Pfaff 130 No. 3

You may have noticed that my sewing machine acquisition has slowed in recent weeks.  You are very observant because this is not only true, it is desperately needed.

That doesn't mean I've stopped looking and when I sense a seller's desperation, I can't help but notice.  Prices in this case are usually pretty low and I can often get these machines for very little with no negotiation.  "Just take it away!" is the common refrain.

The present machine is a model I already own.  Actually, I own two, both in beautiful condition.  The last thing I need is another but for $30 coupled with a threat of a trip to the dump, I'm on the case -- or cabinet.  The Pfaff 130 is truly a classic, one I see everywhere for sale.  It's wildly popular because it's heavy-duty and stitches smoothly and quietly and perfectly.  Though not without flaws (two nylon gears inside -- I understand why they did this from an engineering standpoint but nonetheless, it's a flaw in the long run -- and a nylon cleated belt, a part that must be cannibalized from another 130 or a similar belt must be constructed from one of the Singer Swing Needle series machines, as I don't think modern replicas are good at all from what I've read), this venerable machine is one every serious collector should consider at some point, particularly since he/she will likely see one for sale at least a few times in their collecting career.

Though my other 130s are fully operational (and then some), this one needs a complete re-wiring and that is likely why it sat for so many years unused.  Fortunately, it was in a cabinet and was protected.  Cosmetically, this is one of the better ones I've seen.  Not minty fresh but darn close.

 

The width knob is frozen but that's an easy fix (kerosene, heat gun, gentle but strong screwdriver).  Once this is in tip-top shape, I'll have to decide which 130 to keep and which ones will be sold to loving homes.

The seller is the daughter of the woman who owned this machine.  This German immigrant sewed on this machine for decades but once the wiring began disintegrating and the machine wasn't operable, a main interest for her was no longer available to her.  Her family bought her a cheap 1970s Singer but she wouldn't use it.  She's now in a nursing home with 24-hour care and her family is awaiting her death.  I hope to treat her machine as lovingly as she did.

Pfaff 130 no. 2

I admit that I've overpaid for a few machines.  And I admit that I've underpaid for others -- many others.  Today, I was in a thrift store not looking for anything in particular and I just happened to walk by the furniture area where sewing tables can sometimes be found.  Look what I found:

The price?  $9.99.  This 130 looks like it's been used maybe 10 times.  The thing is absolutely beautiful and came with a metal Pfaff box full of feet and attachments, the original 1952 sales receipt, and a few other odds and ends.  The cabinet is probably going to have to be destroyed -- I think it's too far gone.  No power cord but the knee pedal and cord are very much intact.  It was even clean, requiring just the usual wiping down, a little vacuuming in the crevices, and buffing of the chrome.  I'm amazed no one else saw the value in this, as I was told it had been sitting there for a while.

To celebrate, I stopped by the Italian bakery nearby and bought biscotti, a Black Forest cake, lemon cream puffs, and sausage cannelloni with a house marinara sauce and a wedge of Reggiano for grating.  So much for being thrifty, right?