Meet 'Charlee', a 1920 Singer 66-1 (Pic heavy)
 

Hello all,
I'm fairly new to the QB but have joined two swaps already-Monthy Quilt Block and Quilt for Quilters swap. I would like to comment on one thing that stands out to me -folks are very friendly and willing to help out the new-comers, either that, you all have a blast watching us 'new kids' with our learning curves <bg>.

Dh and I love to haunt the local antique malls for a hobby. Last week we spied two machines that piqued my interest and I knew just where to go for information. Having been a visitor to the Vintage Machines forum, I knew who I wanted to turn to for guidance, someone knowledgable and fun. So I shot off an e-mail to Charlee asking if she would help me regarding evaluating the machines and reliable resources that I could learn from - and she did. Fast forward.

I made the decision to go for the 66-1. It called to me. DH goes to pick her up and I wait at home for what seems an eternity. When eventually he turns the corner to come up the drive I spy not one, but TWO machines in the bed of the p-up! Nope, you'll have to wait to find out what the other one is :-)

Since last Wednesday I have been steadily working on bringing back some of her luster. I lovingly tease her cabinet falls under 'Section 8' housing, but really, it's not too bad. Don't get me wrong, it's not great and dh is going to give it a go with some glue and clamps. She wasn't horribly dirty or gunked up -Thanks Muv! Your tut on You Tube was a huge confidence booster!. We need to get a belt and bobbin ring, other than that, she's good to go. I'm giddy with excitement to hear her purr. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of working her over.

Meet the First Lady of my vintage machines, 'Charlee', in thanks to all of QB's Charlee unselfish guidance and support.

WOW!! You did an AWESOME job washing her face!! :) I'm honored, thank you!

Charlee is transformed!!!!! I love the bit about her living in section 8 housing - I about snorted my tea and fell off the chair - love the name. I'm glad you found Muv's videos (BTW - she has a new one - I just posted it on the recipe section a little bit ago.)

What a beauty! (There aren't any whistling smileys). :thumbup: She shines so well you'd think she was new. It's addictive to transform them--just be warned.

WOW!!! Charlee is beautiful!!! What a wonderful looking machine!!!

Fantastic! Charlee looks beautiful! I think bringing one of these old machines to life is a blast!! I have one that will be set in her newly refinished house tomorrow and I'll post a picture. You did a great job!

What a great story (I agree, Charlee, the board member, is a gem) and a very pretty machine. I hope you enjoy her for many years.

Wowsers! She is a beauty!

Just beautiful - Red Eyes are just stunning when they are brought back to life - great job!

Joann

wow..a red eye..so pretty....but do tell me that she is NOT going to a permanent plant stand....if you need the leather let me know, I am going to place an order with Brewer sewing by Friday!

Wow! She sure is pretty! Neat to see how well these machines clean up. I would have been intimidated, but your pictures encourage me (as does this forum!). Can't wait to hear about your second machine. :)

She's is beautiful. Mine is not going to look that good, but I like her anyway. Good choice.

wow shes pretty

Beautiful machine!! You did a great job cleaning her up, and you're right...when you get her going you will just LOVE the sound of treadling. It's like magic!! :-)

You might take that heavy plant off of the leaf on the left...that old wood could start to sag under the weight. Just sayin'!! :-)

:-) jaciqltzok,
Naw, wouldn't that be the cardinal sin of owning a old gal like her, not putting her to use? Trust me, dahliing, once she has her belt and bobbin ring, she'll be earning her keep.

Thanks for the kind offer about going in with you on the order but we have a friend who has worked on machines just about his entire life. He has quite an inventory and has offered to give me the parts.


I'll be waiting to see how your girls come along.

best,
d

Hi jljack,
Thanks for the compliments on Charlee. And thanks for the comment on the plant sitting on the leaf, you're right, were it heavy or with any weight at all, over time it might pose a structural issue. But, in this case, it only appears heavy and more importantly, once Charlee gets her 'necessaries', she won't be hosting plant sit ins. <bg> I have way too many hours in her to ruin her. And, if I don't stop drooling all over her I'm going to have to give her another coat of polish. :-)

Best,
d

You did a lovely job. If she sews half as beautifully as she looks, you're set for the next 100 years!

Great restoration. We don't get Red Eye decals in the UK and they are so gorgeous. I'm drooling as well.

Jacqui

I have 2 well merit badged redeye machines. I think they are work horses. Not a bad thing now is it? I simply cleaned the lint off, oiled, cleaned off the worst of the dirt and muck with a bit of oil and they are sewing just fine. What do you know they could go another 60 or 100 years. A gentle clean up is all that was needed.

....so, when do we get to "meet" the other lady your hubby brought home?

Beautiful!

A Red Eye is still on my wish list!

That is one gorgeous red-eye. Just eye-popping beautiful. I am green!

Beautiful! You did a wonderful job making her shine like a new penny. How fun! Enjoy...

I just love going back and looking at your red eye!!! It is just beautiful!! I'd love to have one, but did they come in portable electric machines? That's what I'd need.

wow she sure is pretty.

I'm not much into the old machines but this one is gorgeous!!! Enjoy!!! :)

Wowza!!!!! It came out beautiful :) . You mentioned polish. Which polish did you use to make her so pretty? Can't wait to see what your other machine is going to be :thumbup:

Sure, they can be portable. Pictured below is one that I bought off of Craigslist and the woman's husband had made a box for it to sit in. This one is a handcrank but you could do the same thing with a red eye that has a motor.

I have a red eye that will not accept a hand crank - it must have been a treadle - there is a motor on it but the thing the hand crank goes on is not there so the HC goes at an angle and won't hold in place.

Charlee is indeed beautiful!! Good job!

Kathy

JMCDA,
Well, this girl is a bit self-concious about her appearance and is working hard to make herself presentable. :-)

Funny how fast you learn armed with knowledge and machinary in front of you, isn't it? I just ordered the belts and bobbin winder rings today so hopefully by next weekend I will be able to report I have actually used the machines. Wiping the drool off is getting old ;-)

I hope to post her picture this weekend so be watching.

best,
d

Aren't they just a pretty machine? Although scrolling through this forum this afternoon I've seen several other beautiful machines.

As to cleaning her up, I went with Muv's recommendations all the way -mostly sewing machine oil (Singer), Maas metal polish and then some Mother's car polish as a 'finishing powder' ;-)

best,
deb

Charlee...you clean up good!
Beautiful machine.

Congratulations!
 

Congratulations, you have a beautiful Red Eye!! She cleaned up so nicely and you are so blessed to find her. I have her sisters, a Pheasant head treadle and a Sphynx without a cabinet. Don't you just LOVE these old Singers? They are magnificent!
Pictures of them on my blog if you want to take a peek at them.

http://royllsister.blogspot.com/

Congratulations!
 

Congratulations, you have a beautiful Red Eye!! She cleaned up so nicely and you are so blessed to find her. I have her sisters, a Pheasant head treadle ( 1901) and a Sphynx (1910) without a cabinet. Don't you just LOVE these old Singers? They are magnificent!
Pictures of them on my blog if you want to take a peek at them.

http://royllsister.blogspot.com/

I just took a look and WOW....your machines are in almost perfect condition. I hope you find the perfect cabinet for your "newest" machine...lol!

Wow, Wow double Wow, that is so pretty. It looks new. Mine don't look that good, but I still love Her anyway. You did a great job.

That is a nice Red Eye. Cabinets not to bad either. But ...... please take the flower pots off the wood. I've got 6 treadles and 4 of them have water damage from flower pots. Ewwwww yuka poooy.

Joe

Hey Joe,
Think I hit 'Cancel' instead of 'Submit Reply' so if this come through twice, I apologize folks.

Stand down. Charlee's cool. That photo was taken the first night she was all cleaned up and put in 'her spot'. After all, she's got to earn her keep.

I attached a pic I just took so you can see what she has looked like since a couple of days after her debut. She's a busy girl and doesn't like to sit idle. She does has a fabulous stitch.

We good? Good :-)

best,
d

What did you use to clean and polish her so pretty??