up from the ashes - Howe Ruffler by Johnston
 

I picked this up an an auction site.

It was listed as "1800's sewing machine attachment"

and it was gross.... The bottom, not putting fabric near this....
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I forgot to take a picture of the front before I started cleaning, but here is the top side with the 1st of the writing revealed
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Second bit of writing uncovered
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The final bit of writing
Also not the end of the arm has a little swinging bit. that is the connection to the needle bar. the little cup at the end goes OVER the needle clamp screw head
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ready to go!!!! (Yeah Brasso, a brass brush, and 0000 Steel wool!!)
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Don't know what impresses me more: How clean it is or the ruffler itself (so ... very... old).
BTW, a *lot* of people I speak to who do sew don't know what a ruffler is or how to use it (yes I'm thinking of you Frudemoo). I had what I'd call a "buttonholer moment" when I saw one of these working. Genius device, and useful for multiple tasks.
If you haven't used one, get one out and play with it, or youtube a demo or two.

Wow, who would of thought that was hidden underneath all that gunk!! Good job!

Nice job, now let's see it in action.

Cari

Welcome back Steve! Neat looking ruffler -now. Great job cleaning it and I'm amazed it didn't get tossed out looking like it did.
Nice save.
I'd like to see it in action too.
Rodney

Howe Model B

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Cool action on that. I admit i don't get out much. That's the first time I've seen or at least noticed a notch in the head of the machine to clear the needle clamp. That explains the extra joint in the arm on the ruffler anyway. Very cool find. I don't think just any ruffler would work with that machine.
Rodney

this is SO specific to Howe it has a channel carved in the bottom to account for the Howe's weird arched needleplate

Here is a picture of one of the hemmers but it shows the needleplate

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Good job Steve

I really like the brass attachments. None of my machines are old enough to use them, but I'm glad you can get them cleaned and working.

Joe