My sister and I stopped by our favorite Goodwill last week, and I spotted a vintage Singer machine in a cabinet that I recognized as a 15-91 because of the distinctive potted motor on the back. It was a little dusty, but otherwise looked super clean. There were lots of accessories and bobbins in the drawers, and the price tag read $30 — I freaked out! When I got home I removed all the hardware attaching it to the cabinet, because I don’t have room for another piece of furniture in my sewing room, and Gordon used the wood from the cabinet to make a base.
Although it looked good and was running nicely, I’ve read enough to know it needed to be completely re-wired. Gordon ordered the items we needed (round terminals, new motor brushes, grease wick material and wires), and then we set about taking the machine apart. I was a little nervous (especially when we broke open the motor), but fortunately we were following this amazingly detailed, 20-step online tutorial that walks you through every step with gobs of photos.
After the wiring and greasing was done, I took apart the bobbin and tension assemblies (following directions in the 15-91 manual), and oiled the whole machine. The only thing left to do is polish the two chrome pieces. It sews like a dream and, a fun factoid — it was made in 1947, the year I was born.
I still have 3 sewing machines (Bernina 1000 Special, Bernina 540-2 Favorit, and the Singer 15-91). Last year I gave my Bernina 830 Record to a quilter I met online whose 830 had just died, and she could not afford to buy another one. I found that even though the 830 was a wonderful machine, I was so used to my 1000 (which I’ve been sewing on for 25 years), that I wasn’t really using the 830, and I didn’t need both of them since they are very similar. Plus, it felt great to be able to help out another quilter.
And, because it’s still Free Pattern Friday, here is a cute cottage which was part of a small lot of British transfers purchased on Ebay. The pattern was too rough to clean up in Photoshop, so I just ended up tracing it. Click the image to enlarge.
You will love your new 15-91! And I’m glad you found Rain’s wonderful blog.
I have a 15-91, a belt-driven 15-90, and a 201. They all make lovely straight stitches. I like the 15’s for walking-foot quilting. I mail-ordered a straight stitch walking foot, which fits the narrower feed dogs of the old Singers, and thus works better than a zig zag walking foot.
Wow, just wow! What a beautiful machine and what a steal!! So happy for you. The embroidery design is beautiful; thanks for being so generous to share with others.
My first machine a Singer 15-91, now almost 61 year old is still sewing very well and it is still fast.
What a beautiful machine! Enjoy it!
Love the new machine! Looks great and what a bargain!!! Thanks for the cool pattern! Hugs, Mickie
You are like me. Love those vintage machines. The base your husband made is very nice. My husband never got into wood working.
How very generous of you to pass one of your Bernina machines on to a quilter in need. I did the same thing several years ago. My husband gifted me with a new Bernina and I already had one plus a Pfaff. So I gave the older well working Bernina to someone who had an inexpensive machine from Walmart and sewed clothing all the time.
Martha what a beauty! You are brave taking it apart and rewiring! I collect vintage machines and like you have thinned some out over time to younger girls and women who want to learn to sew and quilt. Must keep this skill alive!
Don’t you love those moments when the hunt comes to an end and you find exactly what your looking for at an exceptional price! So happy for you!
Wow goodwill in my area it would have been 130 or more! Great find, your hubby did a beautiflu job on the base, looks like it was made that way. I hope to get a vintage beauty like that someday!
Thank you for such a wonderful blog, i love all the free patterns and the pics of your works you have done with the vintage fabrics.