Monday, October 10, 2011

Michelle, sewing machines, & S*ing*er Certif*icates

For a long time, I thought I was the only one who was "silly" enough to have a whole "herd" of sewing machines.  (People would just give me their unwanted machines.)  Then one day while reading a blog, I noticed a profile picture that was of a sewing machine instead of a person.  Not only that,  it was a machine very similar to one I had just purchased at a thrift shop.  (No pictures yet.)  I just had to see who this person was.  It was dear Michelle.  She has more sewing machines than I do, and her collection is growing all the time.

With help (and enabling) from her husband, Michelle "rescues" homeless sewing machines.  She cleans and fixes up the machines, and her husband works his magic on the cases or cabinets.  (Michelle, correct me if I'm wrong.)  These wonderful machines are then displayed in her home instead of being hidden away.

Michelle has many really nice machines, but recently, she picked up a real beauty (for a picture of a similar one scroll toward the bottom of the article).  Then, she found out that Sin*ger is providing certificates for machines made pre-1970.  Seems like a good thing to have some history to go with these older machines, right?

So, here is the Sin*ger that I bought at a yard sale approximately 33 years ago.  At the time, I thought the price was steep (twenty dollars), but I knew the woman selling the machine. It had just been serviced (receipt showing she had just paid $35 for the cleaning and oiling!) and the owner assured me it worked.  It did, and still does.  Sews perfectly.

(click on photos for larger views)

The beautiful decals are worn, but this to me means that the machine was used rather than just stored away someplace.  That is the original plate with the patent dates stamped in it leaning against the case.  (One end of the clip is broken off, so I had a new one put on the machine.)  The rubber bobbin winder ring is "new", and the bobbin winder gear may have been replaced with a newer (not new) one.  (I can't remember if it was this machine or another one...)  Because of the age of the machine the electric motor was probably added later and maybe even "fairly recently".  The cords are "rubber" coated rather than cloth covered, and they are in excellent condition.
Oh,  the machine is so old that there is no reverse.




The underside of the machine.
The part of the wooden case has almost a woven grass/cloth fiber type covering.  The covering is fraying along the edges, but the rest of the case is in excellent condition.


(Sorry about the name being wiped out.  I had issues with photo*shop.)

I didn't need another sewing machine, but I fell in love.

13 comments:

Vee said...

Oh that makes two Singers featured today in my little corner of Blogdom. The other was by Carol at Serendipity. I think you have a true gem here.

Barb said...

I love old sewing machines - and I rarely even sew! I have a cheap one my husband gave me years ago. The sewing machine I had been using was a Pfaff, that my mother had purchased the year I was born (and I am old!!) It quit working, so I brought it to a repair shop and the man told me that the belt on it was shot. He said that the belt was made of some kind of resin, and could not be replaced. I still have that machine in the original table case. I have never been able to part with it. I really should take it in and have it looked at again - I'll bet they could fix it - I loved it!

Anyway, your old machine is just beautiful! Do you ever use it? It is a true beauty to have on display! Lucky you!

Hugs,
Barb

Vande Historic Costuming said...

Lovely machine! I like the idea of worn decals too....

Carol at Serendipity said...

Thanks for stopping by. I am going to try to print a certificate today. I am your newest follower.
Carol

Madeline's Album said...

These sewing machines are the best. I still remember sewing on my mothers pedal sewing machine when I was in high school. They were real fancy back then. Have a blessed day. Madeline

camp and cottage living said...

What a beaty of a machine. I have a couple Singers, so I'm excited about the certificates,
Thanks for spreading the word. I'll hop over and visit Michelle.
I just became a follower, as I see we have so much in common!
Blessings-Kimberly

Betsy said...

That machine is simply lovely. Now I need to learn how to sew!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

What a BEAUTIFUL old Singer!!! Lucky you!

Now watch me kick-myself. My Mother had an old (been electrified) Singer and I did not keep it.

As a tiny, tiny bit of "Don't blame me too much for stupidity"... Being an only child, I had to clean out my 2 story family home, and it was a horrible job. It near tore me apart. And I did a lot of stupid things, in the process.

But still, no excuse... No excuse... But I will not dwell on this, because I do not allow guilt into my life any more. :-)

Gentle hugs,
"October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again." ~~Hal Borland

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ohhh I so hope that you will be able to keep your comment settings, the way they are!

I understand wanting Comment Verification! But I think some time ago, you felt you had to keep Word Verification on too. So glad that need, has passed. :-)

Just saying, when I thought of it. :-)

Gentle hugs,
"October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again." ~~Hal Borland

Anonymous said...

I too love sewing machines and LOL have been asked why I own so many.. I keep them all in a row on my sewing counter and I keep different colors of thread in them so I can go down the line when a color change is needed.. also I know which ones are best to sew heavy fabric and roll my chair on down the one that does..
If you ever get tired of that pretty one let me know I'll take it off your hands ;)

Jeanna said...

That is a beautiful machine! I love the old ones too - just something about them! $20? You got a fantastic bargain!

Michelle said...

Gee, I don't know HOW I missed this post! =-)

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I couldn't get your email to work so I'll answer your electrical question here.. the large convection oven uses 1300 watts. I don't have a clue how much the small one uses. the large one did say to not plug anything else into the same outlet. I'm just lucky that every one of my outlets (8) that line the counter are each on their own breaker.. I demanded they be done that way when the kitchen was remodeled.. the men folks thought I was crazy but I knew what I was doing :) yes, the ovens cook about 30% faster then the stove oven and I don't have to pre-heat them.