Tuesday, June 9, 2009

sewing machine, part deux


I feel special to have two machines now!


What brand and model do you have?

This is a Morse Apollo 6200. A 1960s Japanese Singer knock-off made in a Toyota factory of all places.


How long have you had it?

a couple of months


How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

I got it for $25 off of Craigslist. Plus gas to get to the suburbs. It may need a tune-up yet, we'll see.


How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

This one has not gotten much. I need to play it with some more and figure out the tension and some other things, but my thought was that it would be my secondary machine, for use in traveling. If I do get more into quilting though, I think this will be the one I go to for the fancier stuff as it's not as fast as the Singer and therefore easier to control in some ways.


Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

No name yet. Unless I just want to go with Raul--who, as the sticker on the neck says, serviced the machine at sometime. I don't love it yet. Well I do in a way, it's growing on me. It has funky little features that I love--the giant reverse push button, the light in the end of the arm

I hated it in a quilting class as the tension was wacky, but I'm figuring that out. It's actually built to handle double-needles so there are two tensions discs on the front and the bobbin case tension is all screwy too.


Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

See above, re: tension.


Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

No great story. Saw it on Craigslist, did a bit of research, decided to take a chance. The machine had obviously been stored for awhile as the plastic case was dirty and nasty, but the machine was clean as a whistle and looked like it had been used very recently.

I love my old Singer, she's very dear to me, and she sews great. But I've been wanting something that was more portable and had a built-in zig-zag stitch.

9 comments:

  1. If I had a Morse I woudl sew at least once a week. My mom was teching me to sew when I was a child before she passed away and to this day I find it the easiest machine to use, I barrow my neighbor's Morse all the time. When I move back to the states I will get one for myself

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  2. Hi there,

    I was wondering if you were able to help me. I inherited this sewing machine and am trying to get it to work. I have the manual, and have been able to figure out a lot so far. But I can't seem to figure out how to turn the thing on and off. I don't see a button anywhere. When I plug it in, it's making noise already. I was able to get it to sew, but can only stop it when I unplug it.

    If you are not able to help me, would you know anyone who can?

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    Replies
    1. Hello!

      By any way, did you happen to scan or photocopy the manual?

      We were just given a 6200 Morse, and we need the manual too.

      We are a bit reluctant to pay $10 or more online for a 38 page booklet.

      Most such manuals are available online for free.

      Thanks, in any event
      Inok Nikolai

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  3. Did you ever figure it out? I have one. Maybe I can help?

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  4. At 32 I just got my first sewing machine because I decided I wanted to learn to sew. I'm glad to hear that it's a good one to start on.

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  5. How much would you all say the machine is really worth? I'm trying to figure out if I should sell mine or not it was given to me but its my 3rd machine and I'll never use it

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  6. I was blessed today. My husband found a Morse Apollo 6500. It runs smoothly and sews great. I would like to know where I could find accessories, cams and manual? Also would like to know the age?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debby - did you ever find accessories, cams or a manual? I just bought a Morse Apollo 6500 myself and am on the hunt!

      Cheers, Jody.

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    2. Hi Debby - did you ever find accessories, cams or a manual? I just bought a Morse Apollo 6500 myself and am on the hunt!

      Cheers, Jody.

      Delete