After inheriting my grandmother’s old Montgomery Ward sewing machine, I became fascinated with these vintage workhorses and wanted to learn all I could about them. This launched me on an unexpected journey into the world of sewing machine repair and restoration.
My grandmother’s machine was a Montgomery Ward Signature Rotary from the late 1940s. It was a cast iron workhorse made to sew everything from delicate blouses to heavy canvas.
After some research, I learned that Montgomery Ward sold rebranded versions of sewing machines made by various manufacturers under the Montgomery Ward name from the 1920s to the 1960s. Models from the late 1940s like mine were made by Minerva in Japan.
Minerva was known for making good quality clones of Singer models for department stores and mail order catalogs. My Signature Rotary was Minerva’s take on the popular Singer 15 clone. Identifying the model was the first step in figuring out how to thread, maintain, and restore this vintage beauty.
Once I identified the model, I was able to track down a copy of a Montgomery Ward sewing machine manual on eBay. Those old manuals are lifesavers for threading diagrams and operating instructions!
Like most rotary machines, there’s a shuttle hook underneath that has to be threaded in addition to the needle. Thankfully, the manual walked me through how to thread the needle and shuttle for basic sewing.
I did some test swatches on scrap fabric to get a feel for the machine. It took some adjusting to get the right tension, but soon I was able to sew some decent looking seams. What a workhorse!
While mechanically sound, decades of use had taken a toll on the appearance of this Montgomery Ward Signature. The chrome was dulled, paint chipped, and various grease and oil stains discolored the body.
I researched the best way to clean a vintage sewing machine and got to work. Using sewing machine oil, mineral spirits, Qtips, small brushes, and Mr Clean Magic Erasers, I was able to deeply clean the machine and restore it to a shine.
Replacing cracked rubber feet, worn wires, and a bent needle clamp vastly improved performance too. I was impressed by how this restoration brought this 1940s machine back to life. It could definitely handle another 70+ years of sewing!
One advantage of the Montgomery Ward Signature being a Singer 15 clone is that many Singer branded attachments and presser feet are compatible. This opens up options beyond basic sewing.
After watching some YouTube videos on using vintage sewing machine attachments, I stocked up on some specialized Singer feet on eBay: gathering, hemming, bias binding, cording, quilting, and zipper feet.
After installing a new needle plate to accomodate the attachments, I was ready to try out some more advanced techniques like zippers and pintucks on my Montgomery Ward Signature thanks to these Singer accessories.
Throughout my restoration process, I came across other Montgomery Ward sewing machine fans online. Singer machine groups didn’t always have answers specific to Montgomery Ward models, so I joined some Montgomery Ward focused groups on Facebook.
Hearing other owners share stories about and photos of their vintage Montgomery Ward machines was so inspiring. Seeing all the creative projects others have completed on their machines convinced me these Signature models can handle much more than just mending and hemming.
The community also helps troubleshoot issues and identify parts needed for repairs. It’s been great getting to know other vintage sewing enthusiasts who love these classic Montgomery Ward machines as much as I do!
What started as a simple inheritance has launched me into a passion for sewing machine restoration and vintage crafting. My grandmother’s Montgomery Ward Signature will definitely get a lot more use in my hands than just gathering dust.
These decades-old machines are incredibly sturdy and reliable. With some elbow grease and maintenance, they can sew circles around cheap modern machines made mostly of plastic. I can’t wait to create on this vintage piece of sewing history!
This journey has made me appreciate Montgomery Ward’s role in bringing sewing machines to American homes through its catalog. I’m proud to keep my grandmother’s Montgomery Ward sewing legacy alive and give this classic the love it deserves. It’s opportunities like this that give me immense respect for the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the past.
Have your own Montgomery Ward sewing machine story? I’d love to see photos and hear about your vintage Montgomery Ward models! Let’s keep these wonderful machines stitching for generations to come.
