Sew “Modern” vintage sewing machine

modern_machine.jpg

As promised, here’s my prize snag at the 51st Brownsville flea market and craft festival. It’s a Modern sewing machine made in Japan, and actually my eagle-eyed husband spotted it sitting inside an ugly white plastic case in the mud just outside of a woman’s tent who said it belonged to her mother. Rather than carry it back to her car at the end of the festival, she sold it cheap. And luckily for me, my husband agreed to carry it to our truck.
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35 Responses to “Sew “Modern” vintage sewing machine”

  1. Lemon Tree Tami 26. May, 2008 at 5:05 pm #

    That’s a great looking machine! Recently I’ve been scooping up vintage machines as well. I hope you have fun with it. :-)

  2. Marie 27. May, 2008 at 10:17 am #

    Oh! What a great find.I con;t understand why “new” machines are only made in white. THis looks like a nice clean machine too. How does it run?

  3. Rhonda 27. May, 2008 at 11:43 am #

    What a neat find, a treasure for sure.

  4. Christine Marcum 27. May, 2008 at 12:16 pm #

    Wow, Pam, your “Modern” looks to be in like-new condition. It has quite a sophisticated look about it. Any idea of its age?

  5. Angela McIntyure 27. May, 2008 at 12:37 pm #

    Oh Pam, what a wonderful, adorable machine! Its SOOO PaMdora!! Will it be making an appearance in a quilt with her?

  6. myra 27. May, 2008 at 2:16 pm #

    Ohhhhh! What a beauty! Does it work too, not that it matters.

  7. ann 27. May, 2008 at 7:52 pm #

    Where are those machines hiding in Maine. I’ve NEVER seen any sewing machine for sale around here. I think it may be because we are so far off the beaten track that folks tend to ‘fix it’ more than in more urban area.

    BEAUTIFUL MACHINE. Does it work?

  8. natalya 28. May, 2008 at 1:07 pm #

    what an awesome looking machine! hope it works too.

  9. Gerrie 28. May, 2008 at 10:29 pm #

    Hi! I’m finally getting around to all my fave blogs. I have been home almost a week and still feeling sleep deprived and confused. I am so relating to all your comments about being distracted and trying to get back on track. I am in a there is always tomorrow mode for the time being!!

  10. Maggie Hunt 02. Jun, 2008 at 5:51 am #

    You are the lucky one…what a great machine though i am clueless what it is…you can find old machines around here all the time at antique stores-still reasonable and at flea markets…guess they sewed alot in the south?!

  11. Cindy 02. Jun, 2008 at 5:06 pm #

    That is the coolest sewing machine ever! They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. By the way, I’m so tickled with your “Take Me To Your Dentist” that I bought at the SAQA Foot-Square auction. Every time I see one of your little spacemen in your quilts, I think “I have one of those!”

  12. PaMdora 02. Jun, 2008 at 9:29 pm #

    Thanks Cindy,I’m so happy to hear that you like the little quilt!

  13. Jaye 03. Jun, 2008 at 10:16 pm #

    Have you tried it out? Will you use it on your quilts?

  14. PaMdora 05. Jun, 2008 at 9:23 pm #

    Unfortunately the wires that go to the motor are in really bad shape, almost burnt up to nothing. It looks highly dangerous to even think about plugging in into a socket.

    I don’t need another machine for sewing, but couldn’t resist since it was so cool-looking and only fifteen bucks!

  15. Christy 05. Jun, 2008 at 10:01 pm #

    Wow! that’s a gorgeous machine! Have fun with your new toy! :0)

    Christy

  16. Katie 06. Jun, 2008 at 7:28 am #

    Gorgeous. It almost looks like new in the photos!

  17. Susan 18. Jun, 2008 at 3:55 pm #

    Beautiful machine. It looks almost identical to the vintage Singer 15-91 that I have. It has the reputation of being a very good for free motion quilting. I love sewing with my vintage sewing machines.

  18. chickengirl 26. Jun, 2008 at 2:32 pm #

    LUCKY! Beautiful machine indeed.

  19. Lauri 29. Jun, 2008 at 4:06 pm #

    Oh! I am soooo jealous! Not only is it absolutely gorgeously vintage, it’s one of my favorite colors! Beautiful machine!

  20. LAURIE 01. Jul, 2008 at 11:32 am #

    I HAVE A SIMILAR SEWING MACHINE…IT WAS MY GRANDMOTHERS…ANY IDEA ON HOW MUCH I SHOULD SELL IT FOR. WAS THINKING EBAY OR CRAIGSLIST.

  21. Lee-Anne Gilbert 19. Jul, 2008 at 7:01 am #

    I love it… I too have an old machine… My mother’s from the 50′s… It’s underneath my sewing table… perhaps I should get it out and on display… it’s very heavy though!! heh heh Lx

  22. PaMdora 22. Jul, 2008 at 8:20 pm #

    Still looking for the best place to display mine

  23. Lisha 14. Nov, 2008 at 2:54 pm #

    My mother has a “Modern” machine. It was her first sewing machine. She still uses it. Very simple to operate, works wonderful.

  24. Michelle 10. Dec, 2008 at 5:04 pm #

    Hi ,, I was wondering if you would have the manual to this machine or instructions on how to thread it as I have one just like it but no manual , This thing is ancient lol ,Thank you

  25. tim 28. Feb, 2009 at 7:55 pm #

    I am trying to find info on a modern 85 super deluxe sewing machine it looks something like yours but still a little different it still in the old wooden case and the wires are so so lol but it runs great but i is missing the part that holds the needle can you send me a pick of yours so maybe i can see what mine is missing . Thanks: Tim

  26. tim 28. Feb, 2009 at 7:57 pm #

    sorry meant pic of yours

  27. morgan milardo 15. Mar, 2009 at 7:30 pm #

    i just found a modern machine that came with a sewing table. i don’t know much about sewing machines at all, and have been trying to find more information about Modern, but can’t seem to find anything! the table & machine i found were in an old old house that was being torn down in NH and no one had lived there for years. nobody had any info on it!

    any idea how old your machine is, or what years the company was around? i’d really like to learn more about this piece

    thanks so much.
    -morgan

  28. PaMdora 20. Mar, 2009 at 9:22 pm #

    sorry Morgan and Tim,

    I just found it for sale at an outdoor flea market, and don’t know anything else about it. Good luck on your quest.

  29. Singer Sewing Machines 26. Mar, 2009 at 1:28 pm #

    I love vintage Sewing machines! One of my favorite brand is Singer, they always have a great line of vintage! Thanks for these pictures tough they are great! :)

  30. Carmen 02. Apr, 2009 at 11:40 am #

    I just bought a similar machine at a flea market as well. The two wires that come out of the base on the right are cut on my machine. Could you tell me what these are connected to and what their purpose is? My DH loves to dabble in electronics (and he’s quite good) and said he would try to fix it for me. Thanks for your help.

    • Melissa 13. Jan, 2010 at 3:08 pm #

      Dear Carmen,
      I have a machine identical to the one in the picture on the top of the page except my name plate says ” MODERN HOME” . It is still in the base like yours but my wires are still attached. The top wire is for the plug and the lower wire is for the foot pedal. I certainly hope this was some help.

      • myra 23. Mar, 2010 at 11:38 am #

        Hi. I run a non profit Thrift
        shop for Families with children
        that are homeless. We got a donation
        of the exact sewing machine and I have no idea of what to price it. Could you please give me some advice or let me know a ballpark figure and what you paid. Thanks so
        much it would be very helpful. Myra

  31. Tom Smith 23. Jun, 2009 at 5:17 am #

    I love singer sewing machines.

  32. Tom Smith 23. Jun, 2009 at 5:36 pm #

    Thanks for this article

  33. abe post 31. Jan, 2010 at 2:35 pm #

    i need to know if there is a manual for this sewing machine

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