MY Sears Minnesota sewing machine!
 

Well, not yet but it will be one day. I started quilting 12 years ago. Last year I got the Featherweight bug. Then I found this sight and got the antique bug. I now own a 201 and 15_91 both in cabinets and found locally for $75 and $80. Then I found out I needed the 301. I got that last week on eBay. We got to my aunt's home in AZ yesterday and what do I find? Well, I have ignored this piece of furniture for years and now with MY new obsession I ask "What is it?" A Minnesota made by singer. Also a great story how my aunt acquired it. The pully system is broken to pull it up but I now remember seeing the machine years ago and what a beautiful machine it is. My aunt has never sewn. She says it is mine as soon as she downsizes. That is OK. I don't have room right now anyway! The cabinet is in perfect, beautiful condition. She likes antiques and that is why she spent $50 on it 40 years ago. I didn't mention I grew up in Minnesota!

How exciting! Does she have photos to share so you can whet our machine appetites?!

I saw a "Minnesota" model machine in a thrift shop last summer - and had to make myself keep walking. It was not in a cabinet, nor in very good condition, or it would have followed me home.

The Minnesotas were made by Davis or National I think, not by Singer. They were sold by Sears.

Photos will go a long way to identifying the machine.

Sounds like a wonderful machine to make a home for, just in case your Aunt downsizes sooner than later.

Here's a Minnesota Model B by Davis:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]511839[/ATTACH]
This one started off in life as a treadle machine. It was converted to electric and put in a home made base decades ago.

Hope you get your Minnesota, they're nice machines.

Joe

Like Joe says, "Minnesota" was made by many manufacturers for Sears---at least 4. Then you got the model A,B,C almost all the way until X. If your not familiar with Vibrating Shuttle machines your in for a real treat.

Jon

My bad! From earlier post I read that they were made be Sears. I guess I got the wrong S going. I do have a picture of the cabinet. I have never sewn on a treadle. I remember my Gma had one stored at our house. It all burnt when I was 9.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]511850[/ATTACH]Nice, isn't she nice! She's called Zita from now on!

I do believe that's a Minnesota Mdl A. Although I'm not positive who made it. Nice machine.

Joe

Zita is looking good! You have a Davis made "New Minnesota A" which Sears only sold from 1909-1913. I'd check the drawers for the front slide plate, bullet shuttle, and bobbins, which were hopefully put away for safe keeping. The bed casting on bottom of machine is marked "A9" or "A10". The A9 uses Davis Long needles and the A10 15x1 standard. You'll really enjoy this once she's up and running.

Jon


Similar Davis manual: http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...f/sil10-37.pdf

Thank you Jon. My aunt bought this machine when they lived in Eatontown, NJ! The moved to AZ in 1978. I read her your comment! At 79 she looks real good! Yes, there is a bunch of stuff in the drawers. More research for me to do.

Veinurse,

I am currently working on a Minnesota Model A (Davis Made) -- I have no idea of the age of the machine I have -- I'm working on it for my cousin in Arkansas. I bought a shuttle from a QB member in NY, and another (just to be safe) off e-bay! My son and I had plans last weekend to spiff up the shellac to protect the decals, but we just ran out of time. I had hoped to work on all three of my beautiful old machines. The shellac clear coat is suffering from age, but Glenn has provided a tutorial for improving the appearance of the machine and protecting the decals! Your Minnesota is in better condition than the one I have, but my cousin is thrilled with it, so I won't complain! Congrats on your Minnesota, now known as "Zita"!

Jeanette