Singer 185K

by Michelle Jensen, who blogs at naughty little epoch about sewing, appliqué, and her amazing op-shop finds

Love it, hate it, or something in between? I loved this machine for quite a while, and still do have a soft spot for it, but it has been eclipsed -- first by my Elna Grasshopper and more recently by my Husqvarna Automatic (both of which you can see amazing examples of on this blog!). It has always sewn pretty well. The foot pedal broke at one point, so that’s been fixed. I find the way it sews to be a bit heavy compared with the whizzy little Elna, and it is really quite loud. Despite that, the stitching is dependable.

When did you buy this sewing machine? I bought this machine about three years ago. I had been living abroad for about four years and coming back to a sewing machine-less existence was a hard thing to take.

When was it manufactured? 1959-60

Where did you buy it? I bought it at a village fete in a tiny little place called Staplefield, in the village hall -- a place I’ve known since childhood (Saturday night discos, etc.).

How much did you pay for it? £2! I tried to give them more because it seemed like such a steal, and the money was going to the church fund or something, but they wouldn’t hear of it.

How many projects have you done on this machine? I’d say I got at least 15 finished items done on it before I got the Elna. But that doesn’t include the ‘experimenting.’

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I’ve made appliqué wall hangings, bags, accessories, the better part of a quilt, and some creatures. I used it again recently because I bought a button hole attachment and a zigzag attachment, but then I found the Husqvarna. So the poor Singer is sidelined once again.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? I hate that it isn’t getting any use. I’m on the verge of finding a good home for it, but it is hard -- I let myself get attached. I like how sturdy it is and the design of it. It came with all the attachments and the manuals. Vintage sewing machines seem to have such nice manuals. I also love that vintage sewing machines have a history all of their own.