The Current State of My Sewing Machine Collection

With the new year, I've decided it's time for a sewing machine inventory!

It's always good to remind yourself what you have, not to mention to vacuum the back of your closets.  So here's what I have as of 2019.  I'll split them into groups: the machines I use most often, the machines I'd like to use but haven't in a while, and everything else.

The Machines I Use Most Often

I'm sometimes asked what machine I've used to complete a particular project and why I chose that machine.  Often the answer is simply that the machine in question was already set up and ready to sew.  When a machine is tucked away in a closet, no matter how fine a machine it is, it's unlikely to be used.  It's sad but true.

Singer 15-91

My 15-91 is not my most beautiful machine but it's the machine I've had the longest.  An eBay purchase, it was rewired and tuned up a couple years later by my friend Rain Noe.  It's the straight stitcher I use most often because it's incredibly reliable as well as easy to maintain.  The only thing I don't like about these old black Singer straight stitchers is that the stitch length is hard to control (for me): the numbers are hard to read on the machine and the lever feels much less precise than a dial.  Otherwise, I have no complaints.  An "A."

Bernina 930

Since I had it tuned up last summer, my Bernina 930 works perfectly.  I'll be honest, though: I don't have the same warm feelings toward it that I have toward my older machines and I find the piercing power to be almost too intense: this is the machine I break the most needles with, not that I break many needles.  I never use the fancy embroidery stitches but it has quite a few.  I even use it to sew on buttons when I don't want to sew them on by hand.  But overall it's an "A" machine.  It's also the one I paid the most for.

Janome Hello Kitty

I know it sounds crazy given the number of lovely vintage machines I own, but my Janome Hello Kitty -- the only sewing machine I ever bought new -- sees a lot of action.  It's super easy to use and to maintain and happens to have a very nice stitch.  I wind all my bobbins on it (except for Bernina bobbins--for some reason it won't accept those, nor my Featherweight bobbins--everything else).   Since it doesn't need much oiling, I never have to worry about oil stains.  Being bright pink, it's obvious when it's grimy and needs to be wiped down.  An "A-/B+" machine.

The Machines I'd Like to Use More Often

Singer Featherweight 221

I used to use my Featherweight all the time. But I put it away and now I rarely take it out.  Maybe it's time to take it out and leave it out.  I even have a table for it, not that I have room for the table at this point.  I happen to own five Featherweights at the moment, four blacks and a white.  They're all wonderful machines: quiet, smooth, and simple to maintain.  I need to use them more.

Singer 66 (I have two)

The Singer 66 with the red-eye decals came with my treadle table.  I've since replaced it with a cleaner Singer 66 with lotus decals.  They're both great machines.  The 66 models tend to sell for much less than the 15-91 (or 201), though they sew just as well imo.  They have plenty of harp space and are super easy to maintain.  An "A."

Singer 201

The Singer 201 was Singer's top-of-the-line machine.  It's the smoothest machine out there imo.  Like the 15-91 it has a "potted" motor so no rubber belt.  I do use mine some but I should use it more.  It's another "A" machine.

Singer 401A

This is another Singer classic, only the 401a one is a zig-zag and can do some embroidery stitches too.  It's also a slant machine.  I picked it up it at the Chelsea Flea Market a few years ago and the only reason I don't use it is -- like so many others -- it's just not set up at the moment.  Fabulous machine though!

Elna Grasshopper

I love my little Grasshopper so much and I used to use it a lot more than I do now.  I love the fold-down knee pedal (that folds up easily) and the whole design is just amazing.  Arguably my most beautiful machine.

Oh, this post is getting long!

Here's what else I have, in brief, and there's nothing wrong with any of 'em, though some need a little TLC.

Kenmore 158.1030 (a 3/4 size machine)

Kenmore 158.141 (currently in a table)

Elna Supermatic

Singer 128 (from 1910!)

Singer 15-30 (operates with a knee lever)

I think that's it -- have I missed anything?  I believe that adds up to 19 machines.  In addition, I have two toy machines (both gifts), and a serger (my beloved Brother 1034D).

I don't intend to buy any more machines (in case you're wondering) and who knows--I may downsize a bit.  There's something about actually facing all of these at one time that's a little overwhelming.

Whatchu got?

Have a great day, everybody!

(PS -- If you'd like to find out more about any of these models--as well as others I've owned--check my archives on the right.)