Sewing Machines - update

I was recently about my collection of sewing machines.

I first posted about my collection in 2015 here:


https://madakamom.blogspot.com/2015/02/sewing-machine-collection.html

Since then I have acquired a few more and made some changes.





I converted the 1946 Model 15  (AG724989)  that was gifted to me by my son's teacher who was downsizing.

In 2018 I went to a TOGA (a gathering of owners of "people-powered" sewing machines) With the help of some knowledgeable members I removed the electric motor and light and added a hand crank that I had purchased online.  I was disappointed when the crank arrived in the mail.... it had Chinese lettering on it instead of the usual gold decals.  So, while I had someone to help me accomplish the conversion I used it.  But, I have since located and purchased an original crank on Ebay and will swap them out and sell the Chinese one.
  

I acquired this Singer Sew Handy machine for my grandson to sew on.  He sewed on it for a couple months... that is until he saw my featherweight set up for a project I was working on.   He now prefers my featherweight, so I will be selling this at some point.

I have also acquired two more featherweights...

For my Mom I found AL005408 made in 1952... the year she was married.  Since her passing last year, it has come back home to roost with me.

And just because it is white and I needed it  EV917685 made in 1964 came to live with me too.  Unfortunately, the handle broke off, but I saved the pieces.

  

In 2018 I purchased this Singer Model 12 made in 1869.  It is a boat shuttle treadle with mother of pearl inlay.  I didn't know it at the time, but when I showed it to my mom a month later she was so excited because it is the same model machine my paternal grandmother sewed on.  She was an excellent seamstress.  I've lost the staple for the belt and it will need some oiling and TLC, but it does work!

 

With encouragement from some friends, I began my quilting career in 2006 with a Pfaff Grandquilter on an Inspira frame.  My customers started with baby quilts and quickly grew to make Queen size quilts. I basically outgrew my machine!  In 2008 I traded it in and treated myself to a longarm... a Nolting Funquilter 20.  

In 2018 I traded it in and upgraded to a Funquilter 23 for more harp space to complete the king size quilts my customers are now making.

treadle woes, and a fix!

I have been happily sewing away on my treadle since returning from the TOGA last month.

 I finished piecing my strawberry coins quilt and then loaded it onto my quilter. After finishing the quilting I was ready to sew on the binding... but my treadle had other ideas   :(

For some reason the thread was not being picked up to form a proper stitch and I kept getting "birdnests" on the back of my quilt.

The thread on the right is the first loop that is supposed to pull up to form a stitch.  The middle thread is the bobbin thread.  The thread on the right is the next loop coming to form the next stitch.

I did some investigating and found that periodically a loop would not be picked up to form a stitch... then the second loop would come by and grab that loop, form a stitch and form the "birdsnest" with the first loop.  I figured out what was wrong, but had no idea why it was happening.

I logged onto the internet and the facebook  TreadleQuilters group and posted about my problem asking for help.   I had many suggestions.... 

Rethread the machine properly... I unthreaded and rethreaded being extra careful to make sure I didn't miss a step

Change the needle.... I first had to search and find all the different needles I had in stock and then needed a lesson on needle types and sizes before finding the correct one.

Clean the tension disks...I folded and ran a dollar bill between the disks to clear out any potential lint or stray threads.

Adjust the tension...  I turned the knob left, I turned the knob right... but nothing worked.  The stitches would not form propperly!

I was getting totally frustrated!   

Then the group moderator logged on and suggested that I clean the feed-dog area.

So I took off the needle plate, brushed out the little bit of lint that was in there.  And for good measure I loosened the belt, tipped the head back and brushed out a few specs of lint from the the underside also.  And while I was there, I oiled all the moving parts too!  I put everything back together and...

HALLELUJIA!  she was sewing properly again!  It is amazing that a little speck of lint... no bigger than a pin head, could cause so much trouble!

So now my binding is sewed on and I will finish the handstitching on it while watching tv this weekend.

Thank goodness for the internet!  I don't know how we survived without it!

TOGA

When we were vacationing in KY, in the rain, I decided to take the kids to town for a change of scenery (inside the cabin).  There were several antique stores and we had fun browsing through them.  One had a table of puzzles and a game of checkers set up so we killed time and played some games. (I didn't think to take pictures)

In the last shop, I spied this sitting in the corner....

 

I opened up the top and... ooh la la!  An 1870s Singer Model 12.   It needed a good cleaning and a belt.  I turned the wheel and everything appeared to work. Unfortunately the shuttle and bobbin were missing and the sales lady had no clue.  I thought it a bit pricey, and I had no idea how difficult it would be to  find parts.  So I went back to the cabin and posted on the treadle quilters facebook page.  I connected with Diane who had a friend selling a similar machine, in better shape, and for less!  A few emails back and forth and I'd committed to a new acquisition!

There was a TOGA (TreadleOnGAthering scheduled a few weeks later in Winchester TN.... about 2hr drive from home, so I made plans to attend and pick up my new beauty.  

 

And a beauty she is... An 1869 Singer Model 12... with some beautiful mother-of-pearl inlay.  She hadn't been used in a while and needed a dose of tri-flow to loosen up and get stitching.   I will have to play with the tension to get a decent stitch out of her, but she works!

I brought along my 1921 Singer Model 66 Red Eye to sew on and for some help.

I have been enjoying sewing on her for a few years now.  But lately I have been having trouble with the tension.  It kept bird-nesting a bit on the back.  I've made several adjustments to correct it, but no luck.

The biggest problem was that the belt had stretched over the last couple years and was slipping, thus the birdnests!  Diane easily snipped a half inch off the leather belt and tightened it up.

Skip looked at my bobbins.  I have several original bobbins and several newly made bobbins.  The new ones were made imperfectly and have a little lip on the inside that interferes with the path of the thread.  Once I switched to using only original bobbins, problem solved.

Thanks to Diane and Skip she is now stitching perfectly!

Sewing Machine Collection

Some of you have asked about my collection of sewing machines.  

This Singer Sylist 533 made in 1978 was my first machine.  At that time I worked for Singer Corp. in the legal office on the 63rd floor of 20 Rockfeller Plaza... you know the place where the ice skating rink is.  Before I left the company for a job closer to home I went downstairs to the retail store and bought this showroom floor-model with my employee discount... and since the detachable table was missing I received an additional discount making this a very reasonable purchase. (nope don't remember what that was right now).  I used it on and off for years, sewing clothing for me and then my kids,  and occasionally I would take it to the local repair shop for a cleaning and tune up.  Over the years the fiberglass (?) cams that determine the stitch design have dried up and cracked and no longer work.  So this machine is relegated to the straight stitch only status as I haven't been able to find replacement cams.

 When we moved here to Tennessee in 2002, I began taking quilting classes, and I  found a wonderful repairman, Ted, who used to work for Singer.  While picking-up my machine from him I told him the story of the great deal and discount I got because the table was missing.  He looked at me funny.  Took off the case.  Reached in.. fumble fumble fumble.... and pulled out the detachable table!  It had been stored in the case the entire time and I had no idea... and apparently neither did the orginal salesperson!  

I was very frustrated being without my machine when it needed servicing and I was in the middle of a quilt project, so I began searching yard sales for a back-up machine.  Lo and behold!  I found this Singer Stylest 534.  There was no learning curve adjusting to this machine... and it has the same cam problem that my original machine does.... and yes, the detachable table is stored inside the case on this one too!

These machines aren't super heavy, but I envied those who brought Featherweights to class and began trolling yard sales and antique shops for one.

  

    I found this Free-Westing House with a shuttle bobbin (or bullet bobbin) machine made in the 1950s.   I believe the finish is called a spackle...it's a gray unpolished look.  I had heard talk about the shuttle/bullet bobbin and never seen one so this came home with me for its "novelty".... and it is a very heavy solid metal machine.

This Universal was also made in the 1950's... one of many Singer knock-off brands.  Post-war, the Japanese cranked out machines like crazy and put any name or label on it that was requested.  It too is a very heavy machine.

This Aldens Deluxe ZigZag  was also made in the 50's.  Note the funky green color! and Chrome look dials and features... reminiscent of the 1950's cars.  I now had a machine that could zigzag, but there was no way to take it, table and all, to classes.

This Brother LS-2020 was donated to our church bazzar with a note saying it needed repair.  I took it to my trusty Singer repairman to see if he could do anything with it.  Of course he could!  It's only problem was the timing was off.  This machine is machine is made with lots of plastic and is, therefore, lightweight enough to carry to class.

  I found my first treadle at the Rte 127 Yardsale that runs through several states.  It was in a very plain boxy cabinet that I did not like... with this beautiful body ... 1921 Singer 66 Red Eye G8546619.  I found a second treadle in this beautiful cabinet with a very plain and worn Singer body.  I switched bodies and cabinets and now have this beauty.  (I sold the plain one a couple years ago).  It sat on display in my quilting room for several years.  Bonnie kept talking about and sewing on her treadles during quilt cam and that inspired me to have Ted take a look at it and see if it would work.  All it needed was a good cleaning and lube and a new belt!  I have been sewing on her ever since!

This 1946 Singer 15 AG724989 was given to me by Margena when she was downsizing her home and couldn't keep her entire collection.  There is a white plastic cased electric light that has been added in the back (not shown) that I hope to maybe replace with more original looking black cased light.

and finally.....

December 2013, on the way home from the Colts-Titans game, we stopped at an antique mall and I found myself a  1948 Singer 221-1 AH435380  featherweight.  She is wonderful for travelling and sews perfectly!

Another Aquisition and UFO Progress

I was recently volunteering at the local Habitat ReStore, helping my daughter earn sweat equity hours.  On a shelf, in the back, I spied this serger on a top shelf.  I have never used one, but I understand they are great for finishing the edges of a quilt before binding.  So, I asked about it.  It had not been plugged in or tested, but if I wanted it, I could take it home, as is, for $10.  I turned the flywheel (is that what it's called?) a few times and it appeared to be stitching the newspaper (rolling eyes here) so it came home with me.  With all the tops I plan on completing this year, I think that she will be a nice addition to my machine collection.

In January, I had several projects that were near completion... just needing borders or a bit more hand stitching.  There were several others that were just waiting their turn on the quilter.   Pat Sloan is blogging monthly tips and ideas on how to move projects along, so I have jumped on the bandwagon too.

First, I made a list ... a long list... of all the projects I have on hand in various stages of completion. 

Then I decided to make some progress... starting with actually quilting some of the tops I had already completed.  When not taking care of family and activities, I spend most of my time quilting for customers or making donations or gifts... not quilting something for me.  So, my UFO busting plan is to get my tops out of topville this year!

In January, I completed Lucky Charms... a free pattern by Pat Sloan.  It is now hanging in my living room.    



 



In February, I completed my Welcome Basket Sampler... my modified version of another design Pat Sloan. I started this in a class with Pat back in 2010.  It hung as a flimsy on my wall last fall.  Now it is ready for hanging this fall.  This wall hanging won a blue ribbon at the district women's club competition and is currently on its way to Nashville for state level competition! 

In March, I completed a jelly roll quilt, my ScrapMania Thangles quilt, and a baby quilt for my soon to be born grandson (oops need to get a picture of that one!) My proudest completion this year is the wall banner for my son's class.  I blogged about it earlier; I started working with the "kids" individually in September, helping them choose a shape, fuse it and blanket stitch it to the background.  I was able to complete the final construction in time to hang for Easter celebrations at the church.

Now it's April and next up is my Baltimore Album quilt.  I purchased this quilt kit from my LQS several years ago and then just got busy and never got it made.  Last year I assembled the quilt and this year it will be completed.  It is the first one that my husband actually said he liked... without any prompting from me!  Definitely a keeper!  It is currently on the quilter and I hope to have it ready to bind this weeken. 

Treadling

 
Last night I was watching Bonnie treadling away on Quiltcam and she was talking about her "Red Eye".  I have recently re-organized/arranged my sewing room (again!) and un-burried my treadle.

I was yard sale shopping a few years ago and picked up this gorgeous Singer "Redeye".  The grandmother I bought it from had sewn on it "for ages" but age and health problems left her unable to continue to do so.  Sadly, none of her children or grandchildren were interested in acquiring it or learning to sew.... That has worked out just fine for me!

The serial number G8546689 indicates that it was made in 1921.... a A Singer 66.

Looking on the internet I have found the decal pattern may originally have been called "Scroll (red)".  But the common names for it are "Red Head" or "Red Eye" due to the red eye-shaped design in the decal decoration.



It is in excellent shape for a 92 year old!  They sure don't build them like this anymore!

Some other general information I was able to copy off the internet:

The Singer 66 sewing machine produces a near perfect stitch. When sewing well the 66 will out-sew nearly any modern machine through a huge variety of fabrics from linen to lace, horse blankets to buckram. It is simply near perfect engineering but this came at a price. A Singer 66 was one of the most expensive sewing machines on the market costing several months wages.  Most sewers would opt for the smaller twin, the Singer 99, but for those professional sewers who wanted more foot clearance and space the Singer 66 was the queen. Expensive but simply the best.

The 66 arrived after nearly half a century of improvements and developments.The mass produced machine was introduced around 1900 and used the smooth oscillating hook. The hook mounted horizontally allowed the bobbin to be simply dropped into the machine. The simplicity of threading and perfection of stitch made the 66 an instant best seller. The high-arm clearance and sewing ability was second to none.

It ran from the 1900 right up until the model was superseded by the amazing Singer 201 in 1939. The Singer 201 was possibly the finest Singer ever produced. The smaller stable-mate to the Singer 66 was the Singer 99 identical except for size.

The British Singer 66's were adorned with three different decals. Firstly the Lotus petal; then came the Sphinx which was also used on the Singer 15k and a few other shuttle models. In America the red-eye pattern stayed with the machine whereas in Britain the Singer 66 had three decal changes.

The Singer "Red Eye" gets its name from the beautiful lenticular design used throughout its decoration. Several other machines earn names from their embellishments such as the Sphinx, Lotus, Memphis, Egyptian, etc.

Bonnie suggested starting with string blocks when learning to treadle... no need for perfect 1/4 inch seams....that is exactly what I plan to do.  I have a bag of gifted strings that need to be sewn!  

I'll need to research how to oil and clean her up a bit first; but hope to be ready to sew on her by the time Bonnie returns for the next Quiltcam.

 

Another Acquisition!

Today I was gifted with this beautiful, in a cabinet, Singer 15-90.  

Margena is downsizing... she and her son have swapped houses... his small two bedroom home was getting too small for his growing family and her 5-bedroom family house in the country was too big for her living alone.  Everyone is happier, but she is still trying to give stuff away that she no longer has room to keep.

This was her mother's sewing machine; she remembers making costumes and clothes for her children with it.

I checked on the serial number and found it was made in 1946.

 Look at the beautiful etching on this metal plate!

Some of the decals on the front and center of the base are worn, as is the finish on the wooden table... but this was a well used and cared for machine.

I'm not too sure about this motor and light.  I doubt they were original parts. The light is held on with this awesome chrome disk, but they just stand out as too different with their plastic-y white casings.  I'll have to ask when I see her next week what the story is.

But, look at what I found in the bottom drawer!  The original manual (which is how I know it's a 15-90!) and the original box full of assorted attachments!

Saturday Morning Adventure

I was up early this morning and off to the Farmers Market to purchase another bushel of apples to dry to make fried pies for next summer's fair.

With my purchase loaded into the van  I headed home, but decided to stop at  couple of yard sales on the way.  I picked up a set of salt and pepper shakers for my daughter and several skeins of yarn to knit a baby blanket.  Then I spied a familiar shaped box over on a table piled with computer and electronic stuff.

It's a Universal Sewing Machine!  Serial No.  S44709.  I'll have to search for the website to check the serial number to find out how old it is and where exactly it was made.   It is very heavy!....not the feather weight that I really want, but a pretty new addition to my collection.    The box it sits in is rotted a bit where the screws  are supposed to go.  Everything seems to turn and move very nicely.  Because the wires were dried and cracked and would have to be replaced, I talked her down to just $30!

I'll have to make a trip up the plateau to Montery and see my favorite Singer repairman to replace the wire.  I might be able to take the box apart and replace the one rotted board (or I'll have my woodworking brother do it for me when I see him at Christmas... wink wink) 

I've got the apples (some of them) sliced and in the dehydrator and now I'm off to dinner.

Acquisitions

Meet Alena... my newest acquisition:

 

She is an Alden's Model 139 made in Tokyo Japan 1949-1953

She is a DeLuxe model with a knee pedal.

She is in good working condition... except for that belt that was  cracked and broke in transit.

 ***UPDATE***

 Ted ... my repairman... came by today and took a look at Alena.  I thought it was just a slow running machine... turns out there was the equivalent of a spool of thread wrapped around the shaft and bobbin shaft too!  Once that thread was removed he showed me how to oil her and she purrs like a kitten.  She has a very nice zig zag stitch too!  She is a High Left Shank machine (the needle is way left) so getting a quarter inch seam for quilting may be difficult.  Ted is going to try and locate a guide attachment that will screw into one of those holes on the base. 

I am very happy with my purchase!

On The Way Home Part 3...sewing machines

There were a variety of sewing machines available in the antique malls I browsed through.

 These hand crank toy sewing machines were made for the little girl who wanted to sew along with Mom.

 This was labeled as a hand crank toy sewing  machine also,  with a made by singer label, but I couldn't find any kind of model number on it.

This Junior Miss came complete with box and instruction book!

This is an old Edison Super De-Luxe Precision made in Japan. I love the label.. guaranteed by The Manufacturer and Authorized Dealers!  It had missing parts and frayed wiring and was covered in dust and cobwebs....EEEWWWW

I love the carved woodwork on this Singer table and the beautiful gold stenciling on the sewing machine.  At first look, I thought it was a treadle, but it came complete with a Radiante motor. It was probably worth every penny they were asking for, but I had to think real hard before walking away without this one. 

Here is another singer in much simpler table.

 These next items came home with me because I felt they were unique and interesting.



 I found this simple wooden box on a shelf and opened it up to find an assortment of attachments.  I have to take it to my Singer man and see if he can identify what any of it was used for.  Maybe I can use them with my treadle.  There is a carved stamp in the middle of the box top that reads "Patented February 13 1930"  I'm not positive about the year though. 

 

Here is a Free-Westinghouse .  This is definitely not the featherweight I was looking for...it is very heavy! The current owner was there filling her booth with additional items and offered me a deep discount to take it off her hands. She plugged it in and showed me that it runs; the light has it's own separate plug.  It came with a box full of attachments that the owner had no idea what they were used for.  This machine is unique to me too because it has a Bullet Bobbin (see it on the lower left hand side of the box).  I've heard mention of one before... now I know what it looks like and this too must be taken to my Singer man to have him teach me how to use it!  I think that's a bobbin winder on the front right of the machine. I believe I need to add a belt from the big wheel on the right to a smaller one on the front to make it run.