I inherited my sewing machine several years ago after my father passed away. While it was not my mother's sewing machine he loved it dearly - he called it his "button sewer". My father was a practical man, I think he bought his machine with two things in mind; one, it is a little power horse and two it can sew buttons on clothes.
To be honest I knew nothing about owning a vintage sewing machine when I brought it home. It needed so much equipment - my dad may have bought a good machine but he didn't buy any of the peripheries - it needed needles, bobbins, bobbin casings, presser feet, cams, and belts. Blarg. Imagine my surprise when I learned that finding Montgomery Ward parts was next to impossible. I was so depressed. Thank the powers that be for my local Bernina dealer "
The Sewing Palace."
Believe it or not those ladies know about more than just Bernina sewing machines - they knew that my Montgomery Ward could be repaired using Singer parts and that I could use generic manufactured class 15 metal bobbins, bobbin casings, and belts and Schmetz universal needles and that my machine would be compatible with most low shank presser feet. The only thing they couldn't help me with were cams - cams appear to be machine specific and while I have since found and purchased Montgomery Ward cams that are compatible with my machine I am curious if others will work but hesitant to spend money on them (if you know please tell me).
She sews like a dream, emitting a pleasant little whir as the motor takes on most every fabric I throw at her - including layers of denim and leather - without a stopping. Her one downfall is her satin stitch foot. It drags on the top layer of fabric causing it to pucker and create uneven stitches so I have become an addict of the walking foot I purchased for quilting. I think I will buy one of those Teflon open toed feet to see if it will fix the problem. Until I do the cams go unused - nothing can destroy a decorative stitch faster than uneven feed.
Hi, I thought that I'd reply to your question.
ReplyDeleteI have photos if you would like to see the comparison of the Montgomery Ward Model J1277 cam compared to the Singer Deluxe Zig Zag Sewing 628 Touch & Sew cams which are called Top Hats. They are no where near the same size. In fact the Singer seems to be almost twice the size of the MW brand.
I can further state that the MW are different from the Singer Flat Cams because I have a machine that uses those. I have 3 Singer Machines (1 of which is the Treadle in a Tiffany Cabinet which is a Tiger-Eye grain). The others are a 328k Heavy Duty machine, 833 Stylist from 1983-4, and my digital Kenmore Computerized 19233. Lastly I have my Mothers which was first my Paternal Grandmothers Necchi BU which is a Zig Zag machine. I have the original attachment guide with an assortment of attachments in a silver square tin.
I hope this helped.
Oh thank you, I've seen pictures of the cams but not with any sort of comparison for size reference, like another type of cam, quarter or measuring device. I really appreciate the feed back.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI also have a MW vintage sewing machine that I inherited from my aunt. I am new to sewing and am learning how to quilt. I need to find a walking foot that will fit the machine. You say in your posting that this machine is compatible with most low shank presser feet? Can you be specific. Have you fit a walking foot on your machine? If so which one. Any guidance can help this newbie out.
Thanks for the great question Patty. I've followed up with a post here
ReplyDeletehttp://piepoe.blogspot.com/2012/02/presser-feet-for-vintage-montgomery.html
If you have any questions about other feet or you find a free motion foot that works well please let me know.
I bought some Signature cams from Goodwill by accident(don't ask!). Now I need a Montgomery ward machine to match. I know this is not the proper order to do things, but that is the way it is. How do I go about finding a matching machine?
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad I found your post. My mom has a MW UHT J1839 (but Google only gives me URR 1839) that I want to steal from her.
ReplyDeleteMy local Bernina shop also told me that Schmetz needles would be my best bet.
Not sure how many cams she has, but I remember them from when I was a kid. I'll have to check back in with you once I get the machine in a few months.
Hi! Just inherited the same model sewing machine from my late grandmother. Luckily most if not all the parts are there. Just wondering what year was this manufactured? How old a vintage machine do I have? Have u heard of Greister? Have two button holders by them too, one older than the other. Thx!!
ReplyDeleteI just bought this machine today. It has most of the parts, a bunch of feet that I can't figure out what they do and no manual. Does anyone on here have one. I can't even figure out how to thread it. Haha. I am used to a newer cheapo singer. I am excited to use this once I can figure a few things out.
ReplyDeleteHi all; Just got a model UHT J1277 at a yard sale, FREE. They said it needed parts they couldn't find. I reinstalled some loose parts found inside, oiled it good and it works fine.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have a MW UHT J1939 sewing machine from my boss several years ago. It looks similar to yours and I'm hoping that it will also use that same walking foot that you posted on here. I love my MW!