Husqvarna Automatic 21A

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!

Comments

[Amy]

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!)

[Michelle Jensen]

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

[brian]

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 !!

[Erin]

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!

[Seb]

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

[Jessicah]

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!)

[Alice]

cool

[Alice]

We got mine at a garage sale for $1.00 so we got it right away and it works so good

[Karyn Stegenius]

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

[B.B. Bakke]

Hei from Norway

Recently I had to give up my Husqvarna 2000 because it was worn-out. I could go on sewing, thanks to a Husqvarna Viking CI 21 a friend gave me. I have the same problem as everyone else: There's no manual. Could you please send me one?

Thanks!

[Krista]

Anybody who's searching for a manual should take look at this post (http://www.zigzaggers.com/zigzaggers/2009/02/manuals.html.html). I hope it will lead you in the right direction! Good luck...

[[email protected]]

I really need a manual for an old Husqvarna CI 21 automatic...but i just found one for a Husqvarna Viking 21 A which is quite the same...but not exactly...impossible to find it...does anyone has an idea ? Thanks

[Linda Spencer]

thank you for the manual, my aunt (who has alzheimers) gave me her machine, and Love it. Now this is a sewing machine, but she had it cleaned and serviced by Viking and they kept the manual, so had no idea what the machine could do actually or even how to reverse. I really appreciate the manual - happy sewing

[Lee Dawe]

I recently found a Husqvarna 21E sewing machine and have no idea what attachments it should have!! There is no pedal so if it has one does anyone know where to find or take the machine for a service in Sydney Australia? I love the retro look of the machine and the fact that it is made with metal and not plastic-they don't make things like they used too!!
Cheers, Lee

[julie adamson]

I love my machine as well. I got mine handed down from my husbands grandma, who was once a dress maker. recently while teaching my daughter to sew it went bang and smoke was coming from it. I'm gathering the motor has blown up and was wondering if anyone knew of where to get fixed or get a new motor. I'm in Airlie Beach, Qld. Thanx Julie

[Rick]

Can you please email a copy of the Model 21A manual...my wife just picked one up at a thrift store and it seems to need a little care in getting up and running smoothly. Thanks.

[email protected]

[Linda Halverson]

Thank for ahead of time for this manual. I can hardly wait to get it so I can thread.

[Jacqueline Pagomenou]

Hello I'm from Holland but live in Crete,when I moved to crete I took the sewingmachine with me ,now I have to give maintance the Husqvarna model 21A ,I would be happy with a manual what I don"t have!can you help me,I have this machine 30 years and I like to give it a good service!thank you

[Fía]

My automatic, that i love, is stuck in reverse. I think the problem is with an old spring that needs replacing. Does anyone know how dificult/easy it might be to fix this?

[Malcolm Nebel]

My Mother had this model, bought new, she is 93 years old and no longer uses it. I need to do some repairs, BUT, cannot find the manual
Can you help

Malcolm

[Adrian]

Hi there
This is exactly the machine my wife still uses. Now I'm thinking of buying her a new one for x-mas. Would you or would you not? Alternatively I could buy her a overlock to complete the Husqvarna...

Thank you in advance for any advices.

Adrian

[Dee Trimble]

My 21A is the smoothest machine I have ever sewn with...I was able to download the manual for my 21A, thanks so much!!! There was also a post about a pattern card that I was unable to download. My card got chewed up and I can only read a few of the patterns. Can anyone help me get another one. I have tried every site I know. Love your blog,

[SamIamHis]

I found my Viking C1 21A at a garage sale for $20. After taking it apart and cleaning and oiling it, it runs like a dream. I didn't have any accessories except for the foot pedal/power cord unit but I was able to find a PDF manual for a 21A model that has been pretty helpful. The woman that posted it copied her manual page by page and put it into PDF format. If anyone wants a manual you can email me ([email protected]) and I will send you the PDF file. I printed mine out and it is easy to work from. Happy sewing with this wonderful machine.