Husqvarna 21

by EmilyKate, who collects and sews in Australia and posts about her adventures at her blog, here. (I love the bell-bottom jeans, blogged about here, that she made on this gorgeous Husqvarna!)

Love it, hate it, or something in between? I pretty much love everything about it, from the retro-tastic styling to the performance. It's such a happy shade of grasshopper-y green!

When did you buy this sewing machine? Two months ago.

When was it manufactured? The Class 21 series of Husqvarnas were made from 1955 until 1966, and there were 3 versions that I know of, called 21, 21a [ed note: see Jessicah's review of the 21a here] and 21e. In North America they are branded as 'Viking'. It was touted as having the world's first 100% jam-proof hook. So far that's proved true in my use of it. It also has a reduction gear that allows the machine to run slower but keep the full piercing power of the motor, which is great for sewing heavy or thick material like leather or denim.

Where did you buy it? I scored it at a local opshop -- that's a thrift-store to North Americans, or a cancer shop for Brits. I have another Husqvarna from the 1970s and it's a dream machine, so as soon as I saw the magic Husqvarna logo I knew I should snap up this one too. I didn't even try it out properly before I bought it, and the handwheel actually felt a little stiff when I tried to turn it but the ladies at the shop assured me it had been tested, and once I got it home, I opened it up along the arm and took a vacuum to the bobbin race area, and brushed out the feed-dogs -- there was what looked like decades-worth of compacted fabric-dust and oil in there. Once that was gone and a few drops of oil were administered, all the parts moved freely and the stitches were perfect.

How much did you pay for it? $50 Australian. There's NO WAY you would be able to purchase a new machine of this quality and with as many features at even quadruple the price. Plus they just don't make machines this cute anymore.

How many projects have you done on this machine? One so far- a pair of jeans. It handled the denim beautifully, and actually, even though it has the special reduction-gear for denim, I didn't need to use it -- it just went through like butter.

Describe the kind of work you've done with it. Aside from making the jeans, I've had a bit of a fiddle-around with the various bits and bobs it came with. It can do embroidery stitches by inserting cams into the back of the machine. As it didn't come with a manual, I've been experimenting and making notes about what combinations of settings make which patterns.

What do you like and what do you hate about it? There's nothing I hate, but in a perfect world the Fates would have put a stitch-length DIAL on my machine rather than the lever-type selector -- later versions of these models do actually have the dial. It does an absolutely beautiful buttonhole, but it's not automatic, so it could be a bit of a pain to try and get all your buttonholes the exact same size. But if you get an old Singer mechanical buttonholer attachment off ebay that problem is solved! The motor makes a nice little hum, and because it's an all-metal machine it's nice and solid-feeling, not clattery or shakey.

Comments

[laurel]

What a steal you got! I would buy that machine just because it's so darn cute.

[EmilyKate]

Teehee that was in the back of my mind laurel- if it didn't work as a machine, at least I could wire it for use as a funky lamp or somthing!

[silverarrow]

There actually was an automatic button-hole attachment made for these machines, and even a few other accessories not made any more. I'm not quite shore, but this series might be standard low shaft machines, that would make all singer attachments compatible, and very easily found second hand.

[Philip Mierisch]

Hi. I have just found a 21E on a junk pile in my street!!. I love the quality of older machines and the colour is nice too!!. Mine has an instruction book so if you need a copy, I could arrange that for you. Mine seems to run beautifully after some maintenance but the frame around the bobbin shuttle is loose even though the screws are tight which causes quite a rattle when the machine is running. I will figure out a way to tighten this part. I am also having trouble with the low speed gear- it seems to jamb the machine from turning. I am actually a bloke (surprise,surprise) who appreciates the engineering that went into these nice old machines. My mum and sister enjoy my finds. The other machine I picked up recently is an old Janome Super Automatic with fancy stitches etc. It needed work on the motor which I have fixed. I havent been able to find any info on the Janome.

[[email protected]]

Phillip, i have one but my mom lost her instruction manual for it... now a friend is going to teach my younger sister how to use it, so if you'd send me a copy that would be awesome!!! email me or maybe we could post a copy to this blog?

[Chrissy]

Yesterday I was incredibly fortunate to find a Husqvarna 21 at the Salvos in mint condition with everything in tact including a box of repair and cleaning tools and a number of different sewing feet,bobbins, instruction manual and carry case. At the time I didn't realise just how lovely my find was until I got home. I knew nothing about my new machine I just liked looking at it and thinking Wow! how beautiful it was. So good to find like minded people, isnt the internet fantastic!Tomorrow I will Sew.... Chrissy

[Gaila B]

I just found your website....I have my mother's Husqvarna 21 and it is still sewing like when it was brand new. The original owner's manual is water damaged and would like to get a replacement, also I'm needing a new thread guide that goes on top of the machine, can anyone tell me where I can find these items? Thank you

[Shannon]

hey! i love my 21E. My father in law found it in a junk pile in Sweden, but it works like a dream. I'm sure it will work even better once i get it serviced.

I'm still trying to figure out how to actually do a buttonhole on it, so any advice would be much appreciated!

[Ed Healey]

Wondering if someone could enplane how to change the cam on a Viking Model 12 and have a concordant match.
I can set the cam but cant seem to mesh it with
the metal pull out [1 2 3 4 5] on the stitch selector dial.
I rescued the machine from the local transfer station here in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, MA
Many thanks, Ed

[Ed Healey]

sorry, a typo, Model 21
Ed

[Mae]

I have the 21E, can anyone please tell me how to drop the feed dog as It sews strangely to new sewn machines it that makes sense. I'm
Used to my fabric running upwards but with this it's the opposite and it's driving me crazy. As if it was for a left hand person or something

[Frank Frost]

You can drop the feed dog by turning the knob, bottom right, so that the dot is in the down position.
If your machine is feeding towards you, perhaps the button in the middle of the stitch length knob, top right, is pressed in, it should be out to feed away from you.
Hope this is of some help.
Frank.

[Barbara Blanchard]

I have my Mother's 21A. She sewed on it until she started having trouble with the foot pedal. I plugged it in and it starts to run as soon as I plug in the foot pedal.
I'm taking it to the shop today. After reading your comments, I think she left me something special. I have the new Husvarna
Diamond so I have the best of the old and new. Barbara

[Geri]

Hi Ed,
I also have a Viking Class 21 machine. To change the cam, you open the door at the back of the machine where the cam is, you should see a lever under the cam, pull down on the lever and you should be able to remove it with your fingers. Do you happen to have the stitch guide that was original to the machine, it is problably a round shipe with a moveable wheel to select the stitch you want, when you select the stitch it will give you the settings. Hope this helps.
Geri

[Geri]

Ed, I just thought of something else to share with you. When changing the cams, make sure that you insert the cam with the letter on the cam in the up position. You will see that the cams have notches in them and need to be matched to the shaft that the cam fits.
Happy sewing!! The one I have belonged to my mother and I remember all the clothes she sewed on it and with just a tune up it runs like the day it was brand new.
Geri

[Pete]

Ed I am having trouble with the cam as well. My 5 point selector was crusted into position, and required opening up the back of the machine and working the cam and the selector back and forth with both hands. Drop or two of oil helped. But now that I can get that selector moving, I can't seem to get that cam to interact with the little lifter that should push the needle arm back and forth to create the stitch pattern. I wedged a big, flat bladed screwdriver in the slot of the lifter arm and managed to move it a little, but it does spring back and ride along that cam wheel at all. Has anyone encountered that? Can you clue me in to what I might be doing wrong or overlooking, or do you advise me to stop jamming screwdrivers into this poor old thing and leave the rehab to the pros?!

Also, having issues with the feed direction button. That doesn't seem to do much of anything at the moment, least of which being popping back out into position!

[Anders]

Hi Pete.

I'm having the same cam problems with my 21A as you have. The cam and selector run fine, but the lifter is jammed to the far rightmost end which makes it not follow the cam. I have managed to move the selector back and forth using some tools, but I feel guilty using such force on my old friend...

Have you managed to fix the lifter arm?

[Marna]

My mom has the 21 and I just got a 21e but it needed so much maintenance. Totally love both machines. My mom's is in perfect condition and now mine is almost there. I downloaded the Technical Briefing from this website: http://www.butchwax.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Vikingservicemanuals.pdf It is a 181 page service manual covering older Viking sewing machines including the 21 series. It took me about 8 hours, but now my 21e is mechanically perfect. I do need the plastic covers for the motor and V-belt but if I can't repair these cracked covers then I'm thinking I might be able to fabricate out of fiberglass. If you are at all handy with tools and somewhat mechanically inclined I recommend getting this free download (or you can buy it on other sites) and recondition you own machine.

[Nick]

anyone know where I can get a motor drivebelt from for a 21e

[Marcus Hansson]

Hi Ed & Pete,
I have a 21 as well that I inherited from my grandmother and I have the same problem. The machine wasn´t used for many years and now as I am trying to revive it the cam is not working good ( not making the patterns). It seems the small lifter to the right of the cam that you see when looking inside the rear hatch is the problem.

To change the cam you need to put the stitch width dial to "0" before pulling out the cam.
Best,
Marcus

[ApfelPhi]

Thanks Marna for posting the link to the technical briefing! I never new you could get them on the internet. I really struggled to find a manual (in English or German) and finally settled to buying the manual for the husqvarna zigzag which was the closest I could get. Not even Husqvarna (Germany) has the original manuals anymore.
I do have the 21E and my plastic cover for the motor got cracked by the mechanic doing maintenance on it - now it's fastened using tape.

[Sophie]

Hi. My 21e refuses to sew! The needle moves freely when I turn with the hand wheell but will not sew with the foot pedal. He motor sounds good. I believe that the speed gears are jammed. Any suggestions? I was told by arepair person that I was out of luck because new replacement parts were no longer available.

[Janet]

Hi Sophie,

What you've experience with your Husqvarna is what happened to me . I didn't now anything about about these machines and purchased one for £20.00 off ebay hoping to get it fixed without a problem. I was also told by repair engineer that the gear was jammed and he tried for weeks to get the part and was unable to do so. I was very sad by this as it was a beautiful machine. I am again thing of purchasing an old Viking Husqvarna CI 21A but scared if this problem may arise and I cannot get the parts for repairs can anyone advise?
Also there is no accessories, cams or manual does anyone know where I can get these from?
Also about the performance of the machine in stitching leather and suede hides?

[Marie]

Hi Janet,
.
I have a 21E that I found on Craigslist. I took it to my repair tech and he said that parts are hard to find but not impossible. He finds parts on a site which I can't recall and Ebay.
I love my 21E and would be heartbroken if I could not use it. I am blessed that the tech was able to get it running. My only problem is that the Reverse button sticks still. It sews beautifully though.
Hope you get your 21A and love it!!!

[Shell]

I just found one today at a thrift shop for $2...I can't wait to put the treadle to the metal!