Six Sewing Machines from Your Childhood

Do you remember the first machine you started sewing on? We asked our Facebook fans to share stories about their first time sewing and their first sewing machine. Did you start on any of these machines?

Machine 1

“Managed to break my mum’s 25-year-old Brother machine when I was 11—I was “playing” with it. Put me off sewing for a while, but I bought my first Singer hand machine when was I was 19. Still got it and it still works like a dream!” – Jeni T.

Machine 2

“On my eighth birthday! I am 58 now and I still love to sew! It was a child’s mini Elna sewing machine. Think it was Swiss made and I loved it. I made my mum and I an apron each out of her old dining room sunflower curtains. She even made some dolls clothes on it for me! Wish I still had it!” – Julie C.

Machine 3

“I learned on my grandmother’s old treadle machine. The one she sewed through her finger with! Trust me—I was careful after hearing about that.” – Pat B.

Machine 4

“I had a toy Singer one when I was about seven or eight years old. I loved it and made clothes and bedding for my dolls. I still love sewing about 50 years later.” – Doreen D.

Machine 5

“My mom starting teaching me to sew when I was eight with her awesome metal Elna machine. It didn’t do much as far as cool stitching, but I loved it and she still has it. Still works too!” – Peggy S.

Machine 6

“ I used my mother’s Kenmore until I was 19. Then I moved away from home and got my own machine. I finally got my first Singer (Imperial) in 1994 and still use it. It’s a plain machine and not computerized, but I will keep on using it.” – Barbara L.

Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below or share with us on Facebook!

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175 Responses to “Six Sewing Machines from Your Childhood”

  1. Loretta Anne

    My mom taught me how to sew. When she bought her Singer with all the fancy disks, she bought me my first beige crinkle hand crank toy Singer. I still have it today and my mom's. Also have my Grandma's Singer treadle machine.

  2. Donna

    I started sewing on a treadle in my sewing class in Junior high. No one wanted to use the treadle, so I decided to use one of them. Since no one else wanted to use the 2 in the classroom, I could use it as long as I wanted and every day. I am 72 years old and I have my great grandmother's Singer treadle in my home. I have modern machines, but it is my choice machine. I have many attachments and even a button holer.

  3. Sandy Miller

    My grandfather sold sewing machines in late 1904’s into the 1950’s. He gave me a green Nechhi made in Italy that played music when u turned the wheel. It came with its case and I still have it. Beautiful green and still in pristine shape.

  4. Moureen Bliss

    Learned to sew at school. Home Ec. Grade 7 to 9. Loved it and still do a lot.

  5. Karen Johnson

    You forgot Necchi. So well made mine is still a gem. My grandmother sold Elna and Necchi in the 50s thru 70s. Sha also gave sewing lessons. My grandfather was the repairman.

  6. Pat

    Started on my Mom’s treadle Singer and my daughter has it and still uses it at times. After marriage bought my own electric Kenmore which I still use for straight sewing. Then, about 10 years ago I bought a Brother embroidery machine.

  7. Carolyn

    I had a "White" sewing machine at age 11, and it was the best machine I have ever owned. I love my Brother Project Runway machine, it is awesome. But that White was smooth sewing with a purring motor. I miss it.

  8. Patti Perry

    I learned to sew on my mum's treadle machine. I'm still sewing at80 years old. And I have sewing machines ... 2 embroidery, a Husqvarna 911 and a newer Husqvarna. I teach all the girls in the neighborhood how to sew. I leaned from the grandmother of the 2 boys next door.. their mum was a teacher who went to school in the summer. I spent all my time with Grandma Dexter! good, fond memories!

  9. Laura Z

    What a wonderful idea for an article and what wonderful responses and pictures!

  10. Peggy

    I got a Kenmore (looks just like the picture in your article) for a college graduation present 1969. I still have it and use it often.