Universal Sewmaid
A swing and a miss
This is one of the most curious and original units in my collection. The 1959 Universal Sewmaid is a straightforward repackaging of the 1958 Universal SL, itself a modernisation of the 1949 Tailor Bird (yes, after the common tailorbird itself).
While it looks tall and proud in its imposing brutalist chiseled looks, this is actually a very compact, lightweight machine. Along with the small size, the weight is further reduced by the aluminium construction, and the fact that there’s not much inside of it. What I mean is, the mechanism is so rudimentary, so basic, that there’s not much metal inside. There are no cogs, pulleys or shafts, just a single long solid piece agitated by the balance wheel, that pivots roughly at the middle of the arm and hooks down to connect to the lower shuttle mechanism, where the bobbin is violently shaken left to right in a straight line, while the upper needle bar drives a basic walking foot that makes up for the lack of feed dogs below. Everything here is very different to what you’re probably accustomed to in standard sewing machines. Including the needle, which is not a common standard size (even if the machine can be easily adapted to take standard needles). So while she may look modern, her insides are in fact very antiquated. The little square button that looks like a reversing lever, next to the balance wheel, is in fact just a spring-loaded holder for winding the shuttle bobbin. There is no backstitching for you here.
A small dial at the back controls the walking foot step distance, close to the tension unit, and that’s the sum total of the machine’s functions.
The result is, unfortunately, a terrible sewing experience. The pendular motion of the mechanism, allied to the lightweight body, produces a terribly bouncy clacking motion, as if one was hammering clothes together instead of sewing them. Imagine riding a car with square wheels. This was not received well at all, and the machine had terrible reviews. It’s surprising how it survived for at least four versions in the market. I’m guessing a very competitive price must have played a big part in that.
And yet… look at her. You just know she’s looking for trouble, and that’s her irresistible charm.
Accessories include:
• Foot control
• Cardboard carrying cover
ID
| Maker | |
| Brand | |
| Model | |
| Year | |
| Serial number | |
| Origin | |
| Manufacture | |
| Provenance | |
| Status |
SPECS
| Voltage | AC 220 V |
| Bed type | |
| Bed extension | |
| Feet/shank type | |
| Foot pressure adjustment | |
| Bobbin type | |
| Hook/race position | |
| Hook movement | |
| Bobbin winder | |
| Spool pins | |
| Bulb type | |
| Original foot control | |
| Current foot control | |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight |
FEATURES
| Zigzag | |
| Reverse type | |
| Needle position control | |
| Stitch length limiter | |
| Stitch width limiter | |
| Utility stitches | |
| Decorative stitches | |
| Stretch stitches | |
| Auto-reverse stitches | |
| Double needle provisions | |
| Drop feed |
ACCESSORIES
| Presser feet | |
| Straight stitch needle plate | |
| Feed dogs cover plate |
DOCUMENTS
| User manual | Download PDF: |
| Service manual | Download PDF: |