Have you called around to sewing shops that do repairs to see if they worked on older models? Sounds like that is the thing to do. Many of us here have and use older model machines because they ARE workhorses that are still running decades after their newness wore off.

This week I took my mom's Singer from 1950 in to be tuned up and fitted with new cords and plugs. Tomorrow I can take the cabinet with me to pick it up and I'll have the machine that taught me to sew when I was 12. My repair guy said he works on machines from the early 1900's on.

You sound as if you have real affection for your White. I'd spend some time calling sew and vac shops to ask about tune up and repair. If the cords have never been replaced, they might really need to be.

Good luck!
Teresa

I agree with Teresa. Try to find a good repair person and get it fixed. If you are not into all the fancy stuff try to stick to your old machine. If you can't get it fixed get a mechanical machine not an electronic, you will have a lot less problems with it. Try out different machines. Ask your friends that sew what they like. I wouldn't go back to that other dealer.

Bonnie

It sounds as if you just need a new bobbin case.

For heaven's sake, save all that money for more fabric!

I've sewn on both a White portable that died last year from the 40's and my grandmother's rotary in mahogany cabinet with no reverse on it that got sold when she had a house sale I didn't know about.

I think your machine either needs a good tune up or a new bobbin case (case is relatively inexpensive). You could also have a bit of thread in the case track..try running non-waxed dental floss through it and through the threading path pulling downward from the spool pin.

My other thought is are you using a different brand thread than you normally use, and I hope you are not using glazed hand quilting thread in the machine.

You should look at other brands and try the machines out like you are doing now. Janome and Kenmore made by Janome are decent machines...I have a Kenmore 19365 I love to sew with.

I went from a flatbed to a portable with the same adjustment you face without much of a problem and older like you with wind in place bobbin that took me a while to learn. With any new machine, read the manual from page 1 to find out what's going on. Some manufacturers have manuals you can download to read beforehand to get a better idea of what the machine will do.

The nice thing with new machines is the free arm you have available for doing cuffs and small areas with storage in the bed that is on the machine. The new meachines also have an automatic needle threader that's wonderful for "mature eyes" and a plexiglass table surround to give you more area should you need it.

I also used the top of the old Kenmore cabinet to sew on until the Kenmore and blonde cabinet went in the dumpster, then it was on the dining room table. You can still keep your well-loved cabinet to sew on and use underneath for storage like I did.

Take a look at some used machines. A 10- or 15-year old machine with some of the features you want will still be newer than the one you are using.

Pfaff has had a built-in dual feed system on some of their models (not all) for many years, so you might be able to find a used Pfaff with that feature.

However, you can get a walking foot (dual feed) attachment for just about any machine, probably even your old White.

I'd certainly try having the White overhauled and tuned up first.

There's no Sewing Police rule that says you can only have ONE sewing machine. (I have more than one.) Fix the White and keep it for the features you like and get another machine with the other features that you want.

CMC
Yes, you really will sew on both machines. Different machines for different types of sewing jobs.

I run a Home for sewing machines. They follow me home. I have 7 at last count. Only one is fairly new and even that is a few years old. I would get my machine tuned up if I were you. The oldies are the goodies. Colleen

LOL, Colleen! I run the NC branch of your "home" - I'm up to 5 machines now that I have Mom's Singer 15-91 from 1950 newly installed in my bedroom. It runs so smooth.... and looks pretty good for someone who is almost as old as I am. Ha!

Teresa

I am almost 60 years old and have sewed all my life. I have always had a portable sewing machine. Some years ago my husband bought me a new Kenmore. I still use it to this day. I have wore out the case that holds the bobbin several times. I now keep a new one on hand all the time. I took it in to a repair shop about 10 years ago to get it tuned up and cleaned good. The man told me to never get rid of it because it was one of the better ones on the market now. It has very little plastic in it. Just this week I made my 5 year old 3 darling sundresses for her birthday. Next week I will make my other grandaughter 3 also. I don't sew as much as I used to but once I get started I hate to quit..

Do check into getting your machine fixed if possible. You will not regret it.. It is better then any you could buy these days..

You should have them serviced about once a year, if you sew a lot. It will be good as new again, for about 75 dollars. The news one are all computerized, and I don't like them.

Thanks for all the support for getting my ancient White fixed. I did get it overhauled in the late 1980s before I made my wedding dress. Somehow that doesn't seem that long ago, but doing the math, I realize it is! The guy who fixed it then said he had trouble getting some parts, so it may be hard to find someone who has or can find what is needed.

I have very little time to shop, so I'm not sure I can really hunt around for a used machine, and though some of the fancy stitches were slightly tempting, I really can't see paying for all the computerized stuff, so I'll start looking for a repair person!

I'd pick up the phone and call around asking repair prices. I'd also check with another sewer about who has done servicing for them. Don't give up...parts might be hard to find but with patience and luck you will have your machine up and running in no time. Good luck on your search.. Budster ..who agrees the fancy machines are nice but the older work horses have sure established themselves as keepers in the long run.

When you find a repair person or a dealer who does repairs, ask him or her about used machines. Dealers tend to sell only the best used machines they get on trade in and the machine will have been serviced when you buy it -- they want you to come back and buy more stuff from them, which you are not likely to do if you aren't pleased with your last purchase.

You might be able to do your shopping and repairs in one place.

I know lots of people get great deals at yard sales or flea markets, but you might need to have a yard sale machine cleaned and adjusted or have it serviced (some sewers do this themselves and are good at this and like doing it), but I'd rather buy a machine, even a used machine, that's ready to go.

CMC