Jo-Ann Sonata 540

by Melissa Fehr of Fehr Trade

Love it, hate it, or something in between? Love it. It's a fabulously sturdy tank of a machine that does exactly what I need it to do without any extraneous features getting in the  way. Even though it's a Googlewack in itself, I've got no problem finding feet to fit it and it's really easy to take it apart to clean. Other than regular cleaning with a soft brush, it's not had any maintenance on it in the 4+ years I've been using it as my main machine.

When did you buy this sewing machine? I didn't buy it - I was given it by my sister-in-law when she bought a new, computerised machine and knew I wanted to learn to sew. She had it tuned up in a shop and then my mother brought it with her in checked luggage the next time she came to visit. Luckily, my sister-in-law included the original hard, plastic carrying case and tray, plus the
manual and a whole bunch of assorted sewing machine feet.

When was it manufactured? The manual says copyright 1985, though I'm surprised it's even that late! The machine itself is mostly metal construction, with only the knobs, levers, and detachable arm being made of plastic. As far as I know, none of the plastic parts have ever broken or been replaced, though I'm not sure how many previous sewers this machine has had!

Where did you buy it? The manual makes a few oblique references to "Jo-Ann Fabrics Stores
Ltd" so I'm going to assume this was bought in one of their stores, though the current Jo-Ann's site has zero historical information on any machines previous to their current line.

How much did you pay for it? (free!)

How many projects have you done on this machine? Honestly, I have no idea, but I'd guesstimate that I'm well up over 100 now. This is my only (and therefore main) machine, and I sew several times a week.

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I've sewn pretty much every type of fabric on it: cottons, silks, wools, polys, linens, bamboos, and even shower curtains! It's handled every
possible thickness I've thrown at it, from heavyweight denim to silk charmeuse. It truly is a workhorse of a machine, built like a tank for everyday use.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? I absolutely love how reliable it is and that I can depend on it to handle whatever I throw at it. It's happy to perform without much adjustment between projects, and the only parts I have to change with any regularity are the stitch length and bobbin tension (which tends to  loosen a touch after a couple months, easily fixed with a screwdriver!).

The only thing I don't like about it (and I'm having to think a bit here!) is that it's got a 3-step buttonhole process, and I hear having this all in one step is pretty nice...

Edited (2/22/2009) to add: Melissa, the wonder that she is, has a pdf of the manual for this machine posted on her blog, here!

Comments

[Christine]

I just received this same sewing machine from a friend who hasn't used it since the 80's. She didn't give me any of the accessories (special feet, buttonholer etc.) and it only came with one bobbin and one needle. I didn't have it tuned up before using it but it ran perfectly. I am just a beginner but I am glad to hear this machine is so reliable.

[Gloria]

Hello! I just got a Sonata by Jo-Ann 540. Is there anyway to get a book on this machine. Do you know what other type of machine that is close to it. Looks like it might be made by Kenmore for Jo-Ann.

[Lety]

I got this same machine when I turned 16, back in 1986. My parents bought it brand new from JoAnn Fabrics, (ClothWorld and Joann's were the fabric stores in our town at that time, Joann's closed and our ClothWorld was turned into Joann's). I sewed everything on it, leather, bath towels that I turned into a robe, all my clothes that I used to wear when I was in high school, college, first jobs. I "loaned" it (kind of gave it away, but I did say I was letting them use it) to a friend's teenage daughter who wanted to learn how to sew.

[Sheryl]

I love vintage Kenmores and own two of them. I just found this site, and was pleasantly surprised to see this Sonata on here!

Back in the mid-80's I worked at JoAnn Fabrics (before it was "just" Joann's ;-) ) and I bought one of these for my then very young daughter to learn to sew on.

I had a National flat bed at the time, but I very quickly "took over" her machine because I loved the free arm and the way that it sewed. I can't remember exactly how much I paid for it, but I believe it was less than a hundred dollars (I also got an employee discount.)

It was a great, dependable machine and I believe she still has it, though the tension knob is missing.

[Jim Griffin]

Does anyone know where you might buy a Tension Assembly? I have a Sonata 560 and my Tension Assembly is missing also.
Thank you.

Jim

[Matt]

I hope someone can help me.... i have a sonata 560 and i never threaded a machine before, i believe i did it right .. the thread moves freely but every time i go in for a stitch it breaks.. so i have these little pieces of thread threw my fabric, i don't know what i'm doing wrong or if maybe something in the machine is causing the thread to break... it seems to be running smoothly

[Krista]

Matt, do you know how to adjust the tension? There's probably a little dial on the front of the machine, and it might help to loosen that up if it's really tight. Also, search for threading diagrams online to make sure you're doing it right -- there's a site called sewusa.com that has lots of diagrams. If you can't find your specific machine, look for one that looks similar, maybe among the other store-brands like Kenmore. Good luck! Sorry I can't be more helpful...

[Vickie Nasby]

I also have the Sonata machine. I bought it new at JoAnn Fabrics in 1985 or 1986. I absolutely love it. I have been sewing costumes for our local theatre group for the past 15 years and have thousands of miles on my machine with only two tuneups! However, now I am in need of a tension assembly, but do not know where to obtain one; any ideas.

[joan wolfel]

I have had my sonota 2601 for 22 years and I love it. I have had other machines also have gone through 4 others but my sonota is still going strong. Does anyone know if it was made by the singer co.

[Raul Ortiz]

My name is Raul and I need to help a friend opporate this machine. I have no manuel to guide me and the problem she is having is that when sewing a garment tread bundles underneath. can you also send me a diagram on how to tread the string thru the machine,

[mo]

where can you purchase accessories for the Sonata 560 sewing machine?

[dee]

Has anyone located where you can buy accessories for the Sonata 560?

[Heather]

My boyfriends mom has a Sonata 555 sewing machine she got from her mom when she passed. It does not have a manual. I am trying to find it for her. Do you know where I can get this for her?

[Richard V]

Heather,
I have the Sonata 555 manual pdf on my skydrive located here: https://ocy3ig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1m7i79nuAe9x8RToIGdO_9MuL6KExzM9Ai10Gq_TE9DcmWjjBA5oPNs7NanxLzKAx_hXac47c0o2iDxP8bKDJQXhikKEni5SO2/Sonata555.pdf?download&psid=1

[Richard V]

The last link I posted appears to be broken try this instead. https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=4a1cd83e4d1aa2a4&id=4A1CD83E4D1AA2A4!917&authkey=!AN8kSAiBR1aQnV8

[Wendy Pearce]

I have a Sonata 560. The tension knob broke off mine (thanks, Son!).... A sewing machine repairman put a knob on for me that he had "in his stock". It does make threading and using the machine a little difficult (as this is not an original part & it does not always cooperate), but I am "functioning". Overall, I love this machine, and I have had it since the 1980s. It is easy to take apart & clean. I have had very few problems with this machine. It was sitting on a shelf in a flooded home in the 1990s, and I took it to have it dried out/cleaned. I have had it serviced 2 other times in the 28 years I have had it.

[sally]

I have a Sonata Sew-ease 6621. Does anyone know where I can find a walking foot & an open quilter's foot?