Hello there, this is Bibi Cameron here and we moved this piece of content from an older blog (Iloveharristweed.co.uk) to this new blog and Harris Tweed shop!
In this post, you will find 2 very basic video tutorials to use vintage sewing machines
- Brother J-A 28 Model.
- Brother 345.
Vintage Sewing Machine Brother J-A 28
I’m also sharing the manual for the Brother AJ 28 below and you can download it from the link below.
Vintage Sewing Machine Bother 345
Vintage Sewing Machine Brother AJ 28
I was lucky enough to get this vintage sewing machine with its original parts, including the hard plastic case, needle plates, accessories, and manual.
This baby was pretty dirty because her owner didn’t use it for over 30 years.
As the machine was dirty and the needle seemed to be stuck. The owner thought the machine was faulty but I still bought it. This is a rare beauty.
- First I made a quick diagnostic.
- Knowing too little about sewing machines. I turned it on and it had power
- All the parts seem to be working but the needle wasn’t going down so it wasn’t sewing.
- Then, I found the problem!
The owner was using a straight needle plate to sew Zig Zag Stitches! Noooooooooo.
The machine will never sew like that, it will break the needles and could cause major damage… Do you know how scary is when the needles brakes?
So I just changed the need plate for the Zig Zag needle plate that was in the accessories box and everything else was perfect .
I grabbed a sponge, soap, metal polishing cream, and the magic happens!
Have a look at the picture below you can see how I turned a rusty metallic part into a sparkling one.
Don’t be scare to scrub the dirt from your vintage sewing machines
The plastic case tends to get discolored and rusty inside, especially when needles and metallic bobbins have been left for years inside.
I cleaned it to perfection using washing machine powder.
I allow the detergent to work all night long and the next day, I used a hard brush and hot water to lift the dirt. Voila! it was looking like new.
This sewing machine was made in Japan in 1950’s and can sew a variety of materials such as silk, cotton, PVC, darn, and even leather.
Feed Settings
You will need to choose the right settings on your machine according to the thickness of the material you will be using for your project.
The thicker the material the lower the tension. Well, I’m not an expert but I just learned by trying different settings in a small fabric remnant.
You will also need to change setting in the the “drop feed knob” ( DARN, SILK OR NORMAL) see the picture below.
This machine also has a Built-in light as shown in the picture below.
Stitch Settings
In the picture below you can see the Stitch Width Selector ( at the top in horizontal ), the Stitch Length Selector ( below – vertical).
Next to the Stitch Length Selector you will also see the letter “R” which is the reverse option (Backstitch) and the letter “F” which is to sew forward (normal sewing).
I explain that better in my video or at least I hope so. (English is not my first language)
Needle Plates
You don’t need to unscrew the Needle Plates! Make gentle pressure and push them to the left.
This machine came with Straight Stitch and Zig Zag Needle plates. Learn the differences in my video tutorial here!
Bobbin Case
This machines need a bobbin case as shown in the picture below. You need to set the bobbin properly inside the case and thread it as shown in the video or user manual.
spare parts
Many people ask me where to get spare parts. Here in the UK, I bought a couple of spare parts from Helen Howes web site here!
Do not Forget
Do not forget to keep your machine oiled!
There are small holes over the body of your machine and you can easily drop oil through them. ( I also show this in the video or you can check in user manual)
Sewing is easy but you need to know how to use your sewing machine first. You also need loads of practise! With time you will master your sewing machinewhich is key for a happy sewing experience.
Our advice is to take time to read the manual and to understand how our machines works.
Nobody can do this for you and if something is wrong when sewing, you can be 100% that it is not your machine’s fault.
That’s all. I hope this very long post helps you.
Happy sewing.
Bibi Cameron
Thank you so much for your youtube video i have a brother 1201 from 1960 it has less knobs but looks nearly the same a few deferences no light and front dosnt open like your model
The instruction Manual was lost years ago it was passed down 3 generations and i had No idea how to work the 100-pound beast but it looks enough like the 345 in your video i was able to string it up and practice surprising it still worked
I havn't even seen a picture of my model. Its a brother 120 1 and when i Google it all i find is brother printer's nothing to do with sewing machine your video was only 1 on list that came close
Thank you so much…. Got the machine as a gift, didn't know what to do with till I came across your blog. Now I'm very happy am starting to learn how to sew, all thanks to you.
I found this old sewing machine in the house, almost the same as yours. Though some parts don't move so freely anymore its still in a perfect shape. Your video and manual have been so useful and quite generous. Thank you so much XOXO
I have your brothers 711s and it runs very slow until it stops and I have to push the wheel to get it to sew slowly again any help would be great
Fuel (spray fuel on) every part and it will move freely again…
Look at YouTube on servicing vintage sewing machine https://youtu.be/Fk__9IjFTSg
See above. https://youtu.be/Fk__9IjFTSg
I have mistakenly removed the casing that surrounds the bobbing case would you know how to put it back correctly there are two metal arms to hold it in place but how to get it back in place I'm struggling be really good to have it working as I'm on lockdown.
have a look at the video . minute 2;46 to see how this goes together. hugs. x
Hi guys, I'm so so happy to read your comments. I would never imagine my video could help so many people 🙂 Please know that I only had this machine and a few others but I'm afraid, I don't know about all the different vintage machine model. I tried my best to share in the video what I do know and also the manual. Hugs. x Bibi
I have a Toyota sewing machine of my mother in law. I cannot operate it. Is the machine is similar to yours.My model no is
Toyota 500. How can I get the manual.
Can't find link for manual download
Did not get down load
HI Bibi, thank you f or doing the blog and the video. I have an AJ-28 and it is in good working condition. I just have a question for you – my needle stitches to the left side – it is not centered on the foot… is this correct – I would have grown up with Singer machines, so this is different and in some cases for detailed work a little difficult.
Also, I do not seem to be able to download the manual – do you still have a copy of it which you could share please.
I have downloaded the manual 3 years ago from her link and I have it. Just send me your email I will send it to you.
Hello, I really appreciate all the work you have put into this post and video! Is the manual still available? Tried looking everywhere
Hello, Do you know the maximal sewing needle size ? I have synthetic leather to sew (old car seats). Thank you
Hi vasuki rasiah, can you send me the manual via email as well?
my email is jessicacuevas402@gmail.com
Thank you in advance!
I looked for hours online to find this manual! Thank you so much for posting it! I got my machine passed down from my sister, who was given it by her ex mother in law. So the original manual is long gone! Thank you so much! This is going to make calibrating my machine so much easier!
Can you please show a pic of the wiring in the 4 pin plug to the machine, mine needs rewiring and the wires are not connected correctly so I don’t know the correct order
Hi Mary, so sorry we can’t help. We don’t have this machine any longer. x
I need the manual plizzzzzzzzz
Email to wojegaandrews@gmail.com
hello, please click on the link above to download it.
Hi, love the YouTube video and thankyou for the manual AJ28 …This is my first sewing machine that I bought last week and Seached for hours trying to find the manual on line,
Bibi – – My first sewing machine was a Brother Project 1361. It was left in my dad’s attic for decades. Recently I got the machine refurbished. I believe the machine was made between 1969 and 1972. Unfortunately the manual to the machine was never located and the Brother store owner said they could not locate a copy of the Brother Project 1361 sewing machine manual. On the machine I found two sets of numbers – J – A – 28 and J76306408. Your downloadable manual is the closest I have found in the way of information. Your videos look like they will be very helpful. I really hope you see this comment because you do not realize how helpful your site and the information have been to me. I easily spent 3 hours plus trying to find a manual for the basic Project 1361. Thank you.
Lu
York, PA
It is great to know this information is useful! Yay. Many vintage sewing machines are very similar.