Singer Fashion Mate 257 Free Manual

This is the fun cover to the Fashion Mate 257 cover.

When I first wrote this post on my Fashion Mate 257, I would never have guess how popular this post has become. I'm amazed that I'm still getting comments, since posting the article way back in 2009.

I know I had the manual during my Fashion College days, in my twenties. Somewhere between that time and over twenty-five moves that brought me across Canada, it was lost. 

You can find this manual online for a price, but, why would you do that? When you can download it for FREE!

Here, directly from the Singer webpage is the Fashion Mate 257 manual...

http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1315_257.pdf

https://www.manuals.ca/singer/257-fashion-mate/manual

https://archive.org/details/singer-257-fashion-mate-sewing-machine/mode/2up

I want to thank everyone for their comments and stories (don't stop it's so enjoyable to read the comments) and I'm so excited that you all are enjoying the Fashion Mate as much as I do!

Happy sewing!

Emily's Quilt

At the beginning of Summer 2010, our friend Guy (the other half of the 3b's) announced that he was going to be a dad. With this wonderful news, this was my chance to make something for the new baby. By September, I realize that I had to make something special that Richard can partake in. That's how the idea of the babies quilt came to be. When Guy announced that it was a girl, I was so excited to make the quilt very girly-girly. I made the design in Illustrator and scanned Richard's Campagnolo chain ring to keep a cycling twist to the girly-girly quilt. I realized, even with Richard's help, and juggling the business that the quilt would not be finished until after the baby is born. We were so busy with the business, I even forgot to photograph the beginning stages of the quilt.

Ready to sandwich the bamboo batting

between the quilted sides.

This quilt was a journey, and self-taught. It really opened my mind to the vast world of quilting. I remember my Ma Tante Phonsine quilting away at night. Small pieces of fabric that she lovingly assembled by hand. Pure Magic!

Quilter's safety pin...

with a bend.

These days, quilters have a vast variety of tools to choose from. Safety pins, a simple material, is specially designed for the quilter. Who could ever imagine that! 

My first overstitch of hearts & flowers...

8 more to go!

I never did applique until now. So, I don't even know if this was the proper way of doing it ...but I love the result.

Making a pattern for the Scallop Edge...

sure helped!

When I first designed the quilt, I didn't know I was going to make a scallop edge. I was online for help on how to finish the edge and saw someone making a scallop edge. What a perfect way to compliment this quilt.

Front...

the girly side with the large E for Emily!

Back...

complete Campagnolo chain rings.

No quilt shall go into the world unsigned.

I'm extremely happy with my first quilt. Without Richard's help of cutting and prepping everything, Emily would probably not have her quilt until she starts to walk. It was fantastic to complete it and a joy to present it to Shelly & Guy and to see seven month old Emily happily rolling on it! What a happy family!

Gal & Grommet!

I'm over the top. Scaling Mount Everest would be something else, but my new banner is top of the top!

This is exactly how I designed it on my computer. The colors are vibrant dead on perfect. Just fabulous. The Make It Show is next Friday and I'm so READY!

It's so great to have friends in the industry to help me in the printing of this banner on canvas. There's a semi-matte laminate on the canvas which pops out the color. The easiest way to hang it is to place two grommets at each top corner. And I sew around the edge to make the banner rigid. I can't wait to hang it on the black curtain behind my booth.

I've worked in the special events industry on formcore banners that I designed and produced. That was many years ago, and now I'm excited to have my very own pair of grommet pliers. Finally!

If you never had this tool, the other option is to use a hammer and pin which is very loud and iffy. It would do the job if you only need to do it once. This tool is the right tool for the job. At 15 bucks including grommets, it's a steal!

Thinkin' of a new old Singer...

My first sewing machine is a Singer Fashion Mate 257. So there's good chance that  my next machine will be  an older model  Singer. I'm just use to it. A certain trusted companion that I've grown up with love and admiration for. You know how a certain comfort zone is safe and secure. I love the old mechanical metal machine. Well made, durable beyond compare & long lasting craftsmanship bringing valuable service back like a boomerang.

There's an old video, I've included  from the fifties publicizing the lifestyle of Singer. I love the era. And the idea of how easy the life of a homemaker could be if you had a Singer. It's comical today, but it makes me appreciate why women have fought so hard to work outside the home. To become an equal partner in raising a family. I look at it from the point of publicity and how it left a message for a better 'lifestyle'. It was directed towards the women to be at home, to save money by sewing her own garments and home decor. To make her home  a cozy place for her family.

This is the model in the video!

I'm looking at a few all beautiful metal machines. They're all pretty basic mechanical machines producing straight and zigzag stitch. My Fashion Mate has worked extremely hard and it's due time to have a second machine. I'd like to give her a rest, but not for long because she's meant to work. She deserves a gold medal for her amazing effort. A backup would be useful, just in case if she needs a break. Funny, It seems that these machines are older than my current Singer. The machines are  from the 60s & 70s. My favorite time.

The beautiful and regal, 237!

There's one site that I'm loving. You can feel the LOVE for vintage sewing machines. I really like to put my hands on the 237. A good choice for me. I look at it and drool for the style and design of the machine. This beauty would suit my needs well. The Rocketeer is another kindred mechanical soul to my heart. Full of style and almost Jetson like. Typical of that era, ridiculously Fabulous!

The outer space connection...

The Rocketeer!

Of course, I've looked at other brands but I don't know them as well as the Singer. One things for sure, my next sewing machine  will be all metal. I'm off to sew something, bye for now!

The story of my Singer Fashion Mate 257!

I had been talking to my parents about this sewing machine for months. They promise me that Santa would bring it to me if I was nice. That Singer would be easy to get because I already know I was a very nice little girl. We celebrated Christmas with my sister who was already married with five kids. I was thrilled, I knew it would be the best Christmas ever! Lots of people, lots of food and finally I would get my Singer sewing machine!

I can barely describe the expression on my face when I unwrapped my gift.... it wasn't the right machine.... it was some plastic, kid, toy sewing machine! It had to be a mistake! Santa must've been confused! I would NOT accept this gift, no way! After all I had been a very, very nice girl and I would not accept anything less than the promised Singer.

I also remember the face of my mother who was so embarrassed and upset with me. She knew that my sister had to dig deep into her wallet to be able to buy me this gift. Quickly she pulled me alone and told me to be nice, accept the gift, thank everyone, and at my birthday I would get the sewing machine I wanted.

A month later, my Dad bought me a Singer Fashion Mate 257. It was the best birthday gift a seven year old girl could get! My Singer has been with me through all my 20 plus moves. In the back of a truck across Canada and in a cargo hold of a plane. I always made sure it followed me.

Here it is, my forty year old trusty friend. The tool that I express my creativity with...

In the last four years I also acquired this Pfaff serger. I haven't develop the same love that I feel for my Singer. It'll take time. But it's a great tool to work with and I couldn't think of sewing my Cycling Caps without it!

Hip Hip Hooray for the Olfa Rotary Cutter!

I knew that the rotary cutter was famous among quilter's, but I don't quilt(yet!) and I didn't understand how this little cutter could make my life easier. Until now.

I found a fantastic 50% off deal including; cutter, ruler and the mat. It was the best opportunity for me to try the rotary cutter and after all if I didn't like it I would still have a new cutting mat. Only after a few cut's I realize how I could never make another straight cut without this tool. I am in love with my Olfa rotary cutter. It does a perfect straight cut every time with any fabric I have tried.

I was so excited about my new Olfa that I needed to find more information about this product. On the Olfa web page I discovered they are celebrating their 30th birthday this year. The first rotary cutter a 45mm blade was introduce back in 1979. Throughout the years many diameters were introduce from 18mm, 28mm, 60mm as well as a decorative edge for the 45mm. Later on, in 1999, we saw the introduction of the Olfa Deluxe model with it's ergonomic handle and safety lock system. The latest model was introduced in 2007. The most advanced rotary is now the Olfa Quick-Change Rotary Cutter, with extra safety features making it the best cutter ever!

I admire this company that takes a tried and proven product and keeps improving it. Olfa rocks!