Date: 7/19/08 10:53 PM

I scooped one at a thrift shop ,wondering how old it is? any feedback?

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http://cid-ed78d046c542e086.spaces.live.com/

Date: 7/20/08 2:53 PM

Hi, this rings a big bell.
Does it have an alphabet on it and a selector for A or B set of stitches?
I had a Brother compal (something I can't remember) that was bought for me in the late 80's from a department store when I was a teenager. Would have been 1988/89 ish. It was a great machine that had loads of decorative stitches and was top range machine in its time costing over £300 UK at the time. I remember it had an attachment to cut the seam off like an overlocker. It was a bit funny and fussy and used to bunch up threads if I didn't thread it all properly. Sadly it died of some sort of computer / motherboard fault about 10 years ago.

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My machines; Bernina 135S, Brother FS-40, Pfaff Freestyle 1522, Bernina Serger 800DL.

Date: 8/9/08 5:26 AM

Hi
Still have my Compal Sovereign- had no problem with threads bunching and it is still going strong! Mine cost £600 at the time and it was one of the top of league machines!
I think there was more than one model- there was also the Compal Opus which didn't have quite as much on it although did have the sidecutter attachment.
If you post a pic I can tell you if it's the same as mine or at least in that range. I still have all the original feet and packaging too!!

Date: 8/9/08 5:37 PM

Hi,
Mine might have been the sovereign them as there is currently an Opus for sale on UKEbay with pic if your're interested:

Compal Opus

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My machines; Bernina 135S, Brother FS-40, Pfaff Freestyle 1522, Bernina Serger 800DL.

Reply to Carrie-Jane
Date: 8/9/08 11:17 PM

yes it has the a/b switch, i am having troubles with the upper thread breaking.... any ideas?

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http://cid-ed78d046c542e086.spaces.live.com/

Reply to newsewman
Date: 2/8/10 9:42 PM

I was having trouble with the upper stiches breaking, but I switched to Janome blue tipped sewing needles and it solved the whole problem. I have no idea why it did, but the man at the repair shop said to try them. I had taken it to Brother originally and they had it for two months without solving the problem. Simple needles did the trick. You might want to give it a try.

My machine is older than dirt (I won it in 1982). It is the original Brother Compal sovereign with the tiny serger attachment, and the flip switch for all the embroidery and monogram stiches . I still have all the parts, and it still works like a dream, now that I use the Janome needles.

Reply to olwitch
Date: 2/9/10 12:56 PM

Wow that brings back memories for me!

That was my first sewing machine bought for me when I was a teenager.
I thought it was the bees knees and I had lusted after it for ages.
I remember watching many demos in the department store of the cutter attachment. My parents eventually got it for me for birthday/christmas present. I remember it cost a fortune!

I remember mine being a bit fussy and me re-threading it quite a few times. It eventually died of motherboard failure.

I remember the flip switch and spending ages making samples of all the stitches.

My Mum said I used to lock myself in my room and come out many hours later wearing a new outfit!

For its age I recon it was a really advanced machine and if mine was still alive and around it could stand up to many modern machines on features.

Happy sewing on yours!

Carrie
x

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My machines; Bernina 135S, Brother FS-40, Pfaff Freestyle 1522, Bernina Serger 800DL.

Date: 10/6/11 9:51 AM

Hi all,

I have the same machine with the A/B switch, but I don't have the power cord.

I'm trying to find out which type of power cord I need to buy.

I'm hoping that you can help me.

I think the machine needs a C7 (figure 8) power cord.

Can I buy any standard figure 8 power cord for my machine?

Reply to sanu84
Date: 10/6/11 3:46 PM

Can you take a photo of where the power cord plugs in?
Perhaps that could help folks identify which one you need.

Often they can be seen for sale on Ebay but only marked up for one brand of machine, hunting around on there looking at the photos you might get one to fit.

I can't remember, was the foot controller also connected to the power cord?
Its such a long time ago I owned mine, half my lifetime!!
Funny I was this evening watching the 80's film desperately seeking susan with Madonna in. Really took me back to those days of me sewing in my bedroom and running up clothes!! And when I go to my computer I find your posting about my old machine.

Hope you find the power cord you need.

-- Edited on 10/6/11 3:49 PM --

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My machines; Bernina 135S, Brother FS-40, Pfaff Freestyle 1522, Bernina Serger 800DL.

Reply to Carrie-Jane
Date: 10/11/11 5:18 PM

Hi Carrie-Jane,

Thank you for your reply.

I got the problem sorted out.
On Ebay, they are selling power cords for Brother machines that look exactly like the power cord for my laptop. So, I gave it a try and it worked.

This is my first sewing machine. I have had some difficulties using it but managed to make 2 pillow cases with it. It's not perfect but it's good enough for the first time