Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Alden's Sewing Machines - 1956

I posted about this Alden's 1956/57 Catalog before, but today we get to see some of the sewing machines and accessories. I haven't ever found an actual Alden's machine but one source says "Alden is just a badged machine - meaning what ever company sold those put their name on it. They all came out of the same plant though. Post war II - made in Japan - maybe a Singer 15-99 knock off - some of those were pretty well made and a very powerful machine."
But just look at the prices and the cool styling!

The zig-zag machine for $99.98 does "100 chores without attachments" and the $59.98 one could be had $10.00 cheaper without a case.


To store your new machine you needed a Console or even better a Consolette!

For $100.00 or so more you could get an "Amazing built-in brain with auto-magic action..", or choose a knock-off of the Singer Featherweight.

"The sensational new automatic Zig-Zag" is "just like having your own private seamstress", and the Accessories fit all Alden's and Singer machines, so I guess that's our clue that these were one and the same, or at least mighty close.

5 comments:

  1. That wrought iron sewing table and chair are to die for! White wood, white naugahyde and black metal? I remember my mother just couldn't wait to replace the blonde wood furniture my dad loved with something more modern.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used to get sets like that in my antique shop often, yeah they were switched out for more modern usually heavier wood styles. But I must say the wood ones were more sturdy, the wrought iron ones were pretty flimsy and must have been hard to sew with. A powerful machine needs a stable table!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm pretty sure that blonde wood sewing table (#4, center) is exactly what I'm sewing on now (hahaha), and the zig-zag 'feather weight' machine with free arm and knee press lever in the page below looks alot like an Elna I had from the same era--a super machine if there ever was one (still wish I had her).

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was thinking that your machine is a "her" and that all my machines have been "her" also. But then I realized that probably most sewing machines are female, I can't quite imagine one called Butch!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I found an old Alden's sewing machine in a garage that was set to be demolished and am looking for some more information. It's a treadle machine and everything still moves but is missing the leather belt to link the foot peddal. Any chance you can point me in the right direction? The cabinet it's in is a little water damaged on the top but steady. Any help appreciated. I can be emailed at kathrynleecole@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete