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

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

Old 07-16-2012, 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by grannysewer View Post
I just got gifted 3 more machines! One was for my bday by my DD and her husband. Its a '57 chevy-looking clone in turquoise and white. The other 2 were given just to get rid of and are probably not going to stay around here long. One was a touch and sew in a cabinet, and the other a kenmore in a cabinet that fell apart. Maybe next time it will be nice Singer.
Grannysewer, don't discount the Kenmore just because it is a Kenmore! Those were some nice machines!

Nancy
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:13 AM
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Originally Posted by PBobbin13 View Post
Hello. I am cleaning up a beautiful lady I've dubbed Madame Martha after the woman who gifted me with this beautiful machine. It's an Eldredge improved model B treadle. So far have mostly worked on her finish which is coming to life after lots of elbow grease. I finally was able to get the head lifted up to search for treasure in the belly of the cabinet - and found two more bobbins giving me a total of five. They need to be cleaned with Brasso but I'm excited to have found them. One spot on the bottom is frozen up that controls the stitch length selector but I'll get it free. Everything else works smoothly. I'm fairly new to this board and wonder if the pictures of these old beauties are in the pictures section or somewhere within this section. The Eldredge was originally made in Chicago, then merged with the June Co. (maker of the Jennie June treadle) and after 1890 became the National Sewing Machine Co. which then became New Home and eventually became Janome. Very interesting history. Thanks for directing me to pictures of old machines.
Barb it is really interesting when you try to research these old companies! But, don't forget the Free Sewing Machine Company who merged with New Home in 1927 - then Free/New Home merged with National in the early 1950's right before the Japanese Janome company bought them out in 1954! It gets really interesting doesn't it? Congratulations on Madame Martha!

Nancy
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:14 AM
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Originally Posted by BoJangles View Post
Grannysewer, don't discount the Kenmore just because it is a Kenmore! Those were some nice machines!

Nancy
I've been thinking of starting something about Kenmores. I have about 10 or 15 of them. Some are pretty nice machines. I don't really know much about them though. Some of you will have to help me out. I don't have them all cleaned up yet. There are a few more to clean up. At first I thought they were all toast - none of them moved. Maybe some links to manuals and any user friendly links or info would help. Hang on to it for a bit though so we can get it all together. I've been trying to get/keep the accessories for each machine matched up with the machine too. I won't ever know which cabinet was original. sigh.

Also don't discount the MW machines. I have a couple of them some where. From what I've seen they aren't bad machines.

Also I would like to start something about the Japanese zzers - I have a few of them. I have one that is going to take some major work - come and get it... It could be done but I just don't have the patience for that one. I just hate rusted needle bars and bobbin areas and rusted, pitted chrome all over the place. I would much rather see 3 in 1 oil residue.
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:17 AM
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Have fun Charlee!
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:17 AM
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Originally Posted by terriw View Post
Hi Billy,
I am new to this format and your post was very timely for me. I just purchased a Willcox and Gibbs machine at an auction. I'd never seen one, and actually wondered if it was a child's toy due to it being a bit smaller than what you would think a real sewing machine would be. (I've started collecting old toy machines.) In fact, the auctioneer thought it was a salesman's model. It is 8 inches tall, and 10 inches wide. Can you tell me anything about it?

Terri
Terri, please post photos and let us know how you like sewing with that machine. Those Wilcox and Gibbs make an awesome chain stitch! I love the stitch for a little decorative touch, especially when top stitching something! It is also great for hemming jeans - to get that nice stitch look!

Nancy
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by miriam View Post
If this were my DG I would give her a Singer 401, 403, 500 or 503. Since you are afraid she will lose the cams then you need the 401 or the 500. I say this for a couple reasons. First, those machines are relatively light weight it might be a bit easier to get the machine up and down in the table. Second, if you sit in front them and compare how well you can see you will notice you can see what you are doing a whole lot better on those model Singers. The tension and the nose get in the way on many machines. I had two Necchi machines for awhile. One I liked and used a lot, the other I hated. I also hated my Janome. One day my daughter and I were making something and using the two Necchi machines... she commented that she could not see past the nose on the one I hated without craning her neck. We started looking at machines a bit different after that. Can you see without craning your neck or hunching over? How is the light? I would prefer a Singer 403 or 503 to the 401 - I know what stitch I am getting every time. The 401 drives me up the walls unless I have a manual right there. Being able to see may be why I like the Singer 15 or a clone for FM so much. I can see real good. Nothing in the way.
Thank you Chris, Irishrose, Candace, and Miriam for your input! I would like to have the Necchi - just for kicks, but Candace and Miriam are probably right - the kids would rather have the 401 - it looks more 'modern!'

Miriam, I never thought about the nose and being able to see what you are working on!!!!! What a great little tidbit of knowledge! So that is why I don't like certain machines and love others! I never thought about it before you brought that information forward! I have a blue Morse like Charlee's new Morse - I tried to sew with that machine and hated it! Charlee let us know how you feel after trying to piece or do something involved with that machine - maybe it was just me!

Thanks again everyone - I will just fix the cabinet up that the 401 came in and give that to the kids. I have two granddaughters (sisters) who sew. They both have a portable plastic wonder, but one lost her foot pedal (go figure), and the other one has no place to put the machine up unless it is on the dinning room table - which her Dad doesn't appreciate!

Nancy
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:28 AM
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Thanks Trish!

Miriam, I've learned...I can deal with a bit of exterior rust, but if it has made its way to the bobbin area, I don't want much to do with the machine!! Depends on the cost and how many good parts I can get off of it!!
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Charlee View Post
Thanks Trish!

Miriam, I've learned...I can deal with a bit of exterior rust, but if it has made its way to the bobbin area, I don't want much to do with the machine!! Depends on the cost and how many good parts I can get off of it!!
Those don't even make good parts machines... Nothing to save. I suppose a couple gallons of evap-o-rust and a big bucket might help some but I just doubt if you could get it smooth enough to get thread to pass through everything. Besides there are so many really good machines that are much better to fix up and let someone enjoy them.

Maybe we should take pictures and start a horror show around October....
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Old 07-16-2012, 06:01 AM
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here is a free cabinet kenmore up for grabs if you are near.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/zip/3141993418.html
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Old 07-16-2012, 07:33 AM
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Anyone have this Singer binding machine? Looks pretty cool! http://chico.craigslist.org/atq/3140212594.html
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