Originally Posted by
miriam
I have a big one like that - looks like a bulldozer and an old Singer which is smaller. I'm thinking the bigger one went on an industrial machine and maybe stayed connected - then just use that machine for button holes only. I think it would be putting it on and off the machine rather than using it would tear up the machine. I'm betting you need the plate to cover the feed dogs too. Is it a regular shank?
There are a TON of attachments with this one, the drawers were full! It is low-shank - and I think you're right, it's the taking it off and putting it on that would damage the machine. Leaving it set up for buttonholes isn't a bad idea...or, ha, excuse to buy another machine!!! One for buttonholing and one for playing!
I will take a picture later on of all the attachments that came with it, the feed covers were there too...I don't have any feed covers for any of my treadles either so now I'm thrilled...now I have to try to FREE MOTION!!!
Well...that is after I put a new belt on it... Lol*
The more I thought about the buttonholer...it was purchased in 1945 and by that time this 1911 machine was old news compared to the newer electric models - so I wonder if this was a purchase made special to fit the owner's "old machine". The smaller modern buttonholers of that time would have been available by that time wouldn't they? I have one dated 1947 by Singer for my featherweight. I bet they bought this big honker to fit this "old" machine in particular.
Originally Posted by
J Miller
The monster button holler is just a camera angle thing. I have two of the Singer versions and they are about the same size. Both bolt up and work just fine on any low shank machine.
Joe
Yep just smoke and mirrors.
ROTFL* It's pretty big and industrial looking - but to your credit I pulled out my singer buttonholer dated 1947 and there is a cover to hide the mechanics and that alone may play a bit of an opitical illusion and make it appear smaller. Also my hands are small. The Husband always teases me that my hands and tootsies are miniature. Lengthwise though, when compared, they aren't to different.
I will take a picture and post later on - the Husband is off today so we are in and out of the house running errands.
Originally Posted by
Caroline S
That is a "beasty buttonholer". $10 in 1945 was a lot of money. Is there a part number on it?
Not sure about the part number...going to check here in a bit. There is a ton of paper work, the cover to the manual is deteriorating but the inside is intact. Receipts and instructions are included in many of the attachment boxes. The person my Husband bought the machine from was in her 90's, I guess this was her Mother's machine and it's been in her family since the day it was purchased. He said that he'd thought she'd told him she had the receipt from it's original purchase but she didn't include it.
Originally Posted by
miriam
growl grumble grumble now I'm gonna havta dig 'em both out of some stash box or another and snap a few pics....
Hahaha - I'd like to see pictures of yours Miriam for comparison. The thought of making buttonholes on a treadle is exciting!!!! Possibly tedious and a little daunting, but exciting none the less! Lol*