I was looking at ads for a mid arm quilter and stumbled on an ad on Craigs list with 3 'antique' machines. Now, I am not a collector, but all of you have gotten me interested so I had to go see them. I thought only 1 was a hand crank, but one other one was also. The person selling them used the 'electric' one for a night light.... she was just a collector of antiques and did not know what she had. One is a Davis the other is "Gloria" Vibrating Shuttle. There is not name on the Gloria, but DH was looking it over and found a hidden type drawer in the wooden base. Inside was several feet, 2 shuttle bobbins and the instruction manual! The manual has been soaked in oil at some point and has a few tears, but is complete.

Oooo how pretty :D:D:D

Beautiful machines!! Did you buy them?

I can't get over them using it for a "nightlite". Definitely not a quilter nor seamstress! :lol: :lol: :lol:

So it looks like you bought all three?

I only bought the 2 cranks pictured. By the sounds of it this woman had a house full of all types of antiques. These were just 'pretty' to her and she had no idea what they were worth. The electric one I didn't buy was the one she used as a night light... They were on Craig's list for over 2 weeks and nobody even called her about them until I did tonight. She downsized homes and her kids hated all that 'old stuff'!!

:thumbup: Love them

So by "Hand Crank", does a person actually crank it the whole time they are making a quilt or does one get the DH to sit there and do it for them? I can just imagine a woman walking around with just one Popeye arm!

that is so funny!! I caN'T IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO CRANK AND GUIDE AT THE SAME TIME. My brain wouldn"t work that way.LOL

Beautiful machines-is the second one pictured a sphinx decal?
Hugs
April

I did some sewing one time using a regular, modern day Singer by manually moving the hand wheel (there's a indent that allows you to spin the hand wheel with your index finger) while feeding the cloth (power was out for a week when the power lines were pulled down by a tree.) I would have given anything to have one of those antiques in its' place.

At one time I lived in ElPaso, Texas. I had a Mexican maid. She told me that many, many people in Mexico have no electricity and that crank and tredal machines were coveted in Mexico. Some times they are even able to be outside and sew in the moonlite. There are many seamstresses who can cut their own patterns and make lovely dresses etc. I am sure there are also some quilters. linda

It is easier than you would think, and no I don't have a "Popeye" arm ....yet. You just get in a zen sort of place and it all goes together as you are sewing. Add in your favorite music and you can really sew away the whole afternoon with out realizing it.

Really beautiful machines by the way. :thumbup:

Beautiful Machines. Love your pictures.

Beautiful machines. I have a Featherweight and next I would like to have a treadle then a crank.

Just imagine the skill it took to turn the crank and sew a straight seam. Sometimes I think we are loosing the "art" of quilting with all of our fabulous inventions. =)

Great machines. Personally I am very appreciative of my electric machines, hearing the hum as I sew....ahhh music to my ears. I can truly say I feel fortunate. But the machines are beautiful! If I lived elsewhere with no electricity, I'm sure this would be my best friend. Enjoy your new find.