4 stitches, but options were available for specialized stitches (buttonholer comes to mind.)
Janome came to mind, but a quick look shows all digital control models.
I would try flea markets or antique stores in your area if you would rather have a vintage machine.
 
O

OldArcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Countrymouse said:
Hi All:

After fighting again this morning with my mother's 1960's "Singer Touch & Sew" machine, I've had it .

Can anyone tell me where to find a plain, simple (and if non-computerized, even better!) sewing machine that will simply do straight-stitching and zig-zag?

Just that. Just enough for plain sewing and clothes repair.

Don't need all the patterns/embroidery/ bells-n-whistles.

Mother used this machine until she died (1992) but something's gone wrong with the bobbin tension and though I'd had it in the shop repeatedly (old-fashioned shop, with older man who knows older machines) they still can't seem to get it right. The tension 'slips' or something and I'll be sewing along then suddenly the needle 'grabs' and I turn it over to find a bird's nest underneath.

I think it may be because you can no longer get bobbins for this machine. I bought some that were "supposedly" replacements, but they do not work correctly--the thread always knots itself up in loops while spinning onto these bobbins, something it NEVER does with the (only two now) original bobbins I still have.

I had one of the first "computerized" machines--a Singer "Athena 2000" --but that started having so much trouble almost from the beginning that I just junked it altogether a few years ago.

I've bought a couple of older used machines but as you know they come with their own problems--otherwise they wouldn't be at a thrift shop or yard sale.

I have my mom's old treadle sewing machine, and it works fine--but it's straight stitch only and you can't really adjust the stitch length much.

Does ANYONE make a just plain, simple, straight- and zig-zag stitch machine anymore?

I know they make non-electric plain sewing machines for missionaries who go out to the jungles to work, but I don't think those are sold in the US.
Click to expand...
Have you tried Lehman’s?

Search Results - Lehman's

Live simply with the Lehman's online store. We sell oil lamps, wood cook stoves & more. Non-electric tools & homesteading supplies since 1955.
www.lehmans.com

OA
 
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow

Heathen Pagan Witch
rosepath said:
If you are OK with vintage, the best machine ever is the Singer 301 (well, and the 401 or 403), beige, workhorse, just sews up and back and can sew jeans, several thicknesses of fabric, great stitches, all metal but weighs only 17 pounds. I am still using the one I bought in 1968 with no upgrades, no breaking plastic parts, no temper tantrums from the machine. They're around, used, just check the condition, and really a 301 is worth its weight in gold. Look online at what people have to say if they've owned one. I'm a huge fan of them, I have two, one with the trapezoid case, nice for travel sewing.
Click to expand...
Agree! I have the 401 and its a workhorse!
 
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