I recently had the pleasure of working on a 1958 Singer 404 Slant-needle sewing machine. It came to me in its original cabinet, covered in decades of dust—but thankfully, everything moved! It was dirty, yes, but otherwise in really good working order.

What a beautiful machine. I took it all apart, including the motor, and gave it a complete top-to-bottom service. There was just a little rust here and there, which cleaned up quickly, and after a good oiling, it now moves like a dream. The only thing that really showed its age was the bobbin winder tire—it had suffered from all those years of storage. But no worries, I’ve ordered a replacement, which should arrive in the next few days. Once that’s on, it’ll be ready to wind bobbins and sew to its heart’s content.

The owner is now thinking about selling the machine in its cabinet. The whole setup has a very small footprint, so it would fit almost anywhere. I personally think the cabinet is adorable—simple and charming. It would be perfect for someone in a cozy cottage or an apartment with limited space. She hasn’t decided on a price yet, but honestly, anyone looking for a reliable straight-stitch machine would be thrilled with it.