Great find! Congratulations.

Cathy

Cathy and Grant,
Thank you both for adding to my list of resources. There is so much to learn!!! Do either of you, or anyone else, know of a really informative site for vintage/antique White DSM? I have 3 in my garage awaiting restoration (after Christmas, I imagine) and would like more knowledge. I called and got the year for 2 of them but no info on number 3. I also have an old New Home that I want to learn more about if you have any good references for them. Thanks a bunch to you both and all on the board for sharing info.
Donna

Glenn a little bird told me you found a sewing machine... :D:D:D:D

Generally not much work to restore on of those.

Lee, your little FW is very nice and looks to be in perfect condition. Have fun with her.

Miriam I like your heavy little machine too. Hope you will be back sewing soon take care and don't lift that machine.

Am I missing someone has "vintage" been on here? I do hope you are doing better Charlee.

Yeah - love that face plate - must be an older model.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/atq/3352255730.html

I believe this is actually a Priscilla and allegedly the woman used it about 3 years ago but cannot tell me any info re the needle size, bobbin size or whether it has attachments. Her DH was surprised when I asked about a manual. His reply was that it was an 1880s machine and I shouldn't expect a manual but was surprised when I told him I owned a pre 1900 machine that had come with a manual. Will look on ISMACS but does anyone know anything about this machine? I think it is a Priscilla and not a Percilla.

Re the Priscilla: If it is a Davis, it might take a 15X1 needle, otherwise it will take the elusive 20X1 needle. Possible manufacturers are Davis, Household & New Home. Possible needles are Boye #2, #4 and #14. Considering adopting this machine but I'd like to know a bit more. The gal, alleged seamstress, said she had a bunch and couldn't rightly remember this machine.

Donna, There is not a lot out there that I have found about the White machines and their history. Is it a FR (Free Rotary) machine? Serial # Fr XXXXXX? From what I can gather, the white Sewing Machine Co. either didn't keep very good records or they were lost in general or in a flood or a fire. They made a lot of machines for different labels. Kenmore being one of them. Do you have a specific question on a specific machine? I have had a few White Rotary machines and I am pretty familiar with them. If you would like to PM me I can see if I can help and would be glad to do so. If it is a FR (Free Rotary) I bet I can answer almost any question other than date and place of manufacture. The New Home would depend on what model and where it was made. Some were made in Germany some in the US (I think by White) but most were made in Japan.

Chris, that is a very unique machine. The upper tension is on the faceplate and the foot plates are square and "D" shaped. Both traits are unusual along with with the spool holders like they are raised up and with the access port in an egg shape. My first guess because of the decoration was that it was a badged machine, but I really don't think it was a mainstream badge manufacturer either. Even the Treadle base is unusual. It arches very high and has no top arch. It bolts directly to the cabinet just above the oval, so no clues there. The one thing that is getting to me is that it looks like it has a Lotus Blossom in the decoration. Very few machines made outside Japan had a Lotus Blossom on them. In fact, I know of none, but this is a very unique machine indeed. Just small details will help. The Bobbin winder is usually the tell all for them. This one looks straight shafted and is a Treadle powered winder and that is not unusual. Also there is no lug on the machine body where a motor or a hand crank would mount. That tells me that it was made before 1903 or so. Singers have that lug on them starting in 1901 and all Singers had them from 1903 and on. Other manufacturers followed suit. When you find out, I for one would like to know where it was made and who made it. I would put a standard needle in it and roll it forward and listen to hear if it is hitting or binding. Then do the same with it threaded to see if it will sew before handing over any money on it. Needles on some odd ball machines are impossible to find. Cool Machine! I like it! Good luck.