In October I wrote about my new/old sewing machine purchase. I thought I had a very rare find because I could not find out much information about it with my internet research. Thankfully some blog readers came to my rescue.
Angie emailed me to say she thought my machine looked a "Singer 15 clone".
And Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting showed me a blog post about her new Victor which looks exactly like my White, except with fancier engraving and gold decals.
Using the search topic of Japanese or Singer 15 clone has provided a wealth of information, such as this posting on the Sew-Classic blog and this posting at Vintage Sewing Machines. Apparently these machines were mass produced (not at all rare!) in Japan after the war and then specific companies could put their own name brand/badge on them to sell to their customers. Check out this post over at Dragon Poodle Studio where you can see a wide variety of the clones in a range of colours that look exactly like my blue "White", but the brand names are "Royal", "Modern Age", "Remington", and "Elgin"... never heard of them!
I had two problems getting started with my Blue White:
1) When I plugged it in, the motor raced at top speed and it was sewing on it's own! Oh dear... I thought I might have a big repair bill on my hands right from the start. But my trusty mechanic told me I had just reversed the plugs. See the 'M' and the 'L' on the receptacle?I had plugged the light into the machine, and the machine into the light, and it didn't like that!
Nothing! That's a great guy that tells you the truth and teaches you something, when he could've milked the situation, charged me a bundle of stash cash for looking at the machine, and/or made up a story about what I "needed" to buy that was expensive and actually unnecessary.
So home I went to try again with the plugs in their proper place.
2) Then I couldn't figure out how to thread the thing!
Once I had conquered these two issues, I had to find the 1/4" seam, and then we were off to the races (or as my friend Cynthia says "Bob's your uncle"...whatever that means!)
I have successfully sewn my first blocks on my new/old "Blue White" machine! So fun to use and has a perfect stitch.
I am just loving these vintage machines!
17 comments:
Kathy... how exciting to not only get a vintage machine but take the time to learn your machine and start giving it a workout! A vintage machine is on my bucket list for sure and I am also a Bonnie Hunter fan and love her quilt cams...so packed with info... thanks for blogging and sharing your new machine :) Read all your posts on the white machine... appreciate you adding the labels so I could find them.. love the brown blocks too! Kathi
Enjoy your new (old) machine...it looks so solid and pretty blue!!
I had that plugging into the wrong hole thing happen to me with one of my machines. I had forgotten all about it. And I don't remember which machine. You Tube has a wealth of information for us quilters.
Great to hear your machine is up and running!
I am glad you worked things out with your new machine!
Enjoy your new toy!!! There's few things sweeter than a new-to-you machine, and a vintage one makes it all the nicer :)
So much fascinating info here and in your links. I have an elderly friend that has what I believe to be a Japanese clone machine buried in her attic. She says anyone who wants to take it is welcome. It is in a cabinet and would be a beast to get out, the way it is situated. I would love to get my hands on it, but DH thinks it wouldn't be worth the effort and why would I need another machine, since I have 3 perfectly good ones?? I can't get it out myself, so there it stays. I worry what will happen to it when she passes. Will anyone love it? : )
Vintage machines are the best and yours definately is a beauty, love that beautiful blue!
Love that color! Looks like you are getting quite the "oldie but goodie" collection! Older machine are the absolute best! Enjoy them all!
How exciting that you have got it working and sewing for you!! She's gorgeous!!
I am glad you could get so much info on your WHITE! I have a New Westinghouse that just needed a new plug. Nice repair guy you have. You can trust him again if you have any issues.
Kathy I love the colour of your machine. I have an even lighter coloured singer model 348 but I am not able to locate a manufacturing date. Any suggestions. I would say probably 50-60's but would like to know. Don't they sew nicely..they just don't make machines like these anymore! Enjoy, I know I am finding ways to sew on my featherweight even though I have an electronic machine!
Glad your new "friend" are ready to sew. :) Enjoy the Blue WHITE. Hugs
I'm tickled to hear you were able to get the vintage White/15 clone working! I have a couple of Singer Model 15s, treadle & electric - they are big favorites because they stitch so smoothly and have great bobbin capacity.
I used to use a White machine but it was neither vintage nor blue! Glad you are past the figuring out part and on to stitching :)
I would love to have one of these vintage machines, but it's not in my budget. Lucky you! Do you sew on the "white" machine that you received from your friend? How does that one perform?
Boy, if you changed that badge from 'White' to 'Victor' they would be twins. Mine came with a motor, years ago, when it was found, but she took the motor off to make it a treadle. Glad your motor works now. Thanks for listing my 'Victor' in your post.
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