Originally Posted by
terriw
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?
Hi Terri,
For starters, as far as I know there is no such thing as a salesman's sample sewing machine. This is a persistent myth--that when you think about it, doesn't make any sense at all!
The W&G is a single-thread chainstitch machine (like most toy machines), intended for adults. It was sold as a treadle, a handcrank, or an electric. Here is some more stuff on W&G on the ISMACS site.
http://www.ismacs.net/willcoxandgibbs/home.html
And here's a youtube showing threading, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjKG9pdacv0
Good luck!
pat