Telecast Thursday - Singer 15-91 Sewing Machine - The Final One

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday. Today I'll be talking about my latest vintage sewing machine, the 15-91. This is another machine that came from Edmonton and was a great deal. I was hoping that this machine would be good for free motion quilting and is it ever! Got to love that large throat space on this machine!

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

This is the last vintage machine I'll be adding to my stable - for now. I'm still on the hunt for a Singer 66 Red Eye sewing machine, so if you have one and want to sell it, just let me know. I hope it's closer than Edmonton :)

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 3

Hi everyone:

It's Telecast Thursday and time for the final episode on my Singer 301a sewing machine. This week I'll show you how I restored the cabinet for this machine which had been left out in the rain before I rescued it. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

You'll find Restor-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax at Howard Products. Just follow the instructions in their helpful videos to restore colour and lustre to your antique wood furniture - or sewing machine cabinets, in my case. 

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 2

Hi everyone:


Welcome to Telecast Thursday! Today I'll be continuing my series on my Singer 301a sewing machine. In part 2 you'll learn how I resurrected this machine and if it ran when I plugged it in. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Archaic Arcane's Youtube channel has videos showing step-by-step instructions on reassembling the upper thread tension assembly on a vintage Singer sewing machine. I found the tension assembly on Bonanza.

Join me next week for the final episode on this 3-part series on my Singer 301a sewing machine to find out more about its restoration.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 1

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday already and another video on the series on vintage Singer sewing machines  is ready for you to watch. This week I'm starting a 3-part series on my Singer 301a sewing machine. If you've been following this video series, you'll know that I already have a Singer 301 sewing machine, but you'll want to watch to see how this new acquisition differs from my other machine. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Check back next week for part 2 of this 3-part series to see how I resurrected this machine and if it actually ran when I plugged it in.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Vintage Singer Sewing Machine 201-3

Hi everyone:

Welcome back to Telecast Thursday where I'm continuing my series on my vintage sewing machine collection. Today I'm sharing my Singer 201-3 purchase and how I made a new friend/fellow addict (and neither of us are going into rehab!). Check out Archaic Arcane's website and Youtube channel for more information on vintage sewing machines.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Helpful Singer Sewing Machine Videos

Hi everyone:

I hope 2015 is off to a great start for you. I've been busy with some family issues, so this is why you haven't heard much from me yet this year. Now I'm trying to get back on track and am looking at making some changes at Chatterbox Quilts. I'll keep you posted on the direction that we'll be heading in 2015. 

Of course I'm still head over heels for vintage Singer sewing machines and you'll be seeing more Youtube videos on my channel about these this year. If you're crazy about these machines too, you may find this playlist helpful. It's an amalgamation of videos that I've found helpful in learning how to fix up and use these vintage beauties. 

BTW, remember how I said that I was done collecting these antique machines? Well, I almost was. I've since added another one to my stable. I now have a baker's dozen of sewing machines, but don't make me feel too guilty - they aren't all vintage ones! Some of them are only a few years old. I'll be showing you all about my latest - and last (for now) - vintage sewing machine acquisition in a future video. 

My newest sewing machine

I know I'm not the only one who has more than one sewing machine. I'll bet there are some of you who own even more machines than I do. Come on, fess up and let me know how many machines you own in the Comments below. I'm waiting to hear from you.

My first vintage sewing machine acquisition - a Singer 222K Featherweight

Subscribe to my Youtube channel so you'll receive notification when new videos are uploaded. Lots of information about quilting, fibre arts and vintage sewing machines.

Telecast Thursday - New Year, New Vintage Sewing Machine Video

Hi everyone:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! The first video this year is about my Singer 401J sewing machine. I know this one isn't as pretty as my previous purchases, but it has a secret - it has extra features that allow it to do more than my previous machines. I was glad to add this machine to my stable even if she isn't a beauty because her extra features more than make up for her plain looks. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301 Sewing Machine

Hi everyone:

I hope you enjoyed last week's look at some of the vintage sewing machine stools that I have in my collection. It's a good thing that Teeka and Charlie approve of them or I suppose I'd be looking for some other ones that fit their strict standards!

This week I'll be showing you one of my estate sale finds. Yes, I also find sewing machines there occasionally. This machine is a bit different from my previous ones as it has a more industrial look to it, but the cabinet and the condition of the machine are immaculate! I can't believe I almost passed this one up.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - New Videos in Kim's Vintage Sewing Machines series

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! This week I'm sharing a very technical vintage sewing machine video with you. I actually had to bring in some experts for this one!

You can view this video below or on my Youtube channel. 

I'd love to know if you have "help" in choosing your sewing machines and accessories.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Singing a Happy Tune over my Estate Sale Find

Hi everyone:

After all the wonderful items I purchased at the estate sale on my birthday, you would think that I would be all shopped out - but you'd be wrong! I had barely put away my recent purchases when I received notification that there would be another estate sale coming up. Of course there couldn't possibly be anything else that I would want - or could there?

On the morning of the estate sale my son and I drove up to the north part of town hoping that we'd be one of the first ones in the door. I guess everyone else had the same idea, as we were tickets 54 and 55 (tickets are given out an hour before the sale starts for those eager shoppers). We headed off to the mall to kill an hour or so before returning for our chance to peruse the merchandise on sale. 

I was interested in a small rockinghorse grey stretched Beswick foal, but not at the price of over $300. I'm a collector, but even I have to draw the line somewhere! I did find some old cookbooks and a small Herend china kitten trinket box (or as they call it a "fancy box"). The lady who had lived there obviously loved kitties as there were numerous cat items in the sale. 

Love this Herend trinket box - immaculate and
valued at much more than the $5 I paid for it

I refrained from the vintage linens - only picking up a hand embroidered apron and then headed into the basement, which was full of kitchen items, books and other wonderfulness. In the corner was a vintage Singer sewing machine, which my son pointed out to me. I had known that it was at the sale, but didn't really pay attention since I'd bought so much at the estate sale the previous week-end. I did look to see which model it was - a 301 - and then continued out the door with my purchases.

The Singer 301 sewing machine

Of course I couldn't let this rest. I had to search up the Singer 301 on-line to see what it was all about. 

• a slant needle sewing machine providing better visibility in the sewing area
• "light weight" aluminum body - only 16 pounds
• reverse feed
• ability to drop the feed dogs
• arguably one of the best machines that Singer made. 

Hmmm, maybe I should've taken a better look! Later in the afternoon my hubby suggested that we could go back to the estate sale to see if it would still be there. I called the ladies running the sale to see if it was still there and it was! Could they hold it for me for half an hour? Sure and off we went. In my haste to get there, I left anything that would've helped me test the machine, such as my reading glasses and fabric. Luckily they found some fabric for me to use and the machine had thread in it, so I could at least see that it did sew. 

Beautifully detailed machine

The machine body was in excellent shape - very clean and minimal marking. The machine came in a cabinet with a bench with a removable seat which had storage inside. 

Love the storage in the stool

The attachments and a buttonholer came with the machine. Interestingly, the buttonholer was free, but the attachment box cost me an extra dollar. I decided to take the machine, so off we went with it. It wasn't until I got it home and looked at it more carefully did I realize what a treasure I'd found. 

Cabinet and stool for Singer 301

The cabinet itself is beautiful and in excellent shape with hardly any marks on it at all. The bench is in the same condition - not even a rip in the top. The machine is operated by a knee lever, but the foot pedal can be taken out of the cabinet to use on the floor, which is typical of most Singers of this era. 

Stitch Length selector - note worn bobbin winder tire, which has already been replaced

The Singer 301 is designed to be portable and comes out of the cabinet easily using the handle on the top of the machine. There is a drip pan attached to the bottom of the machine, so the area underneath the machine is enclosed when you take it out of the cabinet. 

Hiding in the cabinet

The machine actually locks into a cradle that remains in the cabinet. 

Cradle that remains in the cabinet

I couldn't believe how clean this machine was. No oil residue, no gunky grease to clean out of the bottom or in the gears. Obviously this lady kept her machine pristine. The best part of this purchase was the receipt in the buttonholer box dated 1956. I love finding these bits of history.

Top view of Singer 301

This machine is so pretty that she doesn't deserve to languish in the basement. Instead she has pride of place in the front living room window where everyone who visits can admire her - and the sewing light is great.

Telecast Thursday - And Now for Something a Little Bigger

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday. Can you believe that we're already halfway through September? Even though we're not at the end of the month yet, we are at the end of this playlist - for now. I intend to add more videos to this playlist in the future with information and practical advice about the Singer Featherweight sewing machines as well as details about my latest addition to my Singer collection. Yes, I have added another machine to the group, but I'm not telling you any more about it right now. And no, I don't have a problem with this obsession!

In this final (for now) video in this series, I'll show you another vintage Singer machine, but this one is a little different. I did promise you something bigger this week, didn't I? 
I acquired this machine and its table for the same amount of money that it would've sold brand-new. Not too bad a deal I don't think with the 50+ year gap in purchase date.

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Do you own a Singer 99-13? I'd love to hear about your vintage sewing machine obsession in the comments below.

Telecast Thursday - All About Accessories

Hi everyone:

This Thursday I'll be continuing my series on vintage sewing machines. In this video I'll be examining the myriad accessories that come with the Singer Featherweight sewing machines. They may look strange, but they can do lots of practical things - just watch out for that ruffler!

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Just a hint about next week's video - it'll be a little bigger.

Telecast Thursday - More Vintage Sewing Machines

Hi everyone:

I'm so glad it's Telecast Thursday! This week I've added another video to my new playlist, "Vintage Sewing Machines". 

You've already heard about my first vintage Singer sewing machine. This week you'll learn more about how I acquired the next machine in my collection - and what has become a new obsession for me. I just can't seem to resist these little sewing beauties!

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Do you own a Singer Featherweight sewing machine? If so, let me know its story in the comments below. 

Telecast Thursday Brings a New Playlist

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday again and you know what that means: Telecast Thursday and it's the last one for August 2014! 

This week I have some exciting news: a new series on my Youtube channel. You'll find a new playlist called "Vintage Sewing Machines" and today you'll be able to view the first video in this playlist.
I have several vintage Singer sewing machines and I thought it was about time that I shared their loveliness with my subscribers (that's you!). 
 

E.B., my first Featherweight acquisition

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. 

In this first video, you'll find out how I acquired my first vintage machine - or as my husband refers to it "how another obsession started". You can view the video below and find it on my Youtube channel. 

I have several playlists on my Youtube channel, so be sure to check them out.

Are you obsessed with vintage sewing machines as I am? Let me know about your vintage treasures in the comment below.