Hunka hunka. Meet my new boyfriend: A Brother Charger 651 — Made in Japan, 35 pounds of serious vintage steel, in the most lovely shade of robin’s egg blue. Actually, I have had this puppy for a while now. I bought it from Denise, who has a *thing* for saving vintage sewing machines, and had it tucked in the corner while I continued to work on setting up my work space in my big fat crazy crafty epic office remodel. The idea behind the remodel was to make my home office space more comfortable for working now that the blog is fulltime enterprise… but also to design it to accommodate my collage work. Did you know that you can sew on paper? That’s what I bought the vintage Brother for, although I might also try it to zig zag felted wool squares together into a blanked, like Crispina ffrench does. In my spare time.
Wanna see the new work triangle? Clicky through:
The sewing machine sits on a triangular Herman Miller office table that I bought at my Eco Building Bargains in Springfield, Mass. The table is on three legs with rollers. When I need to power up the vintage Brother to use it, it’s super easy to pull the table out so I can use its entire work space.
Back to the sewing machine: I need to find a manual.
You can see lots of photos from the rest of my office/art space here. The entire room is just 10′ x 14′ — cozy — and easy to get my hands on everything. I am loving it! I still have more to do before the space is declared “done” — and mind you, I DO declare spaces “complete.” It’s getting close!
Debbie says
I have this machine! It was my first ever machine from my parents. I gave it to my sister 25 years ago to upgrade to one with more features. She could never get the threading of either the bobbin or machine done correctly. I moved a long distance from home when I married. When I visited her….I had no problem getting it to sew. Anyway she recently gave it back to me and I am thrilled!!! I changed the cord to the pedal and oiled and cleaned it ….and it hums away. I am getting ready to decoupage the cover to it.
Wayne S. says
WOW Pam-Fantastic find! Looks so similar to the one my mother left me [I,too, live in ‘time capsule home’.] My mother always said ‘don’t ever use it unless it’s been oiled’-just like a car.It even has the same color carrying case, too! I guess any sewing machine repair place can show you where to oil the proper wear cams. Sorrily, I dont know how to copy or upload the manual for this, for I Have It for our very similar machine-no scanner. But hopefully you’ll get an exact manual!
P.S. Office really looks fun to be in-Wyne S.
miriam Hawkins says
http://www.dontai.com/wp/images/imperial-535-manual.pdf
that is a link to a free generic manual that might work well for that machine. I too restore old sewing machines. I have some wonderful pieces from the mid century. If you get too ‘late’ they are made with plastic parts and are not as well made. I wish I could show pictures of some of them. But here are a couple links: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/vintage-japanese-badged-zig-zag-straight-sew-sewing-machines-t207877.html
and http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/vintage-japanese-badged-sewing-machine-fancy-stitches-t207880.html
and one I think is very cool looking:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/what-part-white-family-does-one-belong-t215330.html I know now that it is from 1953.
Chutti says
Your brother is a winner! I got one very similar to this for about $12 at a thrift store 10 yrs ago. I’ve got several vintage machines, but this one is the most low-key, ready to rumble one.
Hubs has his mom’s mid-1920’s White console. It will do upholstery layers of leather, denim, etc. like a Mack truck. But no zig zag for knits.
I long after my Mom’s early 1970’s Elna with the stitch cams. I bought one just like it, but it wasn’t cared for, and I could never make it as smooth and easy as hers, so sold it. Hers is the only machine I’ve ever been able to just sit and go.
FYI- great way to start tuning up yer old machine is to take it to a gas station and turn the air on it…..blow out all the crap, then oil it up nice agin.
You found a good one!
Rick S says
I may have a link for where you can purchase a manual.
http://www.sewingmachinemanual.net/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Brother/Brother_651_instruction_manual.htm
Hope this works I am lost without the manual.
rick
pam kueber says
Thanks, Rick S!
Kathleen says
I see the post concerning the Brother 651 sewing machine is from February so you may already have the manual (I see it costs $10 to download the PDF from the link provided) – but if you don’t, I have it. I am not a sewer but acquired this sewing machine when my mother passed away years ago. Recently I thought perhaps I should buy a newer machine because if I do start sewing more than just quick mends, I thought I would need something to sew through a layer of leather or a few layers of denim and wanted a free-arm style. But anyway, I decided to try and find out more about the Brother 651 machine and found this website. Although my machine is a bit dirty, it runs rather well – any of my problems with it are most likely operator errors. I am willing to scan the instruction manual and post it.
Donna says
Hi, Just wondering if you ever got a copy of the manual. I bought one of these machines tonight at goodwill, but no manual.
June Cahill says
@lynda: I have an old Elna too – it was my Moms – probably from the 50s – weighs a TON and when I was little I always thought it looked like a big green grasshopper. My Mom bought me a Singer after I was married (mid-80s) however, I ‘knew’ the Elna so well, and never adjusted to the Singer. I just used the machine last week and it still works like a champ! I just saw an episode of “Call the Midwife” – Chummy is making a dress for herself and using one of those old black machines from the 20s – she calls it the “Old Work Horse” – I feel the same about my Elna – I love it, “Giddi-up!!!”:)
tammyCA says
My mom got a Brother machine in the ’60s I believe from the saving Green Stamps. She didn’t sew but my future SIL was a whiz and she sewed us clothes, costumes & reupholstered furniture using that machine.
Sometimes, I think I want to find a cool vintage machine, but I once had a Kenmore from the ’70s and I had so many problems with it…I donated it a few years back and got a little Singer that hasn’t given me any trouble. Also, have inherited an antique black sewing machine that looks pretty scary to sew on (we once had an antique one that I used but it wasn’t safe with no protection around the needle so I remember that worry…but, of so pretty on its wood table with cast iron peddle).
I do sew on paper, too! When I need a quick birthday card I just take some fabric scraps and sew them onto cardstock…instant nifty card!
Donna says
I just bought one of these machines this evening and no manual. Would love to have a copy if you still have. I’m so anxious to use it.
RetroSandie says
Hi Pam! That is the exact same sewing machine that I used to use and my daughter has now. Believe it or not, it was my FIRST sewing machine, bought by my MIL so I could make clothes for my baby son and myself and to make men’s ties to sell!!! I got it in 1971. So, you have a good one that should give you years more service!!!! Happy stitching!!
Kelly M says
I can just hear it sing — wonderful piece!
Robin, NV says
I still have my grandmother’s Riccar. It was probably made in the 50s, weighs about 30 pounds, and still works fine. It’s kind of a soft pinky beige. My husband bought me a new Huskvarna a few years ago and while I like it, I still prefer the Riccar. I used it for so long, I have muscle memories of where all the buttons and knobs are and don’t have to look up to put the foot down or push the reverse button. With the Huskvarna I have to hunt around for all that stuff. Sheesh, I even have to read the manual every time I need to load the bobbin!
I learned to sew on a Brother similar to Pam’s. The machines in my middle school were rigged with a “knee peddle” instead of a foot peddle, which I always thought was weird.