Refurbished Sewing Machines

Introduction

Ever wonder why there are so many older sewing machines around? Workmanship. Isaac Singer, Georg Michael Pfaff and their contemporaries were committed to designing sewing machines that would last for generations.

Those solid metal sewing machines were reliable – even the ones made without electric motors that were powered by hand cranks or treadles.

Why Refurbish an Old Sewing Machine

It is entirely possible that the sewing machine your mother, grandmother, great grandmother or aunt had that was made in the late nineteenth century or early twentieth century is still in use today.

When properly taken care of, antique sewing machines still operate as if they were brand new. Sadly, many people allowed the sewing machines owned by older relatives sit idle in a closet somewhere and rust.

The good news is these neglected relics can be resurrected and brought back to life. The process is time consuming and often even costly, but for the true sewing enthusiast, the investment is well worth it.

Wayne Duke, proprietor of the Pfaff Sewing Center in Fort Lauderdale points out that “in many instances, refurbishing an older sewing machine is more desirable than purchasing a new one … especially if you aren’t certain that you will be doing more than just mending and alterations.”

Often, home sewers use their machines for small jobs every now and then. If all you need is a basic straight stitch or an occasional zigzag stitch, why invest lots of money in a sewing machine that can render all sorts of decorative stitches

Even if you are planning to do clothing construction or use the machine to teach your granddaughter the art of sewing, you may not need all of the fancy bells and whistles that are available on most of the sewing machines on the market today.

If you are accustomed to making clothes on a sewing machine that has been around for 50 or 60 years or longer, think about how much longer you intend to sew before making the investment.

If you are using you old sewing machine to teach young people how to sew, you must consider the ages of the people you are teaching and their interest in sewing.

If your granddaughter shows genuine interest in sewing and indicates that she will continue to explore making her own clothing and accessories, by all means, give serious consideration to purchasing an up-to-date sewing machine… perhaps for her rather than for yourself.

The decision as to whether to make the new sewing machine a gift for your granddaughter or a new acquisition for your own sewing room is entirely up to you.

Shopping for a Refurbished Sewing Machine

Many people who have been sewing at home or professionally for many decades seem to prefer working on older sewing machines. When this is the case, they are more prone to purchase a refurbished sewing machine rather than a machine made after 1980.

There is a special niche in the sewing market for these eccentric sewers. For them, the seeming obscure “Sew ‘n Vac” center is not always the best place to start. It is amazing when you consider the number of shops that offer refurbished sewing machines for sale have this odd nomenclature.

This reviewer has encountered Sew ‘n Vac shops in many locales along the eastern seaboard, from New England to Florida. Understanding why so many Sew ‘n Vac shops offer refurbished sewing machines for sale is not difficult when you consider the fact that people take their sewing machines in for repair and for one reason or another never return to claim them.

The people who work in these shops, however, do not seem to be equally knowledgeable about various sewing machines, their features, shortcomings or overall performance.

We found that people who work in specialized sewing machine repair and sales centers have an awareness of each sewing machine brand, a cursory knowledge of each brand’s history as well as an expert awareness of each brand’s strengths and weaknesses.

These people, after all, are the ones who see the machines at their very worst. They understand what triggers problems with old and new sewing machines and what it takes to keep them up and running.

Most of these shops are independent and have no affiliation with any particular sewing machine manufacturer and therefore reap no benefit from promoting one brand over another.

A visit to any sewing machine repair and sales center will open the door to refurbished sewing machine awareness for anyone who takes the time to explore the inventory and talk with the people who work there.

Learning about vintage sewing machines, their benefits and drawbacks is a fascinating way for a sewing maven to spend an afternoon.

All Refurbished Sewing Machines are Not Created Equal

Take your time. Do your homework. It is critical that when you decide to buy a refurbished sewing machine, you make the right choice. The mere fact that a sewing machine is rebuilt does not mean that it is just as good as new.

Some refurbished sewing machines simply cannot be restored to their original glory. According to Wayne Duke, there is no differentiation between brands when it comes to purchasing a refurbished sewing machine.

He advises people who decide to purchase a refurbished sewing machine to make sure they are doing business with a reputable dealer who stands by their workmanship. The same holds true for the professional tailor of seamstress who prefers working on refurbished or vintage sewing machines.

Advantages of Refurbished Sewing Machines

While the newer sewing machines sometimes come equipped with hundreds of stitch options, automatic bobbin winders, needle threaders, tension adjustment, differential feed, and start and stop buttons, older, tried and true sewing machines have fewer components that have the potential to break or malfunction.

In addition, few people will disagree that the stitches made by older machines are cleaner, neater and stronger. Cleaning and maintenance of older sewing machines is less costly, though often more complicated than newer models.

New sewing machines must be taken in to an authorized service professional for thorough cleaning and servicing at least once a year.

Older machines require regular cleaning and oiling, which can be performed at home by a competent sewer who is equipped with the right set of skills, a lint brush or small tooth brush, a soft cloth and a can of lightweight lubricating oil.

Learning how to clean and service your own sewing machine is not challenging and takes only a few minutes to master. Lots of people invest in refurbished sewing machines, not to use but to collect.

Lately, I have found more and more, people are showing interest in acquiring vintage sewing machines for this purpose. No doubt, these collectors have a very special interest in the art and history of sewing, and invest in refurbished sewing machines as an act of love for the history of sewing.

Disadvantages of Purchasing a Refurbished Sewing Machine

I do not recommend all vintage or refurbished sewing machines for inexperienced sewers. The sometimes outmoded mechanisms are challenging for people who are not knowledgeable about the basic inner workings of sewing machines.

These machines are ideal for those who learned on older sewing machines and are familiar with the nuances of sewing on sewing machines manufactured prior to 1980.

The biggest drawback to owning and using a refurbished sewing machine is the fact that locating replacement parts is becoming more and more difficult.

Companies that manufacture sewing machines have for the most part given up on making replacement parts for their older models, especially those made prior to 1980.

Therefore, many home sewers who prefer their old sewing machines over the newer models are shopping around for duplicate sewing machines to be used as ‘organ donors’ to replace parts as they wear out on the machines they use.

No doubt, this is the reason for many people retiring their vintage sewing machines and relegating them to “collectors’ item status”. As the owner of a Fleetwood sewing machine that was manufactured circa 1969, I have personal knowledge of the problem.

Sewing on this all metal workhorse is a dream. The stitches are beautiful and although it renders only straight and zigzag stitches, the Fleetwood has produced clothes, home dec items and accessories that rival those made on any machine that comes equipped with hundreds of different stitch options.

I have even performed freehand embroidery and quilting tasks on this machine with fantastic results. Over the 40 plus years since acquiring this sewing machine, I have taken it in for servicing a total of four times… each time because of problems with the foot pedal.

When the foot pedal needed replacing in the late 1980s, a service technician at a Maryland sew ‘n vac shop recommended purchasing a new machine and using the Fleetwood only for mending and alterations.

After investing in a more up-to-date sewing machine and being greatly disappointed with the stitch quality and workmanship, the Fleetwood was put back into service. To this date, it performs just like it did the day it was purchased.

The biggest problem now is they no longer make foot pedals compatible with this machine. Therefore, I too am shopping around for an identical sewing machine to be used for replacement parts.

Conclusion

There is a sewing machine for everyone who likes to sew. Many people who sew prefer the newer multi-functional sewing machines that have unlimited features and stitch options.

Others prefer the old tried and true all metal sewing machines that require a minimum of maintenance. There are plusses and minuses to both. The decision to purchase a refurbished machine rests with the purchaser.

Whether your intent is to use a newly acquired refurbished sewing machine or to add it to a growing collection of vintage machines, you can rest assured that you definitely will be making a wise investment of your time and your money.