Thought you guys might enjoy some pictures. My great-grandma bought this from the Hudsons's Bay in 1911. I've had my great-grandma's sewing machine for about 20 years now. I always think it's so gorgeous, because when it's closed, it doesnt even look like a sewing machine. And the carving on the wood is just beautiful. So several times over the years i have peeked inside quick lol, but never really opened it up and done more than a peek until today. Well i'm kind of blown away. It has everything. I looked way in the back corner, and found the original owners manual still inside, and a black box of attachments. It is even has an attachment that is a fabric guide, for getting that perfect 1/4" seam. So i took lots of pictures. I even tried it and it works, thats i tried it with no fabric or thread yet. Will have to read the manual and find out how to thread it. Look at the one photo, the front of the cabinet even has a ruler on the wood, i guess for measuring your sewing lol. It's gorgeous, but now i thought, i wonder if it works? There is one problem that i have to figure out though. The pressure foot seems to just slide in, but i cant find a screw or knob to tighten to keep the pressure foot from slideing off. If anyone knows how the pressure foot stays in, i would love to know.
So here, enjoy the pictures :)

And more

It's beautiful!! What a treasure!

And more, enjoy :)

Thanks Gayle, and in the very bottom photo, i even laid out the metal fabric guide piece, couldnt believe it even had one of those lol

If sewing machines could speak, I wonder what this one would tell you about what it made during its lifetime? That is one pretty machine, I bet you treasure it.

Oh i do love it. All these attachments make me wonder if this was a pretty deluxe machine for it's time. Can't believe the beautiful workmanship in it though. My great-grandma bought it in 1911, and passed it down to my grandma, and she gave it to me about 20 years ago.

Loretta, it almost didnt stay in the family. When i had to move my grandma into a nursing home, i had to clean out her apartment. And i said grandma, what about your Mom's old sewing machine. What would you like me to do with that? And she said, oh that old thing, nobody will want that, just throw it out! lol And i'm like uhmm, well i would love to have it if that would be ok with you. And she says you would? I said of course, and she just smiled and smiled. So i've had it all this time, and treasured it, but just never really looked inside it until today!!! lol lol :) I've always kept it closed, and used it as an end table, but now i'm thinking i might like to leave it open :)

She is simply beautiful! What a treasure!!!

Thanks quiltwoman...now i just want to find out where the screw is to hold the pressure foot in place. Gonna read every inch of that manual tonight, see if i can figure out how to thread it too :) This will be fun.

What an absolute treasure! And all the goodies that go with it! WOW! Does the manual say anything about the presser foot? There might even be a picture. It is in a truly exquisite cabinet showing that it was top of the line! And it looks like it has een treasured all of its life because it appears to be in pristine condition! What a fortunate lady you are!!! :lol: :lol: I am sew happy for you!

Wow! How cool is that? The cabinet is beautiful itself, but oh, my, that machine! You are one lucky girl. It's especially beautiful because you know your great grandma sewed with it! Such a treasure.

That is a beautiful machine. It's so wonderful to keep it in the family.

Very pretty machine. I love that style cabinet. So great that is still with family!
Linda

Yes Sharon, it says, to change pressure foot, take one pressure foot out and put another one in LOL But, i just found the screw that tightens the foot!

Barb, What a GREAT machine and cabinet and what a wonderful story ! Hope you figure it all out soon :lol:
Sharon

Ok, so i dont have the machine threaded yet, will work on that later. But i tried sewing. Uhmmm, is there a secret to doing a treadle? lol Ok i turned wheel, got the treadle going for bout 30 seconds, then all stops and i have to spin the wheel like crazy again, ok its going good, then crap, have to spin wheel again LOL LOL Is there a secret, like i just have to get a rhythm going? And do you use one foot on a treadle or both? Can you guys tell i've never tried treadling before LOL

Thanks so much guys. I got inspired seiing other people show pictures of their antique machines, and saying that they were going to use their machines. So i thought hmmm, maybe i can :)

Barb, you treasure just blows me away!!! WoW!!! It is a beauty and a treasure all rolled up into a big WooHoo awesome prize!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us!!!! :D :D 8) 8) :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Good for you on deciding to open her up and give her some more use! Grama would love that you are doing this :D :D :D

Just a thought....maybe you might want to photo copy the book, store away the original and use the copy when trying to figure out the machine. :wink:

Yes im thinking that amma. All the pages are real old and broken in half, and theres really old tape holding it together. Funny i had it all this time, and enjoyed it as a cabinet, but never really got to enjoying the inside! LOL

Wow!!! Such a beautiful treasure you have, Barb!!!! Love the designs on the machine, and the cabinet is beautiful!! :D

What a wonderful treasure.

Oh Barb....she's pretty!!!

Barb, what an awesome treasure you have!!

I haven't been on my treadle for a while, but you do need to get a rhythm going, and I have done it with one foot after I used both feet to get started. You might want to check the belt to see if it is soft and supple. That may be why it stops, it gets to the place where it was all those years! Replacing belts is not difficult after you locate one! :lol:

She is a B E A U T Y!!! I wish I had a treadle!! We past one on the way home from vaca for $30.00 and hubby said no. Dang it!

Kyia

Absolutely a stunning, beautiful machine and cabinet!!!!

That was the cadilac of it's time I'm sure. It's a beauty. I hope your children will see it's value and it continues it's life in your family.

What a lovely family heirloom! I am so glad to see that you have kept it intact. There is a couple in my city who buy old setups like this, dismantle the machine from the cabinet and make bathroom vanities out of the cabinet. They practically give away the sewing machines, but make a fortune selling the "remodeled and repurposed" cabinets. I've seen the prices on them on craigslist going anywhere from $650 to $1200! And I feel so bad that whoever had the sewing machines didn't value them for what they are--beautiful examples of craftsmanship from the past.

Beautiful - it's in amazing shape! To know the history of the machine and to realize it was used by your great-grandmother WOW!

What a treasure!

What a beautiful machine and the cabinet is a work of art. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, you MUST make something old fashioned looking to go with the machine itself. Please, Please.

Wow!!!!!!

Priceless! What a great treasure from your family!

Wow, now that's an interesting thought. Maybe i will see if i can get the machine working, and maybe i could make a family heirloom with it. Gee, that's a wonderful idea, just dont know if i can do it, but will think on that for sure.

That sure is a beautiful machine & also a beautiful cabinet. Let us know if you get it going. It is a great heirloom!! Very Cool!!!

Boy oh boy that is one nice machine. I bet that your Great Grandma paid a fortune for that machine at that time. I would love to know what she paid.

oh my. that is one awesome machine. lucky you :wink: