Last Saturday, a lady came by the shop with a machine she had tried to sell at her yard sale, then tried to give it away with no takers. She said it was "locked up", which usually means rusted. Being a sucker for old sewing machines, I gave her $5 for it and took it home. It is a Singer 252, one of the FashionMate series. This one was made in Italy. I have had several FashionMates before but don't remember one with the top lid attaching screw hidden under the spool felt.
The FashionMates were Singer's entry-level offering. It has only three stitches - straight stitch, zig zag, and blind stitch but that's one more stitch than I ever use and I like the left/center/right needle position, which not all machines have.
I usually just part out FashionMates but I was in the mood to tinker with a machine and decided to see if I could make it sew well again. With nothing but oiling, it sews like a champ. The nicest stitch quality I have ever seen and not exceptionally noisy when sewing. So far, I have only used it on quilters cotton, the real test will come when I try something heavier.
The treasure was in the attachment tray, a straight stitch throat plate, a pack of Schmetz needles, a quantity of original metal Singer bobbins and a Singer seam ripper/needle threader like I have never seen before. The hook is broken off the needle threader but those old needle threaders came with a couple of spare hooks and I think I have a different model with some of those hooks somewhere. I don't know why this seam ripper got paired up with this sewing machine because the machine threads front-to-back. You would need to insert the needle threader hook from the rear and the presser foot is in the way.
29 comments:
..."The nicest stitch quality I have ever seen and not exceptionally noisy when sewing."
Really?!
I've sewn on one of these. I thought it was just ok. I kept the carrying case & gave the machine to my repair guy. These machines are heavy, which makes people think that they're a quality machine, but have a plastic top gear & a belt running the feed dogs.
I think these machines came out after the Singer 237 which, in my humble opinion is a smoother, better looking, better made machine.
I've never been impressed by the FashionMate series, that's why I usually part them out. I was pleasantly surprised at this machine's performance. While I will probably not keep this one in my stable, it might make a good starter machine for someone learning to sew or a backup for someone who is handicapped by having only one sewing machine. -Ed
I wonder how many of the tools and accessories that originally came with a machine were kept to use with a new machine? Same with the sewing stools that matched the cabinets. I'd guess many were kept when the machine was traded, sold, or hauled to the barn. That would explain many of the odd mixes of accessories and lack of stools with cabinets.
I'm sure that happens frequently. I find many bobbins, needles and attachments with old machines that came from a different model. As for stools, they can be used for purposes other than sewing. I once saw a Singer stool in the shoe section of a thrift shop. They refused to sell it to me because people needed someplace to sit to try on shoes. They would possibly also serve as a footstool. -Ed
Just spent some time reading a bunch of your posts, thank you for some useful information. I have been collecting machines only a very short while now and am currently at 53! It is addicting, just added three, this weekend for a total of 6.00! Am currently working on a 319 w which is in beautiful shape, I have it running smooth now I just need to order needles., and watch it sew! Thank you for all the wonderful information!
Hi, I need to know what the specific needle type is for this machine (Singer Fashion Mate 252)
It uses a standard needle - Singer 2020' Schmetz 705, Organ 15x1, or equivalent. -Ed
i need to find a replacement plastic "Nose" for my fashion mate 252 in light green. Somehow that piece was lost during a move. Would anyone have an extra that I could purchase? This was my first sewing machine and i am very fond of it.
Hello Ed. I have my mothers Singer Fashionmate 252. It has been serviced recently and works well. Do you know if it can take a walking foot for quilting?
Sure. It's a standard low shank machine, so a low shank walking foot will work. For best results, measure the width of your feed dog and get a walking foot with feet matching the feed dog on your Singer. -Ed
Hi Ed, looking for some help here... I have my Grandmother's 252 flip top but I need a replacement foot pedal, where should I start looking?
Erin
It depends - New or used? Do you want an original or an electronic foot control that will provide better performance? Do you also need the cord? Email me ai oldsewingmachines @ gmail . com I can probably help you out. -Ed
Hi,
I have this machine and was wondering can I use twin needles in this? I am trying to sew t-shirt materials and not sure how to. I am a beginner btw
Thanks - Molly
Molly - Yes you can use twin needles in this machine. I fill up a bobbin and set it underneath my upper thread spool, then thread both threads through as if they were one, stopping before the last thread guide. Pull out a few inches of thread to get the twists out, then thread one thread through the final thread guide and into the left needle. Thread the other thread directly into the right needle, skipping the last thread guide.
Make sure you get the right kind of needles - ballpoint for knits, or stretch for knits with spandex.
-Leila
Hi, I have a vintage fashion mate 252 and need the slide plate ! Can you help? Am also curious as to how the three different needle positions work! Have never seen anything like this before! Thanks for your feedback, vinetta
Any time I'm looking for a sewing machine part, I do a search by description until I find a part number. Then I search by the part number to find more sellers so I can compare prices. Put "Singer 44838-891" in a search engine to find the slide plate.
My mom pulled hers out of storage to give me but we're missing the bobbin. Can I use a newer bobbin for it?
Yes, a singer 66 class bobbin will work. Metal or plastic is okay, but to keep stitch quality consistent, stick with the same type of bobbin. -ed
Dolly abranovich I have a singer fashion mate 252 and I am jus learning to really sew I always wanted to sew took it up in highschool and I was really good at it the only problem is there is no foot pedal and everywhere I went was 100 bucks does anyone know where I can get one at a good price
Hi everyone, i've been looking for a singer sewing machince. i had one it was a 252 great machine. does anyone know where i can get one?
Can you do a triple stitch zig zag with this machine? thanks
Hello, I recently came across a fashion mate 252, but it came with out a foot pedal & cord, I'm thinking the light bulb is out too. Where can I start looking? Thanks. - carol
I was given a FashionMate by my mom when she bought herself a newer Singer. I loved it. Then she realised she didn't like the newer one and we swapped. I don't like the newer one, either. I just picked up a FashionMate 252 at a thrift store. It looks almost new and runs like a dream. Yes, it weighs a ton, but I LIKE my metal dinosaurs...and it also keeps them from dancing around on the table top like the lightweight plastic ones (like my serger, which we call the Dancing Beast).
I have one that works great. I live in BC Canada.
My email address is paulastacey@hotmail.com if u would like to contact me..
I have one for sale. Please send me a message here.. I'm not sure if you have to like my page., I don't mind if you do, the more likes the better.. lol
https://m.facebook.com/Lucia-Mollikins-The-Mighty-Cavalier-Spaniel-225263001235291/
I have a 252 Fashion Mate and a drop in cabinet that came with it decades ago. I'd love to fold it into the cabinet when I'm not using it but it just won't stay on the pegs since it was moved about 2 years ago. Any idea what I need to tighten or if I might be missing some part that didn't make the move?
Under the bed where the pegs insert into their holes, there should be a screw to tighten to secure each peg inside the hole. Ed
Dose anybody have a photo of how to lace up a fashion mate 252 i have one that works great but won't pick up the boben you can email me at mikesoupe1@Gmail. Com
I've had my fashion mate 252 since high school( 1973). It still works great. I just learned about double needles and saw the post earlier with information on how to do that with this machine. I'm excited to try it. I think about buying a new machine but I just can't see a reason to do it.
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