Depending on the age of the machine, it might be fixable. I would oil it well, and see if that helps. It might just be sticking because the old oil has dried up and gummed up the machine. When you turn the hand wheel, does the needle go up and down? The stop on the hand wheel might be on backwards. If you haven't taken it off, then that is not the problem. (That's the metal part that you unscrew to wind a bobbin.) I think about the mid 1960's, they started using plastic parts which would be dying about now. I have a Touch and Sew from the early 70's that still works, but it's been lightly used and always stored in the air conditioning. If you have a sewing machine repair shop, they should be able to repair it. I'm in Dallas, and I go to Mr. Sewing Machine on Harry Hines. They are a Baby Lock dealer, but repair all brands of machines. Just call around and see who will work on it. There are a couple of internet sites you might be able to get help. One is victoriansweatshop.com and the other is quiltingboard.com (vintage machine section). Both of these sites are generally good for finding info on older machines, but your machine might not be old enough to get help there. I don't do Facebook, but they should have some groups that might be able to help you. Look for Singer groups. Also, groups.io has some Singer sewing machine groups. Sorry I couldn't help more. All of my sewing machines are older than yours and I'm just not familiar with it at all. I'll check back and see if any of this was any help. bkay

Thanks everyone for the valuable suggestions. While I haven't found the actual sewing machine, just finding more information about the cabinet is wonderful, especially since I can attribute more concrete facts to this cabinet besides it being my great-grandmother's. I will continue to do more investigation, and once again thank you. Oh, and if anyone has more valuable information on this type of machine or cabinet, please let me know.

I have a Singer CE200 and for sewing it's good, although the first time I ever saw a buttonhole attachment go bezerk on me in 40 plus years of sewing. I really don't think this would be a good machine for your mother for the following reasons: There is no visual control to view stitch length or width your mother is use to using with her present machine. You have to listen for the beeps that will drive you crazy after a period of time and do constant test sewing to get the right stitch length and width for the project to be done. It has a tight sewing area so cleaning the machine out or changing a needle without getting poked with the needle is a real chore. I bought a bargain pair of spring-loaded long nose stork pliers to do most of it--find I use that pair of pliers for many things sewing related where I would have used a pair of tweezers. She can't use the feet from the old machine on this machine because this machine uses low bar feet and her Singer has slant or high bar. The CE series come with a limited amount of accessory feet. Singer does have the high priced combination models where you get so (sew) much more provided with those models--it's a get what you pay for thing. The price Joanns is quoting you (they run high on the sewing machine price scale) does not include some of the other necessary embroidery modules which run about $150 each to the embroidery software installed on the computer. For embroidery the machine, which does an excellent job, is computer dependent. You have to have an extra laptop to run the embroidery unit or have the computer next to the machine. If someone wants to use the computer while the embroidery unit is running, they will have to wait until the design section is done to use the computer or use the computer and be up close and personal with mom and the machine. The machine does not do wireless, it will do USB hub. You might also want to look at the Brother combination machines in the same price range. People are fairly happy with those machines. I have a PE-150 embroidery only I am quite happy with. Vikings are well-built machines. The caution there is the accessory feet are exclusive to that brand and expensive. There are no after-market, less expensive feet that fit that brand. That is one thing that kept me away from Viking. As everyone says, let your mother choose her own machine and try every one out first before purchasing to find the machine she feels comfortable using. An internet search at different manufacturer sites with printouts of the ones she likes before shopping will save time shopping and give more time trying different machines out--don't forget lunch or dinner in there too. You also find where the dealers and other sellers are, get an estimated price (can be negotiated), and whether invaluable free lessons are included.

How interesting! I agree with Senior_gal....I think Amy would be so pleased. I am not trying to hijack your thread, but I saw some vintage sewing machines on pinterest the other day. This is one of them....can you imagine sewing on it...or trying to find out who owned it back "in the day"?