Antique Sewing Machines


Whether you are a sewing enthusiast, an antiques enthusiast, or simply someone who is looking for the perfect piece to complete your Victorian-themed room, buying antique sewing machines may easily be your solution. It might even be that you would rather have something sturdy and old-fashioned that won’t break while you try to bring it to a quilting class or simply from one location to another, or maybe you like knowing that you could own a machine that is almost a century old yet still sews a perfect stitch. Perhaps you learned how to sew on an older machine or you know how to fix them, but the reasons for owning one of these lovely antique sewing machines can vary from person to person.

When looking at antique sewing machines, it is important that you personally do the research on the kind of machine you would like. There are several websites that will help you do the research you need before you decide to buy. In fact, the Smithsonian actually offers an amazing resource in the form of instruction manuals for these older machines, which enables you to learn how to operate and maintain any machine that you buy. Parts of the machine that involve the needle size are important too, given that older machines are prone to having unusual needles. Also, make sure that whatever antique sewing machines you decide to buy that you see how it is described.

Of course, the best way to purchase these machines is to do so online, especially while looking at auction sites. eBay is one of the top auctioning sites online, and they will provide you with a fantastic amount of information on how you should go about bidding, as well as how to search for the best items for you. When using auction sites such as eBay, you have the opportunity to actually narrow down your search criteria to a machine that you know you would want, rather than settling for whatever you happen to find in an antiques shop somewhere.

When using auction sites, there are a few things you can do to make your shopping experience easier and ensure that you will get the best deal. First of all, make sure that you research the person selling the machine you are interested in, and do so before you make an offer. Many sites allow you to look at the profiles and reviews of these different sellers so you know if the person is reliable or not, or whether they actually understand the product they are shipping. It always is helpful to find a seller that has good feedback, as chances are they will be your best option when looking.

Finally, when looking for antique sewing machines on eBay or another auction site, make sure that you always ask any questions that you may have before you actually commit to a bid. Even if you happen to find out that the answer isn’t what you’re looking for, the fact is that you committed money to it, and if you win that bid, you are still responsible. So, be a smart shopper and you’ll find exactly the machine you want for an affordable price and you’ll get all the information you need with a much bigger selection than looking at an antique shop.

Bernina or Singer Sewing Machines


Many of us like to sew and be creative, yet we stumble at the sight of the price tag that the top-of-the-range sewing machines carry. Often this puts us off starting a hobby that could bring us countless hours of pleasure and joy.

We are also indoctrinated by the media and live in a throw-away society. We don’t think about other options besides the expensive sewing machines with the multitude of functions that are advertised daily all around us.

Sit down for a minute and you will realize that many people treat their sewing machines like their cars; they upgrade and trade in their machines that are still in good condition for a bigger, better model simply because those are available on the market.

Instead of rushing off and spending far more than you can afford on the latest model, start looking around for used Bernina sewing machines or old Singer sewing machines. This is not such a daunting task as you may think, and once you know what basic things to look for the hunt can be quite exhilarating.

The first thing to do is get to know your brands. People all have their personal preferences and will extol the virtues of their personal best liked brand, but it is wise to have a look on the Internet for reviews on all the top-selling brands and get to know their pros and cons. This way you will be able to make a knowledgeable decision when you buy used Bernina sewing machines or come across a treasure such as old Singer sewing machines at good prices.

A great tip is to go make friends with your local sewing machine repair shop guys. They are a valuable source of information and you may strike it lucky as they probably have a few used Bernina sewing machines in stock that people have traded in when they upgraded. These guys can also advise you on how and where to find old Singer sewing machines if you want to buy one. Any machine you buy from a repair shop will be in good working condition, and you may also get a warranty on the machine.

Whether you shop around online or your local second-hand shops or at garage sales and auctions for used Bernina sewing machines or old Singer sewing machines that you admire, you have to make certain that the machine is in working order. Test out the machine and have a good look at how it works. The stitching may be a bit off-centre, but this is to be expected.

Make sure that the basic accessories come with the used Bernina sewing machines that you look at. You must remember that it is essential when you buy old Singer sewing machines to have the machine serviced before you start working on it so that any faults can be repaired and the machine is in top working order. Make sure that your local repair shop will service used Bernina sewing machines and old Singer sewing machines or advise you where to go for these services. Old machines are of sturdier build than modern machines that incorporate many plastic parts, and this makes buying a used machine very attractive in the long run.

Antique sewing machines are available on our home page feed.