Free Westinghouse Machine
 

Hi. I have a Free-Westinghouse Sewing Machine that was my Grandmother's. I am trying to find out some info on this machine, mainly when it was manufactured, and its value. I think it had to be sometime during the 1940's. I have been trying to upload pics to this site, but they are not taking. I do have the original manual and it days on the cover it is a Model ARE, Round Bobbin Rotary. Also, the machine is a gold/bronze color if that helps. If anyone can help me getting pics here that will help a lot!

It can be confusing posting pictures here, there are some good directions in the help section:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/qb-help-center-f27/

For my computer/browser/camera combination, I find it easiest to use the defaults given at this size to reduce the file size of my pictures.
https://www.reduceimages.com/
Download there and upload here.
I reduce my internet window to half size and my file manager window opens above it, then I simply drag it from my file/camera to the correct spot on the linked page. Make sure to download it, not just reduce it!

It took me much longer to figure out than it should have that there is an "Upload" button to the far right of the attach screen -- you have to widen the window to see it, it is still set in the vertical default of the old boards instead of the horizontal setting currently used.

edit: A couple of weeks ago at the thrift store there was a lovely black with good decals Free Westinghouse in a stand for under $2.00 (yes, $1.79 no missing decimals) broke my heart to leave it but I just have no room.

here are the pics!!
 

I couldn't get the pics onto the original post, so here they are

Thanks!! Took me awhile, but I got the pics on!!

I don't remember seeing any paint like that before. And I've seen a lot of machines.

Leonf. Any ideas where I could find out more about this machine? Thanks for any help you can give

Lovely and interesting finish!
 

What an interesting finish on that machine. Wish I could be more help.

Lovely and interesting finish!
 

What an interesting finish on that machine. Wish I could be more help.
if you google or bing search using “Free Sewing Machine”, you will find a lot of references.

That's a very interesting machine and a wonderful heirloom. As far as value, it will depend a great deal on where you are. Most old sewing machines, even in good working order, aren't worth a great deal. With the exception of Featherweights and a few others models that have caught on for various reasons, most people don't seem to value these old beauties.

Well, this is cool. I was looking for place to get serial number information and found out that Free-Westinghouse was eventually part of New Home and you can check dates there! Also found out that Free was the founder's last name. Also that the brand was sold to a Japanese company in 1954, so yours "made in America" would be earlier than that.

Here's a chart though, goes up to 1930
https://ismacs.net/newhome/manufacture_dates.html

If that doesn't work I thought maybe the cabinet/container might give us some date clues.

Welcome. It is neat that you have the manual. Do you have some attachments for it? Also are there any needles for it? From my understanding, these machines take a different needle than modern domestic machines take.

According to https://www.janome.com/siteassets/su...anufacture.pdf it would indeed be from the 1940s, probably near 1942 or 1943 if they were sold fairly equally between 1940-1946. It appears that there is a model ALB that tooks quite similar to your model ARE.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

Thank you to everyone who helped me with some info on this machine. My next step is to try to figure out the value of this machine. The cabinet is in good condition, just some wear on the top, but nothing that a little refinishing won’t fix. I’m going to try once again to add a pic here so you can see the cabinet. It has nice work on the legs and the front draw.

Here is a pic of the cabinet.

I think that's the machine that Lucy used when she tried to make clothing. It's a great episode if you can find it.

As others have said, very few old sewing machines have much value.

bkay

I was curious if it was, it wasn't. She had a portable machine on a desk.

I have a Free-Westinghouse machine similar to yours but with a smooth finish. That was the machine my mother had and that I first learned how to sew on. My mother sold hers, but my sister and I found one at an estate sale that looked just like hers, although in a different cabinet. I bought it, and it has been sitting in my house for several years. I was afraid to try it out since I had heard it takes its own brand of needles. It's just kind of a nostalgia thing for me now.

Leslie

The needle size is shown on the machine, isn't it. It is just like a regular needle but a bit shorter. Some people just shorten a regular needle, grind the top off to the right length.