I posted way back in December, asking for advice on what machine to get. There were a lot of responses for old Vikings, and I liked the looks of them, so I started looking. While I was looking, I found an old White machine at the thrift store for $12.50, and decided it was fate, when I plugged it in at the store and it worked. I brought it home, plugged it in, and ... nothing. It didn't work at all. My local repair guy, Joe (if you are local to Geneva, Il., I highly recommend the Creative Sewing Center), said it probably wasn't worth fixing :(.
I went back to looking for vikings, and finally found one! The woman was so nice, and wanted to just trade machines, her Viking for my cheap Brother, because she said she just wanted a more basic machine. I insisted on paying her for the Viking, but let her take $10 off for the Brother. It was a bit gummed up, and hadn't been used for many years, so off to Joe it went. I just got it back yesterday, and it's fabulous! It works great, and though it took me a bit to understand it, I was able to figure it out without a manual. It's a...
and has all it's cams (various stitches I can do with it)...
I played around with it, and love the fun stitches! Here's some of them. I just love the little hearts!
Now to get sewing!
17 comments:
I adore vintage machines, and this looks like a wonderful one. Excellent score!
Hey can I ask how much he charged you for the repair? It's really hard to find good, LOCAL sewing machine repair service! :)
Congratulations, Kris, your machine is beautiful--I guess a sewing machine can be beautiful in a sew machine sort of way. I have a vintage machine too--an avocado green Bernina made in the same year I was born. I love it.
Thanks, Bren! Don't you have a pretty aqua machine?
Wendy, It was $69 to clean it, and get it running properly (it did have a couple of small issues). It's worth every penny, because they are great there.
Melissa, I am jealous! I love all things avocado. It's much more fun to sew with a pretty machine :).
Are you kidding me?! I paid $99 to Viking inside of Joann for a small repair, and they had to ship it off to TENNESSEE to get it done. It took 5 weeks! I'm totally going to your guy in the future - thanks so much! :)
Very fun! How old is the machine? i love the stitches!
Wendy, This guy is great. He does everything on site, and has been doing it for a long time. I don't think you'd ever have to wait 5 weeks at Creative Sewing!
Bethany, I'm not sure! Probably about 40 years old. I've seen references to this model made with 1971.
My very first good sewing machine was the same Viking you just got and I loved it ! There was a special sale at a sewing store years ago. Bring in your old machine and get $100 off towards a new Viking. My old machine had given out..I sewed it to death making clothes, including a winter coat and leggings plus hat lined for my little daughter. I gave this Viking to my youngest daughter. She said it wasn't working ...now today I'm calling her...I want it back and will get it fixed. This Viking is strong and will sew through multiple layers . Congratulations on finding one, many happy hours sewing for you ! My heart was reminded when I saw your machine.
Congratulations! It looks almost exactly like mine (which was my Mom's for 30 plus years.) Since I started sewing on heavy wool, I end up replacing the bobbin casing about once a year. It just starts to make horrible noises, and the stitch quality gets wonky. I'll be interested to see if your repair man knows a better way to avoid that!
Lora at Felted Woolies
Anonymous, How long has your daughter had the machine? The repair guy said these have parts that tend to go bad when the machines go unused for too long.
Lora, He never mentioned the bobbin casing. I'll have to ask him about it the next time I see him.
Hi, I just inherited a Viking 6430 too that belongs to my mom-in-law, however it does not have a manual. do you have yours and would you be able to send me a copy?
thanks,
Pat
I do not have a manual. I know they sell them online for not too much.
Hi Kris! I commented on you blog back in December after I had read the entire thing in one night. I had insomnia when I was pregnant. Had my sweet baby boy in January!
Anyway I own this Viking and LOVE IT! It is such a hardy machine. Hardly ever needs repairs. And I have the manuals. I can copy and send them to you if you want just let me know.
Hi Kristen,
I certainly remember you! You don't forget when someone reads your blog in one night. That was so flattering! Congratulations on your baby boy!!
I would love to have a copy of the manual, thanks! I can send you a sweater from my shop for your time! Just email me with what sweater you want & i'll send it to you.
I found your posting while trying to figure out which model Viking I first owned. This was it, loved it.
I certainly miss The Village Fabrics Store where my machine was purchased it was in Glen Ellyn. The owner would always take your Viking machine as trade-in and gave you what you paid for it off on the latest model Viking. I traded this one for a 6570 and that one for a 1100. Sadly they had retired and closed the business, so I couldn't upgrade to my current Designer SE. A die-hard Viking fan.
I have this exact same machine, and I'm trying to figure out how to do a straight stitch. I got it to zig zag, but I can't figure out the cams. Can you help me?
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