Singer Genie 354

by our lovely friend EmilyKate, who's made another amazing sewing machine purchase

Love it, hate it, or something in between? LOVE it. It is not only a versatile little machine with nearly all the stitches you need for garment-making, but it's also SO CUTE!  Who could sit down in front of that sunny yellow-and-orange flowered control panel and not smile? I think if Marcia Brady had had a sewing machine, it would have been this one.

When did you buy this sewing machine? Five days ago.

When was it manufactured? Around 1973 in France. There are two Genie models -- the first was the 353, and then the 354 came out very soon after. It's the same machine with an additional special stretch stitch. The 354 is the one I got.

Where did you buy it? eBay. I don't as a rule buy machines on eBay but this was a local pickup and the price was right. I would never risk shipping because machines can be so easily damaged by it.

How much did you pay for it? $20.50. I wanted a portable sewing machine with a good range of garment sewing stitches that I could take for sewalongs at my sister's place or down to our holiday house. I was thinking about getting an Elna Lotus, but they are pretty pricey these days, and something about the fold-down sides put me off a little, too. I saw the Genie mentioned on a few blogs and sewing websites and decided to keep an eye out for one at a good price. People spoke of finding them in thrift stores for around $20; online bidders in the US, Canada, and the UK have paid up to $135 but they've also gone for as little as $15. Genies are slowly becoming more collectible -- retro enthusiasts love the styling. If you want a cute portable but don't have a head for the dizzy heights of a Featherweight or Lotus auction, snag a Genie while they are still reasonable .

How many projects have you done on this machine? I have made a shirt muslin and really like the stitch quality. I wouldn't do the buttonholes on this machine, though.

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I expect to do mainly wovens, the heaviest being decorator-weight cotton. I probably would not do multiple layers of denim. I'm pretty sure Genie could handle it but I know that the interior gears are plastic, and are getting onto being 35 years old if they are the original set. There are new replacement gears available but I've no wish to actually have to go ahead and buy them and pay for labor, so I'm going to treat Genie fairly gently.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? Genie has a straight stitch; zigzag in varying widths; a three-point zigzag; a blind hem that can also be used for overcasting seams; a special stretch stitch; and center, left, and right needle positions. She has a buttonhole too, but, sadly, not a very pretty one. Now, I could use one of my vintage buttonholer attachments, but the problem is that this machine cannot drop its feed dogs -- it originally came with a little lifter or shim that is put under the needle plate to shift it upward a few fractions of an inch so the feed dogs won't reach the fabric, and that little shim is long-gone. I haven't been able to find one to purchase online. I will do a little more investigating to see if some sort of feed cover plate could be used instead. Needle bar pressure is not adjustable.

I love love LOVE the cute styling of this machine -- great personality. It's not noisy, and it weighs just 18 pounds. Given that it was designed to be portable, I had expected it to be more plasticky but the bed and much of the interior is metal; the outer plastic is nice and tough -- shockproof. The hinges and clasp of the cover are sturdy and hold securely.

I'm, uh, a bit of a machine collector but I'm not even in trouble for buying this machine because she fits neatly away into one of the cubbyholes of my Ikea Expedit. Her case is very cute and clever, allowing you to store the foot-pedal easily and safely. Threading is simple, though there's no place to store any feet or bobbins, which I feel is a pity. The original machine had a little wallet-pouch for accessories so I can just make another one.

Comments

[sharon]

cute and so 70's im a marcia marcia marcia generation girl and do love a bit of the 70's now and again. will have to be on the look-out for one here, the elna mini would be more fun to have but the cheap price of one of these is attractive too.

[peter]

I also have a Genie I love. I found out that she was also branded the "Starlet" and the "Mon Ami" in various parts of the world.

You can see pics of mine here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/PeterLappinNYC/WelcomeSingerGenie#

[EmilyKate]

Thanks for the pics Peter, I LOVED reading your photo-essay! That's funny that it was called other things too- I actually saw a singer Starlet on ebay awhile back, was the same basic shape as Genie but the flowered panel was a plain red, and there was a pull-off accessory case at the bottom that converted the machine to a free-arm. It also had an electronic controller. Totally identical stitches.
Of course now I'm obsessed with gettting one of those, too ;o)

If and folks are looking for a Genie manual (free download), you can search by model number '354' at the Singerco site here: http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

[Van]

I found a Singer Genie 354 at the thrift store yesterday, neatly tucked away behind a bunch of random goods. I opened it not knowing what to expect and talk about the biggest smile ever...this is the cutest thing I've ever seen..to top it off it was brand new and had the pouch, handbook which graphically alone is cool and all the tools..I paid 40$ which is totally worth it! Gotta love the vintage finds!

[Michael]

it appears that the you have to pay for the manual now dose any one have a copy of the pdf on it that would be willing to send to me?
Thanks Sew Much!!!!

[sharon]

My brother just gave me a Genie that he found at the Dump - in the swap shop. Its like brand new, has its book, accessories and runs like a dream.

[Jessica Henny]

This morning I found the 353 model at a garage sale for $10. It needs a good cleaning but seems to be in great and complete shape.
I am missing the manual, can someone send me a copy? I'm curious,
was Singer always made in France circa 1970's?

[Maxie Katt]

Can someone who has the complete accessories and pouch take a picture and post here. I was give the machine but I don't have any of the accessories and am having a hard time finding anything. Thanks a lot. Regards Maxie

[MJ]

Need a free PDF operating manual for Singer Genie 353. I see that others were seeking same. Does anybody have? Singer now wants $15 + S/H.
Bought at moving auction for $22 in clean condition. Lady that had it wrote 10/28/1973 on bottom, so I assume that was date first sold. S/N J31005990 (shown on bottom) Thanks for any help getting a free operating manual and/or service manual.

[RockyColo]

I was recently give a Genie 353 and was able to download a FREE manual from the Singer site. For the model number, type in 354. This brings up both the pay for it hard copy version or the FREE B&W PDF download.
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

November, 2010

Christine in Denver

[Kat Estes]

I had a Genie 354 given to me and I havee used the heck out of it. For some reason the other day it just quit on me. No motor or any noise. Can anyone help me to figure this out?

[LUZ AGRAMONTE]

Looking for a part from my machine.
Foot peddal Speed controller

[Tony]

Hello, I have two Genie's, and like others, I enjoy the portability, and the multitude of tasks they can handle. I would LOVE to find a free manual. All I see is the 15 dollar download... THANKS, Tony

[maria stefanatos]

I have a singer genie that a friend gave me ,but I cant seem to open it.I dont see a botton on the outside to press realeasing the partial outer cover .I also would appreciate a resorce to buy parts ,The plasiic cap on the wheel broke. thanks to any one that can help me sincerely maria

[Ruth in Calif]

Hi Maria, congrats on your machine. At the right side near the threader you will see a square box, press down and top half should open, then slide entire bottom to the left. I live in Sacramento and there are several Singer parts and repair stores, they carry most all singer parts. Good luck in your search, and do not rule out the thrift store for attachments. I have had luck finding a lot of accessories. LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET IT OPEN!

[Kimberly Beckham]

I just bought a Mon Ami machine off of craigslist for $20. It runs smooth. I haven't gotten it home yet to really test it out. The petal it came with doesn't fit into the case so I'm assuming it's not the original. What I'm really wondering is, what is the difference between the Genie, Starlet and Mon Ami?

-Kim B

[Kimberly Beckham]

*foot peddle

[Patricia Hagan]

My Mom kept our Singer Genie 353 all these years and gave it to me a couple of years back. Yes, I'm an original owner - that definitely dates me, doesn't it? LOL I loved that machine so much that when I joined the Navy I saw one in the PX and bought it. Mine traveled from San Diego to New Orleans to Charlotte, where I finally traded it in on another Singer machine. But Mom kept ours the whole time. Thank you MOM. I still love this little machine.

[Kath Juffs]

I am looking for a power foot pedal speed control for my Singer Genie 384, my machine is fine just need some speed. If you know what I mean. My friend let it fall out of his ute when bringing it home. Thanks for reading, and I hope you can assist me in some way. Melbourne Australia.

[Donna]

Free Manual for the Genie 354: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/698_354.pdf

[Emma]

This is a steal. $25 for Singer Genie 354. You can flip for 10 times easily.

[Nedra Rosemond]

I am looking for a slide plate and a general purpose foot?

[Nedra Rosemond]

Nedra continue my sewing machine is a genie 354.

[Candy]

Just got this awesome little machine at thrift store for 10 dollars yesterday
And just live it. It's in near perfect condision with book and couple little foots. For some reason it won't fee fabric through? Has anyone else had this problem? I am used to newer sewing machines maybe I am just missing something? Any help would be ver much appreciated :)

[sara crystal]

looking for a foot pedal. it is so cute.