July 28, 2011

Stitch Master 139

Found the Stitch Master on Craig's list too, another Japanese make from the 60's, maybe from the Toyota factory? Its not at all easy to identify these Japanese makes and years because so many were made for retailers and badged over here.


It has that really stiff 70's styling, the dial controls are quite nice and easy to move. It'll need a new bobbin winder casting though. The badging is of the highest quality enameling. It's an interesting mix of quality parts,  engineering and bizarre styling.

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15 comments:

  1. I just picked one of these up last weekend. Mine is two-tone metallic gray, labeled a Model 155, and has no name plate. I don't think the name plate was ever installed.

    A plate on the side reads, "Manufactured for Seawol U.S.A."

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    1. These machines are very well made. I am sure u will like it. The more I work with machines the more I learn. It's difficult but I have been making time to just practice, try this... Adjust the bobbin tension 1/4 turn at a time and then change the upper thread tension and just play around. Have fun!

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    2. I found one of these.
      Anyone know where I can find a manual?

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  2. I have the exact stitmaster 139 shown in the picture. I have had it for about 35 years and have made simple halloween costumes and repair jobs. I once had a repair man over to clean and give it a tune up and he said what a durable machine it was. He showed me how to darn something but it was so long ago I don't remember. In this way I could go around and around without have to go just back and forth to fix torn jeans and what not. Any suggestions?

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    1. Hi Audrey, what you are talking about is "free hand stitching." The two up - down buttons on the right of the machine control the feed dogs; when they are in the down position the fabric will not be pulled past the needle by the feed dog teeth, you move the fabric yourself in any direction at any distance.
      I don't do free hand but have tried it... it takes practice; go slow and plan on bending or breaking a few needles.
      Good luck. Tom

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  3. Where should I go to find replacement parts? I bought a De Luxe Zig Zag Stitchmaster model 139 that is incased in a table(it folds down into it) and it didn't have the bobbin case. I am having a really hard time finding one. Any suggestions?

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  4. https://www.a1sewingmachine.com/shop/place-order/index.php

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  5. I have a working stichmasster de luxe zig zag model 139 in excellent condition and misc parts in original case for sale im asking $150.00 for everything my name is nick im in colton ca. 909-644-3153 serious buyers only plz.

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  6. I have a working stichmasster de luxe zig zag model 139 in excellent condition and misc parts in original case for sale im asking $150.00 for everything my name is nick im in colton ca. 909-644-3153 serious buyers only plz.

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  7. I came across a "Bamberger's" De Luxe Zig Zag mounted inside a walnut 3-drawer console that's nearly exact to the picture at the top of this post except it has a "Bamberger" badge in place of the Stichmaster. Also, the housing cover that opens above the needle is metal and the same color as the body. It has a knee pedal (variable speed). The SINGER 2125 Sewing Machine Belt and Bobbin Winding Belt fit it perfectly! ($4.65 on Amazon). Also, replaced the wiring with a "Universal Power Cord With Light & Motor Block For Home Sewing Machine" offered by Cutex ($14.95 on Amazon). It works perfectly now! Bamberger was a larger department store chain headquarter in Newark, NJ in the early 1900's. Bamberger's started the first annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Macy's bought the chain in 1929 and just a few months BEFORE the stock market crash.

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  8. hey i was wondering if you could help me i bought a house a couple of months ago and last month i found this really old sewing machine.i have been trying to find out how old it is and what its worth is but i cant find anything at all. the sewing machine i found looks like this one a little. it is a (stitchmaster 352 automatic zig zag super de luxe) and it is attached to a table thing and comes with all the parts.if you have any information at all it would be very much appreciated.

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  9. Need a repair man. My neighbor has the sewing machine and the bottom part misses stichingevery 3 times .who works on these machine. Anybody know.

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  10. This sewing machine dates to around 1959/60. It is not a 70s machine.

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  11. I got one off of FB Marketplace and I can't figure out how to thread it or wind the bobbin.

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