Free-Westinghouse sewing machine
#15
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
Originally Posted by debijod
Check out the pics I added of my "new" Free-Westinghouse that I paid $1.00 for at a garage sale!
The machine that you have is made buy Koyo which turned in to Koyo-Seiko and then Seiko. Yes it is the same company as the one who makes the watches and you will find that the Japanese companies are EXTREMELY diversified. The company eventually moved its entire operations to India and are now being produced by the S.K.Sharma & Sons corp. Thats right India is the capital of the sewing machine world right now with over 95% of the Japanese sewing machines being made over there for export.
I have a "Universal 15" that was made by Koyo in the mid 50's and the company badges machines for a lot of folks. But I had no idea that they were doing these machines also, so this machine is a very important one for my research into the Japanese machines!! I am going to say this machine is a mid 50's machine going from what I know about the company and when the transition occurred. I have some translated inter office documents from them talking about the merger and the desire for a broader export business. Really interesting reads these documents are.
Congratulations on the machine and if you need any information I might have it here in front of me if not I can find it.
Billy
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Whitewater, WI
Posts: 24,528
Its beautiful! I found one at a garage sale to thats a Free Westinghouse! Mine is brown though, and looks more old fashioned....more like the older Singers! Tension is messed up on mine though.
Sure love the color of yours!
Sure love the color of yours!
#18
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
Originally Posted by quilt addict
What a pretty machine and I love the history lessons you provide Billy.
Great job.
Great job.
Billy
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Billy, You are awesome! I love the history of the things that I have acquired. Thank you so much for the post. If you need any more information about my new baby blue 903 please let me know.
What is so funny is that last year I bought a beautiful oak treadle base that has "The Free" in the treadle. The base has four long drawers with beautiful S-shaped pulls. The drawers lock when the top is down and open when the top is opened. The front of the base moves back when the top is opened, too. I paid $10.00 for it at a garage sale. There is no machine with it so am thinking of putting my new baby in it if it will fit.
My father manufactured woman's clothing from 20's thru 60's when he passed away. He only used Singers so I knew nothing about The Free or Free Westinghouse. It is now a mission to learn as much as I can. I do have a treadle base from his factory but brothers took most of the equipment when I was young so that is all I got. Have been using it as a side table with glass top for years.
Again thanks for the info. will keep you posted if I find anything more the 903.
Debi
What is so funny is that last year I bought a beautiful oak treadle base that has "The Free" in the treadle. The base has four long drawers with beautiful S-shaped pulls. The drawers lock when the top is down and open when the top is opened. The front of the base moves back when the top is opened, too. I paid $10.00 for it at a garage sale. There is no machine with it so am thinking of putting my new baby in it if it will fit.
My father manufactured woman's clothing from 20's thru 60's when he passed away. He only used Singers so I knew nothing about The Free or Free Westinghouse. It is now a mission to learn as much as I can. I do have a treadle base from his factory but brothers took most of the equipment when I was young so that is all I got. Have been using it as a side table with glass top for years.
Again thanks for the info. will keep you posted if I find anything more the 903.
Debi
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
I am a Debi J too! Mine is Debi Jo - what's yours?
Thanks for the reply but I'm not sure what the "dogs" are. I think I know but could you explain. I don't see anything happen when I turn the knob. Thanks Debi I use dejo as a sign in name lol
Thanks for the reply but I'm not sure what the "dogs" are. I think I know but could you explain. I don't see anything happen when I turn the knob. Thanks Debi I use dejo as a sign in name lol
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