Left end (needle end).
Right end (hand wheel end)
.
Front panel dropped.
This shows the magnet which holds the panel up.
Left end panel dropped
Magnet
Back panel dropped
Magnet
This machine is fashioned after the Elna Lotus, in my opinion. The panels are made to wrap around the machine, hence, Lotus, like flower petals. I also believe it was the competitions solution to trying to make a smaller sewing machine when the Singer Featherweight came out and was such a success. JCPenney copied Elna. This machine was made in Japan.
I haven’t been able to find much on the internet about this machine, but I do know it was sold by JCPenney, and the brand name is Penncrest. There are no dates on the box or instruction manual (which I forgot to photograph), but I am making an educated guess, just by the design and colors of late 60’s to early 70’s.
These photos show that I have removed the front and back panels.
This is the little vinyl ‘bag’ that the foot control came in, and the little box of accessories.
Here is the original box, in not such good shape, but original.
I walked by this box a couple times, and didn’t even see it. At Goodwill, the electrical aisle is usually a madhouse, with too many people who crowd the aisle and won’t move, and sometimes I just want to scream, ‘GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!!’, Grrrrr!!! Before we left, Louie asked me if I saw the sewing machine in the box. NO! (I said with eyebrows raised and escalating curiosity!) I scooted right over there to see what it was. He thought it was a toy, and I don’t normally buy modern toy sewing machines, but this wasn’t a toy! Boy, am I glad he asked me!!!
I did spend a couple hours cleaning and oiling it, as it has sat for many years, I am sure. At first, I couldn’t get the zigzag to work, but I oiled, and pushed parts back and forth, back and forth, oiled some more, examined a lot, and just when I was about to give up and show Louie that it wasn’t going to zigzag, thinking it must have a defective part, IT TOOK OFF!!! WOO HOO!!!
Someone I used to know once, called me the ‘Sewing Machine Whisperer’. I usually can.
Here is the top of the sample piece I sewed (on a paper towel)…
and the back
Here it is sewing!
Thank you for letting me tell you about my ‘new’ (old) cute little sewing machine!
Be blessed!
Michelle
Oh my gosh!! How cute is that?? I LOVE it and the stitches look great!! I can just see this machine in the Brady's house with Marcia sewing up a groovy new skirt!! What a fine!
ReplyDeleteWow, that machine just hums along and makes a beautiful stich. Have you decided where to display it?
ReplyDeleteA new toy - brings much joy!
SMW, you've done it again! Why does it seem that all the best sewing machines wind up in Goodwills in Iowa? Please tell Louie to keep his eyes open for one just like that one for my daughter...a lover of all things from the 60's and 70's. Thank you, Louie. Thank you, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great fine and is seems to work perfectly ,good for you .
ReplyDeleteToo cute!!
ReplyDeleteGreat find Michelle! I'm thinking about buying a small machine for my 12 year old granddaughter for Christmas. I have no idea if she would like it or not but I think she might - she's sewn a little with me and a little with her other grandmother but I think she would have fun making doll clothes. She made pajama pants with her other grandmother. Decisions, decisions! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteGreat little machine, Michelle! It's similar to the little Kenmore 1030 that I have. They were probably made during the same time frame. Tiny but still powerful.
ReplyDeleteI have never ever heard of a machine like this. I can tell you this....I love my Singer 401A! So fun to use!
ReplyDeleteWow great find.. I'm sure it will give you many years pleasure after it was rescued from the shelf.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing many projects produced with it.
Karen
Very cute little machine!! I love the colors! I was so born in the wrong decade! LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd Sewing Machine Whisperer is right! She may be gone, but the name will stick!
Cute as can be! Looks like it sews great, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat little machine. Sounds so quiet and makes a good stitch.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, how perfectly marvelous you old Sewing machine Whisperer!! I have found several machines at Salvation Army and Goodwill Stores, they are the best place to shop. Have fun with it....like I have to tell you that *LOL*
ReplyDeleteHow interesting and adorable. Was just at Val's blog and popped over to see the sweet lady that sent Granny's sheet for her new quilt project. Folks in blog world are so sweet!!! >^.^< "Val's Cousin Nancy"
ReplyDeleteI love its small size - what a great find!
ReplyDeleteNow how did I miss this post? I love your new little baby!!! So how many does this make you now???
ReplyDelete:)
Kristie
Michelle, I just ran across your blog and found we have something in common, the Swing 'N Sew sewing machine. I bought mine used over 20 years ago and just today took it out of storage where it's been for 10 years. I find that it really is an amazing little machine, but heavy for it's small size. The one thing I don't have is a manual. Do you know how or where to oil it? Or maybe what type of service it needs? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks djames50 at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteI bought one (without the flowers) for $60.00 at JC Penny's in Honolulu back in 1975. I sewed my wedding dress on it. I sold it at a army thrift store in Germany in 1981 and have always regretted it. Great machine.
ReplyDeleteThank the Lord. I have the exact machine but the sticker with the model number is gone. Please tell me the model number on your machine and tell me where can I find the manual. I bought this at garage sell 16 years ago with the intention of learning to sew. A shop just checked it out and told me it is a JCPenney machine made by Elna Lotus. The repairman was not there when I collected my machine so the clerk could not help me.
ReplyDeletepearlsrevealed,
ReplyDeleteI cannot reply to you unless you email me back with a return email address as you are a no-reply blogger, which means that your email address is not on your profile information.
Thank the Lord. I have the exact machine but the sticker with the model number is gone. Please tell me the model number on your machine and tell me where can I find the manual. I bought this at garage sell 16 years ago with the intention of learning to sew. A shop just checked it out and told me it is a JCPenney machine made by Elna Lotus. The repairman was not there when I collected my machine so the clerk could not help me.
ReplyDeleteMacaesar4@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank the Lord. I have the exact machine but the sticker with the model number is gone. Please tell me the model number on your machine and tell me where can I find the manual. I bought this at garage sell 16 years ago with the intention of learning to sew. A shop just checked it out and told me it is a JCPenney machine made by Elna Lotus. The repairman was not there when I collected my machine so the clerk could not help me.
ReplyDeleteMy email is macaesar4@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletePearlsrevealed:
ReplyDeleteGot it!
I also just found this machine at a local thrift store. I am so excited about it but a manual would come in very handy. Do you know where to find one?? Email me at tori.froemke @ gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, My wife has had one of these sewing machines since 1975. Her version has a hard cover in lieu of the 2 side magnetic flip down lotus cover panels as supplied to the US market version. Her version was brought in NZ, and to get around the taxes of the time, some local content had to added to the machine, and they did this by removing the 2 magnetic side panels and replacing it with a nice removable hard cover, for transportation. It makes for a nice portable unit. The machine was made in Japan. It has all the same identical colours, knobs, buttons, as well as features and signage that your one has, except for the flip side down panels. She can supply a photo to you if you would like.
ReplyDeleteSure! :)
Delete