Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Herd: Zig-Zaggers

This post is simply a photo inventory of some of the zig-zaggers and simple cam machines in my herd.  Useful for me to see them all in one place.  If you like photos of vintage machines, then enjoy!

In the early days of the collecting craze, I bought this green Aldens machine.  It takes cams, but zig-zags without them.  Which is good because I have never found the cams for it.

Aldens

I find Singer 237's often, and buy them almost as often.  This model is zig-zag only (no cams).   It's a versatile machine because it can be treadled, hand cranked, or used with the motor it was born with.  The 237's were made in Italy. 

Singer 237

The Singer 328 zig-zags and takes the standard flat cams.  I've got another one in battleship gray.  I think they are every bit as retro-stylish as the legendary Singer 500, aka the Rocketeer.  The 500 was TOL (top of the line) and this one was a budget model. 

Singer 328

I bought my first sewing machine in 1968, a model 348 very similar to this 338.  It lasted until 2000 and probably only needed motor maintenance then.  Sadly I got rid of it.  But now I have a couple of these lovely aqua cam zig-zaggers.

Singer 338

The Singer 347 is another aqua machine which zig-zags, but does not take cams.

Singer 347
The Universal MZ is the latest addition to the zig-zagger herd.  I bought it for the teal color.  Mmmm, teal.....

Universal MZ




8 comments:

  1. What fun to see your lovely assortment of machines! I have a 327K similar in function to your 328, but she doesn't take cams. I look forward to seeing more of your collection! :) Kindest regards, Dianne B. in England

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  2. I only have two zig zag machines so far, but, only one of them is vintage. It's mom's old Kenmore, and I don't even know what model it is.

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  3. OOOHHHH I love that Universal.. I had a 338. I gave it to a woman whose 8 year old grand son was way into sewing. I wanted him to have his own machine. I bought it from someone who was cleaning out storage units. The name on the case was "Irv" I know of only men named "Irv" so I think it was a man's machine. Fitting.

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  4. I recently found your blog and have been having a lot of fun browsing about. I read this post, and then I did my daily craigslist search and a Singer 348 came up! For some reason this era of Singer does not show up often where I live (NY). It does look the same as your 338. But I can't buy it. It's too much money -- $75, and I already have more than I can deal with at the moment. 5 machines in my apt., another waiting to be picked up, and I have my eye on a German machine made by Baer & Rempel. But it was a funny coincidence. I'm not superstitious or I'd think it was a sign that I should go get it.
    I love your blog, especially seeing all your machines. --Sheila

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  5. Any info about the Alden In the first pic I just got one! Thank you

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    1. no info, it came and then went. all of the Japanese zigzaggers of this era are awesome machines though.

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  6. i'M LOOKING AT A 347 in a table and trying to find out if its a good machine. So, how do you like it? Does it sew well? I am a quilter so to me straight-stitching is mainly what I do, 1/4 inch foot is about t he only one I use along with a even feed attachment sometimes.

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    1. 347 is a mid-range Singer and IF IN GOOD CONDITION should make a fine machine for a quilter. It is not as powerful as other machines of the era, but you don't need superpowers to piece quilt blocks.

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