Sewing Machines on Craigslist: The Good, The Bad, and the Rusty

In my experience, Craigslist is an excellent resource for sewing machines, vintage or otherwise.

I have found some wonderful machines there, most notably a Singer 66 treadle (above) which was selling only one block from my apartment, and a beautiful Pfaff 30, which I purchased from the actress who years later gave me a Bernina 830 Record, and a Bernina serger, and last month sold me an amazing antique Willcox & Gibbs chainstitch sewing machine.  You just never know what Craigslist will yield.

Even though I'm not currently shopping for sewing machines (I swear I'm not!) occasionally I like to check out what's for sale there just for fun.  Since we don't own a car, if the machine's not within a subway ride's distance, I'm not going to be able to fetch it.  But if you have a car, and I'm guessing most of you do, your local Craigslist can be a goldmine.  That said, the old adage Buyer Beware definitely applies.  You really have to know something about sewing machines, or bring along somebody who does.

Here are a few things selling on my local New York Craigslist only today.  Some of these listings are treasures; others are trash.  But it's fun to see what people are asking and how they list their machines.

Let's take a look!

Here's a true find: a Singer 301A in its original table for just $69.  If I had a car and the room, I'd grab it.  Wouldn't you?

In the trash category, I'm not sure why anyone would bother selling a cheapo cordless sewing machine, and -- even worse --why anyone would bother buying one.  Pass on these types of machines, please.

Here is somebody selling a Brother 1034D serger.  I own one myself: it's a great machine.  I bought mine new eight years ago for less than $200.  This person is asking $599.   Do they think we're stupid? 

Needless to say, the person selling this badly beaten up vintage Singer below (with no power source) will never get the asking price of $100.  There's something about the upside-down photo that reeks of self-sabotage.  I mean, do they actually want to sell this thing?

This one intrigued me: a Pfaff 30 in good working condition.  I don't think $130 is unreasonable and something tells me you could probably get it for less (this is Craigslist, after all).  Be still my heart!

This is awfully nice: a Singer treadle in a beautifully restored table.  I'd definitely be tempted to buy it, and if I were driving to New Rochelle, I could also pick up the 301A!

While I do like the table below with its Paul McCobb Midcentury look, I think $240 is a lot to ask for a Singer Touch & Sew, don't you?

In the giggles department, here's someone selling an Italian sewing machine for $300, but they forgot to include a photo of the machine or tell us what model it is.  Whoops!

Is the machine below a Berning or a Bernini sewing michine?  The seller doesn't seem sure.  It's listed as $800 in the heading and $8 in the description.  Proofread, please.

Below, another fabulous deal: what looks like a Singer 66 Red eye in a (Queen Anne?) table for just $30!

While I wouldn't spend $75 on the Dressmaker sewing machine below, I think this is a very cool-looking machine.  I'd offer $25 tops.

Another beautiful old Singer in a pretty good-looking table for just $129.  Not sure what model it is but it's easily 100 years old.

Here's another beautiful treadle, this time a White Rotary.  Just $150.

I'm pretty sure the machine below is a Singer 15-91, one of my all-time favorite machines.  In a table and just $125.

This is a lovely late 1950's, early 1960's Singer 403A Slant-O-Matic, a wonderful machine.  Why does the seller call it a 1975 machine?   Not sure if it comes with the cams but they can be purchased on eBay easily.  I'd happily offer $75-100.

Here's a really nice treadle table -- no machine apparently -- for just $45.

Now granted, this vintage Singer sewing machine is only $29, but couldn't the seller fix it up a bit for the photo?  It looks like it spent the last eighty years in a barn.

I think I've made my point: Craigslist is great place to find vintage sewing machines selling at every price point.  Many of the sellers know next-to-nothing about the machines so you need to do a little homework.  You want to make sure the wiring is in good condition and that the machine works. The beauty of Craigslist is that you can see the machine for yourself and give it test spin.  But as you can see, for $100 or less you can find some terrific all-metal mechanical sewing machines you can maintain yourself with a little sewing machine oil and some TLC.  Most Craigslist sellers really want to sell; it's truly a buyer's market.

In closing, have you ever purchased (or sold) a sewing machine on Craigslist?  If so, which model(s)?

Of the sewing machines I've listed above, which would you be tempted to purchase?

Have a great day, everybody and happy sewing!

My old Pfaff 30, which I found locally on Craigslist.  Alas, I sold it.