I recently received this machine and it really is a great machine and quite strong, however, it will not sew a straight stitch when I change the dial to straight.  The zigzags are great. The tension is fine. Everything is great except I can't stitch straight. I don't have the manual and can't seem to find one online so I'm hoping someone here can enlighten me.



On the plus side, my regular machine is a vintage straight stitcher only so they compliment each other but I don't have the space to have both out and the hassle of swapping machines each time I need to change stitch patterns pretty much a pain.

Can anyone help me out?  Thank you.

It's been a while since I last posted so I thought I'd post some of my recent finds.

Not sure if I have posted this one before, possibly since it's my best find ever. Here is my best find for $40. A 401A in it's 1958 beautifully finished cabinet.


Here are my most recent freecycle finds.
Babylock 1506 Denim Buster (I'm looking for a manual)


Singer Touch Tronic 2001


But with all of these machines, I still sew on this straight stitcher.

My husband made a last minute request for a cake for his office. With 2 days left til Christmas, I cheated and got a box off the shelf. My 4 year old decorated it:)  Merry Christmas!

My 4 year old wanted to be "the guy" on the playing card. I made the hat, collar, leg and hand cuffs. We just added buttons on a red sweat shirt and used a black pair of jeans.

With my son, the costume has to comfortable to wear if it's going to stay on more than 30 seconds. This was a fun costume and so easy to make!

I have several machines but Aiko is the one I use for sewing my projects. I got her from freecycle, no manual just trial and error and she does a great job. Strong motor, too, at 1.0 amps.  From what I've read, this Japanese made Montgomery Ward machine was manufactured by Happy...which I have read makes commercial machines.

craftyfoxni, I'm like you. Even though I have the other machines, the one I sew on is my trusty Montgomery Ward UHT J1267 Japanese made machine with no manual. I just use trial and error with her.  She doesn't intimidate me whereas the other machines do, lol.

Here is Aiko:)

arimethia, that is a gorgeous machine!

I also picked up another one this weekend. I got this for $20 from a woman who had it handed down from her grandmother. It's a 1914 Singer 127 treadle. She used it as a plant stand so there are some water stain and damage to the top but it can be fixed. It needs cleaning, a new belt and bobbin winder rubber from what I can see. No manual. No accessories but for $20, who can pass this up??

Just added another one today. She was given to me by a friend who has an antique business.

A Singer 66 Redeye born on Sept. 5, 1917 in Elizabeth, NJ.

She is missing a plate and has some rusting but her decals are intact. Her beauty still shows through the dirt and grime. Her cords are cut or missing so she may be my first attempt to convert into a hand crank.



By the way, I did stick with my 5 only rule...I had sold one earlier this week:)

This is the kind of pedal I have. I sprayed underneath the top piece.

Is there a way to minimize the vibration of a clean, properly functioning machine?

My sewing machine vibrates more than I'd like. I thought maybe this might have something to do with the motor - 1.3 amps. Of course, it only bothers me when I'm going fast so I suppose stitching slower would work.

Any other ideas? Here's a picture so that you know the kind of machine I'm working on.

Thanks.