Help needed with identifying an antique sewing machine!!
 

Dear All,

I am pulling my hair out, my great grandmother left me her sewing machine. I have attached photos for you. The machine is in immaculate condition having being stored away in cloth for many many years. It is fully working and has all needles etc. all I know is that Domesco I think were German manufacturers for Singer. I have found nothing in the web and singer sites don't seem to go back enough for this model. I can't find any serial numbers anywhere.

Please can you help, I would be extremely grateful to have any information about the history of singer/domesco and its worth.

Kind regards

Helen Brooks
[email protected][ATTACH=CONFIG]376639[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]376640[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]376641[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]376642[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]376643[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]376644[/ATTACH]

Bigger pictures might help. Other than that searching on Domesco sewing machine turned up a link to Wernard (though it might be only the electricals) and searching on Wernard sewing machine came up with a link to Godfrey which might have some linkage to the prominent G on your machine. Pretty much everything I found was in Australia so I'm not sure about a German connection.

Oh my. Isn't that lovely, Helen? Beautiful decals and in such perfect condition. And a hand crank to boot! I'm drooling all over my keyboard. Keep us posted on what you find out.

BTW, what will be your first project for her? Something to honor the great women in your family...?

Wow! You luck lady. Beautiful machine.

Hello Helen,

It is definitely German. At first glance it looks like a Vesta, with the snakeskin faceplate and inspection plates. Also Vesta used to do a lion decal. They didn't manufacture for Singer. The German manufacturers were in competition with Singer, and many of their machines were better if you ask me. Also, like Singer, the Germans exported all over the world. There are plenty of German machines in Australia.

If any of the parts have LOD stamped on them then it is definitely a Vesta. The manufacturer was L. O. Dietrich. Failing that, is there a badge anywhere on the machine? What brand are the needles?

Vestas and other German machines turn up in this country with the brand name of the retailers on them - Harrods, for example. Domesco will probably be the brand name of the retailer, perhaps a large department store.

It's a very nice machine. Clean it up and use it. You couldn't possibly sell it if it belonged to your great grandmother.

Thank you for giving me the excuse to go through the Needlebar picture library. However it is way past my bedtime, so I will have another look tomorrow to see if I can find out more.

Lovely machine, Congratulations on your Great-Grandmothers good taste.
By the way-Please don't pull your hair out, it thins naturely as you grow older!

What a beautiful machine to inherit. If she knows you are a quilter and appreciate her machine, I'm sure she would be delighted that it is in good hands!!! I hope you treasure it...

WOW, she is beautiful...so envious...would use her as an ornament if not for sewing LOL

What a treasure you have and the history that goes with it. That would make it so special to me.

She is a beauty.

Such a beautiful machine and history. Enjoy and thanks for sharing with us.

Helen,
Listen to Muv. She knows her stuff when it comes to long bobbin machines. Those are her favorites and she has sewn with them for a while. You can still find those long bobbins on the internet and Sew Classic. com has them also. They are in Ohio and ship quickly. Jennie knows her bobbins and can help you get them. Needles may be harder to find. Your machine is beautiful and in good shape cosmetically. Keep her forever.

Domesco Sewing machine
 

I acquired a Domesco sewing machine today and it had Made in Czechoslovakia written on it .

Hi Helen, I see it's been a long time since your post, and maybe you know more about your machine by now...
I've just come across a machine so similar that I'm sure it must be the same thing...except mine is named "Robertson" and in a treadle cabinet.
Otherwise, it appears identical...except a bit scruffier.
I am particularly interested in the stitch length device, which on mine doesn't seem to be working, and also in whether it will reverse...given the stitch length number layout rather hints at this possibility.