I would LOVE to pick up a Touch and Sew with the basic accessories like a zipper foot.
That machine was heavy, I never bought a cabinet for it, very portable, I loved that machine. Then I bought a cheap Necchi which did better automatic button holes which took a little skill, also stretch stitch for knit material. I used them both.
It had cams as I recall which I never used. I didn't like the buttonhole one as it made ones rounded at the ends, not bar tacked like are done commercially.
The last project on the T &S I was making 8 pairs of pretty scalloped-edge lace curtains for my sunroom. With the Necchi, the lace kept crawling and impossible to get neat hems and casings for the rods. I know there are tricks, but i switched to my heavier and different-feed T&S and got them done.
Please let me know; they were hard to find on ebay. I really would want at least the zipper foot for it, I think mine went with the loan. Thank you for suggesting that! I was wishing I could replace my old one (it never wore out, just got a little banged up, no biggie).
Go to a local thrift store, they come up periodically and generally are very inexpensive :)
I’ll keep my eyes open here :)
I don’t know where you’re located, but you could look at shopgoodwill.com. They have lots of sewing machines. If you keep an eye out you may find one.
People either love or hate the T & S.
My brother bought a house recently that came with three old sewing machines. In the bunch was a pink Kenmore, a green and white Janome New Home and a Touch and Sew. The first two are good but the Singer needs a new gear. I have one, just trying to work up the nerve to change it out. I had to reassemble the foot controller also. I have all the cams, the buttonholer and the circular sewer and the other standard items.
Touch and Sew is a slant shank and the accessories are interchangeable with all Singer slants IIRC. I have a Singer 9022 from the 80’s or 90’s and all the accessories for the T & Sew work on it except the cams, naturally.
Sewclassic.com and ngosew(amazon vendor)both carry some parts and most accessories for cheap.