by Jessicah, whose blog, Spinning a Yarn, has luscious photos; she's got a tutorial up right now showing how she dyes wool with food coloring
Love it, hate it, or something in between? Definitely love it!
When did you buy this sewing machine? I was given this machine for my 16th birthday from my parents. I'm now 21, so I've had it 5 years. Mum bought it from her mother's junior bridesmaid. It used to be her mother's. I love thinking about the history this machine has -- the hours it has spent lovingly sewing clothes into the small hours of the night, and the children who learnt to sew on it. I like to think some of the skill and love from the hands of everyone who has sewn on it get sewn into the things I make too.
When was it manufactured? I have in my head 1953, but I can't actually find a date anywhere, and am not sure where that one came from! Similar machines (The US version) have 1959 attached to them, so sometime around then. Either way, it's still going strong!
How many projects have you done on this machine? Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I have sewn just about everything I've made since I was 16 on this machine! Knits, woven, polarfleece, wool, cotton, linen. You name it! I've made bedspreads, roman blinds, tee-shirts, pants, ball dresses, and a suit with waiscoat and tie for my partner. I even attempted a pair of jeans, and it was certainly not the machine's fault they didn't turn out right.
What do you like and what do you hate about it? I don't think I have any gripes about this machine; it's easy to use and never jams. It's a solid beast.
I love that the whole machine is made of metal (apart from a small piece of plastic that the arm of the bobbin case rests in) -- every moving part. There's something so solid about an entirely metal machine, which of course makes it heavy, but I'm not small and frail, and I don't move it about very often so the weight isn't a big deal. At the back it has a space for cams, which are cogs that dictate different stitch patterns. Mine has 3 removable cams to change the stitch pattern with. It also has two gears for fast and slow stitching. I also love the little green suitcase it comes in; the fact that it's green enamel; and the pictures, and expressions, such as "zigzag stitching is sheer fun!" in the instruction manual!
OMG! This is exactly like the machine that I learned to sew on when I was about 10 years old! It was my mom's machine that she recieved in probably the early 60's!
I loved that machine! I think mom still has it, although she has bought a new one since then - but she can't give up her original machine!!
You are correct - this is on great machine! I never remember having problems (excpet for user stupidity that usually comes when a 11 year old is sewing!)
Posted by: Amy | June 15, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I just got hold of this exact same machine! I saw this post and then one came up on ebay so I had to get it, despite already owning a grasshopper and a singer 185k (it's crazy I know). I just love the whole 'cam' thing and the different stitches. Plus the little wheel thing that tells you how to change the stitch. My manual is in Swedish which is a bit of a shame for non-Swedish speaker, but it all adds to the charm. (LOVING this blog) xx
Posted by: Michelle Jensen | June 26, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I stopped at a garage sale and the same auto
machine drew me into itself. I just had my
1st lesson Friday evening from Aunt Julie. Do you have any idea what kind of value they
might hold besides handing it 2 my 1st&only
child, Jovi K.Thrane. Great SwedishSewing !!
Posted by: brian | August 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Hi there! I just got this same model and love it too! However, I don't have an instruction manual, and really want one. Do you have any idea where I could get one? I'm based in New Zealand so an online download would be best. The thing I want to know most is how to backstitch!
Posted by: Erin | November 09, 2008 at 04:22 PM
I love this machine! You can buy a manual for it at:
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Viking_Manuals/21_Instruction_Manual.htm
Posted by: Seb | November 13, 2008 at 05:38 PM
I recently scanned my manual and am happy to send it to anyone who would like a copy. Leave me a comment here: http://spinningayarn.wordpress.com/2008/11/27/husqvarna-automatic-viking-21a-manual/ and I'll flick it on! (Make sure you include you're email address!)
Posted by: Jessicah | November 29, 2008 at 03:46 PM
cool
Posted by: Alice | May 31, 2009 at 08:48 AM
We got mine at a garage sale for $1.00 so we got it right away and it works so good
Posted by: Alice | May 31, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Hej from Sweden,
I have sort of inherited this machine from my husband's side of the family. After having to leave behind my Sears Kenmore Zig Zag that I had since I was 14, I am at a loss with this beautiful machine. There is of course, NO manual. Can you help. I really need to know how this machine operates and as you have said, it can not be found on line.
Thanks if you can send it to me. PS. Is it in english???
Karyn
Posted by: Karyn Stegenius | June 13, 2009 at 07:54 AM