I've been looking at lots of German hand cranks on eBay - and being out bid in the last 2 sec. Question - any opinions on this one, and what size needles do they take?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frister-and-...-/180781229686

That is a beautiful machine. It takes a 12x1 or Boye 23 needle.

I hope one of you guys got the Brunswick on sale in Elk Grove for $80. I called and it is sold! The cabinet had been re-done - I thought it would be so nice to not 'have' to re-do one cabinet!

Nancy

Hello, all! I have been reading on here but am only up to about page 25. I have always had an enthusiasm for usable antiques and I have always sewn. In the past several years I have carefully combined the two. But recently my enthusiasm is taking me to such heights my husband has suggested we move my sewing room out of a room and into the entire basement. He doesn't know about the machine I just bought off of eBay!

Here are the two I currently have in house.

This is Agnes. I a few years ago I was looking for a treadle and my future DIL told me her grandma (Agnes) had one. I said if the family ever wanted to sell it to please let me know. She gave it to me for Christmas.

http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...1130011718.jpg

She is a Singer 9W and has one of the rarer W serial numbers. My OSMG had a bunch of needles he sold me. I think I paid $15 for 20 of them. This year I made my DIL's Christmas on her. She does have a broken tension spring that my husband jury rigged. He is going to attempt to make me another since I can't buy one. I hope to work on refinishing her table next winter.

I recently decided to go to a quilt retreat (my first ever!) and needed a machine. I bought this.
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...1130011508.jpg

She came with all her attachments and a buttonholer. She has since been cleaned, greased and oiled. Had to reset the tension twice to get it right but now she sews like a dream. I haven't named her yet.

I have a 99 coming. I know what her name will be. Ida. She will require some work and my end up being painted red.

I am so enjoying your shop. I hope you don't mind that I drug my rocker in and joined right in.

Mary

Just realized I didn't include a picture of Agnes' table.

http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...36IMAG0077.jpg

This is what she did look like. I have replaced that upper, left drawer that a hungry mouse damaged. My husband is making me a new piece for between the drawers. There won't be any beading on it but that will be hard to tell.

Randa, have you tried to sew with the machine? The hand wheel turns away from you on several machines including, Wheeler and Wilsons, the Singer 9W, some White's, but my New Home T No 3 has the hand wheel come toward the sewer not away from the sewer?

Nancy

I have been looking at Leah Day's site today. She is starting a new Wednesday learn to FM quilt series called Shut Up and Quilt: http://www.freemotionquilting.blogsp...w-project.html

I figure that this will be a great way for me to improve my FM quilting while learning new patterns.
I'm sharing the link for those that are also looking help and a schedule program to follow.

Of course, I will be treadling my FM projects on my Singer 15-90. Have fun treadling!

Mary welcome aboard! I love your 9W and the 301! I am partial to the Wheeler and Wilson machines, and that 9W is basically a Wheeler and Wilson - the aristocrates of the sewing machine world! I have a W&W and a Singer 9W - love them both. I don't have a 301 yet, but I have one spotted and may have one just like your mocha one soon! Great photos!

Nancy

Nancy,
According to the Needlebar Needle Book the Frister & Rossman TS takes the 12x1 needle
and the VS models (like this one) take a standard 15x1.

Cathy

Mary, the 9W is a lovely machine.
Did anyone here outbid me Saturday on a 301 with a zigzagger, buttonholer and a box of attachments? It was a great price, but someone had faster fingers at the end, darn it. I hope whoever won the machine uses it.

Hi Mary,

I own a Singer 9W that makes beautiful stitches. I don't own a Singer 301, but a Singer 401A. I understand the 301s are wonderful machines. Enjoy your vintage ladies! Feel free to post any of your projects that you made from these machines. We all enjoying seeing other folks projects here!