New Toy

Last week when I was wasting time in the Salvation Army, I spotted a sewing machine.  I the brand name was Universal.  I had never heard of that before.  My daughter Delaney was with me and had plenty of opinions about the machine.  In the end, I left without the machine and thought about it all week.  One of the reasons I kept thinking about the machine was because it had a ruffler.  I had just finished an apron with a ruffle, so it was fresh in my mind.

Yesterday, I was once again wasting time while waiting for the girls at dance.  I decided to venture in to the Salvation Army and see if they had anything new.  Low and behold the machine was still there.  Not only that, but yellow tags were half off.  You can probably guess where this is going.  Yep, sure enough the tag was yellow.  I am not a vintage sewing machine person, so I didn't know much about the machine.  

I tested the needle,  yep it went up and down.  It had a foot control, and a bobbin case.  Did I mention the ruffler?  I asked if I could plug it in.  Sure enough, the light came on and everything moved when I pressed the foot peddle.  How could I leave it at the store?  As there anyone else that can't stand to see a machine alone on the shelf?  I always feel the desire to take it home, and hopefully find it a home where it will be used.

The only think I am lacking is a manual.  I did lots of searching online, but didn't find another machine like this one.  

 Look at all the parts and pieces that came with the machine.  There is a 1/4" foot, a ruffler, a hopping foot, a seam guide, an applique foot.  There is also a single hole stitch plate.  The oil bottle has never been opened, so the machine has probably never been oiled.

 Here is is right after I took the lid off.    It says Universal on the front, but on the back it says designed and Manufactured for Standard Sewing Company in New York.  By the Hosei S.M. Mfg. in Japan.

I looked and looked for the model number.  It wasn't until I couldn't get the bobbin to snap in that I found it.  When I tipped the machine up, it said Model 98 Serial 5580.  After I found a model number, I spent a bit of time searching on the internet for more clues.  This must not have been a popular machine, because I didn't find any information.

A view of the back of the machine where I hoped to find more clues.

This machine is HEAVY!

 Look at these lovely fashion Divas by the tension knob on the front.  It must be a 70s machine.

I started by adjusting the bobbin tension.  It is still a mystery to me how to correctly thread it, but I am now getting a beautiful stitch.

There are tons of stitches to pick from, but at first I could not get the machine to sew a straight stitch no matter what.  The straight stitch was located right next to the zigzag stitch on the dial, but I couldn't hear it click when I turned it there.  It wasn't until I was playing with this knob did I figure it out.  I knew L,C, R was left right and center...The 0-5 is the width.  Well the "0" is for straight stitch.  Light bulb moment!

 This is my last mystery.  Well, I am sure it is not the last mystery, but does anyone have an idea what the lever by the thread is for?

It doesn't adjust the speed,  It doesn't tilt the thread.  I can't tell that it adjusts anything.

I didn't have time to test the ruffler, but you can bet I will do this before I pass the machine on.

Are you curious what I paid for this machine?  I will happily answer your question - $12.50.
What does this button at the top of the machine do?  I would imagine it adjusts the pressure of the foot, but I am not certain.











Would love to hear if you have any information on this machine or one like it.