About

About to turn forty, living in Melbourne, Australia.  Mother of two daughters (aged five and one), and wife of understanding and supportive husband!  I work part-time, and enjoy sewing, craft, crochet, community, and reading.  I’m completely addicted to reading craft blogs . . . (and to chocolate)

If you are looking for information on old Pinnock sewing machines, please read through the comments below - there are a number of people who have generously offered to help those looking for instructions.  Their email addresses or web pages are usually included.  My Pinnock is from around 1989.

22 Comments »

  1. Marcelle said,

    Saturday, 31 March, 2007 @ 5:15 am

    Hi,
    I hope you don’t feel this is too forward - I recently bought a sewing machine - a Pinnock circa 1950s. It has a little plaque on it saying Trendsetter Standard. Anywho, this is my first machine and I thought I would be able to remember how to thread a sewing machine from the days when I used to sew with my gramma, but sadly - I don’t. After much fruitless googling I came upon a comment you had made on another blog saying that your old Pinnock was still going strong. I was wondering if you had any tips or suggestions for where I might get a manual or any help at all really. I don’t want to make lavish creations - I just want to run up a few curtains and take up some hems, an dmaybe make some basic bits for my wee ones (girl 3, boy 5).
    Any help you can give this frazzled Brisvegas mum would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks and good thoughts,
    Marcelle

  2. Hazel Dunn said,

    Saturday, 26 May, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

    Hi Marcelle

    I wondered if you had received an answer about how to thread the Pinnock Trendsetter Standard? I also have one and can’t figure it out. I got it of my neighbour though, so when she returns from overseas I’ll ask her. In the mean time I wondered if you’d had any luck. Regards, Hazel

  3. thornberry said,

    Saturday, 26 May, 2007 @ 3:30 pm

    Hi Ladies,

    Hazel, I’ve forwarded your email to Marcelle. I’m about to search out my manual, but my machine is from the late 80s, so possibly will not be useful to you. Let me know how you get on!

    Lara

  4. Tracy said,

    Thursday, 5 July, 2007 @ 6:03 pm

    Hi all ;)
    I have a 1950’s/1960’s Pale Green Zig Zag Pinnock Sewing Machine…
    I spent all afternoon today, trying to thread/get the old duck to actually stitch - Very frustrating..
    Anyway, the reason I am adding to this discussion, is that my 88 year old dearest Grandmother is an EXPERT!! This is, after all her machine (I borrowed it!!) lol
    In any case, I am visiting her tommorrow and whilst I am there will get her to fix up whatever it is that I have done backwards to mine/hers ;)
    In the process I will document and take photos of just how she does it!!
    So if anyone still needs to know - please do not hesitate to ask - I should have the answer for you VERY soon!!! lol
    Trace ;)

  5. Dee said,

    Sunday, 19 August, 2007 @ 4:29 pm

    Hi there, I hope you don’t mind if i post here, I also have a pinnock, and am unsure how to thread it - this is the only place i have found that may have the solution! I would love to see the photos of how you thread it.
    thanks
    dee

  6. dee said,

    Monday, 10 September, 2007 @ 6:31 pm

    hi came across this site while searching for a manual for a old Pinnock sewing machine what im about to buy on ebay. I have had no luck whatsoever, would anyone be so kind and email me ,where i could find one
    Kind regards
    Dee

  7. soile said,

    Monday, 1 October, 2007 @ 11:25 pm

    I have an old Pinnock and a manual, will happily scan and send to anyone who needs anything from it
    soileuk@googlemail.com
    Soile

  8. thornberry said,

    Tuesday, 2 October, 2007 @ 8:42 am

    Thanks very much Soile!

  9. Magik Quilter said,

    Friday, 9 November, 2007 @ 5:20 pm

    Hi. Discovered you today when I thought to extend my links to fabric…….duh……
    I love your sewing room and have never heard of your Pinnock so I also learnt something new.
    I am in the prime of life [52] ha ha and have been married for 24 years. We have a 23 year old son who is a talented writer/computer problemsolver. We live in Randwick in Sydney so you are the closet person I have blogged.
    Got to get off now to read your back entries.

  10. jo mc c said,

    Tuesday, 13 November, 2007 @ 11:57 am

    I have a pinnock sewing machine and i need instructions on how to thread the sewing machine and any other basic instructions on how this machine works thankyou

  11. thornberry said,

    Tuesday, 13 November, 2007 @ 12:49 pm

    Hi Jo,
    I’ll email you some information. My machine is from the late 80s - I hope that the instructions will be relevant! If your machine is older than that, drop an email to Soile (her address is in an earlier comment) who has kindly offered to scan her manual for anyone who needs it!
    Lara

  12. martin said,

    Sunday, 16 December, 2007 @ 2:36 pm

    yep i am a male, and i do the sowing, my wife cannot, i have a pinnock trendsetter sapphire and use it with no troubles and i figured out how to thread it, if any one requires pics or help, i am happy to help

  13. Barbara H. Melbourne. said,

    Friday, 28 December, 2007 @ 8:36 am

    WOW….I also have a Pinnock Sewmatic machine prolly late 50,s and also need an instruction manual..I am having problems getting the lower tension correct. I would appreciate any help ..Thanks…

  14. Linda, Melbourne said,

    Sunday, 30 December, 2007 @ 10:51 pm

    Hi, I have scanned a page out of my Pinnock Sewmatic instruction book which shows you how to thread it. Hopefully this will cover a few models. If anyone needs a specific page let me know. Regards Linda.

  15. Linda, Melbourne said,

    Sunday, 30 December, 2007 @ 10:57 pm

    cant seem to get the url to show. type the following to your address bar http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/bondtype/pinnock.jpg

  16. Justine Langford said,

    Sunday, 13 January, 2008 @ 8:17 am

    Hi! I’m currently in possession of a Pinnock Trendsetter Standard.. but would like to sell it! I’d like it to go to a good home but have no idea about it’s worth/value etc. From browsing on the internet, they seem to be collectables. Can anyone help? Many thanks, Justine

  17. Niki said,

    Friday, 25 January, 2008 @ 10:05 am

    I was trying to find the pattern for the cute crocheted top you made from sew mad’s pattern. went to her site, but she doesn’t post it either. can u let me know :)
    thanks!

  18. Tania said,

    Friday, 8 February, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

    HI Lara

    Email me through my blog to send your postal details - so I can send you the Oriental Bloom Handbag Pattern that you have won - gee you are quick off the mark - I have been looking at your site and you are one busy woman!! -
    I would appreciate it if you could add me to your blog list - as I am trying to make a big effort with my blogging - new year resolution thingy! - Well now that I am doing my own patterns I thought I should step it up a gear .

    Anyway Congratulation on winning a pattern and I hope you have fun with it
    Cheers Tania

  19. Bethany said,

    Saturday, 16 February, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

    I am so, so hopeful you can help me with this…I’m trying to make the fat bottom bag from Happy Hooker and it’s driving me nuts trying to reconcile rows 2&3…I’d say I’m ‘advanced beginner’ at this point, and I’d really like to make this bag. Row 2 is ok, I end up w/ 21 stitches as it says I should…then in row 3, I end up with an extra stitch from row 2 unstitched-in (or something to that effect ;-) It says to hhdc in last 7 stitches but there’s 8 left, no many how many times I undo it and try again, I’ve drawn it out too and it just doesn’t work…can you tell me how to fix this? I’ve looked all over on line and you seem to have posted on this bag most recently; I also looked on Debbie Stoller’s website but the corrections on it are what actually appears in my book (I have the newest addition). Thanks so much if you’re able to help me –P.S. I’ve been looking for good crafting blogs and I’m adding yours to my bookmarks -it’s great!

  20. Shannon said,

    Wednesday, 9 April, 2008 @ 12:24 am

    I wanted to write and let you know how very much I enjoy your blog! It is such a bright spot in my day. I have been so inspired by your crochet and sewing projects! I am going to attempt to make the Seashells and Posies Dress you made. It will be for my daughter, Hailey, 11 months. Yours turned out beautiful! I’m also going to attempt the Boteh scarf after seeing how wonderful yours have turned out. I love the Interweave Crochet magazines, but seeing a “real” person make the projects inspires me much more than the magazine. Keep up the great work! - A fan from the USA

  21. Nixie said,

    Sunday, 13 April, 2008 @ 11:48 pm

    Hi everyone,

    I am looking for some help with my Grannies Pinnock Sew Princess?! It is my late Australian Grandmothers machine and I think it must be about 40 years old? Maybe older. It is solid green metal and comes in a little wooden base with a carry case. There are no instructions at all and I am really hoping I can start sewing with it. Can anyone help? I am based in Scotland and there does not seem to be any Pinnock’s over here.. any help much appreciated!!

    Nicola

  22. sue reeves said,

    Tuesday, 1 July, 2008 @ 4:51 am

    ….I have a Pinnock procision built treadmaster machine and also need an instruction manual..I am having what needles to use and do the needle eyes are facing you or to the side plus what needles to use
    problems with tention plus i dont know what all switches are for. I would appreciate any help .. anyone have a manual or could helllpppppThanks

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