Lost and found

I found a sewing machine! Dumped in the street! Well, a bush actually…

 

 

Some of you may have already seen this on my instagram I was walking to the bus stop early yesterday morning on my way to work when I noticed something big shoved into a bush next to a car dealership. Down this particular street I’m quite used to seeing all sorts of rubbish (literal rubbish, not just nonsense) of all sizes (normally massive – think dirty mattresses, half a fridge etc) – it’s a pretty regular occurrence that things get left outside so I don’t normally pay a lot of attention, but as I approached this big, off-white rectangle I realised it was a sewing machine! With a pedal still plugged in! It was shoved in to the undergrowth back to front, but as I picked it up I spotted the Singer logo on the front corner, so I swiftly turned on my heel and took it home. As I was already running late when I’d headed to the bus stop I had to drop it off in the middle of the front room and then make a dash for the bus again.

The machine is a Singer Samba 1, also known as Singer Samba 1 7502 or just Singer 7502, and as it turns out, it was never sold in the UK. I spend a little while searching online trying to find out more information, but really struggled to find anything at all, although I found a few available on Italian, Dutch and Spanish selling sites, so I contacted Singer directly who confirmed it was not a UK model. In my internet browsing I had found a manual for the model, but it was written in Italian, German and Dutch only so I’ve contacted Singer Italy to see if they can give me any more information. My sister also helpfully did some Googling and we have deduced that the machine was manufactured in the early 80’s, and the label on the side states it was manufactured in Italy, but we can’t get more any more specifics. Hopefully Singer Italy will reply soon!

I tested the machine when I got home and surprisingly, it actually worked! You can check out the machine working on my instagram (link in side bar >>>).The plug is a bit sticky and dusty so it all needs a good wipe down, and the bit on the end of the spool pin to keep the thread in place is missing, but that’s easy to replace so I’m not worried. It’s a drop-in bobbin which I’ve never used so I will need to find that manual again and have a go at threading the machine. It’s so quiet! Much quieter than my trusty Elna! As far as I can see it only does a basic straight stitch and a zigzag stitch, but apart from the buttonhole function on my Elna that’s really all I use so it might be worthwhile getting the Samba serviced properly and then keeping it for emergencies. Going to need a de-stash to make room though…

I shared my find on online social media and so many people echoed my sentiments – why would anyone throw a perfectly good sewing machine away?! It needs a bit of TLC but it’s a great machine for a beginner as it’s not complicated, and being mechanical rather than a digital machine, much easier to fix if something goes a bit wrong. I do need to test how it sews so I’ll do that over the weekend, but so far it seems fine!

If anyone knows anything about early 80’s European model Singer sewing machines (very specific – perfect Mastermind specialist subject) please let me know in the comments!