I should be working on a Pfaff 130 tonight but the woman selling it on Craigslist turned out to be a ditz. We were on the way when she called to say not to come, someone else was interested. Translated: They offered her more money than she was advertising it for. GRRRR.

New Home Midget
 

This travel/toy machine was my playtime today, and it sews nicely! It is a lockstitch, but about the same size as a Willcox & Gibbs or the largest Muller chainstitch machines. It is surprisingly heavy, so it doesn't need to be clamped down. This one has lots of paint chips and signs of wear, but cleaned up to be quite nice.

The patent dates are 1911 and 1912. Originally patented by the president of the Knickerbocker Hand Sewing Machine Company of New York, and some are labeled that way on the stitch plate. Apparently New Home took over, and it became "Little Worker" and eventually "Midget." Montgomery Ward offered them, now called "Mother's Helper" in the late 1920s. Information is difficult to find, so if anyone can add to this, it would be appreciated!

These machines are quite common, but usually missing their small shuttle and bobbin.

As always, it is such a kick to get a neglected machine sewing again!

Dianne in Colorado

Dianne,

Very nice, she cleaned up beautifully. Wonder who was the targeted buyer?

Jon

Not THAT'S a neat machine!
Rodney

Jon, I expect they marketed this little wonder to every possible likely customer - children, travelers, those who couldn't afford a big machine, people who occasionally do some mending, and whatever else they could come up with.
I'd like to see an ad, and find out if there were accessories offered.

Rob Sanders has an article on ISMACS about making replacement parts for sewing machines, here: http://ismacs.net/sewing_machine_art...-machines.html

He talks of making a replacement shuttle and bobbin for these machines by cutting down a standard shuttle and bobbin.

With a thumb screw from a New Home A and a cloth guide of unknown origin, this Midget can be set up to do piecing. One would have to refind the quarter inch with every bobbin refill, which will be pretty frequent on this machine. The cloth guide could be marked to make that easier. The machine uses 20x1 needles, like other New Home machines.....I haven't tried lowering a standard needle, but probably it would work.

It's a fun little thing!

Dianne in Colorado

Question. Had you offered her full price? Not that taking a higher price after agreeing to a price is ever good.

I went on a safari Friday for a FW advertised on CL. It was over an hour drive. I was supposed to call the lady when I got to the Kroger parking lot. I called 4 times, waited an hour started looking in thrift and antique shops. After the second hour I tried again. She came & met me & I followed her to her next door neighbor's house. The neighbor had passed away and she was conducting the sale for family members who lived far away. The FW had looked decent in the picture and I had already asked if there was a case or any attachments. She said no. The listed price was $75.00. When I saw it, I nearly cried. It was frozen up, and looked like it had been setting in water with the paint peeling and otherwise awful. I left and today she relisted it for $35.00 and stated that it would not run and the paint was peeling. Gaaaa!

Yes, I offered her full price. Funny, fishy, smelly deal, its still listed on CR. Guess they didn't take it after all.

This is a picture from the GW auction site.[ATTACH=CONFIG]526769[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]This machine looks quite similar to my aunt's Avona handcrank machine that she displays as a "pretty". I do get to dust it and play with it when I visit her.

Just a quick reminder to folks that the Victorian Sweatshop Collection will be at the Willits Kinetic Carnival on the weekend of Aug 22 and 23rd. Hope to see some of you folks there. We will be set up in the Mendocino County Museum