Monday, January 26, 2015

Another stray that stayed

This is my current go-to sewing machine, a Singer 500A - i haven't looked up its exact date of manufacture, but early 1960s is a safe bet. I wasn't going to hang onto it - i've got a Singer 403A that i've had for years, which has similar capabilities (without the swoopy Space Age styling that gives the 500 and 503 models the nickname "Rocketeer"), but it's been so lovely to use (and quiet!) that i keep going back to it.

I recently saw a picture of an old Singer ad, from 1963, with this model as their top-of-the-line domestic machine, with a retail price of $329.40. Just for grins, i fed that information into an inflation calculator, and came up with a price in today's money of $2545 and change.


It still sews like a dream; no attachments, but i've got a set that will fit from the 403, and the cabinet is waiting if i want to set it up more permanently... i'm feeling pretty good about finding it for $10.