HG Palmer Princess

by EmilyKate, who recently reviewed her gorgeous Husqvarna 21, and is now sharing another of her beauties!

Love it or hate it, or something in between? Ooooh, who could catch a glimpse of this beauty and not fall instantly in love? My sister snagged it at a seaside opshop, and I know she must love me because she then gave it to me! It looks like something Elvis would have DRIVEN, rather than something to sew with; but it's not just good-looking -- it operates beautifully.

When did you buy this sewing machine? My sister got it about six months ago, photographed it artfully, and then turned it over to me.

When was it manufactured? Going by the styling, I think around late fifties to late sixties. It's been difficult to find anything out about this machine, as it is what they call 'badged'-- basically, back in the days of the big department stores, a store would order generic machines from a (usually Japanese) manufacturer, and then put their store logo on it and sell it as their own brand. HG Palmer's was a Sydney, Australia, department store. I managed to find a manual online that a person in Sydney had scanned after finding an identical machine. "Princess" is quite similar in many ways to a Janome machine I have from the seventies, but I believe the HG Palmer stores folded sometime in the late sixties. 

Where did you buy it? Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia!  The seaside opshops always seem to have the best scores!

How much did you pay for it? I think my sister paid around $15 Australian.

How many projects have you done on this machine? I sewed a shirt, and I've tried out the embroidery stitches on other projects. It came with a set of cams that are like no cams I've ever seen for other machines -- Princess's cams look like... well, they look like little nipples! A little door opens on the top of the machine and you stick them over a little knob. It's all a bit rude!

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I've used the embroidery stitches to embellish projects. I've tried it on denim and the stitches stayed straight and true, with no strain on the motor.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? Well there's nothing I hate, but it is HUGE and heavy. Definitely not a portable. It doesn't have a buttonhole. One of its funny little features that I love is that the light shines though a little grille, which has a kind of fly-screen installed in it to stop any curious moths from getting inside and gumming up the works!

Comments

[Katie]

I have a remarkably similar machine made by Western Auto called a Wizard. I love it dearly, but no one seems to have any info about it and I really wish I had an owners manual. But I bought it on a whim for $10 based on the facts that it looked like something Buddy Holly would drive (slightly different feel from Elvis :) and it still had the original receipt in the accessory case, which I took to be a good sign.

[EmilyKate]

You know what Katie? If yours is VERY similar this manual may be useful to you-
http://rudolfcouture.com/wardrobe/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=39

[EmilyKate]

And I'd LOVE to see a revie and pictures of your "Buddy" :o)

[cate]

OMG I have this SAME machine only mine is orange! I LOVE it. I learned to sew on it when I was 8. It was my mothers, bought by my father in the late 50's. Mine is branded Canadian Home. My repair guy said it was brought into Canada by Kresge's.

http://indigolime.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/my-mothers-sewing-machine/

[Kim]

Hi Ladies!

My dad gave me my machine about 30 years ago. Someone at his office had left it behind. It has the American Home brand on it, but the pictures are almost identical to the pictures posted by Emily Kate. I was living in Casper, Wyoming when the machine was given to me. I'm assuming that it was purchased in Wyoming. Would it possibly have been carried by Sears or Montgomery Ward? Is there a way to find out?

[Aruna]

Hi emily,

I just saw your review on the HG palmer. I got a second hand one but every time I try to stitch the stitches skip and it gets all knotted. I dont know if I have threaded correctly or if I am using the correct needle. What type of needle do you use on the machine and is it possible to get a photo of the threading near the needle area. My email is [email protected]. Your help will be appreciated a lot. Thank you.
Aruna

[Sharyn]

I have my mum's machine in my garage. She bought it about 1960 and I remember her making a lot of our clothes on it. She used the embroidery stitches on a lot of them too. It certainly is heavy because it doesn't have plastic parts which are in the modern machines.

[Robert Malcom]

I just bought a Princess Model 4500 sewing machine at an auction for $20. It is supposed to work, according to the family members of the lady whose estate was being sold, but the cabinet needs replacing.
There is no manual with the machine, so my wife has no idea how to use it, & I have no idea how th remove the machine from the cabinet.
Is there any place I can purchase a manual for it???
If anyone knows of any place, or has one they would sell, or print & send me, please respond to [email protected]

Thanks for any assistance anyone can provide.

Bob Malcom

Russell Springs, Ky.

[glenn lomas]

Hi Emily

I have an old H G Palmer Princesswhich belonged to my grandmother then my my mother, and i have only just found it after cleaning out my mothers house.

my dosn't sew and i would be interrested to know what it would be worth.It seems to be in the same condition as the one in the photo and i think all the pieces are there.

If you could get back to me with an estimate on its value that would be great

[TIZIANA REGINA]

I have one too! Sews beautifully but I cannot move the needle position from the left side. Does anyone know if it remains there permanently? Have checked Rudolph's manual and contacted him. He thinks he got rid of his for this very reason. Any one know?

[Emma]

For anyone looking for the HG Palmer Princess manual,after thorough research it seems the Singer 15-91 manual is what you are looking for. Here's a link:

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/15-91.pdf

Have fun!
Emma