Trendsetter Pinnock circa 1960s
Manufactured by Toyota in Japan.
The Trendsetter range of Pinnocks have a distinctive red Trendsetter badge and underneath is the model name. The Toyota crown is displayed indicating these were once again Japanese Toyota machines and yet they have the “Made in Australia” stickers on them.
9 Trendsetters identified.
I have identified 9 Trendsetter badged Pinnocks, there may well be more, but I doubt it. I have seen multiple examples of the machines listed below and no new ones have come to light.
The Trendsetters that I have come across so far, are all made of cast iron, as the earlier green and blue machines on the Toyota Pinnock Page. The Modern is a solid one piece casting much like the earlier Sewmaster. The Standard and the Crescent appear to also be one piece, with no removable top plate. The others in the series all have removable top plates made from aluminum.
Wernard motors and foot pedals.
They all have the external mounted Australian made Wernard motor. On a few I have found the Pinnock name on the motor and on the others they are clearnly marked as Wernard motors. These motors were added once the machines arrived in Australia. How much of the assembly was done here and how much in Japan I do not know for certain. The Pinnock badge was attached and screwed on, sometimes in the large letters as in the Standard and Modern below and sometimes in the smaller lettering as in the Sapphire. The same machines can also be found with the Fridor name with the same style badge, instead of Pinnock, as in the Gem and Star below. The bakelite food pedals are all Wernard and mostly black, but I have come across the odd brown one.
Unique wooden bases.
Another lovely feature of the Trendsetter is the wooden base. I have only come across two machines that came with a table, those that I have found in base and case have all come with a beautifully made, stained and lacquered wooden base. Most have a fold down table extension and a metal stabilising rod that is pulled out at the back. These have an accessories compartment to the right side, held shut with a magnet. Some have two plastic spool pins inserted into the lid and round magnet pin holder. Images of the base can be seen on the Sapphire page. I have as yet found no markings on the wooden bases, but presumably these were made in South Australia. The lids on some of the bases are sometimes marked with stamp or cotton label. Made by K.T. Stewart Ltd South Australia PLASTIC.
Straight stitch, Zig zag and cams, different Trendsetters have different stitch options.
Straight stitch machines are the Modern, Standard and Crescent.(these two not yet in my collection)
Straight stitch and zig zag are the Sapphire, Ensign, Gem and Star.
Straight stitch, zig zag and cam functions are the Jewel and Royal.
Trendsetters in my collection.
Sapphire
Click here for information on the Sapphire.
Zig zag machine with NO cam function, similar in appearance to the Jewel that does have cams.
Gem
Click here for information on the Gem.
Zig zag machine with Twin needle capability. Front mounted slide plate for bobbin access.
Star
Click here for information on the Star
Zig zag machine with NO cam function. The Royal looks the same but has cams.
Ensign
Click here for more information on the Ensign.
Acquired June 2023
The Ensign is similar to the Sapphire, but without the LMR needle position. A basic zig zag machine.
Other Trendsetters identified so far, that I do not have in my collection.
They are out there. I have seen a few for sale, but usually over my budget or too far away. The remaining machines that I am looking for are the basic straight stitch machines, the Standard and the Crescent.
Standard
Standard is a straight stitch machine. I have only seen it in this colour, but have seen quite a few for sale.
Crescent
The Crescent is also a straight stitch only machine. I have seen a few for sale. I have also only seen it in this colour.
Jewel Mark III
Not a trendsetter but I was not sure where I should put the Pinnock Jewel Mark III or the Sapphire Mark II (below). Obviously after the trendsetters and the Jewel Mark 3 also came with the same cams as the Trendsetter Jewel. This machine is aluminum and much lighter than the earlier Trendsetters shown above. Possibly a later Taiwanese machine, but of this I am not certain.
The Sapphire Mark II.
Not my machine, a machine discovered by another collector. Similar to the above Jewel #3, but without cam function.
Advertisments from the 1960s
I believe I have a Crescent pinnock sewing machine and wondering if you would know where I could find a manual for it?
I am afraid I dont have a copy of this manual. If I did, I would have shared it here. If you find one and are willing to share, I would be grateful if you also sent it to me.