Wards Signature Multi-Stitch Machine

Hello readers, once again I am using the blog to feature a machine that I am selling on my local Craigslist.   Click on the link to the Craigslist ad here.  It will disappear once the machine is sold, so if the link doesn't work the machine has been sold.

As always, I do not ever ship machines.  I have sold two machines so far using the pandemic-safe porch pickup method.  My only regret is not getting to meet face to face and talk to the lovely people who bought them.

This is a Wards Signature multi-stitch machine, made in Japan during the post WWII Golden Age of all-metal vintage sewing machines.  These machines were made of cast iron and steel and weigh in at a hefty 40 or so pounds.

I restore vintage machines as a hobby and this one has been cleaned and thoroughly tested.  It is a solid workhorse that ought to be able everything from sewing thin, sheer fabrics to repairing boat cushions.

In this test I start with two layers of muslin, then fold it to make 4 layers, then 8, then 16.

It went through all of these layers like butter and the tension remained perfect.  You can see this test sample if you come to see the machine, and you will be able to run your own tests on my front porch (weather permitting).

It is a light olive green.  Color does not show the same on everyone's screen, and I sometimes tinker with the photos so that the show the features of the machine and attachments.

It's probably around 50 years old and there are some chips on the paint on the bed of the machine.  The rest of the machine looks pretty good.

The part that matters for sewing is the area to the left of the needle.  That's where the fabric rests and it needs to be smooth for the fabric to move freely across it.  You can see in the photo that this area is in excellent condition.

It seems to have all of the original accessories in the original case.

The accessory box does not stay closed.  Plastic does not always endure intact for 50 years!  I put a strip of painters tape on it to keep it closed.


In addition to a straight stitch, it makes additional stitches using cams, round discs that rotate and drive an arm that moves the needle from side to side.  If you aren't interested or find this intimidating, I always recommend just leaving the zigzag stitch in the machine and forgetting about all the other stitches! The zigzag cam is in the machine now.

The top of the machine opens at a touch and the cams drop in.  The bobbin winder is under there too.

The bobbin winder flips forward for use.

In the accessory box lid:  the stitch cams

A place for everything and everything in its place.

The accessories case has slots for presser feet and bobbins.  There is one small slot empty and I couldn't figure out from the instruction card what might be missing.  Meaning that everything described in the instructions is present.

The presser feet are clean and glossy if they were ever used, they weren't used much.  You, too, can just ignore them if simple sewing is all you are interested in.  But they will be there if  you ever want them.

Top row:  two additional cams
Next row:  four class 15 plastic bobbins.  These are widely available if you need more, just be sure to buy class 15  and not class 66.
Next row, left to right:  adjustable zipper foot with attached guide for quilting (it allows you to space lines of stitching evenly).  Binding foot, which allows you to apply bias tape.  These vintage style binders really only work with very thin fabrics.
Next row:  Seam guide and the screw that attaches it to the bed of the machine.  Narrow hemmer, another foot that only works on the thinnest fabrics.  I can include a set of wider hemmers upon request at no additional cost.
Bottom row:  Open toe foot, which the instruction card calls the buttonhole foot.  The machine has settings for a four step buttonhole, which is a pretty nifty feature. Button holder foot, which allows you to hold a button in place while using the zigzag feature to sew on buttons.  And a darning/embroidery/hopping foot, also used in free-motion quilting.

In addition to these original accessories I have added a ruffler.  It works by making tiny pleats in the fabric.  There are four different options that allow you to select how closely spaced the pleats are.

You can make one tiny pleat per stitch by selecting "1".

One pleat for every six stitches.

One pleat for every 12 stitches.

Or, while the ruffler is still on the machine, you can switch back to straight stitching by using the star setting.

It also has not a manual but an 8.5" x 11" card showing the instructions for the features and accessories.  The card is a bit worn by now and has scotch tape across a tear but it is still completely legible.  I wish more machines had come with a card like this!  So easy to find exactly the information you are looking for at a glance, rather than thumbing through a manual.

It is installed in a plastic carrying case that I'm guessing was original to the machine, based on the color.  I don't know the date of the machine but would guess the mid 1960's to the mid 70's based on styling and features.  But I have no way of checking that guess.

If you are interested in buying this machine contact me through Craigslist and I will give you my phone number.  I'll be happy to answer any questions that you have.

The Craigslist ad will be taken down as soon as the machine is sold.  This post will stay up because most of my regular readers love vintage sewing machines and can't get enough of them!