Casual Cam – Fun with a Viking Ruby 6570
I made the mistake of popping on Ebay the other day just to “look.” Lol! I should have known better!
This is Ruby, a Viking 6570 vintage sewing machine from the 1970s. What first made me look (and drool a bit) at this machine was the beautiful red color. Sew pretty!
Then I looked further and realized this Viking was a cam sewing machine. Learn about cams in this short video I shot with James:
I’m really curious about vintage machines and how well they can handle free motion and walking foot style quilting. So what would you like to see from these new machine videos? Let me know in the comments below!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Those Vikings can handle quilting, both free motion and walking foot just fine. They have the ability to loosen pressure on the presser foot for more FM. What usually fails on them is the internal cam–which almost always cracks after this long and can be replaced with an after-market cam. Most often they need a lot of internal lubrication (Viking advertised they never needed oiling), and sometimes they need the heat of a hair dryer to loosen up. But for straight stitching, a in quilting, there are seldom any issues. (I still have my Vikings, but most often quilt on vintage treadles.) Have fun!
I used to have this machine and I have been trying to replace it ever since I lost it… miss it so much.
This popped up on my feedly and I was all like-Leah is sewing bubble wrap??? Thanks for the short lesson on what a Cam sewing machine is. Funny-I remember my mom's sewing machine back in the 70's was exactly like that.
OMG, shades of intense frustration. We had a White sewing machine with plastic cams when I was a teenager in the 60's. Hated it. The cams would heat up and couldn't be removed without considerable force and dangerously sharp tools. Hope you have better luck with yours!
Leah says, "Leah loves machines", but the truth is in the eyes of James. The eyes say "You don't know the HALF of it"! Enjoy your new machine. Thanks for the video.
I had one of those Viking cam machines and the mechanism that rides around the cam kept breaking and I could never use anything but a straight stitch. I finally gave up after multiple trips to the Viking repairman and bought a Bernina. Never been happier.
Enjoyed your post thoroughly, and it was great to see James. I owned the Viking-Husqvarna 630, which was the very last mechanical machine they made. It was amazing, quite heavy-duty and fast. Had easy button-holing, side-winding bobbin and wonder of wonders, the all-important needle up/down option. Cams were built-in; you just turned a knob. The machine had a closed lubrication system, so no oiling or lubing ever, and lasted for at least 22 years without a SINGLE maintenance check (to be fair, it did sit un-used for about 5 of those years). I say 'at least' because I gave it away after purchasing my Janome 7700 (thinking I'd never need more than one machine–what a joke on me). I still miss it quite a bit. Enjoy!!
Cool! I have amassed quite a collection of vintage machines and enjoy sewing with them, but I haven't tried FMQ-ing on any of them yet. I've been thinking about trying on my Singer 301. It sews an amazing straight stitch and is very fast. I would be interested in seeing what you come up with.
I had one of these and it was great- no cam problems. It has a low gear for heavy stuff. I did learn to free motion on this. I lent it to someone needing a machine and never got it back. I have plenty of machines, all vintage.
I have this machine and owners manuals. Purchased as a high school graduation gift to myself in 1979. Looking forward to future videos!
I think the mechanical machines are great. I really have no desire to own a computerized one ( I can't afford it anyway). I have a treadle machine.
I also use my daughter's old Bernina 950, which has a built in metal cam.It does straight and zig-zag, and 20 other stitches. This machine is over 20 years old. I sometimes have tension issues and have thought the timing was off. Usually the problem is caused by pulling on the thread when the needle isn't all the way up. Removing and re-threading the bobbin will usually do the trick. If the needle is hitting I have bent the needle. It doesn't take the standard needles either, but I finally found them on line and bought 100 at a reasonable price. (The local repair shop that carried these moved further away).
I had that exact same machine, color and everything. I loved it and used it for over 20 years, then it figured it had worked hard enough and wanted to be retired. I did lots of sewing, all my kids baby clothes and more with it.
I love vintage machines too and am interested in how they free motion quilt. Knowing what types of feet are available and where to purchase them would be great. Any technical information that you can provide would also be great. The mechanical machines are real workhorses and have lots of power which should be perfect for free motioning. Thanks for sharing the journey! Love your red machine!!
Had the same machine in cream colour, only traded it after 25 years because it did not like free motion with metallic threads. Used it to sew curtains, dresses, ball gowns,baby christening gowns, patchwork, quilting, & leather jackets. Never had a problem with the cams, plus because it was mechanical was easily fixed, though I only ever had it serviced once!!! Enjoy your Ruby.
My first machine (70s vintage) had cams like this but each cam only did one stitch. Never had any problems with the cams or the stitching – it all worked fine. The reason for replacing the machine was due to the presser foot. It used an air system and a pin prick in the cable meant that it kept sewing when I lifted my foot – not cool when you are learning to applique! I tried taping it but eventually gave up and bought a new machine. It was a great machine though and I made so many things on it.
I have a kenmore cam machine used to to love it haven't used it in a while. maybe I will bring it out now. thanks
Thanks for a very terrific video! 🙂 Great vintage machine. One of the classics.
Great video I was hoping… Can you tell me how to change the cams on the 6000 line? What setting should it be on to put in and take out? I keep forgetting then end up accidentally figuring it out after hours of frustration.
I believe you set the stitch selector to the white dot – that moves the cam area to the open position, then you place a cam in the machine and then change that same knob to the color you want to use. Does that make sense?
Leah,can you tell me what walking foot is compatible with this machine?
Unfortunately I've had a really hard time finding compatible feet for this machine. I accidentally purchased TWO incompatible walking feet and they both wobble badly even when screwed on very tight. I guess the best bet is to watch Ebay and look for lots of vintage Viking machine feet. Sorry!
Thats been my experience too. It wasn't too difficult to find the basic feet I needed but a compatible walking foot has been difficult.
i can't believe i found someone else with a husqvarna 6570 — my very first *good* machine … i loved it when i purchased it new from a dealer in prince george, british columbia and i love it still … it's sewed maternity clothes for me and friends, baby clothes and blankets, and quilts, LOTS AND LOTS of baby clothes and kids clothes … prom dresses, wedding dresses and now it's back to sewing baby clothes … the circle is complete …
i'm writing to tell you i have a walking foot for this machine that i purchased through ebay.com … i copied {and pasted here} the item and number from my order page: Walking Even Feed Sewing Machine Foot With Quilt Guide Fits Husqvarna Viking ( 280915668717 ) it was $20 and still is … however, email him and ask for sure if this is it … it fits my machine perfectly and i've ordered and returned a few walking feet … http://www.ebay.com/usr/sewvacusa …
i'm looking for one of those clear quilting feet for the 6570 … do you have one and where did you get it … they are very, very hard to come by …
thanks for any help … i also have an older bernina 1230 bought used that i would not trade for anything, literally ….
take care …. darlene
Thank you so much for sharing these links Darlene! I really appreciate it!
As for the clear feet – do you mean a darning foot? I found a normal low shank foot that I offer in my store at leahday.com did fit and work on this machine.
i have one, also … i love mine … search around ebay.com for husqvarna 6570; i've seen a couple recently … or post on this sewing group: sewitsforsale … until you find one, keep on looking and posting …
darlene
Found this post today. I pulled my 6570 out of the closet today. Making a denim purse and my NEW $2000 computer machine will NOT SEW through all the layers. Skips stitches, stops, etc. The 6570 does not even hesitate. 8 layers of denim and it looks great. Guess I will set it up for the hard stuff. I also have a 6460. For older machines (and newer) if you change the ankle on the machine you can use feet from other machines as long as they are low shank, etc and the stitch widths are the same. I do it all the time. I have used Elna feet on my Vikings, Pfaffs and Singers. Love these old mechanicals. Also the 6000 series of vikings have a low gear that is 3 times the power at 1/5th the speed. Great for sewing through heavy stuff.
Enjoy your machine.
Do you know where I might be able to buy a darning foot/free motion foot that would fit a Viking sle 6570. Thanks for your help.
Unfortunately this was a major issue I ran into with this vintage Viking and unfortunately I don’t have a good answer for you. I found my low shank darning foot worked okay and you can find it here: https://leahday.com/collections/quilting-tools/products/darning-foot However because I couldn’t be 100% sure all low shank feet would fit, I never ended up using this machine much for tutorials. It was fun to play with, but Viking unfortunately has not supported their vintage machines.
I have a red 6570 too, and I love it! I use it for FM quilting, and my Pfaff for everything else. I keep both machines set up, so they are ready no matter what I’m working on. I currently use a “Big Foot” for free motion quilting, but would like to find something with an open toe.
Awesome Linda! I found out by accident that our low shank darning foot would fit. It’s not a true low shank because I couldn’t get my low shank walking foot to work perfectly on it, but I think for some feet for this machine you can get away with low shank. https://leahday.com/collections/shop/products/darning-foot
Hello, I just got ahold of a red 6570 as well. I am very excited! the o ly problem is that it didn’t come with a foot pedal and chord (the missing part is called FR 710). Do you know where I could get one? thanks
I would contact your local Viking Dealer and see if you can order one.
I have a white one of these that belonged to my grandmother. I have considered selling it but only to someone who could appreciate it. I am getting older and the last one in the family interested in sewing. Any ideas on how to rehome it? I have all of the cams, the book, and everything works.
I sold this Viking recently on Ebay and found a very enthusiastic buyer. I would shoot some good photos and list it there.
Stupid question, but I haven’t sewn in a while and I can’t find the basic straight and zig zag stitches on my 1977 Husqvarna Viking. I can’t find my (or any relevant) user manual, so no further info on model either. I’m wondering if I’m missing a cam or if there’s a button I need to press to set for basic stitches. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Best advice is to try to find the manual online to review how to access the different stitches.
Monique, I know you wrote this in 2021. But if want to you can join this private facebook group “Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines’ and look at ‘files’ on the top of the page. There are many manuals there, you can look at them or download them and print them out. There are also 2 facebook groups, ‘Husqvarna, Viking, Pfaff, Buy Sell Group’ and ‘Husqvarna/Viking, Pfaff, Singer, Inspira Buy/Sell Group’ that you could join and ask if anyone has a manual you could buy. The first group mentioned has a few people that can answer questions about fixing you problems too. Good Luck