Trendsetter Gem
The Trendsetter Gem is a Twin needle capable Zig Zag machine. Circa 1963.
It takes the normal bobbin and needles.
The access panel to the bobbin is at the front, making this different to the other Trendsetters.
This machine features in a 1964 documentary / commercial. You can see it here on Youtube.
I am still looking for a manual or equivalent manual for this machine, if you have one I would very much appreciate if you could share it with me via pdf or even photocopy.
This is another machine I have photographed before I have cleaned it up. As found when I purchased it. As with the Star this is also a Fridor badged machine with Pinnock motor, identical to the Pinnock badged machines.
Advertising and media articles
Interesting articles can be found on Trove. The following advert from Australian Women’s Weekly (1933 – 1982), Wednesday 10 April 1963, page 48 is located at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47509708
Another version of the GEM that I saw advertised in June 2023. Not badged as Pinnock.
Hello
I love your website, it’s really helpful. I wanted to ask you about the Pinnock Trendsetter Gem, being a twin needle, can it also use a single ? , also, you have said in your information that it is closest to the ‘star’ model, the manual you recommend has single needle. Which manual do you suggest for the twin needle?
Thank you
Hi Antonia, Thankyou for your kind words. I have only ever used the Gem as a single needle machine, so the answer is yes it can be used as a single needle. I have never tried to use it as a twin needle, even though as you point out it has that capability. I as yet do not have a manual for the Gem that I can share, but I have found two other Japanese machines that have the forward facing bobbin and slide plate. It is possible that the instruction books for one or both of these may help you out. Both are on my google drive for free download. One is the Canadian Kenmore.. The other is the Remington Twin needle. I hope one of these can give you some pointers and please let us know how you get along.