There's something inherent in human nature that makes us appreciate old things. Whether it's nostalgia for a period of our lives we remember fondly or a window into a time we never got to experience, our love for old things has fueled a thriving antiques industry all across the world. But while there may not be much of a practical advantage to using a set of antique dishes over a new set, oftentimes buying an older sewing machine is the most sensible thing to do.
If you're in the market for a sewing machine, it might seem obvious to choose a shiny, brand-new machine over one that's half a century old. After all, the new machine might have a warranty, and it's sure to last longer for your money, right?
Well, that's not always the case.
We've been in the business of sewing machines repair and sales for over thirty years now, and we think that buying vintage sewing machines is usually a better investment than buying new. Let us tell you why.
More Metal Parts
We've talked before about the advantages of a metal-geared machine, and about how machines gained more and more plastic parts over time. And it's true--the newer your machine is, the more plastic it's likely to have in it. These days plastic is so common that you might have to special-order a machine to make sure it comes with metal gears!
Having moving parts made of metal gives your machine a number of advantages. Most obviously, it's more durable. While a plastic-geared machine is likely to fail in a few years because of a broken tooth or just general wear, metal gears can hold up to exponentially more use and abuse. Even if a machine doesn't see a lot of use, plastic can grow brittle with time, and it's structure can be weakened just by sitting with the oil you use to keep your machine running well.
Metal gears will also make your sewing machine sew smoothly. While plastic gears and frames can bend and flex under a little pressure, metal will hold strong. Metal gears are less likely to skip a tooth and leave your whole machine out of time, and have a smaller margin of error when making a stitch, so your machine will be able to handle more use and make cleaner stitches than it would with plastic parts.
Tighter Engineering
These days, we live in a disposable culture. When we buy an appliance, we expect to use it for a period of time until it stops working well, then throw it away and buy a replacement. It's how we've been doing things for a few decades now. But back in the first half of the 1900s, an appliance like a sewing machine was thought of as more of an investment.
Just like you wouldn't be likely to throw your car away at the first sign of failure, people expected to buy a sewing machine and use it throughout their lives--with some repairs here and there if they were needed. And the machines were built to match this expectation. Older sewing machines are designed to run for years and years without needing work, and when they do fail, they're designed to be repaired. Newer machines are often just expected to outlast their warranty before they need to be replaced.
And there's more than just reliability to gain. Because vintage sewing machines were a big expenditure, they have to have a performance to justify the cost. While many newer machines will cut corners to deliver an inexpensive product that does the bare-minimum, older machines have better feed mechanisms and cleaner stitches so whoever purchased them would be happy with their operation for years to come.
A Better Bang for your Buck
One reason why many people might hesitate to buy a vintage machine is because of how cheap many modern machines seem to be. After all, why would you spend $200 on a machine that's half a century old when you could buy a brand new one at the same price?
But while the cost of a new machine may seem good up front, you'll be hard-pressed to find one at that price point that will live up to the reliability and performance of a good vintage machine at the same price. Spending $200-300 dollars on an old machine might seem steep for someone who's used to seeing $90 sewing machines on the shelves at a discount store, but compared to new machines in the same price range, you're getting a lot more value. While some particularly collectible machines might fetch higher prices, most vintage machines are being sold at a tiny fraction of their original cost when adjusted for inflation. And those machines were priced that way based on the quality of their materials and how effectively they operated--usually, higher priced modern machines still use cheaper materials, but the cost is justified by a large number of stitches or unnecessary computerized features. For the same price, you'll get much better performance from an older machine. Get Your Machines from a Reputable Source
While the benefits of a vintage machine are obvious, it's not going to do you any good if the machine isn't in good condition! Most of these machines can be brought back to perfect working order with a little TLC, but if a machine has been sitting in disuse in someone's garage for decades, it's not going to work very well for you. When you buy a vintage sewing machine, make sure it's from a reputable source, and that it's been gone through from head to toe and restored to working order. While a machine from a stranger on Craigslist might seem like a great deal, chances are that they're getting rid of it for a reason--you're probably buying more of a headache than anything. We've been repairing sewing machines for more than thirty years now, and not only do we know which machines are worth reviving, we have the skills and expertise to make them sew like new. You can be confident that any machine you buy from us will perform like new--and that we'll be able to help with any problems if they arise. All in all, a well-made, restored vintage sewing machine is probably going to be the best machine you can buy in your budget and despite their age, you'll be more likely to enjoy the machine for years to come. It's said about a lot of things, but it couldn't be more true about sewing machines: they just don't make them like they used to. If you're looking for a new sewing machine in your life, we sell some incredible vintage sewing machines on our Etsy page, as well as in our store at 2712 Randolph Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. Feel free to call us with any questions at (402) 438-3163. We'll be more than happy to find the perfect machine for you, or repair your older machine and keep it running long into the future!
Vintage Sewing Machines are a Great Investment!
