I picked up a BU Mura just like this with a wonderful mahogany cabinet for $25 at an estate sale. It is in much the same condition as yours. I had to replace the cord between the motor and knee pedal, get a replacement for the bobbin tire and oil it well. It runs great and I am looking forward to using it. Thank you so much for your videos showing how to get these gems up and running.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve had a BF Mira for 30 years and never knew much about it since I don’t have a manual. This video is so helpful. In the bra sewing community a fabric called microduoplex causes many difficulties on most machines. The Necchi sewed right through it with no particular needles or thread. So I’ve been using my Necchi more for basic construction.
I've tried Microduoplex and it's like sewing through kevlar! Good to hear you've had good success with this machine. Do you have any other vintage machines you use for lingerie sewing? I have a few vintage machines but my needs have changed ... ideally, I'd like to consolidate and have some good options for garment/lingerie sewing (straight, zig zag, triple zig zag and buttonhole).
I just bought this machine in mint condition not one scratch on it...in the cabinet for 35.00 she was asking 95 and lowered it because it didn't sell. had a box of the attachments including parts in the original box. in great shape. missing was the manual which I will order...crazy great deal!
Ii just bought a Necchi BU Mira at a local thrift shop. It needs a lot of cleaning up but did come with a basic manual (not terribly helpful) the foot pedal, a wonder wheel with one cam and that lovely little black box marked "press here" to open full of accessories! Looking forward to cleaning this machine up, replacing what needs replaced, and learning to use it. It looks and feels like a tank!!
What a great find Denise!! Oh, FYI, look over all of the accessories that you got. For your 'Wonder Wheel' to work, you need 2 Chrome rods that each have a slightly different shape. If you have these, guard them closely. They are like 'Hen's Teeth' to find.
I've got them both and I've ordered the cams that I didn't get. Now to learn how to use her after cleaning her up!! Where can I get the wonder wheel tire, bobbin wire tires and belts for this machine??@@VintageSewingMachineGarage
Your channel has been very encouraging, informative, and inspirational. I have embarked on the journey of rescuing vintage machines in Asheville, North Carolina. Part of me says that you should start The University of Vintage Sewing Machine Restoration. The other part hopes that you keep producing RU-vid videos. Much respect!
I believe the reasoning for the light switch turning off all power was for safety- kids couldn't accidentally get hurt, secondly to protect against a power surge. Looks like a beauty. I love my 201-2, and Kenmore zigzags.
Thank you so very much for this video!!! I didnt realize just how new this video is until you mentioned social distancing at the end. I *just* was gifted a Necchi BU Mira on 8/20!!!! This video has been instrumental in getting the machine back up and running again. Do you think it is worth me trying to source a Wonder Wheel? I got almost none of the additional bits with my machine. It was in a garage, unloved for many years. If you don't mind a small suggestion.....the one thing that was missing from your video was info about the knee pedal. I might be mistaken myself though because you DO seem so thorough.
I just won the lottery LOL.= I bought one at a thrift store in a table and box of accessories, no manuals, and only one accessory stitch wheel all for $10.. I think this is going to become my go to machine for now on.. Might need a new belt. Just gotta figure out what size I need.
I have a Necchi 531 Lelia that I found at our church rummage sale about 1985. As I remember, I think I paid $2.50 for it then had it serviced and was able to buy a new manual for it as well as new foot pedal. It has the buttonhole option though it is a challenge to get consistent buttonholes. It has been a backup to my Singer 500a Rocketeer.
Both great machines you have there. Don't feel too badly regarding your Lelia's buttonhole making capacity. Most all vintage machines are just so-so at that. Many sewers prefer to use a dedicated buttonhole making attachment when doing so on a vintage machine. It takes a bit of setup but they are known to make high quality button holes.
I have one of these machines and I absolutely adore it. It runs extremely well; very smooth, quiet, just a beautiful machine. It was well taken care of by the previous owner and I have all the parts for it including the cams. I am having trouble with the tension and I am wondering if the upper tension assembly needs to be replaced because it would not hold the tension settings and now I cannot get it to sew proper stitches at all no matter how I adjust the tension. I cannot seem to find the assembly I need, they are all sold out. Any suggestions for finding one? Also, any tips for removing the upper tension assembly?
I have had my Neechi BU Mira for 41years now and love it. I bought it at a rummage for $25 in the cabinet,excellent condition. Now that it is older my wonder wheel tire is in bad shape. Is there any place I could find a new replacement for it? I’ve looked everywhere for one with no luck. You mentioned you had ordered one for this machine. By the way I found your video very informative. I actually didn’t know that it was still in use these days.
I recently found one in a local thrift shop that was closing due to the pandemic. The owners let me have it for free because they wanted it out of their way. It is in decent working condition from what I can tell. I am completely new to machines in general and thanks to some prompting from the local fabric store owner have decided to start learning with this one, so any tips at all would be helpful.
If you don't have the manual, that would be a great start. You can find them online in PDF form; sometimes for free (See Facebook Necchi Group Files) or they can be had for less than $10 online. Manuals from this era were very thorough and will go a long way to helping you learn the machine's ways. Good luck in your learning!
I had been trying to find one of these locally for years but, for some reason, I've never come across one. Rusted up old Singers all over the place though if that's your thing. I ended up buying one off the ebays that is exactly like this one. Unfortunately, it was damaged really badly during shipping. The upper drive shaft was bent as if it had been dropped on its pulley. I just got the old shaft out yesterday and have another (hopefully straight) one to put in. Wish me luck timing this thing, the service manual is pretty terrible. I really like this machine, it has so many little things about it that just show a huge amount of attention to detail where it really isn't necessary. Don't get me wrong, I love my Singers, but this thing is something else.
Recently found your RU-vid videos and appreciate your patience and knowledge!!! Watching your rescue series. You genuinely love sewing machines.. This Necchi seems very special and POWERFUL. I recently purchased a Kenmore that has an amazing electronic decorative stitching and lettering feature (SensorSew 70 model 19501)...but it's ceased up or frozen. I oiled where indicated in an online owners manual... More than one drop! Still following your lead in your year old video series... I opened up the machine ( not much lint) ... and oiled linkages and metal pieces, staying away from rubber belts and the electronic panel and connectors. But still stuck.. Barely can turn the hand wheel ....am hoping to PM with you for some advice in trying to restore this 💎. The clutch for bobbin winding does allow for ease in turning the wheel. Also, plugged it in to check if the electronic panel still works.. Seems functional--can enter stitch types, and increase/decrease stitch length and width..but did not /cannot run as main drive shaft is frozen. Looking forward to a reply.
Hi Jennifer. It should be doable. Make sure you note if your machine has the High Shank Feet as most of the Necchis from this period do. Some, however, were Low Shank. You can search for Darning feet online either vintage or newer. For new ones, be sure to note if it will be compatible with your Necchi since feet and attachments sometimes will not always fit due to machine body shapes etc. You should be able to lower feed dogs and then you would be good to go.
I'm new to vintage machines except my Featherweight that I've had for 15 years. And I found a Singer 128 that had been in my basement for 35 years - pristine decals. Needs cleaning, no foot pedal. But I'm falling in love with Necchis. I'm looking at one but the seller isn't a sewer and can't answer my questions. I know the bed is terribly crazed. But if it doesn't have a bobbin case, are they difficult to find? BTW, your work is gorgeous! I'm learning so much from your videos. Thanks.
It's a BU BTW, black. Well, it doesn't say BU but it has zig zag. And the closer I look at the photos, the bobbin winder doesn't look anything like yours. It may be missing.
Yes, you should be able to find bobbin cases. They exist for sale online along with reproductions. Be sure to specify your Necchi model and check sources such as these: Bonanza for vintage and Ebay for reproductions.
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Is there a way to repair the crazing and flaking on the sewing machine bed? Could I use it with the flakes or will that affect my fabric?
Thank you for this.. I just got the mira bf today from someone the needle is stuck wont move when I turn the wheel. The lady said she hasn't used it in years. Is there a way I can fix that? Any info is appreciated. I love this video also Thank you. I'm assuming the MIRA BF was made before this one as I don't have the latch to move the needle she did give me alot of attachments.
If she hasn't used it in years, then it probably just needs cleaning. Necchis are built to such tight tolerances, (why they run so quietly and smoothly) when they sit unused, the oil dries out and "freezes" the machine. I use alcohol on all of the metal parts that are lubricated with sewing machine oil to loosen and clean off all of the old dried oil. Then apply new oil. BF Mira is the straight stitch only version. No zig-zag stitch.
I have a Necchi BCJ, can you tell me anything about that one. It is in a beautiful blonde cabinet with a measuring tape on the actual top of the table. Is this machine as nice as the other models, or inferior?
Hello. Your BCJ is not inferior at all. It would have cost less than one of Necchi's ZigZag models, but this is because it did not have that feature. Back then, most consumer items were priced based on features; not by quality. The same amazing quality of engineering and production would have been given to your BCJ as the other "fancier" models. Oh, and many Necchi tables had the measuring tape decal which was a nice touch.
Hi Daphne. That lever is for when you need to lower the feed dogs. NOTE: And FYI, while Necchi's engineering was incredible is so many ways, that lever is a bit 'wonky' and not as robust as some others so be extra gentle with it should you ever lower the feed dogs. Most folks never did which is why all machines often have stuck feed dog lowering controls.
@@VintageSewingMachineGarage that is exactly what I found. I spent some time working this loose again. The spring (may be weak) but with a slight downward nudge jumps down as it should now. I've ordered a new belt and peddal for it. Hopefully soon I will be sewing with it. I had to correct the needlebar hight, was meeting up with the hook almost directly over the eye. (Missing stitches manualy turned) now it's looking good Hopefully it will sew under its own power soon
I just purchased a Necchi BU Supernova. It belonged to a one owner. My husband is going to look at it tomorrow and get it cleaned and oiled. Is t a good machine?
Yes Kristi. It is one of the finest machines ever made; especially for one with ZigZag. Be sure to check for any dry rotted electrical cords. All machines can potentially have that issue, but Necchis "can be" more prone to needing a re-wire due to the kind of wire insulation they used. The other area to be mindful of is that they used state-of-the-art electronics which allowed for clever features such as speed control via a motor transformer. Those can go bad over time so look for that as well. But once overhauled, they are incredible machines.
@Vintage Sewing Machine Garage Thank you. He got it running. The light switch don't work. I don't think he had luck finding one. He thinks the wiring has been redone. I did go and get some Howard's restore and bees wax. Got the cabinet looking way better. Glad I found you on here
I have this Necchi BU Mira (US Patent D-160500) machine in flawless condition in its walnut cabinet (scratched). How do you recommend I sell it locally? I no longer sew, so I'd rather have $8000(???).
I have not tested for that, but I'm sure it would work just fine since they offered or included a 'Straight Stitch Needle Plate' and dedicated straight stitch feet. Those items and adjustment of the feed dogs can really help with sewing delicate fabric types.
Thanks for the question Tj. Its a bit of a loaded question since what I prefer might not make sense for someone else depending on what their sewing needs are. I have restored and sold a number of these Necchi BU's. And given my fairly insignificant sewing needs (mending, button replacement etc), I could likely function with just about any vintage model. I chose to keep this one because it came in a giant sewing table that we ended up using for other purposes here at home and so I chose to keep it for the time being. It seems that it never fails that I eventually come across someone who really needs a sewing machine such as this and I end up selling it because I love to see these machines put to work. They age better when used and I like seeing them in the hands of sewers. To try to answer your question though, I would say that Necchi ZigZag machines such as this BU series were one of the best zigzaggers ever made. When it comes to the 201, I feel it is one of the best Straight Stitchers ever made. When I describe both of these as "One of the best ever.....", I say this because there are so many wonderful vintage brands and models. Yes, some were not all that great, but most all of them were in their own way. So, yes, I would choose a 201 for fine sewing, but if I had to sew really heavy projects, the Singer 15-91 would be the most 'beastly' of them all.
