Thread: Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Originally Posted by Charlee

http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/Wheeler and Wilson.htm

So...the guy I chatted with that told me my machine was about 1878 was most likely wrong... and I'm ok with that! LOL I like knowing when the machines were made, and this article tells me that my machine is more likely after 1880... but before they stopped production of the model 8 in about 1887.
With that bit of knowledge, Jan, that machine you picked up today is likely 1876, do you think? With only 5 digits in the serial, it has to be a first/second year production!

I looked at the patent numbers on my first one. they are 1872, 1873,March 1876, 1877 and 1878. The new one has only two patent dates 1872 and 1873. Looks like to me it must be between 1873 and March 1876. I'll look for more dates tomorrow. I'll go read that Sewmuse article now. I'll shoot a couple more pictures tomorrow of the "jewelry" she has. Just read the article, so it must be one of the first ones of 1876. Now that is neat !

Texas Jan

Originally Posted by Charlee

Here's Treadleon's site listing of the current TOGAs that are scheduled:

http://www.treadleon.net/fleamarket/events.htm

Okay...now I need to ask...what do you do at TOGA's? There is one in MN that I might travel to, if the dates work out, but what happens there?

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

I looked at the patent numbers on my first one. they are 1872, 1873,March 1876, 1877 and 1878. The new one has only two patent dates 1872 and 1873. Looks like to me it must be between 1873 and March 1876. I'll look for more dates tomorrow. I'll go read that Sewmuse article now. I'll shoot a couple more pictures tomorrow of the "jewelry" she has. Just read the article, so it must be one of the first ones of 1876. Now that is neat !

Texas Jan

Just went and looked again, the last patent date on mine is 1878, which lends to the idea that mine is 1881 or1882? Aren't those glass presser feet way cool? A couple of mine have fleabites in them too..but not around the needle hole, they're on the edge. I wonder how many have been tossed out in the trash because someone had no idea of what they were?

Originally Posted by sew wishful

Okay...now I need to ask...what do you do at TOGA's? There is one in MN that I might travel to, if the dates work out, but what happens there?

I wish I could tell you Randa, I've never been to one. Some of the other ladies here have tho...I'm sure they'll be able to tell you!

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

DH and I went and picked up the WW8 that was on CL today. She is in really good shape and I am thrilled to pieces.

Texas Jan

That looks so much better than the CL ad pics! It has an elegant functional look to it. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

DH and I went and picked up the WW8 that was on CL today. She is in really good shape and I am thrilled to pieces. Right now she is not turning, but has very little rust and probably needs a good oiling. She is older than my other WW8. Her Serial No is only 5 digits long---57153. The last Patent date on her is 1873. There is a concealed drawer in her top which had several glass feet and tools inside. On the back is a bar that controls the pressure to the pressure foot. Is not operated by a spring. The pressure foot lifter is completely outside the machine too. I will really check her out tomorrow, but after being in the car for over 4 hours to get her home, I am pooped out.
My other WW8 serial number is 385288. How do these numbers compare to anyone else that has the WW8.

Texas Jan

Not much cool seems to turn up around here - I bet you are going to have a really fun time with that one!!!!

Originally Posted by vintagemotif

Some folks bring exchange blocks, their sewing or quilt projects to show off, and machines or parts to sell. There are folks showing off their new finds. Demonstrations on sewing projects and repairing machines.

At Cathy's Gold country TOGA there was a raffle. Folks brought items to donate to the raffle: quilting books, patterns, magazines, sewing attachments. There has been demonstrations of different attachments and chain stitch machines.

I presented a tutorial on making a very simple machine cover at one event; and at another event, I demonstrated my Standard's chain stitch attachments-or tried too.

And I gaped at all the cool vintage machines.

AaaHaa!! My biggest fear!!! I'll come home with more WANTS!!!

TOGA sounds like a lot of fun. I wish there was something like that around here - so far it's just Iris and me in the shop fooling around with old machines.